Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator > Reviews (1)

It is one of those great 'groan' moments when you go out to the car intending to go out somewhere important and you realise one of your tyres is almost flat. That happened to me at the weekend just as I was about to set off visiting at the old folks home and I realised my rear tyre was looking decidedly sad. I knew it wasn't safe to drive as it was so time to reach for 'Super Gadget' and inflate it to a proper pressure.

I love gadgets and to be honest some of the gadgets I buy are frankly a waste of money. However the 'Super Gadget' I reached for this time just has to be one of my best ever buys. It is the Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator, a quick and easy way to inflate your tyres with very little effort on your part. Yes, really, you don't need to do much and you can quickly be on your way again.

All it is is a modern replacement for the old fashioned foot pump but with a major difference - your cigarette lighter provides the power and this little machine does all the work.

What you get for your money (somewhere around £26) is a little plastic box in a canvas holdall. Connected to the box is a hose which clips on to your tyre valve and tucked away in a little recess is a length of cable with a connector on the end that fits into your cigarette lighter. If you want to check your tyres connect the power lead, connect the hose to the valve and the display will show you the pressure in the tyre. You can change the display to show either psi or bar. Press the 'on' switch and the machine will start to inflate your tyre showing you the pressure as it increases. You can either stop it yourself when you reach the desired pressure or set it to a preset pressure and it will switch off automatically when it gets there.

What could be simpler? Gone are the days when I dreaded checking tyre pressures, this machine makes it simple and makes it really easy to top up the pressures anytime. In my case it was clear I had a real problem with the tyre but at least putting air in enabled me to go see the old folk and then pop into the tyre place to get the puncture fixed on my way home (however did I get a 3 inch nail in the tyre in the first place?)

Would I recommend it?
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Indeed I would - in fact I am actually surprised that everyone hasn't already got one. I bought mine about three years ago and only thought about it again last week as I was talking to a colleague who was moaning about the problems of finding garage air lines that work. I told her about it and she went and bought one last week and said it was one of the best buys she ever made. Funny then that I should actually need to use mine within days.

If you haven't already got one then I highly recommend you get one. It stores easily in the boot of your car in its little carry case and is ready in minutes should you ever need it. It is certainly a must in my car boot.