You can’t really call yourself a true petrolhead until you own a jump pack. Whether you’ve got a daily driver, a weekend toy, or a classic that can be a little temperamental, a jump pack is one of those essential bits of kit that saves time, money, and hassle.
You might remember that back at the start of July, my Gilbern GT refused to start (full story here). In a rush to get it back on the road, I ended up buying a brand-new 12v battery. It wasn’t too difficult to swap over, but it cost me £58 + VAT. Job done, but looking back, I probably could have saved the original battery if I’d had the right gear to hand.
That’s why I decided it was finally time to invest in a proper jump starter pack. After a bit of research, I settled on the NOCO Boost X GB45.
Why the GB45?
NOCO make a wide range of jump packs, from compact units right up to heavy-duty monsters. The GB45 sits somewhere in the middle of the range and, crucially, covers every car I currently own – and likely to own in the future.
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Power: 1250A, suitable for petrol engines up to 6.5L and diesels up to 4.0L.
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Size: Compact enough to stash in the boot or glove box.
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Features:
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Built-in flashlight with multiple modes (bright, dim, SOS flashing, etc.).
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USB-C and USB-A ports, so it doubles up as a power bank.
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Recharges in just 48 minutes via USB-C PD, or as little as 5 minutes for enough juice to jump a car.
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Spark-proof and reverse-polarity protection, so even if you’re in a rush, it’s designed to be safe.
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Inside the box you get the jump starter, heavy-duty clamps (a touch short, but manageable), a USB-C cable, and a storage bag.
First impressions
At around £124.53 on Amazon, the GB45 costs about double what I paid for a brand-new battery for the Gilbern. But unlike a battery swap, this is something I can carry with me for years, and it covers all the cars in my garage. In that sense, it feels like a smarter long-term investment.
It doesn’t take up much space, feels well made, and offers some genuinely useful extras like the power bank functionality. I can see this becoming a staple bit of kit in the boot – the sort of thing you hope you never need, but are glad to have when you do.
I’ve not had to jump start a car with it yet, so this isn’t a full review. Consider it more of a first look. When the inevitable happens and one of my cars refuses to fire up, I’ll put it to the test and report back with how it performs in the real world.
For now, though, the GB45 feels like a tidy, well-thought-out package – and one every enthusiast should think about owning.
