Taking the Hoverboard - Self Balancing Scooter for a Ride (Video)
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 11/05/2015 08:33 AM
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Introduction
The self-balancing scooter, hoverboard (hate that name) or whatever you want to call it is all the rage. While I am a good 30 years+ past the average age of most customers, I remain mentally many, many years younger. The guy I bought it from even asked if I was buying this for my kid. But, I love new things, especially technology. That would explain the name of the website. So, if you’re keeping score this review is from the vantage point of a 50-year old child. I also was a Segway owner for 6 or 7 years as well and put hundreds of miles on one.
Before we move forward, let’s cover a few things you might want to know about these things because if you go looking for one, it’s confusing at first. These are all made from one manufacturer at this time yet all the prices vary from as little as $200 to well over $600. They are all made in China from the same manufacturer. What you’re looking for, mostly, is that it has a Samsung or LG battery. Others are inferior and you really don’t want that battery to be flakey. You’re also looking for top speed. Some will only go 5 MPH, you want the ones the go closer to 8 MPH. Since these are always listed at Kilometers per hour, you’re looking for at least 12 KM/H. After this you mainly start seeing custom bodies, paint and larger wheels. They aren’t worth the extra money unless you’re an experienced rider.
First Impressions
The first thing you will notice is that it’s heavy. About 24 pounds. That’s why free shipping is a big deal. There’s isn’t much to do but take it out of the box and plug it in. The cord has a notch in it as if it only goes one way but where you plug in has no notch so you want to be careful not to break the pins. First charging time will vary from ready out of the box to 2 hours. This would be a great time to read the instructions. It’s easily some of the worst Chinese to English translations I have ever seen. In other words, you’re on your own. The instructions are useless. See the pic below.
First Ride
The self-balancing scooter uses the same principles as the Segway. You get on and it both balances you and follows your motions to start, stop and turn. But this is where the similarities end. Anyone who’s ridden a Segway knows the first time you tend to shake back and forth because it’s not natural. I thought this wouldn't happen due to my experience but it did. After about 30 seconds it didn't happen anymore. You’re best bet is to practice getting on and off in a doorway, for example, where both hands can make you feel more confident getting on and off.
I slowly rode in my home for a little bit, jumping off once. You can move your feet forward or backwards to turn, speed up or slow down. you have to get used to it being backwards. If you put forward pressure on your left foot, for example, you turn right. You really need some practice here because if you make a turn at 8 MPH and turn the wrong way, it’s hard to get it back. Let’s go outside.
Second Ride
At this point with only a few minutes of practice I was able to get on it easily without a wall. A few more tries and I was able to get off easily, though it takes a bit more practice here. Because you jump off it a few times you will get more practice getting on then getting off so I suggest riding a short distance, then getting off just to get used to it.
Unlike the Segway, this thing responds to each foot individually. It sort of sucks. You want your feet on there as similar as possible and when you get up to speed the slightest movement from one foot can make you wobble. It’s also very difficult to adjust a foot when on it since it responds to each foot. This also mean that both your ankles, legs and probably your abs are getting a workout. I stopped riding after about 15 minutes because my ankles were getting pretty sore. I found that riding alongside someone who was walking forced you to go slower and get used to riding it at a slower speed.
Riding on a sidewalk is a good way to practice because there’s a bump at each cut in the concrete getting you used to bumps that you will hit. I was thrown off early on hitting a bump I didn’t see. More difficult will be navigating bumps in the road. 20 minutes in and I am finding climbing over simple things like a gutter a bit difficult. It’s also difficult to see if a car is coming behind you because you can only twist so much without turning. If you’re paranoid, bring a small mirror with you.
By the way, when you fall off you’re going to scratch this thing up. One time I jumped off it was in a turn and it went into an over and over roll scratching the top wheel protector. You might want to stick something over the plastic wheel protector to keep it from getting banged up. In its current design this is unavoidable. Right after I hit stop on the video below I jumped off (sorry you missed it) and it went into a roll causing many more scratches. So, I must repeat; practice slow until you have it down-pat.
Final Thoughts
In its current stage, the self-balancing scooter is perfect for kids but could be also great in a warehouse or large office situation. With a current price as little as $200, an expected range of 20 miles and just a 2 hour charge time I can see the uses for commercial applications like that. The smoother the surface you’re riding on, the better. I’m just at that age where i’m smart enough to know I might be too old for this thing but not smart enough to pay attention to that. I expect over the years this will be improved but not before the Christmas sales season, that’s for sure. I think it’s biggest flaw is the fact that your feet don’t work together. It’s what makes it harder to learn and harder to drive straight at top speeds.
One can expect these will get faster and have longer battery life in future models and falling off at 12 MPH instead of 8 can really hurt. If they can get this to work where both feet work together then this would be a much better product for all ages. If you have kids treat this like you would if you sent your kid out skateboarding or roller-blading. Odds are they will fall off so have them wear protection.
I have no regrets because I really wanted to try it out. Currently it’s unique and while I hate to do this, about as close to a hoverboard as you’re going to get in 2015-2016. It’s something people stop and notice and want to talk to you about and a lot cheaper than a Lamborghini. I’m not sure about being a chick magnet though.
The self-balancing scooter, hoverboard (hate that name) or whatever you want to call it is all the rage. While I am a good 30 years+ past the average age of most customers, I remain mentally many, many years younger. The guy I bought it from even asked if I was buying this for my kid. But, I love new things, especially technology. That would explain the name of the website. So, if you’re keeping score this review is from the vantage point of a 50-year old child. I also was a Segway owner for 6 or 7 years as well and put hundreds of miles on one.
Before we move forward, let’s cover a few things you might want to know about these things because if you go looking for one, it’s confusing at first. These are all made from one manufacturer at this time yet all the prices vary from as little as $200 to well over $600. They are all made in China from the same manufacturer. What you’re looking for, mostly, is that it has a Samsung or LG battery. Others are inferior and you really don’t want that battery to be flakey. You’re also looking for top speed. Some will only go 5 MPH, you want the ones the go closer to 8 MPH. Since these are always listed at Kilometers per hour, you’re looking for at least 12 KM/H. After this you mainly start seeing custom bodies, paint and larger wheels. They aren’t worth the extra money unless you’re an experienced rider.
First Impressions
The first thing you will notice is that it’s heavy. About 24 pounds. That’s why free shipping is a big deal. There’s isn’t much to do but take it out of the box and plug it in. The cord has a notch in it as if it only goes one way but where you plug in has no notch so you want to be careful not to break the pins. First charging time will vary from ready out of the box to 2 hours. This would be a great time to read the instructions. It’s easily some of the worst Chinese to English translations I have ever seen. In other words, you’re on your own. The instructions are useless. See the pic below.
First Ride
The self-balancing scooter uses the same principles as the Segway. You get on and it both balances you and follows your motions to start, stop and turn. But this is where the similarities end. Anyone who’s ridden a Segway knows the first time you tend to shake back and forth because it’s not natural. I thought this wouldn't happen due to my experience but it did. After about 30 seconds it didn't happen anymore. You’re best bet is to practice getting on and off in a doorway, for example, where both hands can make you feel more confident getting on and off.
I slowly rode in my home for a little bit, jumping off once. You can move your feet forward or backwards to turn, speed up or slow down. you have to get used to it being backwards. If you put forward pressure on your left foot, for example, you turn right. You really need some practice here because if you make a turn at 8 MPH and turn the wrong way, it’s hard to get it back. Let’s go outside.
Second Ride
At this point with only a few minutes of practice I was able to get on it easily without a wall. A few more tries and I was able to get off easily, though it takes a bit more practice here. Because you jump off it a few times you will get more practice getting on then getting off so I suggest riding a short distance, then getting off just to get used to it.
Unlike the Segway, this thing responds to each foot individually. It sort of sucks. You want your feet on there as similar as possible and when you get up to speed the slightest movement from one foot can make you wobble. It’s also very difficult to adjust a foot when on it since it responds to each foot. This also mean that both your ankles, legs and probably your abs are getting a workout. I stopped riding after about 15 minutes because my ankles were getting pretty sore. I found that riding alongside someone who was walking forced you to go slower and get used to riding it at a slower speed.
Riding on a sidewalk is a good way to practice because there’s a bump at each cut in the concrete getting you used to bumps that you will hit. I was thrown off early on hitting a bump I didn’t see. More difficult will be navigating bumps in the road. 20 minutes in and I am finding climbing over simple things like a gutter a bit difficult. It’s also difficult to see if a car is coming behind you because you can only twist so much without turning. If you’re paranoid, bring a small mirror with you.
By the way, when you fall off you’re going to scratch this thing up. One time I jumped off it was in a turn and it went into an over and over roll scratching the top wheel protector. You might want to stick something over the plastic wheel protector to keep it from getting banged up. In its current design this is unavoidable. Right after I hit stop on the video below I jumped off (sorry you missed it) and it went into a roll causing many more scratches. So, I must repeat; practice slow until you have it down-pat.
Final Thoughts
In its current stage, the self-balancing scooter is perfect for kids but could be also great in a warehouse or large office situation. With a current price as little as $200, an expected range of 20 miles and just a 2 hour charge time I can see the uses for commercial applications like that. The smoother the surface you’re riding on, the better. I’m just at that age where i’m smart enough to know I might be too old for this thing but not smart enough to pay attention to that. I expect over the years this will be improved but not before the Christmas sales season, that’s for sure. I think it’s biggest flaw is the fact that your feet don’t work together. It’s what makes it harder to learn and harder to drive straight at top speeds.
One can expect these will get faster and have longer battery life in future models and falling off at 12 MPH instead of 8 can really hurt. If they can get this to work where both feet work together then this would be a much better product for all ages. If you have kids treat this like you would if you sent your kid out skateboarding or roller-blading. Odds are they will fall off so have them wear protection.
I have no regrets because I really wanted to try it out. Currently it’s unique and while I hate to do this, about as close to a hoverboard as you’re going to get in 2015-2016. It’s something people stop and notice and want to talk to you about and a lot cheaper than a Lamborghini. I’m not sure about being a chick magnet though.
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