- First Name
- Sherman
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2021
- Threads
- 30
- Messages
- 1,854
- Reaction score
- 1,936
- Location
- MIDDLETOWN, MD
- Vehicle(s)
- '22 Badlands ordered 12/17/2021 - Arrived 3/25/22
About NOCO:
The last couple times I looked at battery maintainers were:
1) 2-3 years ago when I was trying to find something to purchase with our Ford points. They had a couple NOCO chargers that I briefly considered, but the reviews were unusually bad. There were plenty of 4/5-star reviews, but also a very high number of well written, detailed, 1-star reviews from verified buyers.
2) More recently, my brother and I were looking at maintainers for our dad and step-mom since they very rarely drive anymore, but they like having a car 'just in case.' That's when I noticed NOCO's marketing strategy.
They charge extra for accessories that Battery Tender (BT) and Battery Maintainer include with their units. All of their accessories are overpriced.
Worst of all, NOCO uses a proprietary 12V connector, as opposed to the standard SAE connector used by BT and Battery Maintainer. Want to use the SAE connector? NOCO will sell you an adapter -- for $20!
Of course, if a NOCO unit works for a buyer as-is, then no problem, but generally speaking it's best to avoid proprietary products that lock a person into buying from a particular mfr. A good example is water filters. Instead of buying from a corporation like Culligan, it makes much more sense to purchase standard size filter housings. They are much cheaper, and a wide variety of 2.5x10" and 4x10" filters can be purchased from numerous mfrs and vendors.
The last couple times I looked at battery maintainers were:
1) 2-3 years ago when I was trying to find something to purchase with our Ford points. They had a couple NOCO chargers that I briefly considered, but the reviews were unusually bad. There were plenty of 4/5-star reviews, but also a very high number of well written, detailed, 1-star reviews from verified buyers.
2) More recently, my brother and I were looking at maintainers for our dad and step-mom since they very rarely drive anymore, but they like having a car 'just in case.' That's when I noticed NOCO's marketing strategy.
They charge extra for accessories that Battery Tender (BT) and Battery Maintainer include with their units. All of their accessories are overpriced.
Worst of all, NOCO uses a proprietary 12V connector, as opposed to the standard SAE connector used by BT and Battery Maintainer. Want to use the SAE connector? NOCO will sell you an adapter -- for $20!
Of course, if a NOCO unit works for a buyer as-is, then no problem, but generally speaking it's best to avoid proprietary products that lock a person into buying from a particular mfr. A good example is water filters. Instead of buying from a corporation like Culligan, it makes much more sense to purchase standard size filter housings. They are much cheaper, and a wide variety of 2.5x10" and 4x10" filters can be purchased from numerous mfrs and vendors.
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