OMW Calvary Review – Carbon Fiber deck with real flex!?

Some people said that this was just another Propel, which is true—Propel isn’t a bad eskate brand to be associated with—but is this really just another standard carbon fiber electric longboard for all-terrain riding?

We will be reviewing the Calvary from On My Way EV, a new brand of board, today. Fresh out of the oven, the OMW Calvary was released on November 17 for $1,599 at launch. The OMW Calvary is a board that adheres to what we refer to as the “Evolve Formula,” which consists of a double drop deck, double kingpin trucks, and convertible wheels that can be used for both street and all-terrain riding. Though there are many boards with designs that are comparable, the OMW Calvary is definitely one of a kind.

OMW Calvary Specifications:

Price$1599
Battery21700 Samsung 50S  12S4P 20Ah  864Wh
ControllerHobbywing 9028
Top Speed37.2mph (60 kmh)
Range34 miles(55 km​)
Deck44.5*12.7*6.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass Composite
Motor6374 * 2, 165kv Belt motors 
Net Weight38.5lbs (17.5kg)

Deck: 44.5*12.7*6.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass

At first, we were led to believe that this would be a Trampa-style deck because I had been informed that there would be flex and the technical diagram I was staring at looked quite similar to the Trampa-style deck that the Evolve Renegade and the Acedeck Nyx are rocking.

As it happens, the Calvary is actually just a standard double-drop deck made out of fiberglass and carbon fiber composite, more like the Meepo Hurricane Vader or the Evolve Carbon than the Trampa. Still, it’s incredible that they were able to make it flexible. OMW gave us three options for the deck’s flexibility, and we chose the most flexible. And that was a wise decision as the flexibility is only moderate, not extremely flexible, even with the softest deck. Furthermore, it appears that most of the flex occurs at the deck’s neck on both ends. 

While the deck still isn’t as flexible as a bamboo deck, we are still pretty happy about it since it’s quite rare to find a carbon fiber deck that has some flexibility. 

The deck also has a nice concave. I think this is my favorite carbon fiber deck right now.

Trucks: 9” Forged Double Kingpin Trucks

Double Kingpin Trucks on the OMW Calvary

Moving on to the trucks, OMW selected 9″ Forged Double Kingpin Trucks for the Calvary, which came with a set of 96A bushings in addition to strong 106A bushings. This makes this large board easier to turn than a standard Reverse Kingpin truck, and its forged trucks add to its durability. Additionally, there’s a handlebar that can be mounted on the front of the board making it easier to pull it around.

Wheels:  7 inch, 6 inch, and 97mm street wheels.

There are three different wheel options: 97mm street wheels, 6-inch street wheels, and 7-inch street wheels. Although having options is always wonderful, choosing 7-inch wheels is probably the best course of action because riding height isn’t an issue, and the largest wheels give you the highest top speed and ride over aggressive bumps in the road.

Battery: 21700 Samsung 50S  12S4P 

Next, 21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P configuration batteries with a combined capacity of up to 20Ah or 864Wh power the OMW Calvary. The Samsung 50S is a good battery cell for eskate use by many premium electric skateboards, and the majority of high-end AT boards these days use the 12s4p standard. For instance, the $999 Propel GT and the $2,499 Evolve Renegade both use similar battery setups, and the $1,499 Meepo Hurricane Vader meanwhile boasts 12s4p but uses a Molicel P42A. What I meant to say is that this is a good, or at least, a reasonable battery size for the price. 

Photo of the charging port of OMW Calvary

You can read our review of the Meepo Hurricane Vader here.

It has a marketed range of 34 miles or 55 km, and in our tests, we were able to reach the 20 miles or 32 km mark with a heavyweight rider weighing 200 lbs or 95 kg for the first 70% of the test and our 70 kg rider for the latter 30%.

ESC: Hobbywing 9028

For the ESC, OMW went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, but there’s also a mobile app where you can customize the ride profile.

Remote of the OMW Calvary

By the way, should you choose to purchase the add-on front light kit, you can turn it on and off by double-pressing the power button, which is indeed very convenient. There is also a red LED brake light that blinks much like a car, which comes standard without costing extra.

Motor: 165 kV 3500W 6374 dual belt motors

As for the motors, The Calvary has very powerful 165 kV 3500W 6374 dual belt motors. 3500W is about the power that most all-terrain electric skateboard goes with, (eg, Hurricane Vader, one of the AT board known for aggressive power, uses 3500W gear motors), so you can expect a good dose of power from these bad boys.

These motors can reach a top speed of 38 mph or 60 km/h when they are used with 7″ wheels; during our tests, we were only able to reach 34 mph or 55 km/h. With the 97mm wheels, we were able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph or 50 km/h.

By the way, even with only 30% of the battery remaining, we are still able to reach the top speed of 31 mph or 50 km/h.

Specs Summary:

To sum it up, this $1,599 2-in-1 board with a double-drop carbon fiber deck, dual kingpin trucks, and a 12-s4p battery is nothing new and wasn’t particularly revolutionary in terms of design or value. 

Even while the OMW Calvary is extremely well-made and polished, it still lacks some of the extra bells and whistles that some ultra-premium manufacturers might include on their boards, including a motorguard, mudguard, and specifically designed remote. The design of the grip tape didn’t exactly win us over, either.

The flexible carbon fiber deck, however, is what makes a significant difference. While everyone thinks carbon fiber decks are gorgeous, they hate the vibration that results from having a rigid deck. For example, Propel attempted, but failed, to increase the flexibility of their carbon fiber deck with their Pivot’s BVR deck. The deck on OMW Calvary, on the other hand, is actually flexible and, spoiler alert, does, in fact, reduce vibration from the road.


You can read our review of the Propel Pivot S here.

Riding Experience on the OMW Calvary

OMW Calvary is a board that wants to go fast and wants to go straight.

The double kingpin trucks that the Calvary uses came out of stock biased towards being stable and not very easy to turn. We did manage to find a sweet spot after loosening the trucks, though. After some tweaking, the trucks became much more responsive and easy to turn. They were still not as good as most double kingpin trucks, but they were good enough for us. The forged truck also felt very precise and had zero slope. 

And we have to admit, this may be the most comfortable fast-riding board we’ve ever reviewed.

First, as you can see, the Hobbywing ESC smoothly accelerates to its maximum speed.

Also, the Cavalry boasts a broad deck with a solid concave that aids in stabilizing our foot placement. During speed changes, I really enjoy placing my foot on the notch at the drop deck, so I have something to push against.

The moderate flex on the deck was enough to take away harsh road vibrations but not too much to jeopardize its stability at high speed. Along with the added stability of the larger 7″ wheels, the lower riding height also gives you peace of mind that an occasional stone or stick won’t cause a wipeout. Additionally, these wheels are pretty special because they have more traction than the majority of all-terrain wheels. Maybe it’s due to the tread pattern. They stick to the tarmac like glue, again, not only adding to stability but also making it fun to do hard carving on. 

Together, these factors made OMW a board that is incredibly comfortable for fast riding. We often found ourselves accelerating to 28 mph or 45 km h without realizing it. And getting to the 34 mph or 55 km h top speed wasn’t a scary ordeal on the Calvary. 

Also, it appeared that the Calvary was configured for greater top speed rather than torque. Meepo Hurricane Vader, which has a lower maximum speed but an insane torque that takes off from a standstill, is a nice counter-example. Instead of being thrilling, Calvary was more comfortable, with a gentle, smooth start followed by an equally comfortable acceleration up to the top speed.

It goes without saying that changing to 6″ wheels or even street wheels will increase torque while lowering the peak speed. Plus, using smaller wheels will make carving more enjoyable and the board more responsive.

Verdict of the OMW Calvary:

The OMW Calvary is a high-end, two-in-one carbon fiber electric skateboard that performed brilliantly overall. It was built incredibly well, has excellent specs for the price, and has a fantastic ride that emphasizes comfortability at high speeds.

top down photo of the On my way! Calvary

We would suggest the OMW Calvary as the board for you if you’re looking for the most comfortable carbon fiber 2-in-1 for fast riding. Yes, it could have a nicer-looking grip tape design, and yes, it wasn’t groundbreaking in value proposition. But other than that, everything about Calvary is pretty perfect. It matches any of its competitors in specs while delivering a riding experience that’s smoother and comfortable, thanks in no small part to the flexible carbon fiber deck.

As long as you aren’t looking for adrenaline rushes, you will love this board.

If you are interested in buying the OMW Calvary, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $30 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!

Basecamp Ghost Review – a $1,599 shortboard!?

For a new company to enter the eskate scene with a premium board, especially a premium shortboard, is a rather bold move, but that’s exactly what Basecamp has done with the Basecamp Ghost. In 2022, Basecamp had just begun producing electric skateboards, and in 2024, they will introduce the $1,599 Basecamp Ghost, an electric shortboard. Even though it’s on pre-order for $1,299, it’s still one of the most expensive electric shortboards available. We expect premium parts throughout the board because of the hefty price tag. 

Basecamp Ghost Specifications

Price$1299
Battery12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh, 8.4AH
ControllerBasecamp custom ESC
Top Speed34mph (55kph​)
Range25 miles (40 km​)
Deck31.1 inches T700 3K Carbon Fiber
MotorBelt, 2 x 3000W Hobbywing 5255
Net Weight19 LBS / 8.6 KG

Deck: 31.1 inches T700 3K Carbon Fiber

Starting off with the deck, it’s a sleek 31.1-inch Carbon Fibre Deck with a unibody design and no bulging electronic enclosures. The deck of the Meepo Hurricane is also built of T700 3K Carbon Fibre, but unlike many carbon fiber decks, which are designed to be perfectly flat, the Ghost has a nice concave to it.

The Basecamp Ghost also has a tiny kicktail, which means two things:
1) It’s more for show than anything else, and
2) Despite the deck’s overall length of 31.1 inches, which is comparable to a mini-board, the wheelbase and stance are actually quite wide, resembling cruiser boards like the Tynee Stinger and Meepo Flow.

Click here to read our review of the Tynee Stinger.
Click her to read our review of the Meepo Flow.

This means it is far more stable than a typical mini board without expanding the footprint or compromising portability.

Portability is also a unique strength of this board; the carbon fiber material allows the deck to be lighter, and the whole board comes together at a carry-friendly 19 lbs or 8.6 KG. 

Truck and Wheels: 7075 aluminum alloy and 90 MM 76A PU Wheels

Now let’s talk about trucks. These are high-quality CNC trucks that are engraved from 7075 aluminum alloy, so they should perform incredibly well and be a lot more durable than conventional cast trucks.

The wheels are 90 MM 76A PU Wheels and despite being advertised as the most comfortable wheels available, these seem very standard to us despite using the late-Boosted Hemotox technology.

Battery: 12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh

For the battery, Basecamp went with a 12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh. On one hand, this is pretty underwhelming for any board over $700, but on the other hand, a bigger battery will reduce the portability, which is one of the unique upsides Ghost has going for itself.

At the very least, it’s using the best cell possible with Molicel P42A. The Ghost is marketed at a range of 25 miles or 40 km. In our tests, we managed to reach 19 miles or 30 km with a 154 lbs or 70 kg rider riding fast modes 3 and 4, which is still a healthy range.

ESC: Basecamp Customized ESC

Moving onto the ESC, Basecamp decided to design their own for the Ghost.

Initially, we were wary of the claim, as there had been many small brands that launched boards with quote-unquote customized ESC but, in truth, were just using a version of Lingyi ESC.However, this is not the case with Ghost; what is within the Ghost gave us the impression of a VESC. It includes smart turn-on features, which let the board to switch on automatically when the remote is turned on, like many VESC do nowadays.  It also came with 4-speed modes.

So we reached out to Basecamp, and they told us that it is an XESC and claims that it is superior to VESC. This Basecamp XESC does provide for the same customizing capabilities as a VESC, although we don’t like to compare the two. It allows for customization of almost everything, including swapping out motors, batteries, etc. And you can change the settings straight from the remote, very convenient. I think this is where Ghost tries to set itself apart and try to be as custom-friendly as possible, catering to the DIY crowd. Caution, though, the advanced customization with the pro settings will void the 1 year warranty, so play around at your own risk.

The remote is very nice, too, it’s very ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The throttle dial has a lot of travel, which always translates to more precise control. 

Motor: Belt, 2 x 3000W Hobbywing 5255

Last but not least is the motors; the Basecamp Ghost uses a belt drive system with two 3000W Hobbywing 5255. These are pretty good motors and can go up to 34 mph or 55kph.In our tests, we managed to hit 30 mph or 48 kph before we ran out of road, but the board feels like it could really go to 55 kph, which is crazy for a shortboard.

Specs Summary:

To sum it up, Basecamp Ghost was well assembled and is truly built of high-quality components. Additionally, the board features a 1-year guarantee and an IP 65 waterproof rating. 

Just going through the specs made it clear that this definitely wasn’t a board that budget shoppers would reach for, as a 12s2p battery for $1,299 is pretty steep. However, since people used to purchase Boosted for similar specs at a higher price, we know that some consumers are willing to pay more for a premium experience. 

Riding Experience

Basecamp Ghost rides more like a cruiser board and less like a shortboard. The wheelbase is wider than most minis, and it reminds us of the Tynee Stinger and Meepo Flow we just reviewed, just with a narrower deck and a milder concave. 

What Basecamp Ghost did better than those cruisers is the speed control. Whatever ESC Basecamp put into this board, it really does its job well, even better than the latest gen of Hobbywing ESC.

First, you get perfect smoothness in how the speed ramps up. Second, how the speed mode was designed makes sense too. The third speed mode allows you to access the highest top speed while accelerating smoothly up to the top speed. The 4th speed mode was configured to be very intuitive, too. It has a smooth and gentle initial initiation, but if you push the throttle all the way up, it gives you the extra power and the kick.

And, the throttle has a lot of travel and hence gives you more precise control of the acceleration. You can keep the throttle in the midpoint, and it’s already plenty strong, and there is a lot more room for you to push the dial all the way up, and the acceleration just ramps up precisely as strongly as you want it to. And if somehow you want the speed control to behave differently, you can always tinker with it yourself.

Power

Besides a better-than-most speed control, Basecamp Ghost is more powerful than most shortboards too, and we are expecting nothing less from a premium board at this price. The powerful dual 3000W Hobbywing motors do not let you down. For context, the Basecamp Ghost is still one of the most powerful mini boards we evaluated, but not being as mad as certain powerhouses like the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

It can go up to 34 mph or 55 kph, and the setup is pretty stable. Although we do not have a long, straight, safe road to reach the board’s limits, we can imagine riding that fast on this 31-inch board. And that brings us to the point, the Basecamp Ghost prioritizes stability over responsiveness.

Responsiveness and Stability

Because of its longer wheelbase and lack of a kicktail, the board is more stable than the average micro board and rides like a 35-inch cruiser board with a kicktail. The CNC trucks are great; they are precise but also more biased toward stability than responsiveness. We think this leaning towards stability makes sense as Ghost clearly should be ridden fast, and any board this length has no problem turning tight corners anyway. Although carving is clearly not this board’s strong suit—it is not a longboard with a flexible deck and twin kingpin trucks— but it is still pretty enjoyable though.

Vibration

So, the riding experience on the Ghost is pretty amazing, however, it does have one weakness that came with the design, which is road vibration. With 90mm wheels and a carbon fiber deck, the board conducts unpleasant road vibrations too well. Additionally, since you would typically lay your foot squarely on top of the trucks, the vibration would pass directly from the wheels to the trucks to your knee. Although it can’t be helped, purchasing a small board comes with this inconvenience. Wearing larger wheels might be beneficial.

Verdict of Basecamp Ghost:

The Basecamp Ghost is undoubtedly a premium board and, hence not for everyone. 

If you want a carbon fiber short cruiser that is light and portable, powerful and stable, with perfect speed control,  then Basecamp Ghost will be what you build. It is also one of the rare non-boutique boards that are DIY-friendly, as it has an ESC that allows tinkering with its parts.

All in all, it is not a board that we value-counting plebs at ESHQ would buy, but if we are stealing one board from an electric shortboard store, we will definitely be taking this one.

If you are interested in buying the Basecamp be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $150 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!

Tynee Stinger Review – Cruiser with the Best Specs!

After reviewing the Meepo Flow, we re-discovered how well a cruiser deck works on electric skateboards. It’s the perfect size for cruising around. Compared to full-size longboards, they are easier to turn with their relatively shorter wheelbase, and when compared to shortboards, they are much more comfortable for longer rides and have lesser road vibration on rougher roads.  

I guess many brands noticed the same thing, and this year, we see quite a few cruisers released by different brands.

Introducing the $889 Tynee Stinger, another 34-inch board with Double kingpin trucks.

Tynee Stinger Specifications:

Price$899
Battery12S3P, Molicel P42A, 544.32 Wh
Controller12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed34mph (55kph​)
Range24 miles(38 km​)
Deck33.86-inch Canadian Maple+fibreglass
MotorDual 3000W belt-drive motors​ , 6368 
Net Weight26 lbs / 11.8 Kg

Deck: 8 ply Canadian Maple and Fibreglass

Starting off with the deck, the Tynee Stinger has a 33.8-inch deck made from 8 layers of maple and fibreglass. It’s pretty stiff with not much flex to it but a nice wide concave and unique deck shape. We really appreciate eskate brands trying out different variations of deck design, and the Stinger is a great example of this by having a lower fishtail dip at the end. It’s ideal for foot placement, and the easier, sharper turns are made possible by the lower centre of gravity, which is practically parallel to the battery level.

In contrast to the sophisticated deck, the belly of the deck is decorated with a clean and minimalistic design with its shock-absorbing grip tape in a simple black and grey colorway. Also, there are wheel wells to prevent wheel bites.

Truck and Wheels: DKP Trucks and 105mm Hydro Wheels

Moving on to the trucks, it seems that every cruiser board uses Double Kingpin trucks, and the Tynee Stinger is no exception.

We don’t recall testing a Tynee with a double kingpin truck in the past, so we are interested to see how it performs.

Next, While we aren’t familiar with Tynee’s double kingpin trucks, we do know these 105mm HydroWheels from our review of the Tynee Mini 3 Pro, which is a super fun and powerful shortboard, by the way. These hydro wheels are a lot different than the cloud wheels, as they’re made out of material somewhere between rubber and PU. It also has tire treads on them which improves its traction on wet roads much better than traditional PU wheels.

Battery: 12S3P, Molicel P42A, 544.32 Wh

Tynee is known to put in a much bigger battery than its rivals, and the Tynee Stinger is no exception. With 12S3P, Molicel P42A, 544.32 Wh, the battery on the Stinger is 30% bigger than the similarly priced Meepo Flow using the same cells.  It is marketed to have a range of 24 miles (38 km), however we were able to travel 22 miles (35 km) when riding fast with a rider weighing 154 pounds (70 kg). Kudos to Tynee for keeping it real with the marketed range.

To read our review on Meepo Flow click here

ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC

As usual, Tynee opted for the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is powered on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, but there’s also a mobile app so you can customise the ride profile.

Motor:  Dual 3000W belt-drive motors​ , 6368

Moving onto the motors, the Tynee Stinger packs a punch with its hefty Dual 3000W belt-drive motors​ , 6368, which is way bigger than the already crazily powerful pairs on the Tynee Mini 3 Pro, which are Dual 2775W 6355 belt motors. We’re expecting a heck of a ton of power from these huge motors as their marketed top speed is a whopping 34mph or 55 kph​. We tested it ourselves but bailed at 29 mph or 47 km/h as it gets scary, but the board clearly has more speed to spare.

Specs summary of Tynee Stinger:

To sum it up, the Tynee Stinger has a lot of substance despite its simplistic design. For $889, it packs a lot of battery, has powerful motors, and the 105mm wheels aren’t cheap either. All of this serves to highlight how the Tynee Stinger certainly has a lot of value on paper; all that is left to do is to hit the road and test if the ride lives up to the expectation. 

Riding Experience

Stepping on the Tynee Stinger, we immediately noticed something we don’t quite like about it, which is that it’s very high off the ground due to the thick risers it uses to prevent wheel bites. And you don’t need me to tell you riding in high heels felt a lot less stable at high speed.

But the Tynee Stinger has the power to go really fast. The 12s Hobbywing ESC gives a smooth and intuitive control as always, but the 4th mode came right off the box, being scarily powerful. Much more exhilarating than the Meepo Flow, which is good news for the adrenaline junkies out there, but for everyone else who prefers a more relaxing cruise, there is always the Mobile app to customise to a tamer ride profile.

Again, the board is really powerful, but the high riding height and double kingpin trucks limit how fast we dare to go. 26 mph or 42 km is the limit for us, and even with full safety gear, we only dare to go 29 mph or 47 km/h before it starts to wobble.

While stability wasn’t its strongest suit, the board was undoubtedly built with carving in mind. For the Tynee Stinger, carving is really smooth; words may fail us here, but it feels like drifting when you turn, but in a good way. The turning radius is obviously small, thanks to the short wheelbase and double kingpin trucks.

We can definitely make sharp turns without doing kick turns, which is kinda important because the kick tail is pretty far behind where our rear foot naturally positions, so using it doesn’t come as naturally. Kick turns also were not as easy due to the board’s weight, as those big batteries are heavy.

While we blame the big 105mm hydro wheels for forcing the use of tall risers, they do have their perks. Firstly, though not as well as the Cloud Wheels or the 105 Boosted OEM wheels used on the Meepo Flow, the hydro wheels did decently well in reducing road vibrations, but it did make the board tolerable enough on rough roads.

Secondly is its grip. The hydro wheels are pretty grippy, and that helps make carving fun while preventing the board from drifting.

Verdict – Tynee Stinger:

Unlike many boards nowadays that keep it safe and can be pretty bland, Tynee Stinger is an interesting cruiser board that has clear strengths and weaknesses. 

It is super-duper-powerful and has a great range, and it’s super responsive, too. However, it is also less relaxing to ride due to its higher riding height. Tynee Stinger may not be the best choice if all you want is a comfortable ride to cruise around in. 

On the other hand, Tynee Stinger is an excellent choice if you are a heavy rider who needs the power or you actually need a cruiser board with a great range. Or, if you want a fun ride, the Tynee Stinger’s incredibly strong, nimble, and responsive ride will suit you just fine.

If you are interested in buying the Tynee be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ23” 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!

Meepo Aurora Review

For $799 Meepo Aurora has all the same parts as the $649 Meepo NLS 3, but adds the green deck lights and comes with a fast charger. Maybe Meepo was envious of all the eyeballs Backfire got for the Zealot series and decided to follow suit.

The Meepo Aurora’s built-in lights are also very bright, and an added bonus is that they blink when you press the brake. For those who want to turn off the lights, you can do so by double-tapping the power button on the remote.

Meepo Aurora Specifications

Price$799
Battery12s2p Molicel P42A 362Wh
Controller12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed32 Mph / 52 Kph
Range24 Miles / 38Km
DeckBamboo and fibreglass with side inlaid COB light
Motor2519 W x 2 Belt Drive Motors
Net Weight22.1 lbs/ 10 kg

Deck: Bamboo and Fibreglass

The deck is the exact same one as the Meepo NLS 3, AKA Meepo Envy. The deck is made of bamboo and fibreglass, and it has a good concave and is extremely flexible. It’s a very good deck. It also features a gorgeous Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis print, hence its name. The mix of greens really compliments its wheels and LED light feature, making for a really cohesive design overall. It also has a clear silicone tail guard, which is great for two reasons: one, it prevents scratches on the nose and tail, and two, since it’s clear instead of black like on the Meepo Envy, the LED lights go around the entire deck.

ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC

Meepo Aurora, Envy, and Flow are the three boards in Meepo’s current lineup that uses 12S Hobbywing ESC. These are the boards that prioritised smoothness of control and ease of use over thrilling and aggressive accelerations, though having reviewed the Vader, which uses LingYi ESC, the difference in smoothness has almost completely closed.

The 12S Hobbywing ESC comes with four-speed modes and the “smart turn-on” feature, which means the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. This ESC pairs with the Meepo M5S remote control, which has a screen for telemetry display.

Battery: 12s2p Molicel P42A 362Wh

Meepo Aurora and Envy came with a Molicel P42A in a 12s2p setup. That’s 362.8 Wh. 

Both have a marketed range of 24 miles (38 km), but our testing resulted in a range of 16.5 miles (26.5 km) with a 155 lbs (70 kg) rider riding fast. 

While we really wish the Meepo Aurora had more range, it’s quite hard to complain. After all, the current benchmark for boards around $700 is a 12s2p arrangement with 21700 cells. Since the Aurora doesn’t have an extended model, Meepo was basically urging you to upgrade to the $999 Voyager X and its 12s3p 544Wh battery if you need additional range.

The fast charger of the Meepo Aurora is Gan 50.4V 6A, while the one on the Meepo NLS 3 was 4A. You can fully charge the Meepo Aurora in about 1.5 hours, 30 minutes quicker now. 

It’s also worth noting that Meepo sealed both the ESC and battery very well. Both the ESC and battery enclosures are in their own sealed boxes, so while the Aurora has no official waterproof rating, it should be very water-resistant.

Motor: 2519 Watts x 2 Belt Drive

Aurora uses the same motors as the Meepo Envy. They are 2519 Watts each, larger than most boards at this price. They have an outstanding top speed. The marketed top speed is 32 mph (52 kph), which we had no problem reaching.

Truck and Wheels: Reverse Kingpin Trucks 

Meepo uses unbranded 8” 50° reverse kingpin trucks. For heavier riders who like harder bushings, Meepo also included a set of 100A bushings in the box along with the standard 96A double barrel bushings. The wheels are 90MM and 78A with a 65mm contact patch. Compared to other brands, we notice these stock wheels are pretty soft. 

Riding Experience on the Meepo Aurora

The riding experience on the Aurora is, obviously, the exact same as the one on NLS 3.

Ditching LingYi ESC and going with Hobbywing ESC is a sign that Meepo Aurora and the NLS 3 were made to be as comfortable of a ride as possible. And the board is indeed buttery smooth in all aspects. The board accelerates and brakes very smoothly thanks to the 12s Hobbywing ESC. The 12s system combined with two powerful motors means the board is also powerful. Not quite at the level of the high-end powerhouses like the $999 Voyager X or the $1200 Zealot X, but it’s definitely on par with some more expensive boards, such as the Zealot S2, which costs $200 more. 

And, unlike Zealot S2, the Aurora deck is really comfortable. It has a really good concave, which helps with controlling the board and gauging where our feet are, and the flex of the deck and the soft grippy wheels make carving on the Aurora a very, very enjoyable experience.

And the trucks that Meepo Aurora uses helped, too. The trucks on the Aurora are Meepo’s Shredder trucks, and they ride pretty well, too. They feel like tightened Paris trucks, a bit more stable with good responsiveness. When first testing top speed, there was a bit of a wobble at 27 mph. After a little tightening, we were able to reach top speed without any wobble.

The Aurora also does a good job of damping road vibration. It should come as no surprise that the belt drive, soft wheels, and flexible deck work well together to reduce road vibration.

Verdict – Meepo Aurora

The Meepo Aurora, just like the NLS 3, is a very well-rounded board. It’s built well, has perfect speed control, and has a buttery smooth ride profile thanks to its amazing deck. While it did not have over-the-top power, its power, and top speed is still top-tier for board at this price. It also did not overdeliver on battery size and range as some other less premium budget brands do. 

We noticed that the Meepo NLS 3 wasn’t as talked about as the Backfire Zealot S2 despite being a very similar board in the same price categories. Compared to the NLS 3, the Zealot S2 is $200 pricier, a tad bit more powerful, and has a slightly bigger battery, while the NLS 3 and the have better decks. And we think the extra buzz Zealot S2 made came from having the lights; it just looks better on the Facebook feed. So, with Meepo Aurora getting the inlaid LED lights, maybe the NLS 3 will finally, too, get the attention it deserves.

All in all, Meepo Aurora and its green light get a green light from us. It is $150 pricier than the $649 Meepo NLS 3, and that extra $150 went into a fast charger and the lights. Considering faster chargers are expensive, and aftermarket solutions for board lights can also be expensive, Paying $150 extra for them is a reasonable deal if you like the lights.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo 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!

Meepo Hurricane Vader Review- Gear Drive FTW!

In late 2021, Meepo launched the $1699 Meepo Hurricane to great acclaim. It was much more powerful and had a significantly larger battery than the similarly priced Exway Atlas, which was the board to beat in the carbon fiber all-terrain category.

Fast-forward to 2023, and the field has become much more competitive. In response, the Hurricane has been upgraded to the Hurricane Vader. Besides boasting a slightly lower price of $1599, it also features several changes from the previous version of the Hurricane.

Meepo Hurricane Vader Specifications

Price$1599
Battery12s4p Molicel P42A (725.8WH / 16.8AH)
Controller12s Lingyi ESC
Top Speed32 mph / 52 kph
Range31 miles / 50 km 
DeckCarbon fiber, Double-drop deck
Motor3500W x 2 Gear Drive Motors (Gear Ratio = 1:4.4)
Net Weight38.8 lbs/ 17.6kg

Deck – Same Great Material, Sleeker Design:

This deck is identical to the one on the original Hurricane but with a modified grip tape print design. It has a more subdued design and a smaller logo, which, to us, looks more sleek and contemporary.

Beyond aesthetics, this is the same double-drop deck constructed from T700 3k Carbon Fibers. It’s worth noting this material since it’s used in manufacturing professional drones.

It is stiff with no flex, and It is wide with a pronounced concave. 

ESC and Remote – 12s LingYi ESC and M4s Remote

For its ESC, the Meepo Hurricane Vader has once again chosen the 12s LingYi ESC. This ESC features a push-to-turn-on function and offers four speed modes as well as four brake modes. By 2023, Meepo had begun integrating the Hobbywing ESC into some of its boards. Therefore, it appears intentional that Meepo chose LingYi for this model, suggesting that Meepo wants this board to have a more aggressive speed control. .

The ESC is paired with the standard M4s Meepo remote, which is the same one used for the previous Meepo Hurricane. This remote includes a display that shows speed, battery status, and other useful information.

Battery – 12S4P Molicel P42A:

The Meepo Hurricane Vader’s battery remains unchanged. It continues to be powered by a big 12S4P battery using Molicel P42A, and provides a total of up to 725.8WH or 16.8AH. By 2023, this no longer outshines the competition, but it remains competitive for its price point.

Meepo advertises a range of 31 miles (50km). In our tests, we achieved up to 22 miles (35 km) while riding in the highest speed mode. This is a significant improvement over the 18.5 miles (30 km) range of the previous Hurricane. We believe this increased efficiency is due to the gear-drive being more energy-efficient than the belt.

Motor – 3500W X 2 6374 motor with  Gear Drive System 4.0:

So, let’s talk about the gear drive. These are a pair of 3500W, 6374 motors. Meepo refers to this as the Gear Drive System 4.0, a name that doesn’t mean much to us other than the fact that it is not the planetary gear drive used on the previous City Rider 2 and Ecomobl boards. Gear drives are always exciting because while keeping the smooth ride that results from not having a hard hub core inside the wheels, they offer better battery efficiency than belt-drive. These gear drives are generally more expensive; for example, Meepo allows customization of the Hurricane via the Hurricane Ultra product page, and the gear drive option is priced $100 higher than the belt version. While these drives must still be time-tested for durability, so far, we haven’t heard much about failures related to the gear drive. 

The marketed top speed of these motors is 32 mph (52 km/h), which is a little slower than the previous belt-driven Meepo Hurricane. We suspect this difference may be due to gear ratio settings that prioritize torque over speed. (Gear Ratio = 1:4.4)

Additionally, we lacked a long, straight stretch of road during our test, which prevented us from reaching the top speed. The board accelerated powerfully from a standstill, but its acceleration tapered off as it reached higher speeds. As a result, it took some time to reach its maximum speed, and our test ended when we ran out of roads, reaching 28 mph (45 km/h), which we can tell is well below the board’s limit.

Truck and Wheels – Double KingPin and Cyclone 165s Racing Wheels

As for the trucks, Meepo sticks to what works and uses the same double kingpin trucks as on the Hurricane. We already know that they work well and have a good balance between stability and responsiveness. 

Meepo still allows customization and the true kingpin option through Meepo Hurricane Ultra X for people who prefer stability. 

Check out Meepo’s Hurricane Ultra X customization page here

There have been adjustments to the wheels. The Hurricane Vader uses Meepo’s new Cyclone 165S Racing Wheels with CNC machined rims in place of 155mm pneumatic wheels.

The board weighs a hefty 39 lbs (17.6kg). It’s definitely on the heavy side with this one.

Specification Summary

Overall, the Meepo Hurricane Vader offers great specs for $1599. While I wouldn’t say it’s jaw dropping in terms of value for money, a 12s4p carbon fiber board with gear drives, constructed with such finesse, is about as good as it gets for $1599.

Riding Experience of Meepo Hurricane Vader:

For those who are unfamiliar with the Hurricanes, this stunning carbon fiber deck is nice to ride, too. It’s nice and wide, with enough room for people with larger feet. Given that this is a very, very powerful board, it is crucial that the board remain stable at high speeds, which was made possible by the stiffness of the deck and the pronounced concave. 

For Vader, the speed control is better than the previous Hurricane. The speed controls for mode 1 to mode 3 are now perfectly smooth and intuitive, as good as Hobbywing ESC. And as per typical Meepo fashion, Mode 4 is aggressively powerful and has that extra punch, which is often more for the thrill than for any practical reason. It is, however, helpful for uphill hikes. Mode 4 will undoubtedly be too powerful for a beginner because of how quickly the board moves ahead, thanks to its steep acceleration curve. If you like that kind of thrill, it is quite exciting, but for the majority of riders, mode 3 is a lot more comfortable and usable and is already very strong.

Meepo Hurricane Vader has a very distinct riding feel. It uses double kingpin trucks, but the board feels more stable than it is responsive. We believe the 165s Cyclone Wheels, which have large contact patches and are incredibly grippy, are a big factor in this. This means that while we can maneuver the board with ease and carving is fun, the board isn’t nimble, and executing sharp L turns is not easy. 

We also blame the grippy-ness of the cyclone wheels for holding back the acceleration. When we test the top speed, it feels like the wheels are too glued to the tarmac, stopping the board from leaping forward. Additionally, the board will abruptly lose speed when the throttle is released, which could cause wobbles for inexperienced riders. This was unexpected because, typically, belt systems provide better free-rolling than gear drives, but the 165S Cyclone wheels appear to offset that advantage.

But it doesn’t mean we don’t like the cyclone wheels. They are quite comfy; there was virtually no road vibration at all. And all the credit has to go to the wheels, as the stiff carbon fiber deck wouldn’t have done anything to help reduce road vibration.

Meepo Hurricane Riding photo

Not sure how important this is to you, but the gear drive is also quieter. It is about as loud as the quietest belt drive. 

Verdict – Meepo Hurricane Vader:

 Meepo Hurricane Vader is no longer an underdog that dramatically undercuts the competition in terms of price and specs. Instead, it has evolved into an uncompromising premium board featuring quality parts, a refined finish, and an amazing ride. Its ride profile leans more toward torque, power, and stability. It is a complete package at a slightly lower price than its competitors (I’d value it at around $1799), and if you’re in the market for a powerful board with great specs, you can’t do much better than the $1599 Meepo Hurricane Vader.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ23” 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!