Paxson Lim, Author at Electric Skateboard HQ

December 29, 2022December 29, 2022 by Paxson Lim

Ecomobl Telum Review – Electric Mountainboard!

Hardcore eskaters will probably tell you that a high-performance electric skateboard should be a Trampa build. These are boards made of flexible carbon fiber with a high camber deck, big pneumatic wheels, and runs with super powerful belt or gear drive motors. More often than not, there is also an electronic box on the top side of the deck.

While a Trampa build may not be the sleek and polished look that appeals to casuals, it is an iconic design that promises super-high performance.

Now, Ecomobl, a brand known for specializing in making affordable all-terrain electric skateboards, just made its very own electric mountainboard with this iconic look. This is the Ecomobl Telum, a $1799 electric mountainboard.

And yes, $1799 is considered affordable for an electric mountainboard with this build and specs. Let’s run through them real quick!

Ecomobl Telum Build and Specs

Deck: carbon fiber deck; flexible with high camber; comes with detachable foot bindings
Electronic Speed Controller: 12s LingYi ESC; 4-speed modes, 4 braking modes
Battery: 768-watt hours battery pack; Samsung 40T cells, 12s4p configuration
Marketed Range: 23 miles or 37 km
Motors: 7000w 170 kV 6382 motors; Ecomobl signature planetary gear drive
Top Speed: 30 mph or 48 km/h
Trucks: Super wide 20-inch trucks
Wheels: 8-inch airless wheels

First, let’s talk about the carbon fiber deck. As we mentioned in the intro, Trampa is responsible for all the hype on this kind of deck. It is flexible with an exaggerated camber arch to absorb road vibration. The board comes with foot bindings that can be installed on the deck. The footbinding is worn with an easy and simple locking mechanism, just strap them on or off the board and voila, it’s done.

ESC Enclosure Above the Deck For Maximum Ground Clearance

Unlike your typical pre-built electric skateboard, mountain boards usually don’t put an electronic enclosure below the deck. This was done to maximize ground clearance. Instead, the electronic box is placed on top of the deck, right in the middle.

There is certainly a lot of juice packed inside this ‘lunch box’. Powering the board is a 768 wh battery pack with good Samsung 40T cells in 12s4p configuration. This battery pack is marketed to provide 23 miles or 37 km of range. During our test, our 155 pounds rider managed to get 30 km when riding aggressively.

For the ESC, Ecomobl Telum uses a customized 12S Lingyi ESC with 4-speed modes and 4 braking modes. We will talk about how they impact the ride later.

Read about another mountainboard – the Propel X4S – here.

Ecomobl Telum’s Signature Planetary Gear Drive at 30MPH

Ecomobl Telum kept its signature planetary gear drive system which can be found on most of their boards. These 7000w 170 kV 6382 motors allow the board to go to 48 km/h or 30 mph which we managed to hit with ease and comfort as the board is very stable.

Speaking of stability, the board uses super-wide 20-inch trucks. This allows the board to be stable at faster speed modes but also means that it’s not going to be easy to turn. So, this is where the footbinding comes in clutch as it allows you to lean aggressively to turn the board.

And, if that’s not enough, you can jump to turn but definitely commit to your leg days since the board weighs 39 lbs or 17.6 kg.

Integrated Front and Tail Lights for Superb Night Rides

Ecomobl Telum also comes with integrated front and taillights. These lights are more useful than you might think, and they are super bright. Look! It’s even brighter than some car’s headlights.

And, having an integrated lighting system is super convenient. For starters, you don’t have to charge them separately. Plus, you don’t have to worry about them dislodging when going off-road. The red tail lights also light up when you apply brakes. The lights can be turned on or off by long pressing the reverse button.

Ecomobl like building their boards with headlights and taillights. Read about Ecomobl ET2 here.

Ecomobl Telum Riding Experience

Now that we have an overview of the specs, let’s ride this monster!

The first topic is about control. The control is punchy with its powerful acceleration but frankly, a bit rough. This often happens when Lingyi ESC is combined with powerful motors.

You can feel the slight jerkiness when the gear drive accelerates. One workaround that can be done is simply staying in a lower acceleration mode, which will be gentle, yet powerful enough for any incline.

Speaking of power, these 7000w planetary gear drives are super strong—strong enough for the steep incline of mountain trails.

The braking is nice and strong, too. As mentioned, its strength can be adjusted independently from the acceleration modes.

Spring Suspensions as the MVP

The wide carbon fiber deck felt pretty comfortable to stand on but the MVP of the ride is actually the spring suspensions. These spring suspensions absorb a lot of shocks which is very important when doing trail runs. On normal roads, you won’t feel anything no matter how bad the pavement is.

The foot bindings also have a major part in the ride. When riding on mountain trails, it provides the necessary stability and also prevents the bouncy deck from throwing you off like a trampoline.

The 20” wide trucks are hard to turn but the foot bindings allow us to put as much of our 165 lbs body weight to force the turn. And, to do some mini-hops if all else fails.

Off the Road Will Always Be Home

Obviously, the natural habitat for Ecomobl Telum belongs off the road. The clearance of the deck makes rolling through rocks a walk in the park. This might be subject to change, but our Ecomobl Telum came with 8-inch airless wheels. These are beefy wheels, but we can still feel the road vibrations when riding through harsh pebbles and small stones.

We changed the wheels into 9” pneumatics and liked them a lot more. The rides are noticeably smoother during off-road rides. Good thing is that the 9” pneumatics wheels are now the default option at the moment.

Ecomobl Telum VERDICT – Affordable and High Quality

Now, to summarize:

The ECOMOBL Telum is an affordable off-road suspension mountain board that doesn’t skim on polish, specs, or performance. It has 2 main weaknesses. First, a powerful but slightly harsh acceleration, which kept some of us at lower speed mode. And second, it’s tough to turn, which is kinda part of the deal when getting an off-road suspension board. The board is not made for tight quarters and certainly not for carving.

With all that said, the Ecomobl Telum did well in what it was designed to do, which is off-road riding. After all, when running up mountain trails, stability is preferred over maneuverability while power takes priority over silky-smooth acceleration.

So, should you buy it?

No, if you are looking for an electric skateboard for the city.

Yes, if you are looking for a board that can bring you to places—or mountains—that you have never been to.

Or perhaps, you are looking for a monster that you can count on to outrun and outlast the pack on group rides. That, Ecomobl Telum can do very well, at a very good price.

If you are interested in buying the Ecomobl, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “100offcode” to receive 5% off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

December 4, 2022December 18, 2022 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Board Explorer Review — The First Tynee All-Terrain Eskate!

Tynee Board is a brand that focuses on delivering the best value for the price. Granted, this can be said for most Chinese brands, but Tynee had a lot of success in doing so. For one, the Tynee Mini 2, is one of our favorite mini boards for its power and specs.

Interested to know why Tynee Mini 2 is our all-time favorite mini board? Click here.

Mid 2022, Tynee releases their first all-terrain electric skateboard — the Tynee Explorer at $1199. While this is considered an ‘entry-level price’ for an all-terrain electric skateboard, it has a top-notch polish with specs that exceed what most people need. Here’s a rundown of Tynee Board Explorer’s build and specs!

Tynee Board Explorer Build and Specs

Deck: Flexible bamboo and fiberglass; double-drop and subtle wide concave
Electronic Speed Controller: Customizable 12s Hobbywing ESC – smart turn-on, can change speed, torque, and braking power from the remote
Batteries: 21700 Molicel P42A, 12s4p configuration
Marketed Range: 31 miles (50 km)
Motors: 35000W 6374 belt motors
Marketed Top Speed: 31 mph (50 km/h)
Wheels: 150mm pneumatic all-terrain wheels
Trucks: Traditional Kingpin (can add $50 for Double Kingpin Trucks)

Just by looking at the deck, you can already see that its appearance is quote-unquote ‘heavily inspired by Evolve Bamboo GTR.’ The transparent grip tape showcasing the beautiful bamboo deck is classic. The deck has a lot of flex thanks to the bamboo and fiberglass materials.

Dedicated to the ‘Evolve’ formula, Tynee Explorer uses a double-drop deck to reduce the riding height. Combined with the subtle wide concave, this makes riding on the Explorer quite comfortable. It helps us know where our feet are and keep them secure during a ride.

New Hobbywing ESC – Allows Speed Control Customization

While the Hobbywing electronic speed controller is very widely used, Tynee Explorer’s Hobbywing ESC had something special to it. This Tynee Explorer’s Hobbywing ESC allows riders to customize speed control right from the remote. The speed, torque, and braking power can all be adjusted individually in different riding modes.Unlike other Hobbywing ESC that comes with customization function (e.g. Exway), this customization function does not come with an app, which can either be a plus point or a minus point depending on who you ask.

What’s universally loved, however, is the forward and reverse switch on the side of the remote. It makes changing directions easier and less prone to unintentional press.

And, obviously, there is the smart turn on feature, where the board power-on upon turning on the remote.

Competitive Battery Spec Against Middle to High-End Eskates

Next, powering the ESC is a pack of 21700 Molicel P42A cells in a 12s4p configuration. This brings us to a total of 725.8-watt hours and a marketed range of 31 miles or 50 km. This is a competitive battery spec that most middle to high-end electric skateboards share.

For context, Evolve Carbon Hadean, Exway Atlas, and Meepo Hurricane all come with a 12s4p battery pack. And, Molicel is a great battery cell, so this isn’t the case of ‘using cheap cells to pad up the specs’.

With aggressive riding, our 155 lbs test rider managed to get 28 miles (42 km) out of a single charge. We’re really happy with this result, especially considering that we were riding fast. Obviously, changing to Cloudwheels should extend the range further, around 44 miles (70 km).

In a nutshell, the batteries are good. So, let’s talk about the motors!

Powering the board is a set of 3500w 6374 belt motors. These are indeed powerful motors and it does translate to a strong ride. Riding uphill will definitely be easy no matter how heavy the rider may be.

With this setup, the board’s marketed top speed is 31 mph(50 km/h). While we didn’t manage to hit that, we did get pretty close. Our personal best was 29 mp(48 km/h). It’s a respectable top speed, but obviously, nothing to write home about considering there are scarier boards out there.

Fancy a scary board? Read our Tynee Board Ultra Review here.

Chill Ride With Pneumatic AT Wheels

Tynee Board Explorer comes with 150 mm pneumatic all-terrain wheels. These 6-inch wheels are plenty capable of absorbing road vibrations on poorly paved roads. Big wheels plus the flexible bamboo deck are great combinations to smoothen out bumps on the road.

We have terrible roads where we ride, and the Explorer keeps it comfortable. It’s pretty chill even when going off-road. Granted, it would’ve been better if they went with even bigger wheels at 175 mm, but, this is definitely good enough for most situations.

As for the trucks, the Tynee Explorer comes in default with traditional kingpin trucks. There’s an available option to go with Double Kingpin trucks for an extra $50.

In general, Double Kingpin Trucks are much more turn-ey and allow a tighter turning radius. Although, this pair of traditional kingpin trucks on Tynee Board Explorer is really good. There is little reason to go for double kingpin trucks. We’ll talk more about the riding experience on these trucks later.

All in all, the whole package weighs around 30.4 lbs or 13.8kg. The board is also rated IP67 waterproof. We never took the waterproof claims on electric skateboards seriously, regardless of the brand, and we suggest you don’t go riding in the rain with any eskate.

Here’s an experience of why we have major trust issues with waterproof ratings — check out our Propel Endeavor Pro review.

Tynee Board Explorer Riding Experience

Finally, let’s talk about the riding experience on the Tynee Explorer.

The riding experience is really pleasant. It’s very relaxing, maybe even a tad bit conservative, and it’s easy to see why.

First, the 12s Hobbywing ESC, while strong, is super smooth in both acceleration and braking. On the highest speed mode, the board is plenty powerful but Tynee clearly had configured the board to prioritize smoothness over power.

You see, most of the higher-end boards now come with crazy acceleration when throttled, and we didn’t feel that from the Explorer. This is something that the Explorer clearly should be capable of given the specs. That being said, we enjoy how the speed control was configured. The power is more than enough anyways, and we appreciate the easy ride.

Stable at 25 Mph

Besides the electronics, the skateboard part of the Explorer comes together well, too. Using a double drop deck, the board adds stability with a low riding height. The drop-down deck also gave our feet a place to push against while going up or downhill.

The board felt so stable and we would often find ourselves going 25 mph without realizing it. Seasoned riders would be able to ride at top speed with ease. Opting out of the dual kingpin truck set-up, at least for the default option, certainly made the board much more stable.

Traditional Kingpin Trucks Are Surprisingly Great

Lately, traditional kingpin trucks have become more popular among electric skateboards, particularly all-terrain eskates. Many all-terrain electric skateboards now offer options between double kingpin trucks and traditional kingpin trucks. Initially, we thought that the stock set-up using traditional kingpin trucks is going to be difficult to turn and terrible for carving, but we are happy to say that we were proven wrong!

This pair of traditional kingpin trucks really hits the sweet spot. It’s stable at high speed and still pretty awesome for turning and carving. In our opinion, it’s as good as any double kingpin truck in terms of carving, and we’ve tested a lot of them. However, double kingpin trucks do still allow a much tighter turn with a much smaller turning radius. With that said, we still much prefer the added stability of the traditional kingpin trucks and don’t think there is a need to pay extra for the double kingpin trucks.

Tynee Board Explorer VERDICT — Should Be Named Tynee Board Vacation?!

So, here’s our verdict on the Tynee Board Explorer.

Well, the Tynee Board Explorer is an easy board to ride and an easy board to recommend.

While Tynee Explorer isn’t the cheapest entry-level all-terrain board out there, Tynee Explorer is stronger and more polished than any of its lower-priced competitors.

Ironically, while the name ‘Explorer’ suggests an adrenaline-filled experience, the Tynee Board Explorer is actually more relaxing than thrilling.

Relaxing, smooth, and easy is how we would describe the Explorer. Well, I guess naming it Tynee Board Vacation just wouldn’t have the same ring to it.

So, for beginners in search of good all-terrain boards that are relaxing to ride, Tynee Explorer is one of the better choices. For advanced riders looking for thrills, you guys might want to look elsewhere, as this beast might just be too easy for you to tame.

If you are interested in buying the Tynee, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $15 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

November 28, 2022February 9, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Backfire released Backfire Era 2 – Best entry-level Electric Skateboard?

On November 2022, Backfire released a new $399 electric skateboard, the Backfire ERA 2.

TLDR: Backfire Era 2 ($399) is an entry-level affordable electric skateboard. It has good specs and great polish. If you like or can tolerate stiff decks with hub drives, Backfire Era 2 is an unbeatable choice at this price.

We’ve to say that we are a little bit embarrassed that the original Backfire Era completely flew under our radar. You see, Backfire has 2 lines of entry-level electric skateboards that are priced at around $400. There is the well-known Backfire G2 series, and then there is this rather new Backfire Era series.

Backfire G2 Black is a more traditional affordable electric skateboard with a mildly flexible deck, and the Backfire Era 2 is… something else.

Beautiful sleek design

While it is unwise to base your buying decision on the looks of a board… Damn! doesn’t this board looks good?

Backfire Era 2 went with a sleek stealthy design first made famous by the old Exway X1. This means no electronic enclosure bulging out from underneath the deck.

Combining this with hub motors that are integrated into the back wheels, the board can pass as an unpowered traditional longboard. Besides looking good, this is especially helpful for those who live somewhere where electric skateboards aren’t legal.
(Disclaimer: Electric Skateboard HQ does not encourage or condone law-breaking behavior.)

Backfire Era 2 has current-era specs

While the board was priced at only $399, Backfire Era 2 doesn’t skim on the specs.

Deck: 38 inch x8.85 inch (96.5CM x 22.5CM)
Electronic Speed Controller: Hobbywing ESC with smart turn-on
Battery: 5AH; 180Wh LiPo battery
Marketed Range: 12-15miles (19~24 km)
Motors: 2 x 680W hub-motor
Marketed Top Speed: 28mph (46kmh)
Trucks: 7″ aluminum trucks
Wheels: 90mm streets
Weight: 16lbs (7.25kg)
Price: $399

For those who are new to the electric skateboarding scene, here is a really brief introduction to each part.

Hobbywing ESC – very smooth and intuitive speed control

Hobbywing ESC has been the gold standard for electronic speed control for more than half a decade now. It provides smooths and intuitive speed control that is loved by beginners and veterans alike. The newer Hobbywing ESC also comes with the “smart turn-on” feature, which means the board will automatically power on when the remote is switched on. This feature doesn’t sound like much, but everyone who had it can’t imagine living without it.

Backfire Era 2 remote with esc as background

Backfire Era 2 electronic component case

Battery – 180Wh LiPo battery

To fit batteries inside the sleek deck, the Backfire Era 2 uses lithium polymer batteries pack instead of the more typical lithium-ion batteries. Lithium polymer packs are pound-for-pound, more powerful than lithium-ion batteries. However, they also tend to have more longevity issues. It remains to be seen how Backfire Era 2’s battery holds up with time.

When it comes to battery size and range per charge, 5Ah(180Wh) and 12miles (19km) are pretty standard numbers for entry-level electric skateboards. With that said, we were pretty surprised that Backfire manage to pack a good battery while keeping the price below $400, especially when entry-level electric skateboards typically cost between $450-$500, not under $400.

2 x 650W motors are decent. Actually, more than decent.

Backfire Era 2 dual 640W motors are actually above average. For context, the medium motor size for entry-level electric skateboards is around 2 x 540W. When it comes to real-world performance, motor wattage is never the whole story, but having a big number is a good start.

Don’t believe me? Do your own research by using our data (most electric skateboards in the market were included)

The board has a good top speed of 28mph (46kmh), which is typical of entry to mid-level electric skateboard.

Backfire Era 2 might not be for everyone.

Obviously, a deck with integrated electronic is always going to be stiff. This, combined with stiff hub motors means road vibrations are going to be terrible on that the Backfire Era 2. Thankfully, Backfire uses a shock-absorbing grip tape for the Era 2 to ease road vibration, it should help a little bit.

Also, Era 2 may not be the best board for carving fun. Bouncy decks and soft skateboard wheels are known to add smoothness to the ride that makes carving fun and Backfire Era 2’s stiff deck and stiff hub motors are exactly the opposite of that.

What Backfire Era 2 is designed for, however, is a nimble responsive ride.

The sleek design and a biceps-friendly weight of 16 lbs (7.25kg) should make it quite practical for the urban commute. Maybe that’s why Backfire went ahead and include a carrying bag for it right out of the box.

Backfire Era 2 may be the best budget electric skateboard right now

With everything said, $399 is an unbeatable price.

Backfire Era 2 has really good specs for its price. It has the polish and the design of boards that we expect from boards twice its price.

Backfire Era 2 photo of the underside of the board

We will give the board a full review soon, but from everything we know now, the Backfire Era 2 is certainly a safe board to pick up right away during Black Friday sales.

If you are interested in buying a Backfire, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive 5% off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

November 12, 2022March 14, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Introducing Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Pioneer X4

On October 2022, Wowgo announced a set of new boards, the Wowgo Pioneer 4($649) and Pioneer X4($699). Wowgo Pioneer 4 and the X4 share the same specs, with the only major difference being the drive train they use. In case it wasn’t clear, Pioneer 4 – hub motors; Pioneer X4 – belt motors.

TLDR; Wowgo Pioneer 4(hub) and Pioneer X4(belt) are designed to be smooth rides that maximizes carving fun. The pair also has competitive specs for its asking price (starting at $649).

Click here to go to Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 product page.

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Pioneer X4 with the remote on top of the deck

Despite the new name, the Wowgo Pioneers series is actually not a new line of products, but the 2022 iteration of Wowgo 3 and Wowgo 3x. For those who are new to the sport, Wowgo 3 and 3x were first launched back in October 2019 (time flies!), and are wildly popular for their buttery smooth riding experience.

Looking for a trip down memory lane? Click here to read our review of the Wowgo 3.

What was improved? Everything.

The old Wowgo 3 and 3x were well-rounded boards. Besides the silky smooth riding experience that they were known for, they were completed with above-average power, battery, and polish. So it is easy to see why Wowgo took an ‘ if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it ‘ approach and went for incremental upgrades over a proven formula.

Specification of Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4

Deck: 38.5 inch x11.2 inch (98CM x 28.5CM)
Electronic Speed Controller: 12s Hobbywing ESC; 4-speed modes, smart turn-on
Battery: 8AH; 12S2P; 345 Wh Samsung 40T (21700)
Marketed Range: 21-22miles (33~35 km)
Motors: 2 x 680W hub-motor(Pioneer 4), 2 x 700W belt-motor(Pioneer X4)
Marketed Top Speed: 28mph (46kmh)
Trucks: Wowgo’s Proprietary Trucks (45° truck)
Wheels: 90mm streets, 105mm cloudwheels
Weight: 18lbs/8.2kg (Pioneer 4) ,18.5lbs/ 8.4kg (Pioneer X4)
Price: $649 (Pioneer 4) & $699 (Pioneer X4)

Retaining the silky smooth riding experience

Going with a flexible deck, Hobbywing ESC, and responsive trucks means the Wowgo Pioneers are going to be buttery smooth in both speed control and in carving.

Flexible deck with wide concave

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 uses a 38.5″ deck made from maple, fiberglass, and bamboo. The deck has a good amount of flex, roughly the same amount as the Wowgo 3 and 3X. It has a healthy concave, nothing crazy, just enough to help your feet feel comfortable on it.

Hobbywing V5.0 ESC

At this point, Hobbywing ESC needs no further introduction as it has been the gold standard of smooth and intuitive control for close to half a decade now. The smart power-on feature where the board automatically powers on when switching on the remote is also a universally loved feature that’s available with Hobbywing ESC. With the newer iteration of the Hobbywing V5.0 ESC, we can expect improved power and stronger braking.

Goodbye Paris trucks

Unlike its predecessor, the Pioneer series moved away from using branded Paris trucks. Both are now using Wowgo’s own proprietary trucks. The Pioneer 4 and X4 went with the same set of trucks as the Wowgo Mini 2, with some adjustments being made on the X4 for the belt system.

We reviewed the Wowgo Mini 2 a while back, so while we mourn the loss of Paris trucks, we can vouch for the quality of Wowgo’s proprietary trucks. That trucks are well-balanced and nimble on the feet, and stable at high speed. The Wowgo trucks should do just as well as the Paris, and keep the carving experience smooth and fun.

Wheels – 90mm wheels with 105mm cloudwheels options

Unsurprisingly, the Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 come with standard 90mm wheels with the option of including the 105mm cloudwheels for $100 more.

The 90mm wheels are pretty good, all major electric skateboard brand nowadays uses high-quality wheels that are both soft and durable. Soft wheels are keeping with the theme here, as they provide the final touch for a buttery smooth carving experience.

With that said, 105mm cloudwheels, as good as they are, do take away some of the carving fun. Unlike soft urethane wheels, the narrow contact patch of the cloudwheels doesn’t have that ‘sticky ride feel’ that makes carving fun.

Pioneer 4 vs Pioneer X4 – Hub vs Belt

Also, for those who are not familiar with the difference between drive-train. Hub motors, in this case, Pioneer 4, give a stiffer ride as the hub motors are embedded inside the rear wheels, and that means less soft urethane to absorb vibration.

Hub motors also generate less torque compared to belt-system.The reason? Unlike belt system, there isn’t any gear reduction to amplify the torque.

So why would anyone choose hub(Pioneer 4) over belt(Pioneer X4)?

Well, hub motors (Pioneer 4) are more battery efficient, meaning more range. You also don’t have to replace or maintain the belts, which will break or come loose after some time. Oh also, hubs are silent and free rolls without resistance, making it easier to kick push like a regular longboard.

With all that said, amongst all the variations and combinations, Pioneer X4 with 90mm street will give you the most carving fun, while the Pioneer 4 will get the most from the 105mm cloudwheels, as the extra size helps cushion off harsh bumps from the stiff hub wheels.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 with 105mm cloudwheels on sand terrain

Upgraded specs – Bigger battery, stronger motor.

To keep up with the times, Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 have received a small boost in both departments.

Bigger battery – 12s2p Samsung 40T

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 are now rocking 12s2p battery (Wowgo 3 used 10s2p), with Samsung 40T no less (vs 18650 cells previously)!

This gives the pair a 345wh battery, with 21-22miles (32-35km) of range.

These are competitive numbers for the price. For context, its closest competitor, the Exway Flex ER ($799) has a similar battery package (12s2p 345wh) while costing $100 extra.

Wanna see the numbers? Check out the data chart that we have painstakingly compiled.

Bigger hobbywing motors – 680W & 700W Hobbywing

So, the Wowgo Pioneer 4 uses a set of 680W hub motors and the Pioneer X4 has a pair of 700W belt motors.

While wattage number is not the best way to reliably compare motor performance, this is the only information we have at the moment. So, based on the motor wattage, the Pioneer 4 and X4 are 20% stronger than their predecessor and about as strong as any of their similarly priced competitors.

This basically means that the Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 are not going to struggle on power and torque, as they improved over the previous Wowgos which were already plenty strong. However, they are also unlikely to give thrilling accelerations or win many drag races as those are not the strongest motor out there. Thrill and power weren’t the ride profile that the series are going for anyways.

The boards have a modest top speed of 28mph (45kmh).

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Wowgo Pioneer X4 side by side

Takeaways – Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Wowgo Pioneer 4x

It was quite the irony that the Pioneer series is quite the antithesis of innovation. Both the Pioneer 4 and 4X offers nothing new and merely improve over the popular Wowgo 3 and 3X. However, this is not to say that the Pioneers aren’t good boards or weren’t competitive. Actually, it is quite the contrary.

With slight improvements over Wowgo 3’s already very refined riding experience, coupled with well-rounded specs that are competitive at $649-$699, the Wowgo Pioneers 4 and X4 are the definition of a ‘safe choice’ for those who are looking for an enjoyable ride without breaking the bank.

You can now get Wowgo Pioneer 4 from Amazon (Click here).

If you are interested in buying a Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here to receive $5 off during check out.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

October 31, 2022November 21, 2022 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Voyager X Review – A High-Performance Board on Steroids!

Meepo Voyager X is the brand’s latest flagship that packs a crazy amount of power.

tldr – Meepo Voyager X ($999) is a street-wheel electric longboard that has incredible power and range.

When it comes to high-performance electric skateboards, the stereotype is bulky all-terrain monsters weighing over 30lbs. Up until now, every major Chinese brand with boards priced above $1000 usually makes them in the formula of Evolve 2-in-1 (convertible between street and AT wheels, double-drop deck, and double kingpin trucks)…

That was until Meepo decided that a regular, non-2-in-1 eskate should get a lot of power, and here we are now with Voyager released in August 2022. It was no surprise that Meepo would eventually design a powerful longboard. After all, Meepo’s founder Kieran is pretty well known to have an ‘unhealthy desire for more torque and power’.

With that said, let’s run through the specs of the Voyager X.

Meepo Voyager X Build and Specs

Deck: Stiff bamboo and fiberglass glass deck; mid-board flex and wide concave
Electronic Speed Controller: LingYi ESC with 4 speed and brake modes; push to turn-on, m5s remote
Batteries: 21700 Samsung 40T cells in 12s3p, 518 Wh
Marketed Range: 36 miles (58 km)
Motors: Belt, Dual 2775 W 6358
Marketed Top Speed: 40 mph (66 km/h)
Trucks: Reverse Kingpin; Wide, 10.5 inch
Wheels: Standard 90mm 78A street wheels or 110mm rubber cyclone wheels; sold separately

Looking at the deck, its appearance certainly gives a classic Boosted vibe but the similarity stops there. Meepo Voyager uses a deck that’s made up of bamboo and fiberglass that only flexes in the middle part. So, no, this is a far less flexible board compared to the likes of Exway Flex or Boosted.

As a result, the deck remains stiff and stable during a high-speed ride. This makes perfect sense, considering speed and power are clearly the priority of Voyager. The deck also provides a wide concavity for securing foot placement.

Next, let’s talk about what’s underneath the deck —- the ESC. It’s still no surprise that Meepo continues to use customized LingYi ESC with a push-to-turn-on feature. It provides the user with 4-speed modes and 4 brake modes. What’s new is the M5s remote which is more compact than the previous model and we really like this design!

Giant Pack of Batteries

Opposite the ESC we have a pack of high-quality 21700 Samsung 40T cells in 12s3p configuration. This has 518-watt hours which promised a range of 36 miles or 58 km.

Riding aggressively, our 210 lbs test rider managed to get 25 miles or 40 km out of Voyager. Our estimate of the range is probably 30 miles or 50 km for a 70 kg or 155 lbs rider. This is a giant pack of batteries, especially considering the $999 price tag. For context, boards at this price usually come with smaller batteries or lower-quality cells.

To check out our Exway Flex ER Review, click here.

Crazy Top Speed

While the battery is already great, Meepo goes even crazier with a dual 2775W 6358 belt motor system. According to marketing material, Meepo Voyager has a top speed of 40 mph ( 66 km/h). We obviously weren’t going to test that! Although, we did get 31 mph (50 km/h) and at that rate, our guts were as good as a milkshake. The Voyager definitely has a lot more in it and 40 mph might not be impossible. If any of you get to the limits, let us know!

Anyway, the board comes with standard 90mm 78A street wheels or 110mm rubber cyclone wheels that are sold separately for an additional 120 USD. These are like mini all-terrain wheels or hybrid wheels designed to dampen road vibrations and give you a more pleasant ride.

Beefy Board Weight for Beefy Specs

All in all, the whole package weighs around 23.8 lbs (10.8kg). This is quite heavy but that can be expected for a board with such beefy specs. As the flagship product of Meepo, the Voyager comes really well-built and polished.

Want to check out a different Meepo board? Click here to read our Meepo Hurricane Review.

Meepo Voyager X Ride Experience

Now, let’s talk about the riding experience on the Voyager.

The simplest way to describe the riding experience of the Meepo Voyager is that it feels like a Boosted board on steroids. This is such a classic Meepo move. The brand has a habit of taking a formula that works well and gives it a lot more power and speed.

As expected, the Voyager is a very powerful ride. It has a very punchy acceleration and we advise new riders to be careful with the throttle. Or better yet, start with lower speed modes that are far more gentle and work your way up.

Designed for Speed Enthusiasts

The acceleration at the highest speed mode is so strong, it’s going to be overkill for 80-90% of the riders. I’m sure that speed enthusiasts will be really happy about it, though.

Well, at least nobody will have trouble climbing hills on this one. The brakes are really strong, especially at the highest brake mode. We use the 2nd brake mode often. This just goes to show how strong the brake can be.

As we mentioned, the board is very stable. The wide concave locks our feet in place and the deck was not too flexible to bounce when riding over bumps. The ‘stiffer’ deck and the wide 10.5-inch trucks combined make the board super stable.

Interested in another Meepo board? Click here to check out Meepo Shuffle S.

Massive Stability and Power

During our first ride, we found ourselves riding to 30 mph without even realizing it. That says a lot about stability and power! But no, we did not and are not going to try 40 mph, especially when the Voyager we received was technically a prototype!

Next, let’s talk about road vibration. As you can expect, vibrations are tolerable thanks to the belt-driven motors and semi-flex deck. We gave the cyclone wheel a try, too, and it did dampen the vibration quite significantly. The rubber material also provided a lot more grip.

The wheels felt like glue to the tarmac. It gave a sense of security when turning and carving, and made the board less likely to skid.

Compared to the cloud wheels, the cyclone wheels gave more grip and absorbed road vibrations better. This is at the price of worse free rolls and a much much worse range. Compared to the street setup, riding with cyclones will reduce your range by almost 30%. They’re not off-road wheels, but feel amazing if you hate road vibration.

As you can see, the Voyager is pretty good, but it does have an Achilles heel — the board is not fun for carving. You see, the trucks came in really tight, and we had to loosen it quite a bit just to get the board to turn. For those who want something really fun to carve, the Voyager won’t do it. Even a bushing change might not do too much to improve the carving experience.

Meepo Voyager X VERDICT – Most Powerful Longboard at $999

With that said, what’s our verdict on the Meepo Voyager X?

At $999, Meepo Voyager X is the most powerful street-wheel longboard on the market right now. It has specs that are beefier than some all-terrain boards while keeping it all in a compact regular electric longboard form. Plus, 30 miles of range with a 40 mph top speed is crazy even for an all-terrain board!

Meepo Voyager X is a board that wants to go fast and wants to go straight. If you value high-speed rides more than relaxing carving fun, this is the board for you. If you are looking for something nimble and easy to turn, this is not the board of choice.

Meepo Voyager X was designed to be a high-performance board for aggressive riders, and it does that really well. Beginners should probably look for other choices, as this might just be too much for you to handle.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo, be sure to use our affiliate discount link here.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!