6 hours ago, Wino said:

I think that unit is being a little mis-sold if anyone is looking at those photos and thinking to themselves that it's a standalone thing that doesn't need to be plugged into the mains?

I'd been looking at the CTEK CS Free jobbie but horrified at the price and thought that the Halfords one was a cheaper version. Realised it wasn't after posting the link. Duh! Anyway, many thanks for the inputs.

Certainly space saving having that which is really 2 functions in 1 compact package, but leaving the price to one side, I always have an issue with buying what I see as a "2 in 1" function device when I could buying same quality/reliability as 2 separate items - and still have one fully working if the other failed, maybe that is just my way of looking at things though.

My old school jump pack which is now only that as its built in tyre compressor gave up years ago and was removed, can be freely moved around and used elsewhere while my CTEK charge is busy maintaining a battery in a car - and that jump pack has a 19Ahr gel battery which does not cost much to replace. That jump pack only seems to ever get used as a portable 12V DC power source for powering 12V DC tools.

I do admire these compact modern jump packs, but so far have not gone down that route, an ex-work friend has one, needs it as he only uses his car for extremely short journeys and does not have mains in his garage or suitable space outside his house to run an extension lead.

Having had to push start cars when I was younger and reasonable fit when I got older and fatter and less healthy I decided prevention was better - AND - at some point my wife refused to push the car anymore when 'we' ran out of petrol despite the car being very light and me doing the steering!   I know, I'm too good to her (but keep it to ourselves).  So now I'm older and wiser I prevent the need for these fabulous devices, some of which don't always work.

 

I'm with rum4mo in that some are jack of all trades and masters of none.

 

My battery did almost six years and I am a low mileage user. My reliable mobile mech said it might have done more but for the wretched start/stop. So guess what? I always turn the dam thing off these days. I also take the car up to town around once a month (20 miles) to do a combined shopping and battery charging trip.