Jumper Cables VS Jump Starter

[ThaTermeneter]

I have lost track of my cheap pair of booster cables, since this is such an essential travel item I want to replace them this week. I like to buy good stuff that will last me as long as possible, but I need to decide if I want a nice pair of jumper cables, or one of the jump-start packs that has the battery.

I have narrowed it down to these two, they are both supposed to be the best of the best;

Jump Pack: http://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automoti...1098439&sr=1-3

Cables: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7704_200447704

I used to think the jumper packs were pieces of shit because I have only seen cheap junky ones before but that thing is marketed for people with vehicle fleets and has perfect reviews, it is cheaper than the cables I would get and also doesn't require a booster vehicle. The downside is the battery inside will someday need to be replaced.

The jumper cables are huge copper wire with big nasty clamps, probably last most of my lifetime. They are 20ft long so you wouldn't have to get the disabled vehicle and the booster vehicle nose to nose.

What would you guys pick and why.

[Kirbykirb]

Jumper cables are useless without a battery to jump from.

There, decision done.

[Township Rebellion]

$170 for jumper cables? Shizzle... I got some cheap ones from Canadian Tire a few years ago, they're still good now.

Personally for an item to keep in the car, I'd take the cables just because they take up way less space, and weight - however little the difference is. I'd get a starter pack as a backup item. So in essence, I'd get both.

I just... wouldn't spend that much on jumper cables.

[L33tz]

is 1 gauge really necessary?

[ThaTermeneter]

Nah I would settle for 4 gauge but the ones I find with that size wire are pussy-ass copper clad aluminum wire.

[The Pat-Man]

shit man i picked up cables for like 30 bucks about ten years ago and they're fine, just get some long cheap ones and keep them dry.

[MediumD]

Just get some cheap cables. Not 12 gauge cheapest-of-the-cheap cables, but even 8 gauge is fine unless you're driving a huge diesel or something. It's pretty rare to need a jump start, but it's incredibly rare to be driving somewhere that nobody else drives and need a jump.

[Township Rebellion]

Yeah really. Is it that hard to get a boost from a stranger?

[Motherfucking_Toast]

...I bought some #1 gauge welding cable and some jumper cable clamps. Made my own for a fraction of the price of equally heavy duty jumper cables.

[ThaTermeneter]

i got the clore

[constantinople]

Originally Posted by ThaTermeneter

i got the clore

attach clamps to nipples. administer electro shock therapy.

[Zok Jr.]

Just take the good battery from your friend's car and put it in your car, start your car and remove the good battery and put your old battery back in while the car is still running and let your engine recharge it.

Jumper cables are a scam!

[constantinople]

What you really need to ask yourself is why are you buying jumper cables that cost more than a car battery?

[cronic5]

Jumper cables are jumper cables. They are all essentially the same unless you have a huge battery that requires a lot of power.

Personally I prefer the battery packs. I often find that when I am in need of a battery jump, I end up already being in a pretty pissy mood, and I will not want to deal with people in general. It is also a hassle sometimes, as people around where I live (and America in general) are a bunch of assholes who wouldn't help anyway.

[ThaTermeneter]

I spent more on a booster than a replacement battery would cost because it is worth the peace of mind knowing you don't need to rely on a stranger willing to help with jumper cables, and minimizes the inconvenience of a dead battery. I could have bought a cheap battery, and sat it on a shelf on a battery maintainer but then it is only useful if I experience a dead battery while I am at home and will still require a bit of time to swap with the dead battery.

Imagine, you are getting ready to leave for work - and your vehicle wont start. If you have a battery charger I would expect at least 30 minutes to charge, or if you are in a household with another vehicle and booster cables available this could easily be 15 minutes spent rounding up the vehicle owner or their keys and cables plus re-positioning cars. Or if you have none of these things and you are in your suburban driveway it is unlikely anyone driving down the road is going to stop and ask why your hood is up.

Last one out at work? The industrial area is almost vacant after 6:00pm and anyone left on the roads is probably speeding to get home pissed they had to work late, then you have to call roadside assistance if you have it, or a favor from a friend either way you are gonna wait for a wrecker or your friend in the suburb to drive across town.

I have used it for a boost in the morning only one time so far, but I loaned it to family several times for motorcycles and lawnmowers. Beats waiting on a charge or pulling a vehicle around

[MediumD]

Originally Posted by ThaTermeneter

you are in your suburban driveway it is unlikely anyone driving down the road is going to stop and ask why your hood is up.


...but I loaned it to family several times for motorcycles and lawnmowers. Beats waiting on a charge or pulling a vehicle around

So you don't think your suburban neighbor won't move his/her car a few feet to help you out, but your family expects you to haul your booster pack to wherever they are to help them out? This is why I try to be friendly and helpful to everyone on my street, I might need it in return someday (oh yeah, and in a non-Zoklet, non-selfish sense, it's the right thing to do.)

[ThaTermeneter]

Originally Posted by MediumD

So you don't think your suburban neighbor won't move his/her car a few feet to help you out, but your family expects you to haul your booster pack to wherever they are to help them out? This is why I try to be friendly and helpful to everyone on my street, I might need it in return someday (oh yeah, and in a non-Zoklet, non-selfish sense, it's the right thing to do.)

Nah not everyone has the same work or sleep schedule, if I wanted I could wake up some random neighbor or wave some car from a black away down and almost certainly get a boost but this isn't as fast as having your own machine to DIY - ( oh uhhh jeee yeah i think i have some cables back at my house, i was on the way to work but i guess i can go back home and backtrack to grab them to help you out since you don't have any cables ). So far my family has only used it on our property so its no inconvenience, but yeah I would go give them a jump if they needed it of course.. That's good you are nice to your neighbors

[reggie_love]

Cheap cables to go in the car, a plug-in charger/starter for the garage. I feel like it's easy enough to ask for a jump in public on your way back, but much better to use your house's power for when your car won't start.