Author: HoverBoardGuy

Hoverboard Wheels | How Different Hoverboard Wheels Effect Functionality

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Hoverboards are basically a realization of every child’s fantasy to float on air and “hover” around thanks to the development of technology. With that being said, what exactly is a hover board and how does it function?

From the physique, hoverboards resemble a self-balancing, floating scooter. But to be exact, the hover board has been a favorite mode of transportation regardless of age group. The self-balancing boards have been increasingly popular compared to cycling or driving for fun. As amusing as the hover board can be for riders as they swiftly lean forward or sideways to change up the momentum and direction of the hover board, have you ever wondered how exactly does the hover board function?

First and far most, it is crucial to understand the very components of a hover board. A hoverboard usually has two wheels; one on each side which play a vital role to house the electric motors as well as a tilt and speed sensor. As you lean forward or sideways, the electric motors inside the wheels detect the revolutions per minute of the wheel and sends it to the speed control boards which are located inside the main body of the hoverboard.

With that being said, the size of the hoverboard wheels plays another role in determining the functionality and smooth sailing of your ride. There are basically two sizes for hover board wheels. The average size for a hoverboard wheel is around 6.5 inches while the biggest size for the hoverboard wheel is around 8 -10 inches. An example of a hoverboard with an average wheel size is the Swagtron T1.

 

Swagtron T1 Hoverboard Review

 

The debate continues as to does size really matter when it comes the hover board wheels? Well, yes depending on the usage of your hover board. As newer versions of the hoverboard with more compact sized wheels appear, the question of their functionality is once again put to the test. Smaller wheels on a hoverboard may glide effortlessly with perfect control on smooth and smaller platforms however one may face trouble using a hover board with smaller wheels on a rough terrain.

Hence in determining which size of wheel best suits your hover board needs depends solely on the usage of your hover board. If you will be using the hover board to commute over bumps or rough terrain, bigger wheels will be able to provide a more cushioned and controlled ride. The Halo Rover is known to handle much better on rough terrains due to its larger wheels.

Halo Rover hoverboard review

On the other hand, hover board with smaller wheels may be more efficient on smooth grounds, they fail on uneven and elevated grounds. For a solid and stable ride, the hover board with bigger wheels will definitely guarantee this.

Electric Hoverboards | Best Hoverboards and How They Work

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As a kid, we all wanted to be superheros. One of the coolest superpowers we would pretend to have would be to fly. Better yet, to be able to hover above everyone else. With technology advancements, our inner child is allowed to live out childhood fantasies in real life. All thanks to the introduction of the electric hoverboard.

What exactly is an electric hoverboard one may ask? Or to be exact, how exactly does a hoverboard work? Contrary to its’ name, the hoverboard doesn't actually allow you to ‘hover’ a few inches off the ground.

The electric hoverboard allows the rider to hover as part of a balancing act. The hoverboard sensors detect the weight and direction of the rider. The sensors then transfer power to the wheels. This process is fully automated. The wheels will adjust in rotational direction and speed based on the weight of the rider.

Now that we have a clear idea of how a hoverboard functions, the next issue is deciding which hoverboard is the best choice to live out our childhood fantasies.

Powerboard hoverboard two wheel self balancing scooter review

First on the list would be the PowerBoard by Hoverboard. The PowerBoard is the Michael Jordan of all hoverboards. It's a new prototype modeled off of it's cousin, one of the earliest versions to be introduced.

With its’rounded wheel guards and plated wheels, you don’t have to worry about the wheels wearing off after a few weeks of riding at its’ maximum speed of 6.2 miles per hour. Also, the PowerBoard has a rechargeable battery pack, which provides roughly three full hours of fun.

Hoverzon S hoverboard review

Next would be the Hoverson S Self Balancing Hoverboard. Hoverboard fun is given a feminine twist with its’ inviting bright color as well as the smaller wheel guards.

The Hoverson S Self Balancing Hoverboard has an improved maximum speed, which allows riders to go to 8 miles per hour, and can run for at least four hours on the rechargeable battery pack.

 

 

swagtron T1 review

Finally, isthe T1 from Swagtron, which is also one of the initial hoverboard models. It's still available to this day, and is much safer than earlier versions of hoverboards.

The best thing about the T1 from Swagtron is it is UL 2272 certified or in other words completely safe for all users especially beginner riders. It also comes equipped with LED headlights, which help nightriders’ visibility in the dark. The T1 from Swagtron can be used up to two to three hours at a maximum speed of 8 mph.

Lexus SLIDE Hoverboard Review

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The Lexus SLIDE hoverboard has gained a ton of attention lately. That's probably because:

  1. It actually hovers
  2. Lexus has a huge marketing budget to promote it

It definitely caught our attention. We'll take a look at the technology behind this hoverboard, and more importantly, when normal people like us might be able to get our hands on one.

How the Lexus SLIDETechnology Works

The technology behind the Lexus SLIDE is truly amazing. The board uses a combination of superconductors, magnets and liquid nitrogen to achieve the hovering effect.

Essentially, the liquid nitrogen cools the superconductors to a temperature where they can operate. Magnets are placed in a track below the board. When cooled to the right temperature the board will actually hover at a consistent height above the magnetic track. You can find detailed video explanations on the Lexus website.

The complexity of this technology brings us to an important question. Can it be scaled?

Let's be honest. We all want to be Marty McFly.

At the moment, the future of the Lexus SLIDE outside of designated tracks seems distant. The track featured in the video above was built in Barcelona, Spain. It likely required a large investment of time and money.

This is a very high maintenance hoverboard. Not only does it require a magnetic track, but it also needs to be refilled with liquid nitrogen from time to time (currently about every 10 minutes).

When Will the Lexus Slide be Available for Sale?

There's been no word as to a potential consumer release date for the Lexus SLIDE hoverboard. It's hard to tell if the board was created as a real prototype for a product, or simply for publicity stunt.

The amount of money spent marketing the SLIDE without an intent to sell it makes it look a lot like a publicity stunt.

Let's hope that's not the case. After all, there are hoverboard prototypes out there with logical paths to market (Zapata Racing Flyboard air, Hendo Hoverboard). With a functioning hoverboard in hand, Lexus definitely doesn't want to be left out of this race.

 

 

What are the Different Types of Hoverboards?

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Types of hoverboards

Hoverboard technology has made significant advances in the last few years. There have been all types of different transportation devices labeled as hoverboards. We're not going to argue what should be called a hoverboard and what shouldn't.

Instead we'll take a look at all the types transportation devices being called hoverboards and see how they are differentiated.

Here are the major devices that are being labeled hoverboards:

  • Self balancing scooters
  • One wheel hoverboards
  • Real hoverboards
  • Other hoverboard like devices 

Self Balancing Scooters

The term hoverboard is most widely used to describe self balancing scooters. This is a little surprising, given that real hoverboards do exist that actually hover. These hoverbaords have two wheels and use a self balancing technology two allow riders to stay balanced without handles. 

They're been extremely popular in the last year or so. They've also had some safety issues. The first generation of self balancing scooters had all sorts of battery issues. These devices were banned from major retailers until batteries met strict new safety standards.

The videos on the right show the EPIKGO, an all terrain self balancing scooter that's UL 2272 certified for safety.

Real Hoverboards

There are real hoverboards being tested, and a few on the market. This is some technology to get very excited about. Some of these hoverboards use electromagnetic repulsion to generate lift and hover above the ground.

Others, like the Zapata Racing Flyboard Air, are propelled by jet fuel.

The Flyboard can reach speeds of 93 mph and altitudes of 10,000 ft. It's far from a self balancing scooter.

One Wheel Hoverboards

One wheel hoverboards are designed to feel like snowboarding on any surface. The boards can accelerate and decelerate depending on how much the rider leans in a given direction. The sensation of riding on a one wheel hoverboard is truly unique. These devices can reach top speeds of 15 mph or greater.

They can also ride over various surfaces including sand, dirt, grass and gravel.

We've featured some awesome videos that show what these one wheel hoverboards are capable of doing, check them out!

Other Hoverboard-Like Devices

This is a broad category. Essentially it covers just about anything that claims it is a hoverboard. For many of these devices, we're not really sure what to call them.

Take the ICarbot for example, it's been labeled a hoverboard. It looks more like a Roomba that doesn't vacume or a step scale that doesn't measure weight. Nonetheless, it's found its way into the hoverboard category.

The main takeaway here is that there are a lot of devices being called hoveboards - the ICarbot is just one of the weirdest.

 

A number of featured videos in this post are from Shonduras. He puts out some awesome videos on his YouTube channel, we recommend checking it out. A lot of these are hoverboard related, and a lot are just plane awesome!

Hendo Hoverboard Review

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The Hendo hoverboard is a real hoverboard that incorporates some incredible innovative technology. Unlike a lot of the self balancing scooters (often called hoverbaords) on the market, the Hendo hoverboard actually hovers.

That's right, you can hop on the Hendo hoverboard and transport yourself without ever touching the ground. There's some really unique technology powering this hoverboard, we'll dive into that in a minute. We're going to take a look at:

  • Product specs
  • Hendo background info
  • Potential release date

We say potential release date because the Hendo is still in prototype form. It's been tested and ridden, but is not yet available for sale. We'll speculate when this technology might hit the market.

Hendo Specs and How it Works

The Hendo hoverboard utilizes four hover engines to generate lift and levitate off the ground. The science driving this levitation is electromagnetic repulsion.There's a magnetic field created by each of these hover engines that is opposite to the surface below - this results in a hovering effect.

This means that there are certain requirements for the surface below the Hendo.

Currently, sheets of common metal are used to create the desired effect. If you watch the videos of prototype testing, you can see that there's not a ton of steering control on the current prototypes. The Hendo does a great job of hovering, but that's about it at the moment.

 

Hendo hoverboard review
Image: Hendo Hoverboards

 

Fortunately, there are solutions for the steering problem. Insight into a potential solution can be found in the WhiteBox prototype. The WhiteBox is a developer kit that Hendo sends out to various specialists for testing. The WhiteBox has a micro controller built in that can be used to pivot the engines. This changes their magnetic field orientation to the surface that they hover above. The result - the WhiteBox can be steered with a remote control.

We'll likely see some sort of implementation of this steering technology in the next Hendo prototype.

Hendo Background

The Hendo hoverboard was developed by it's parent company Arx Pax. They're led by visionary and founder, Greg Henderson. Henderson brought the Hendo technology to life, and labeled it Magnetic Field Architecture (MFA). 

The vision has grown and has a list of potential applications beyond hoverboards. The Arx Pax team has also grown into a group of passionate individuals working to develop this technology.

The technology of the Hendo hoverboard has evolved over many different prototypes. The original prototype was created in 2013. There have been a total of 7 different phases to date. The current prototype in the works is nothing more than an illustration. We expect it to incorporate the MFA technology to take advantage of electromagnetic repulsion, we also expect to see a more advanced steering feature.

Latest hendo hoverboard prototype
Image: Hendo Hoverboards

Release Date and Price Speculation

The Hendo hoverboard doesn't currently have a release date. There's definitely some fine tuning that needs to be handled before it's made available for sale.  The latest prototype (shown above) is just an illustration. That said, there is a group of donors set to be first in line for the board when it's ready.

Each of those donors donated $10,000 to the Hendo hoverboard project. The project appeared on Kickstarter. It also promised $100 donors a 5 minute ride and $1,000 donors an hour long private session on the Hendo.

 

How much do hoverboards cost?

Hoverboard Prices, How Much Do They Cost?

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How much do hoverboards cost?

Hoverboards vary widely in price. They can be as cheap as a couple hundred dollars, or as much as a down payment on a house. Before we get into prices, one major distinction needs to be made. Are you looking for the price of a real hoverboard or a self balancing scooter?

The latter ranges in the hundreds, while real hoverboards cost thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. Let's take a look at the two different types of hoverboards available and their respective prices.

Self Balancing Scooter Prices

Self balancing scooters are relatively inexpensive, at least when compared to real hoverboards. The cheapest self balancing scooter will currently run you about $250. These hoverboards have all of your basic features, decent specs, and solid ability to perform. They're ideal for someone looking for a base model hoverboard. There are cheaper hoverboards available, but they aren't UL 2272 certified (a safety must). 

The average cost of a hoverboard is right around $400. At this price you get a lot of cool additional features, faster top speeds and better all around performance. A great example of a median priced hoverboard is the Swagtron T1. It's one of the most popular hoverboards available, at a very reasonable price. Additional features include an integrated app to track speed and distance traveled, along with multiple rider modes.

Swagtron T1 Hoverboard Review

High end self balancing scooters cost around $800. The best hoverboards in this price range are all terrain hoverboards. These hoverboards are bigger, faster and stronger than any other self balance scooter on the market. In the past, self balacning scooters were limited to indoors, streets and sidewalks. Off road hoverboards can maneuver through just about any terrain and brave any element. The higher price is justified, these are next level scooters.

Halo Rover hoverboard review

 

Real Hoverboard Prices

If you're looking to make a major purchase, real hoverboards are a great way to burn through a ton of cash quickly. And they're totally worth it. At their most affordable price level, real hoverboards cost about the same amount as a car. Not a bad trade off, but don't expect to be able to use the carpool lane.

The cheapest real hoverboard currently available is the ArcaBoard. For just $14,900 you can have your own today. The ArcaBoard will actually hover. It's powered by 36 electric ducted fans - giving it a total of 237 horsepower. It has a maximum thrust of 430lbs and can recharge in just 6 hours. Not sure you want to buy one yet? Understandable... But you might still want to check out some video footage of what the ArcaBoard can do.

 

If you're hoverboard budget exceeds $15,000, don't worry, there are more expensive hoverboards to choose from. The Aero X is a hoverbike that seats two people and cruises at speeds of up to 45 mph for 75 minutes on a single charge. It's not currently available for sale, but interested consumers can make a $5,000 down payment to secure a spot in line. The expected price tag is a cool $85,000. It will be available for sale in 2017.

Zapata Racing Flyboard Air Review

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The Zapata Racing Flyboard is in a whole different category than the self balancing scooters we have dubbed as "hoverboards". This is a real hoverboard. You could say that it's a hoverboard that actually hoverboards. But that description wouldn't do any justice to the loaded list of features on the Flyboard.

We'll take a look at the following:

  • Product specs
  • Background info on Zapata Racing
  • Potential release date for this technology

That's right, potential release date. There's currently no price tag on the Flyboard hoverboard because the technology has yet to be released. That didn't stop us for writing up a preemptive review - the technology is just too impressive to not write about.

Flyboard Specs and How it Works

The Flyboard Air is an independent propulsion unit with capabilities that far outperform any other hoverboard prototype. Here's a brief look at what it can do:

  • Top speed of 93.2 mph
  • Maximum altitude of 10,000 feet
  • 10 minutes of autonomous flying

The Zapata Flyboard reached a new Guiness World Record for farthest hoverboard flight. Franky Zapata manned the hoverboard to travel a total distance of 2,252 meters, blowing the previous record out of the water.

The Flyboard air works using a turbine engine to propel a rider. It's fueled by jet fuel which is stored in the backpack of a rider.

Zapata Racing Background

Zapata Racing is the brainchild of Franky Zapata. The company began as a PWC jet ski competition team. They've been racking up medals since 1996, compiling two European titles and 6 world championships.

In 2011, the first Flyboard prototype was invented. It's a water propelled jet pack that was attached to a hose, and runs off of power produced by the jet of a jet ski. This prototype garnered a ton of media attention and soon after began worldwide distribution under the name Flyboard Legend. Generally, a certified instructor is in charge of the power controls for the Flyboard Legend.

In 2014 the next stage of evolution occurred with the Flyboard Hoverboard. Similar to the Flyboard Legend, the Hoverboard is attached to a hose and propelled by a jet ski. The main difference between the two models being that the shape of the Hoverboard is similar to that of a snowboard.

Several other models have been released since the initial prototype, most offering minor tweaks to the Legend model.

The former prototypes, though all water propelled, led to the creation of the Flyboard Air. The Flyboard Air borrows many aspects in design and functionality from previous models. The major difference - no restraints. The air does not attach itself to a hose. This allows the propulsion units to reach a tremendous speed of 93.2 mph and a max altitude of 10,000 feet.

Release Date Speculation

According to IBTimes, Zapata Racing was sold to Implant Sciences, a US explosives detection firm. This means that we could very well see the Flyboard Air put to work in military and industrial fields. While the industrial applications at this point are uncertain, there are definitely some niche markets where the Flyboard Air could be of use.

At the moment, the technology is pending government approval. There's no exact timeline for when said approval might occur.

As far as consumer availability, at this point it's uncertain as to whether Implant Sciences even has the consumer in mind. The consumer market is much larger, but it would take significant effort to get a product like this to market. It's likely they'll further the exploration of the technology for some time before we hear anything about consumer applications.

 

off road hoverboards

All Terrain Hoverboards | Best Off Road Self Balancing Scooters 2017

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off road hoverboards

 

Hoverboards have come a long way since the technology emerged in 2015. There's now a new class of hoverboards, capable of braving the elements and conquering just about any terrain. These hoverboards have a unique list of features. They are waterproof, more powerful, more durable and faster than previous models. These hoverboards are so cool that we decided to write an entire post about them.

Halo Rover Hoverboard

The Halo Rover Hoverboard is an off road hoverboard with a very impressive list of features. This self balancing scooter can handle snow, mud, grass or sand. Essentially, it handles just about any surface. Large 8.5 inch wheels support it's off road ability and increase speed. It's UL 2272 certified and integrates with an app to track speed, distance traveled and battery life. We've done a full review of the Halo Rover, here are just a few of its awesome features:

  • Top speed: 9mph
  • Range: 10 miles
  • Weight capacity: 260 lbs

Halo Rover hoverboard review

EPIKGO hoverboard

EPIKGO Hoverboard

The EPIKGO is another high end all terrain hoverboard. It's more powerful, sturdier and can handle harsher elements than first generation hoverboards. The EPIKGO is UL 2272 certified for battery safety and IP56 rated for waterproofing. We've fully reviewed the EPIKGO self balancing scooter, here's a brief look at its features:

  • Top speed: 10 mph
  • Range: 10 to 12 miles
  • Weight Capacity: 260 lbs

Jestson V8 Rover

The Jetson V6 Rover is an all terrain self balancing scooter that packs features almost identical to the EPIKGO.  It's powered by dual 400 watt motors and UL 2272 certified for safety. The V8 also comes with three different rider modes of varying difficulty. Here's a few more of the Jetson V8's features:

  • Top speed: 10 mph
  • Range: 10-12 miles
  • Weight capacity: 260 lbs

Jetson V8 hoverboard

Cheap hoverboard for sale

Cheapest Hoverboards 2017 | Top Hoverboard Review

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Cheap hoverboard for sale

Are you searching for a cheap hoverboard, we've compiled a list of the cheapest hoverboards in 2017! Hoverboards used to be priced at well over $1,000. Prices have come down dramatically over the last year, you can now find a safe hoverboard for less than $250. While price is the main factor that determines what makes it on to our list, we also take a look at some other important factors:

  • Safety
  • Performance
  • Brand

 

Swagtron T5 Hoverboard

The Swagtron T5 tops our list for a couple of reasons. It's priced cheaper than almost every other hoverboard on the market. The board is UL 2272 certified (highest safety standard), performs well for its price point and is made by a trusted brand. If you purchase the T5 directly through Swagtron you'll get the best price. For an extra $10 off the price plus free shipping, use our exclusive Swagtron T5 coupon code. We've put together a detailed review of the Swagtron T5, here's a quick look at this hoverboard's features:

  • Top speed: 7 mph
  • Range: 7 miles
  • Weight capacity: 187 lbs
  • Swagtron Sentry Shield battery protection

 

Swagtron T5 Hoverboard Review

CHIC self balancing scooter

CHIC Eyourlife Hoverboard

The CHIC Hoverboard is offered at a very low price point, though not quite as cheap as the Swagtron T5. It's UL 2272 certified for safety. Safety is the number one concern for cheap hoverboards, as many low budget brands cut costs on safety features. The CHIC packs some hefty features given the price range, including dual 300 watt motors. Here's a quick look at some of the other features:

  • Top speed: 6.2 mph
  • Range: 9-10 miles
  • Weight capacity: 220lbs
The list of inexpensive hoverboards will continue to grow as we review more self balancing scooters that meet our quality standards. We have strict requirements for the hoverboards that we review, and the truth is it's difficult to find boards that meet these quality and safety measures at a low price.

 

 

Powerboard by HoverBoard – Two Wheel Self Balancing Scooter Review

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Powerboard hoverboard two wheel self balancing scooter review

Pros

The Powerboard two wheel self balancing scooter is made HoverBoard, a trusted American company based in the USA.  You can order the Powerboard from Amazon, it's also carried by a few other retailors. They deliver a high quality product with fast shipping and a battery that meets stringent safety standards. It's now UL 2272 certified, meaning the battery has met stringent safety requirements. The Powerboard hoverboard has a top speed of 8mph, about the same speed as the Razor Hovertrax at 6mph. It can be fully charged in under 60 minutes and has a battery life of up to 6 hours, making it ideal for long commutes. The charge rate and battery life really separate the Powerboard from its competitors, which have much longer charge times of around 3 hours and significantly shorter battery lives. An LED indicator displays the remaining battery charge to the rider. The Powerboard hover board also comes with a 1 year warranty and USA based customer support.

Cons

The price of the Powerboard is more expensive than some other brands on the market, such as the Hover X. You may pay more for the Powerboard, but you are paying for a high quality board with better battery life and a solid warranty. Faces similar issues as other 7-inch wheel hoverboards, it will be difficult to ride on rough terrains. If you are looking for a hoverboard that can handle rough terrains, check out the StreetSaw. They make a model with 10 inch wheels that can handle just about any surface. It also isn't very water resistant, so use a carrying case in rough weather conditions.

My Experience

Ordered my Powerboard from Amazon and it arrived 3 days later, one of the many benefits of buying from a USA based seller. The board was everything I expected right out of the box! I immediately noticed the high quality of the materials used, show more

something I can't say for some of the cheaper brands out there.  I ordered the black color, it has a very sleek look to it. The first thing I did was read the instruction manual, and per the instructions I then plugged it in to charge before turning it on. You should do this with any hoverboard to ensure that you don't damage the battery. The battery life and charge time are phenomenal, exactly as advertised. This is a reason in and of itself to buy a Powerboard, I spend much less time charging and more time cruising around on my board. Overall this is is a great hoverboard, easily one of the best I've tested! I've been using it for a little over a month now and haven't had any problems with the board.

 

Stats

  • Speed: 8mph
  • Charge time: 60 minutes
  • Battery life: 6 hours
  • Weight: 22 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 260 lbs
  • Tilt: 15 degrees
  • LED lights: Yes, battery level indicator
  • Charger included: Yes
  • Bluetooth integrated: No
  • UL 2272 certified: Yes
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