IF the price of the electronic scooter hoverboard down to $100 will you buy?

[niky]

I've just done the next-best thing... or the better thing.

I bought a folding kick-scooter.

Cost me $25, bought it secondhand from a photographer who's used it at dozens of F1 races.

In other words, I now own a scooter that's seen more of the world than I have. And it still rolls straight. Used it just last weekend when I had to shuttle cars back and forth for a photo shoot from a garage a kilometer a way. Quite a time saver.

[yurias]

Originally Posted by niky

I've just done the next-best thing... or the better thing.

I bought a folding kick-scooter.

Cost me $25, bought it secondhand from a photographer who's used it at dozens of F1 races.

In other words, I now own a scooter that's seen more of the world than I have. And it still rolls straight. Used it just last weekend when I had to shuttle cars back and forth for a photo shoot from a garage a kilometer a way. Quite a time saver.

Hello niky, can I see your folding kick-scooter ? can you share a photo ?

[niky]

Originally Posted by yurias

Hello niky, can I see your folding kick-scooter ? can you share a photo ?

Haven't uploaded my camera pics yet, but it's this one:



Granted, there are much better scoots out there, but none I can get for what little I paid for this one.

Thinking of looking for one with 12" wheels and a suspension, and giving this to my kid, down the line. But for now, it is an amusing way to shuttle around.

[freebeard]

wired.com/2016/01/electric-scooters-uscooter-future/

[Fingie]

In euros Its 88e. Because inflation of the euro, i'd buy one instantly.

A decent bike is 150e in finland

[Xist]

[niky]

Wall-E was pretty prophetic...

Originally Posted by freebeard

It's Too Bad Electric Scooters Are So Lame, Because They May Be the Future | WIRED

The justification for the high price doesn't make all that much sense considering how much more sophisticated the electronics in a hoverboard are.

What's so difficult about combining a hundred dollar kick scooter and a two hundred dollar hoverboard... chucking out all the electronics and gyros needed to make that thing self-balancing and replacing them with active battery cooling... and calling it a day?

[RedDevil]

Governments are throwing the book at hoverboards...
U.S. government declares hoverboards unsafe
Apparently they need certification to be legitimate, and none have been certified yet.

In Holland hoverboards are classified as mopeds, which means they must have a type certification, license plate, a seat and handlebars, etc.
As current hoverboards don't have those they are illegal on the street. But they can also not be used on the sidewalk (as they are mopeds) so they can only be used in areas closed to the public...

The Segway is officially a moped too: it has no seat, but was classified and certified as a 'special' moped. The chance that hoverboards can go that route is slim though.

[freebeard]

Okay, now I'm on board:

Sitting Attachment for Electric Hoverboard - $69

Note the pictures where it's towing a trailer with a kayak, and the one where the bikini model is sitting on a cooler instead of the lawn chair.

Benefits of Hoverboard Cart:

HoverCooler Sit-On Attachment For Hoverboard. Ride cooler in style!Simple to set up: The Hoverboard Cart is a light aluminum frame which fits easily in the trunk of the car. When you want to use it, simply attach it to the bar in the center of your hoverboard with the specially adapted clamp - and then choose what you would like to go on top of your unique mini-vehicle.

Comfortable: Attach your favorite beach chair to the platform, relax, and drive! Perhaps you prefer a fishing chair, a bicycle seat, a box with a cushion, or something else? Any box or seat that can stand on a flat surface and is strong enough to support your weight can be installed on the Hoverboard Cart. Attach a cooler box and ride it to the beach!

Easy to drive: Navigate the hoverboard using only your feet; it can even reverse. The Hoverboard Cart can be used on or off-road, and can ride over grass, gravel, and packed sand.

Practical: The Hoverboard Cart is ideal for a cooler box that is strong enough to sit on. Use the Hoverboard Cart to tow a wheeled cart and then transport bags, boxes, groceries, or a paddle board, or use it to transport heavy or awkward tools. The Hoverboard Cart is strong enough to pull a kayak down to the beach.

No need to carry your hoverboard ever again: Use the Hoverboard Cart to transport your hoverboard back home or back to the car when the charge has gone.

Safer than a hoverboard: No more falling off when the hoverboard hits a crack or bump in the pavement - and sitting is far safer than standing.

[RedDevil]

Yes, much to my surprise I suddenly own an EV!
Seats: none
Max speed: 9 mph
Street legal: no
Range: what?
Weight: 11.5 kg
Carrying capacity: 20 to 120 kg
Make: 'Denver'
Price: €199 at the door.

It has one big thing going for it. It is red.

My mother-in-law asked if we would like a hoverboard for the kids.
She would pay for it so we can buy it, bring it to her covertly when on visit and she could give it to the kids.
If only she was allowed to try it out too.

We quickly decided that we would not go along. My inlaws need the money harder than we do, it is quite dangerous especially with my motorically and mentally clumsy kids (they are both very intelligent, don't get me wrong, I love them immensely).
A pedagogical quagmire (but secretly technologically engaging )...

So my wife told her it was off. Then she sent us the money.
We gave in to her stubborn determination and bought one that had good reviews:


I tried it out already. Yes it works.
It is quite heavy, also feels very solid.
It takes some getting used to, seems overreactive. I had to cross some mental bridge to actually get moving at more than a snails pace.
It needs a closed off area as it is not road legal, nor allowed on any terrain open to the road even if it is private property. It also needs to be free of any obstacles as it will keep pushing agains any obstruction.

Of course I read the manual first, which says it cannot be used by children or the elderly; tough luck, mother-in-law!
It can also not be stored when fully charged (fire risk), be used within an hour of charging (fire risk), be stored in proximity to anything that can burn (fire risk), be used intensively (fire risk), be used without full skating protection or likewise, you name it.

We'll try it out tomorrow or Monday, weather permitting. It can only be used when dry.

My verdict so far: it is nothing but a toy.
You cannot use it for transportation; even worse, it needs to be carried everywhere and it is quite heavy.