How to choose a hoverboard

A hoverboard is a modern vehicle that is extremely popular among residents of megacities. However, going to the store and buying the first model that comes across is a very rash decision, fraught with serious injuries, and therefore the choice of a gyro scooter should be taken very seriously.

The best manufacturers of gyro scooters

Many leading manufacturers of microelectronics have mastered the production of gyro scooters, and it is their products that you need to pay attention to:

1. Smart Balance

2. Air motion

3. HoverBot

4. Novelty electronics

It is not difficult to choose a suitable model – all you need is to familiarize yourself with the specific characteristics and apply them to your own operating conditions, as well as study the various user reviews on the Internet, of which you can find a great variety, both positive and negative.

The principle of operation of a gyro scooter and its types

A hoverboard is a compact vehicle designed for movement in urban environments. Its functioning is based on the work of a gyroscope – a special device that monitors the position of the board in space and prevents the rider from falling. The gyroscope is driven by electric motors installed inside and powered by compact batteries.

The most popular are three types of these devices. The principle of their work is identical, but the appearance and functional features differ:

1. Traditional hoverboard. Platform with two wheels, control is carried out by tilting the body to one side or the other;

2. A monowheel is a more difficult device to operate, requiring certain skills and proper balancing. There is only one wheel, and therefore it is much more difficult to maintain balance;

3. Segway is a modified gyro scooter, which is large in size and provides for a special hand rest;

Selection options. What to look for when buying a gyro scooter?

There are a lot of criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing a gyro scooter and which are directly responsible for its functionality. You will not be able to find out all of them from sellers, many parameters will have to be searched out on the manufacturer's website, in service manuals, or on Internet forums specializing in the operation and maintenance of devices of this class.

Maximum hover speed

The maximum speed is directly influenced by the type and power of the electric motor installed on board, as well as the type and diameter of the wheels. In the second case, the simplest laws of physics work – the larger the diameter of the driving wheels, the higher the speed that the device is capable of developing. Thus, the fastest are segways – with their 13-15 inch wheels, they are capable of accelerating to 20-25 kilometers per hour. The speed of classic gyro scooters is almost always limited to 13-15 kilometers per hour.

Maximum transported weight of the hoverboard

Or the maximum load of the device. Displays the weight that the device can support without the risk of breakage and damage to the actuators. When choosing a gyro scooter, it is necessary to focus on the carrying capacity of the device, as well as on the rider's own weight, given it with a 10-15 percent safety margin.

Wheel diameter

As already noted, the larger the diameter of the wheels, the higher the maximum speed developed by the device. In turn, the large 18-20 inch wheels, characteristic of high-speed subways and large segway models, make such devices cumbersome and heavy, which negates the beauty of using such a device in an urban environment. The most popular hoverboards are:

1. Mini hoverboards equipped with compact 3-4 inch wheels. Great for kids and teens;

2. Hoverboards are medium sized, with wheel diameters ranging from 4 to 8 inches. Such wheels allow not only to ride on an ideal asphalt surface, but also to overcome small obstacles;

3. Large hoverboards equipped with wheels of the order of 7-9 inches are an excellent option for large and overall riders. They easily cope with obstacles and climb even on a strong slope. The reverse side of the coin is the large dimensions and weight of the device, which impose certain restrictions when used in urban environments;

Electric motor power

There are two of them in a hoverboard – each rotates a separate wheel. The higher the power, the higher its own speed the device can develop and the faster the charge of the built-in battery is consumed. Gyro scooters with powerful engines, but weak batteries, as well as their low-power counterparts with capacious batteries, make no sense: the former are able to overcome the minimum distance on a single charge, the latter, on the contrary, will go for a long time, but very slowly and boringly.

Battery capacity

A parameter that directly affects the duration of the trip and the ability to operate in certain conditions. It is measured in ampere-hours – the higher the battery capacity, the more ampere-hours it has and, accordingly, the longer the operating time from one charge. The downside of the increased capacity of the battery is a long charging time, as well as a significant increase in its own weight of the hoverboard.

Resource travel range on one charge

Many manufacturers measure the travel distance under ideal conditions on the highest quality road. In real life, however, everything is different – bumps, holes, inclines and hills impose a heavy load on the electric motor and significantly reduce the distance of your trip.

Device control method

1. Control with the help of torso bends is a method that requires getting used to and precise coordination of actions;

2. Steering column deflection control is widely used in segways due to their design and overall dimensions. It is not very applicable for compact hoverboards;

Hoverboard weight

The lion's share of the device's weight is made up of electric motors and especially batteries – the higher their capacity, the heavier they are in real life. Accordingly, the small dead weight of the gyro scooter will probably mean that the installed batteries will have a small capacity, which will negatively affect the performance of the model.

How to choose a gyro scooter for a child?

When choosing a gyro scooter, one should take into account the operating conditions and physical characteristics of the person for whom this or that device is purchased. In the case of a gyro scooter for a child, its characteristics will be as follows:

1. Compact dimensions and low dead weight;

2. Miniature wheels with a diameter of 2-4 inches;

3. Lack of steering wheel and hand platforms;

4. The maximum speed developed by the device is no more than 8-10 kilometers per hour;

In the next article, our experts will tell you how to choose the right unicycle for adults and children.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.