eRover 2 Wheel Self Balancing Scooter Review
This model has been discontinued. Check out our hoverboards review article for more options!
The Erover self-balancing board was one of the 500,000 hoverboards that were recalled in 2016 over safety concerns. Owner´s of the board were given a choice of a full refund, or an upgraded board. The Erover, like many other boards at the time, had a faulty Lithium battery pack that was prone to fire-hazard. It´s a shame really as this board performs quite well and was available at a low-price. We´re going to review one of the boards with an upgraded battery system to see how this thing performs. Hopefully, without too many fireworks.
Features
The most attractive thing about the Erover is the power. It´s a small hover-board running on just two 7 inch wheels but powered by a mammoth 500W dual engine. That gives it an overall output of 1000W. With that amount of torque you´ll have no problem reaching the top speed of 10mph or climbing inclines of up to 15 degrees. It runs for for 10 miles on a single charge and takes just 2 hours to recharge.
The ride is very smooth with little vibration thanks to large responsive feet pads. On a lot of cheaper models an awkward weight distribution leads to the rider being bucked off. That´s not the case with this model. In addition to the feet pads, the dual motors are mediated by a motherboard that distributes power-outage evenly. It all adds up to a product that feels stable and is easy to ride.
The wheels themselves are a little too small for the amount of power coming from the engines. Typically, on a board of this power you´d expect to see larger, 10 inch wheels. The smaller wheels make cracks or stones a real issue, especially if you´re travelling at high speed. I´d love to see this board with all-terrain air-filled tires that could really make a difference. Hopefully, Erover will release an up-to-date, safety certified scooter in the near future.
There´s a few obvious issues that we have to run over if you´re thinking of purchasing this model. The first is where to find it. This board was recalled and removed from Amazon in 2016. People have still managed to purchase these boards from outside the US, getting them directly imported from Europe and Asia.
If you choose to do this you´ll have to factor in the shipping costs alongside the price. The customer service is likely to be a no go whilst you won´t get a warranty. Furthermore little annoyances like receiving a European, rather than US, charger alongside the bigger issues of fire safety are commonplace.
In the end, we really can´t recommend seeking out this purchase. The Erover is inherently unsafe which overshadows any price, performance or other benefits it might have. For that reason, this product has to be filed under the “got potential” category. Although, I am eagerly anticipating the next board to be produced by Erover, once they´ve ironed out the obvious manufacturing issues.
Strengths
- You get a lot more power for the price that you would expect on today´s market. 1000W for under $500 is almost unheard of outside of recalled boards
- The ride is comfortable and runs very smooth thanks to the gyroscopes which balance power transactions
- Charge and run time are excellent
Weaknesses
- It´s impossible to say whether the board you´re buying is safe. To pick up one of these boards you´ll have to go outside the normal channels and risk an un-authorized seller.
- Import costs are definitely a big factor here alongside the fact that you won´t have access to any meaningful customer service or returns policy
- Likely to get a boot-leg charge with European or Asian pins and voltage
- To reiterate, investing in a board without a UL22772 safety certificate is just plain stupid, look elsewhere for similar features with certification.
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Specifications
Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 5.8 inches
Weight: 31 pounds
Wheels type: 7 inch
Frame: Aluminum Alloy
Age Recommendation: 14 and above
Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Motor: 1000 W motor
Miles per charge: 10 miles
Maximum Speed: 20 miles per hour
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Charging Time: 2 Hours
Bluetooth Functionality: Bluetooth Hi-Fi Speakers
App Connectivity: AppStore, Google Play Store
Additional Features: Built-in speaker, retractable handlebar, front headlights, awesome LED lights
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The Bottom Line
The Erover certainly has some merits but the risk far outweighs the benefits. It´s got a powerful engine with a low price tag but, in the end, you always get what you pay for. In this case, that´s a device that represents a serious fire hazard. Making purchases outside of the US also means you won´t have access to US consumer rights, or a certified seller. Be aware of the risks before you think about a purchase, and certainly do not buy this for children.
