Press & Reviews

Mini Jump-Starters for Your Car

Source: ConsumerReports.com (Jim Travers)

EMERGENCY POWER THAT FITS IN YOUR GLOVEBOX

Claimed to be the world’s smallest jumpstarter, the Antigravity Batteries Micro-Start XP-3 is powerful enough to start your car in an emergency, yet small enough to fit in your pocket. It includes a USB port and various adapters to charge tablets, phones, music players, cameras, and other electronic devices. And, it has a built-in LED flashlight to help you find whatever it is that needs a charge.

Just introduced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, the XP-3 measures 5×2.8×1-inches, and it weighs in at a mere 12 ounces. A company representative at the event told us it can be charged in a couple of hours on either 120-volt household current or a 12-volt car power outlet, and it will hold a charge for up to six months. (Learn how to maintain a car battery.)

For somewhat greater needs, the slightly larger XP-1 is still a relative featherweight at six inches long and 14 ounces, but it adds the capability to charge and power laptop computers and includes a wider assortment of adaptors.

Both include a carrying case and are available at powersports retail stores now. The XP-1 carries a list price of $160, and the XP-3 can be yours for $130…