JumpSmart 3-in-1 Portable Jump-Starter
What's to love: The device is about the size and shape of a large military-type aluminum encased flashlight -- and it can be used as a flashlight -- but its main purpose is to jump-start dead vehicle batteries.
What does it do: The starter is powerful enough to start 4- or 6-cylinder engines and 2.0 diesel trucks. Several safety features are built into the jumper cables including alerting the user if there is an improper connection, short circuit protection and over-temperature protection. The flashlight has four modes, high and low beam, strobe and S.O.S. A USB port on the end of the JumpSmart allows for charging smartphones and other devices. The suggested retail prices for the JumpSmart which come with jumper cables, a heavy duty case, car and wall charging adapters and instructions is $119. More information is at the grommet.com.
Sense
What's to love: Helps the user track energy use and find sources of energy waste.
What does it do: Once the Sense is installed in a home's electrical panel -- which should be done by a licensed electrician -- the homeowner can use the Sense app to track how and when energy is used in the home, which may help the owner modify energy use to reduce their electric bill. The Sense monitors each electrical device in the home through a unique electronic signature enabling the device to distinguish one appliance from another. With the app, the user can check to see if Sense remembered to turn off the oven or set notifications or alerts for when an appliance or device comes on or goes off. More information on Sense -- which sells for $299 -- can be found here: sense.com.
-- Cary Jenkins
HomeStyle on 09/22/2018