We don’t review a lot of gadgets here on Hooniverse. That’s not because we don’t enjoy them, but because we don’t see a ton that make sense for you, the reader, to learn about. Today is a bit different though, because I got a chance to take an up close look at a new portable power pack from a company called Weego. This just might be one that you end up storing in your own trunk or garage.
It’s called the Weego Jump Starter 44 and it’s the latest in a line of pint-sized power packs that can do far more than you might expect of such an accessory. The folks at Weego swung by Casa de HoonTruck to show my all about it.
Click past the break to learn more about this diminutive provider of the delicious electrons that your car (and tons of other gear) desire.


At it’s most basic level, the Weego Jump Starter 44 is a battery pack. It uses a Lithium-polymer battery with a rating 41 Watt-hours, and it can handle up to 1,000 charging cycles. Those cycles will take you three hours to get it from empty back to full, and the whole thing weighs just 1.5 pounds.
Now, I said that it was a battery pack at its most basic level. It’s got a whole lot more going on than just that, as you’ll notice those jumper cables that come as part of the standard packaging. Weego calls these Smarty Clamps because they’re pretty much impossible to use incorrectly. Yes, I know you’re all jump starting professionals, but not everyone out there can make the same claim. In fact, I’ve chatted with a few people who find the idea of hooking those trusty clamps up to an imposing car battery because they fear they’ll do something wrong. The Smarty Clamps don’t spark, detect the connection to make sure it’s correct, and protect against power surges.

I assume, at this point, that you’re thinking that the Weego 44 can’t jump anything larger than a Vespa. Well, Weego testing says this little guy can jump a gas engine as large as 6.4-liters. A diesel engine can go as high as 3.2-liters. That covers a ton of engine sizes, as I know most of you out there aren’t packing away C6 Z06s in your garage. Some of you are… and Weego has larger battery packs for you.
The battery pack also has a flashlight on one end that is rated to throw 500 lumens by way of a pair of LEDs on one end. There’s a port to connect a USB cable, and the pack also has ports for some potentially invaluable accessory connectors. Weego offers a 12V DC adapter and a SAE 12V DC Adapter. There’s an OBDII accessory that will let you store all of your electronic presets while you unhook your car battery for under-hood work or when it’s time to swap it completely. Those last three are optional extras.



With regards to that flashlight mode, there’s a lanyard and hook that come in the standard kit. You can use these to hang the pack from the hood of your car if you need some extra light. It’s bright… I know because I shined it in my face like a complete idiot.
This is a pretty tough and durable unit that impressed me when I picked it up and played with it. Weego says you can leave a fully charged Jump Starter 44 stored and it will only lose 2% of that charge per month, which means you’ll have a ready-to-go unit for quite some time. Considering lots of us drive less than reliable vehicles here, this thing is nearly a no-brainer and deserves a spot in a glove box, under a seat, or anywhere else you have room in your ride.

It’s not cheap, but it’s not insanely expensive either. The retail price is $149.99, and Weego is taking pre-orders of the Jump Starter 44 right now. We’ll be getting our hands on a unit soon to test it a bit more thoroughly… might be time to run down the battery a bit* in the HoonTruck and see how well it handles those 5.8-liters.
 
*Of course, we can’t let it run down all the way as no jump starter brings you completely back from a battery that is now in the underworld.