If you have an inexperienced driver in the family-perhaps a teenager who doesn't have a lot of mechanical know-how-or you're the type of person who simply wants to be prepared for the unexpected, listen up. Stanley just came out with the perfect product for those of us who rely solely on cell phone coverage for emergency situations. It combines several useful functions into one easy-to-use portable device. We got one and stashed it inside the trunk of Mom's car. It's called the Digital Power Station. Its functions are varied, but it is super-easy to use. First and foremost, it will power up AC electronics, thanks to a built-in 200-watt inverter-great for those scenarios when your cell phone is dead and you forgot the 12-volt plug-in charger. Next, it can quickly inflate your flat tire with a handy 120psi air compressor with digital readout. Should you or your loved one find yourself stranded somewhere with a dead battery, no problem-the Digital Power Station has a 350-amp instant jump starter to get you going again. Or, if you simply need a light to aid with changing a flat tire on the side of the road, the high-powered LED has you covered.
Sure, this unit isn't the end-all of roadside emergencies, but in a pinch, it really could be worth its weight in gold. The benefits of owning such a device are only valuable if you understand how to use it. This is where Stanley won us over. We found each and every function of the Digital Power Station easy to use, with intuitive graphics on the buttons that provide clearly understandable feedback. A LCD display confirms clearly what function is selected, and even it acts as a voltmeter when hooked to a battery. Simply put, a child could figure out how this one works. The device comes with a standard wall charger that tucks neatly inside the rear storage compartment of the unit. It even has a built-in USB plug to power popular electronics such as iPods and digital cameras.
Even in total darkness, the...
Even in total darkness, the Digital Power Station enabled our tester to easily jump-start a dead Chevy Tahoe quickly, thanks to the bright LED light and 350-amp jump starter.
As you can see, the control...
As you can see, the control interface is about as easy as they come. Simply pick a function, and press the corresponding button.
While not the fastest air...
While not the fastest air compressor available today, the Stanley unit was able to inflate our tester Chevy Tahoe tire from zero to 45 psi in less than eight minutes.