midtier electric skateboard Archives - Electric Skateboard HQ

December 27, 2024January 17, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Go Review – Affordable belt-driven electric skateboard

Meepoboard is the OG affordable electric skateboard brand that has shaped today’s eskate scene, so we were quite puzzled that it took them until now to introduce their affordable belt-driven electric longboard. But finally, in November 2024, they released the Meepo Go and the Meepo Edge, a pair of belt-driven electric longboards and shortboards priced at just over $500.

Today, we’ll be looking at the Meepo Go, the longboard, and as usual, let’s dive into the specs.

Meepo Go Specs:

Price	$519
Battery	12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells
Controller	JK ESC
Top Speed	28 Mph (45 Kph)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	Bamboo and Fibreglass Composite
Motor	Dual 1500w 4230 Belt Motors

Deck – Bamboo and Fiberglass Composite:

Starting with the deck, the Meepo Go features a simple design with a handle cut-out. Unfortunately, this downgrades the board, giving it a slightly cheap vibe, but it’s undoubtedly a practical feature.

The deck is made of Bamboo and Fiberglass composite, which isn’t as flexible as the material implied. It only has a mild flex and a rather subtle concave.

Battery – 12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells:

Next, for the battery, Meepo Go is powered by a 12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells which is the same ER battery pack used in the $499 Meepo V5 ER.

It has a marketed range of 20 miles (32 km), much more than the 10 miles (16km) we expected from a typical $400 entry-level electric skateboard and on par with the range of other $500 boards. As always, the actual range depends on rider weight, terrain, and how hard you ride.

ESC and Remote – JK ESC

The ESC is where it gets interesting. Most e-skates run on either Hobbywing or LingYi ESCs, but Meepo decided to introduce a new competitor: the JK ESC. The ex-chief engineer of Hobbywing developed this ESC, so it’s no surprise it behaves very similarly to Hobbywing ESCs.

The JK ESC includes a smart power-on feature, where turning on the remote powers up the board, and comes with four-speed modes. However, the top two speed modes are locked for the first 6 miles (10 km) of riding — a mandatory “practice mode” with no bypass. This is annoying, and we hope they eventually drop this “feature” in the future.

The remote also takes some getting used to, as it operates a bit differently from other ESCs. For instance, switching speed modes requires double-pressing the power button, which isn’t our preferred method but isn’t a major issue either.

Motor – Dual 1500w 4230 Belt Motors

As for the motors, the Meepo Go is equipped with dual 1500W 4230 belt motors which are marketed at a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), which is pretty standard for boards in this price range. And we have no problem hitting 28mph with our board.

Trucks And Wheels – 7” 45 degree Reverse Kingpin Shredder Trucks With 90mm Wheels

The board uses Meepo’s 7-inch 45-degree reverse kingpin Shredder trucks with 100A bushings. We are familiar with Shredder trucks, as Meepo puts them in most of their boards. They are good and give a good balance between stability and maneuverability.

The wheels are standard 90mm with a 76A durometer and we have nothing much to say about them.

Specs Summary of the Meepo Go

We initially thought Meepo would aim to make the Meepo Go the most affordable belt-driven electric longboard, but we were wrong. Instead of stripping down the specs to the bare minimum and creating a belt-driven version of the $359 Meepo V5, the Meepo Go is based on the $499 Meepo V5 ER, featuring the same upgraded 21700 battery.

The rest of the components are familiar—while not particularly exciting, they have proven to be reliable and contribute to a solid riding experience which we will dive into next.

Riding Experience on the Meepo Go

When it comes to riding, the Meepo Go is a practical and straightforward board.

Let’s first talk about the new guy in town, the JK ESC. This JK ESC actually feels indistinguishable from Hobbywing ESCs, which means perfectly smooth acceleration and perfectly smooth braking. Everybody loves Hobbywing ESC, and hence, everybody will love this JK ESC. New riders will definitely find this an easy board to learn.

The second focus we have for this board would be these belt motors. And they are alright. They deliver strong torque—better than any hub—but nothing to write home about. For those who are considering between hub drives and belt drives, definitely get belt drives unless you are allergic to belt maintenance. Belt drives have better torque, better battery efficiency when going uphill, and a smoother ride on rough roads. When all else is equal, there is little reason to pick a hub drive over belts.

Belt drives also kick off from a stop stronger, which is the best feeling on an electric skateboard, and they get to the top speed faster.
On Meepo Go, we reached its top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) easily, but staying there is a bit sketchy, and we blame it on the lack of a pronounced deck concave. We felt less sure about where our feet were.

Otherwise, the Shredder trucks did their job well. They are stable and have a good return to center. Shredder trucks have a pretty good balance between maneuverability and stability. Carving is smooth and fun, but it would have been more fun had the deck been more flexible, but that’s just my personal preference.

Verdict of the Meepo Go

Overall, what you get from the Meepo Go is reflected well by the vibe of its name — simple and utilitarian.

It’s not the cheapest belt-driven electric longboard out there, though Meepo could’ve achieved that by using a smaller 12S2P 18650 battery and pricing it at $450. However, instead of cutting corners and potentially leaving some riders dissatisfied, the Meepo Go comes with a setup that packs enough power and battery to meet the needs of even the most demanding riders.

While not at all fancy and maybe a little bit boring, it’s an inoffensive board and a safe buy for anyone looking for an entry-level belt-driven electric longboard.

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!

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 by Paxson Lim

OMW Hussar Review – $999, but rides like $1999

The OMW Hussar is a board that starts at $999 and is almost entirely customizable from the board’s flexibility, the trucks, and the different wheel options to build a ride that suits your needs.

OMW’s is having Black Friday sale starting on 1st November.
Cavalry boards will enjoy a $200 off and Hussar boards will enjoy a $100 off, compared to the original discounted price.

It means:
– Cavalry board with forged truck will be $1099,
– Cavalry board with CNC truck will be $1249;
– Hussar board with forged truck will be $899,
– Hussar board with CNC truck will be $1109.
(All with stock in USA. The discount code “EskateHQ” can be also used, which means extra $30 off for all the boards, enjoy!)

OMW Hussar Specs:

Price	Starts at $999
Battery	12s3p 21700 648Wh 21700 Samsung 50S battery
Controller	12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	34 mph (55 kph)
Range	37.3 miles (60 km)
Deck	Carbon Fiber deck
Motor	6374 x2 / 165kv / Max Power – 3500W
Weight	33 lbs (15 kg)

Deck – Carbon Fiber Deck:

Starting with the deck, OMW is known for making carbon fiber decks that are actually flexible, as seen previously with the OMW Cavalry. The carbon fiber deck is not only relatively lightweight but should also be more durable than a bamboo composite deck. It features a double drop deck design with a wide concave.

As mentioned in the intro, the flexibility of the deck is customizable. Riders have three flex options to choose from, catering to various riding styles and weight preferences; whether you prefer a more flexible deck for absorbing road vibrations and improving comfort during long rides or a stiffer one for more control and stability.

The one we have is a 2B deck, recommended to us by OMW based on our weight, which is around 154 lbs (70 kg)

ESC, Remote, and Battery – Hobbywing ESC and 12s3p 21700 648Wh 21700 Samsung 50S battery

Next, just like with the OMWEV Cavalry, OMW stuck with what works by using the tried and true 12s Hobbywing ESC, which has become the gold standard for its smooth and intuitive control. It comes with four-speed modes and is paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, featuring an OLED display that provides real-time data such as speed and battery levels, and also has cruise control.

The Hussar also includes smart on/off technology, meaning the board powers up as soon as you power on the remote and you can also adjust performance settings via a mobile app.

The Hussar is powered by a 12s3p 21700 648Wh 21700 Samsung 50S battery, marketed to have a range of 37.3 miles (60 km).

Motor – Dual 6374 Belt Motors:

Speaking of power, the Hussar is equipped with dual 6374 belt motors generating a combined output of 8000W. While these numbers seem high on paper, they yield a comparatively modest top speed of 34 mph (55 kph), which we were able to reach in our test.

Trucks and Wheels:

The Hussar offers two truck options: a forged double kingpin truck or a CNC double kingpin truck for an additional $110. Upgrading to forged or CNC trucks can be beneficial for durability, as they outlast cast trucks. Given that the Hussar is the kind of board you’ll be riding hard in various conditions, opting for this upgrade might be worthwhile. The CNC version should be more precise and also allow the trucks to be configured with street wheels, whereas the forged trucks are only compatible with 150mm or 175mm pneumatic wheels.

Our CNC trucks came with the MAD Wheelz, so we will be testing this configuration. We’re already familiar with MAD Wheelz, it’s great to see them offered as a standard option here.

All things Lights:

The Hussar comes with bright headlights, offering up to 3600 lumens of output, tail lights that light up when braking, and RGB deck lights, which you can toggle by double-tapping the remote.

Specs Summary of the Hussar

Comparing battery sizes, the OMW Hussar may fall short next to value brands like Verreal’s RS Ultra and the Meepo Hurricane Bamboo. However, neither of those options includes forged trucks. Plus, upgrading from a bamboo to a carbon fiber deck typically adds about $100 in value, and having a flexible carbon fiber deck is even harder to put a price on.

At ESHQ, we love crunching numbers and finding the best specs for the dollar, and we tend to favor brands that pack a lot of value into their boards. So, we’re pretty happy to see that, despite being a premium brand, the specs on the OMW Hussar still hold their own against Meepo and Verreal. OMW isn’t horsing around with the Hussar—it offers a premium look and feel without charging a premium price.

Riding Experience on the OMW Hussar

The defining feature of the OMW Hussar is its potential for aggressive riding.

Many boards nowadays prioritize torque over top speed since that exhilarating launch from a standstill is hard to beat. The Hussar’s build is tailored to this experience. The truck, with a double kingpin design, is incredibly stable, making high-speed riding feel easy. In fact, we wish it could go faster because 34 mph didn’t feel fast when the board was this stable.

Another highlight is the strong braking system. While Hobbywing ESCs are known for their smooth and intuitive acceleration and braking, OMW has tuned the brakes on the Hussar to be more aggressive, allowing for more reckless riding with the reassurance that you can stop quickly if needed.

The CNC trucks also contribute to a more aggressive riding style. Though they don’t offer the most aggressive carving experience, they provide great stability while still allowing for precise control.

We love the deck, too. It’s wide, has a nice concave, and is comfortable to stand on. Having a flexible carbon fiber deck feels surreal, even though this isn’t the first OMW deck we’ve tried. That said, the carbon fiber deck doesn’t magically eliminate all road vibrations. With the 105mm MAD Wheelz setup, we still felt about 40% of the road vibrations.

Bamboo decks generally do a better job at absorbing vibrations, but a flexible carbon fiber deck is still leagues ahead compared to a stiff carbon fiber deck.

The board’s low ground clearance does cause it to bottom out occasionally, though not as much as other boards, like the Verreal RS Ultra. If you hate seeing scratches on your board’s enclosure, you might want to go for the 150mm or 175mm all-terrain wheels.

In terms of carving, the Hussar can make tight turns but offers less play than other double kingpin trucks. If you’re looking for a super carvy board, you might be disappointed, but most riders will appreciate the balanced configuration of these CNC trucks—they’re not too aggressive but stable enough for high-speed rides.

Verdict – of OMW Hussar

The OMW Hussar is a stunning board and a total thrill to ride. Its precision trucks and expertly tuned Hobbywing ESC deliver incredible control over speed and board.

And while OMW is a premium brand, $999 for a 12s3p carbon fiber board is about as good of a deal as you can get. So, if you are looking to buy an electric skateboard in the $1000 range, and 12s3p and 37 miles (60km) range are enough for you, this board should be one of your top picks, especially if you are looking for one with a flexible carbon fiber deck.

If you are interested in buying the OMW, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $10 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!

July 14, 2024September 6, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Maxfind Max 6 Review – Best electric skateboard under $600?

This is the Maxfind Max 6 which comes in two options: $569 for the version with PU wheels and $629 for the version with 105mm Galaxy Cloud Wheels. This means that the Max 6 is one of the very few affordable belt-driven electric longboards available out there.

Max 6 is a little bit pricier than Wowgo 3E, which was our top pick for the best electric longboard under $500; but it does undercut other midtier belt-driven electric longboards like the $629 Wowgo Pioneer X4, and the $699 Meepo NLS 3.

Read our review of the Wowgo 3E here.

Being one of the most affordable belt-driven electric longboards is a good pricing strategy, especially considering Max 6 has the specs that punch above its weight, too.

Maxfind Max 6 Specs:

Price	$569
Battery	360Wh 10s 21700 Samsung 10Ah battery
Controller	Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	26 Mph (42 Kph)
Range	31 miles (50 km)
Deck	X Composite deck
Motor	900W*2 Belt drive
Net Weight	20.9lbs (9.5kg)

Deck – X Composite Deck:

Starting with the deck, the Max 6 uses an X composite deck, which is said to be stronger than your average Maple and Bamboo composites. It has only a slight flex.

The deck is relatively narrow, even by our Asian-feet standards, with part of our feet sticking out most of the time. We do like the pronounced U-shaped concave, and our feet are nice and snug with it. Design-wise, the shock-absorbing grip tape gives a pretty neat cyberpunk aesthetic, a nice change from the many minimalistic prints on the market.

Battery – 360Wh 10s 21700 Samsung 10Ah battery:

Photo of Maxfind Max 6 battery enclosure

Moving onto the battery, the Max 6 is powered by 21700 Samsung 40T cells, which are pretty solid cells. It’s too bad Maxfind decided on a 10s2p configuration instead of 12s2p, like the one found on both Wowgo Pioneer X4 and Meepo NLS 3. However, the range on the Max 6 turns out to be better. It is marketed to have a range of up to 31 miles (50km), and in our tests, we managed to make it to 25.5 miles (41 km). That’s 50% more than what we got from the Pioneer X4 and NLS 3.

A concern could be that using 10s instead of a 12s battery configuration gives the board less power, but we will talk about that a little bit later.

ESC and Remote -Hobbywing ESC:

Next, Maxfind went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC. For the remote, it’s likely the standard Hobbywing remote with custom casing. It has a screen for telemetry, comes with 4 speed settings, and you can also pair it with their mobile app to customize your ride profile.

Motor – Dual 900w Belt Drive Motors:

Moving onto the motors, the Max 6 runs on some hefty dual 900W belt drive motors, which are pretty powerful for a mid-range board. The marketed top speed is a pretty modest 26 mph (42 kph), so it’s not a surprise that we managed to hit that speed in our test.

It has a 1:2.7 gear ratio, which is on the higher side.

Trucks And Wheels – Custom 45° Max Iii Trucks And 90mm Pu Wheels Or 105mm Galaxy Cloudwheels

Next, as for the trucks and wheels, the Max 6 uses their own custom 45° Max III Trucks.

It’s a CNC-forged truck, which is more durable and safer than cast trucks. For some skaters, having a forged truck is a must for safety, but finding one on a $600 board is rare, so this is a big plus point for the Max 6.

As for the wheels, you have a choice between 90mm Polyurethane wheels or a 105mm Galaxy Cloudwheels upgrade. The board also weighs about 20.9 lbs or 9.5 kg, which is pretty light and easy to carry around.

RGB Lights:

A stand-out feature is definitely their RGB atmospheric lighting, which is a collaboration with the Soundynamic brand and features sleek RGB lights on the sides of the deck.

The RGB light cycles through 3 modes: the first one is where the color switches, 2nd mode is breathing pattern, and then the last mode is blinking. The color switches by default and cannot stay a single color, to our disappointment. You can turn the lights on and off with the remote. It also has a brake light that will turn red when we brake.

Although the lights are not as bright as the LED lights lining the deck, they still add some nice flavor to the board.

Specs Summary of Maxfind Max 6:

All these years, Maxfind’s strategy has been to “price the board a little bit higher than the competition, and justify the price with higher quality parts and prettier design” The Max 6, however, is different. It arguably gives the best value for $549, especially if you value the ambiance lighting.

To illustrate, let’s compare the Max 6 to the $449 Wowgo 3E. The Maxfind Max 6 is a pretty good deal here as it has a longer range thanks to using 21700 Samsung 40T cells. It also has a stronger motor, CNC trucks, and lights.

On the other hand, when you compare up against the $629 Wowgo Pioneer X4 and $699 Meepo NLS 3, the Max 6 fairs pretty well, too.

The negatives are that it has a smaller battery and weaker power, but the positives are that it has forged instead of cast trucks and, again, has ambient lights. That’s why, if you value forged trucks and ambient lights, and are satisfied with a 10s battery, Maxfind Max 6 will be, on paper, the best board in the $500-$600 price range.

Read our review of the Meepo NLS 3 here.
Read our review of the Wowgo Pioneer X4 here.

Riding Experience of the Maxfind Max 6

The Max 6 has torque, it felt stronger than the Wowgo 3E on the get-go. The higher gear ratio probably plays a part here. Max 6 certainly gets away with using a 10s battery instead of 12s.

However, when compared against higher priced Meepo NLS 3 and the Wowgo Pioneer X4, the Max 6 does lag behind in torque and power. This is probably how the Max 6 has a lot more range than those two, by dialing back on the power and increasing battery efficiency.

The Max 6 gets to top speed pretty easily and is very stable all the way. But we do feel the trucks are a bit too resistant to turns. Let’s just say they weren’t the most responsive trucks we ever tested, but they are sure as hell stable. We tried loosening up the trucks, but even then, it was still one of those trucks that just wanted to go straight. With that said, carving is not the most fun on this board, but changing the bushings may help in these aspects.

Overall, the board feels comfortable. As we said, the concave makes our feet feel pretty welcome, and of course, Hobbywing ESC means completely smooth acceleration and braking.

The board wasn’t the best at reducing road vibration, given that it uses a stiffer deck. However, the Max 6, being a belt-driven board, is obviously better than any hub-driven board. If you really want a smoother ride, you can always just put on the Cloud Wheels.

Verdict on the Maxfind Max 6:

As you can see, Maxfind Max 6 is not perfect, a $569 board is bound to have some flaws. The Max 6 doesn’t have the most thrilling top speed, doesn’t have the most enjoyable trucks, and the built-in ambiance light is not the most eye-catching.

With that said, it is still one of the best options at its price. It has an extraordinarily good range, safer forged trucks, and, while not our favorite light setup, it is at least there. We’ve reviewed many Maxfinds, and so far, the Max 6 is our clear favorite and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for something below $600.

If you are interested in buying the Maxfind, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $25 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!

June 5, 2024June 5, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Backfire Ranger X5 Review – The easiest all-terrain board

Today, we will be reviewing the Backfire Ranger X5, which came out in April 2024.

As more brands make all-terrain electric longboards with belt and gear drives in recent years, the once very popular hub-driven Backfire Ranger series seems to have been somewhat forgotten. Following the trend of belt-drive everything, Backfire released the Hammer Sledge last year, but it seems they aren’t ready to give up on the hub-driven variant just yet. Instead, this year, they released this Ranger X5, which is one of the prettiest-looking AT boards out there.

Backfire didn’t take too much risk with the design of Ranger X5, however. There’s some upgrades in parts and polish and a $200 price bump, but the Ranger X5 is essentially the ‘facelifted’ Ranger X3, as the specs are almost the same.

Backfire Ranger X5 Specs:

Price	$1299
Battery	50.4V 12S3P Samsung 40T 518Wh 90A
Controller	12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	26 Mph (42 Kph)
Range	21 Miles (35 km)
Deck	ABS, Fibreglass and Maple Composite Deck
Motor	1500W*2 Dual hub motors
Net Weight	28lbs (12.8kg)

Deck – Multi-Layer Composite Deck

Starting with the deck, the Backfire Ranger X5 uses a double-drop composite deck made from ABS, glass fiber, and maple. Despite featuring ambient lighting along the deck, the X5 continues to live up to the reputation of the Ranger series for having a flexible and comfortable deck.

It is a 40” deck, longer than most longboard and similar in size to mountainboards such as the Acedeck Nyx Z3.

There is also a red accent stripe running along the edge of the deck, so even when the LED light isn’t turned on, the board maintains its black-and-red look.

ESC and Remote – 12s Hobbywing ESC:

Photo of Backfire Ranger X5 esc enclosure

As for the ESC, there seems to be no change from the X3; it was equipped with a 12s Hobbywing ESC. What sets it apart though, is the X5 comes with the stunning Halo remote, which was first seen with the Backfire Zealot X.

In case you didn’t know, the Halo remote is really neat. It has a large display, fingerprint unlock, and a reverse switch. The remote is also long, nice to hold, and allows access to ride profile customization.

It’s heavy, feels high-end, and, well, drains the battery faster than a standard remote. But you will agree that it is a small price to pay for the features you get.

Battery – 12s3p Samsung 40T battery:

Photo of Backfire Ranger X5 battery charger

Photo of Backfire Ranger X5 battery enclosure

Another feature that doesn’t change with the X3 and X5 is that both boards use a 12s3p Samsung 40T battery, totaling 518Wh, and has a marketed range of 21miles (35km).

Motor – Dual 1500W Hub Motors, Trucks and Wheels:

Powering the Ranger X5 are dual 1500W hub motors. From what we can tell, these are identical to hub motors from the X3.

While belt and gear systems are capable of more torque, which by definition are more thrilling, the hub system has at least three advantages:

it uses less power and hence gives a better range for the same juice;
it requires less maintenance and
it’s a lot quieter.

You won’t have to worry as much about sand, sticks, and leaves becoming stuck in the motor systems when off-roading if you use a hub system.

The same stress-free design applies to the 165mm airless rubber tires, too. Without a doubt, riding on different terrain calls for different tyre pressures, and pneumatic tyres offer more comfort. But in exchange for the marginally better ride, you pay with having to manage tire pressure and risking the chance of a tire puncture in the middle of an off-road trail run. It happens more than you’d think.

The top speed on this puppy is a modest 26mph (42km/h), which we have no problem hitting.

Sadly, the double kingpin trucks—which connect to the hubs and wheels—are die-cast rather than forged. It seems to be the same truck as the one on the X3, and we’ve heard good things about it.

LED Lights:

Backfire definitely put extra effort into the light system. The LED system can be switched between multiple modes with a double-click of the power button, including solid, breathing, flashing, and off. The Ranger X5 also has extra white lights that turn red when the brakes are used in addition to the ambient LED deck. The ambient LEDs on the X5 turn on to show that it is charging when you plug it in. Of course, this is an optional feature, but it’s a nice touch.

Add-ons available for the Backfire Ranger X5:

Also, there are lots of add-ons that you can buy, like a spoiler, pull bar, and mudguards – we heard they’re useful. We don’t have those add-ons, but if you want to see how the Ranger X5 looks in its final form, check out EV Tech Steven’s reviews. Caution: his footage is too pretty, and you might be lured into buying the board and every single add-on.

The board weighs 28 lbs or 12.8 kg, which is not that heavy for an all-terrain board.

Specs Summary of the Backfire Ranger X5:

With a price tag of $1,299, the Backfire Ranger X5 doesn’t pack the biggest battery or the strongest motor. For instance, even the $1,199 Evolve Hadean Carbon AT has a slightly bigger 12s4p battery, and Evolve is not exactly known as a value brand either.

It’s clear that Backfire wants to establish the X5 as the best hub-driven all-terrain board available. A board that surpasses the likes of the Maxfind FF AT, Tynee Explorer, or Meepo City Rider 3 in terms of versatility, power, beauty, and build, and after testing the board, it is indeed better than these competitors.

Read our review of the Meepo City Rider 3 here (click)

Read our review of the Tynee Explorer here (click)

Riding Experience of the Backfire Ranger X5:

It has to be said that hub-driven all-terrain boards are an underrated breed. The worst part about hub systems is usually the road vibration and relatively harsh ride. While these are big problems when it comes to street setup, they are practically negated when the board has big 165mm wheels with a flexible deck.

The Ranger X5 is also rather good at handling lesser torque, which is another concern with the hub arrangement. These dual 1500W hub drives are sufficient to climb any steep uphill we encountered, even though the Ranger X5 was not as torquey as, say, the Acedecks all-terrains with their strong gear-drive and large gear reduction. The Ranger X5 feels 70% more powerful while in turbo mode than the Acedeck Nomad N3 and the Nyx Z3, which is more than most people would need!

Let’s just put it this way: for a rider who doesn’t insist on having the strongest torque, the Ranger X5 is the most ‘hakuna matata’ off-road board that can go through grass, water, and sand. It can get dirty without you having to worry about things getting caught in the motor system. It can ride over questionable surfaces without the worry of a punctured tire.

It can still practically traverse any terrain that a traditional belt or gear system could and does equally well-dampening road vibration.

Ranger X5 is a little bit higher off the ground, which is not our favorite ride profile but means better ground clearance for off-road situations. And it is still pretty stable at top speed. We could stay at top speed with no speed wobble once we slightly tighten the trucks, but the highlight of the board is definitely its responsiveness. For a long AT board, the Ranger X5 is very easy to turn, thanks to the double kingpin trucks. I’d say responsiveness and maneuverability are what separates the Ranger X5 from budget all-terrain boards like the Meepo City Rider 3 and Tynee Explorer. Carving on the Ranger X5 is a lot more enjoyable and a lot more fun to ride.

And I don’t know if I still need to say this, but the speed control is perfect as Hobbywing ESC tends to be. Perfectly smooth acceleration and braking across all speed modes. No surprise here.

Verdict – Should you buy the Backfire Ranger X5:

It’s kinda funny that while the Ranger X5 is a great ride, what sets it apart is outside of the riding experience. It is a handsome-looking board with lights that call for attention. It has a stress-free ownership experience that can’t be said the same for many better and pricier boards.

I think for many casual riders who want a board with big wheels, getting the Ranger X5 makes a lot of sense. And I’d even extend the recommendation to the Ranger X3. Although we haven’t tried the $1,099 Ranger X3, its similarity to the X5 makes us pretty confident that it’s too a great option, a better board even, for those who don’t see the value in paying extra for the X5 for its polished and the looks.

If you are interested in buying the 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!

May 11, 2024May 11, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Maxfind FF Pro Review – A Pretty Face

So, we are reviewing another Maxfind, the Maxfind FF Pro.

Maxfind has made a good few boards in their FF series, including the FF Plus, FF Belt, and FF AT. Today, we’re checking out the latest edition of the series, the $799 Maxfind FF Pro. Despite the “pro” naming, the FF Pro is actually the lowest-spec variant of the Maxfind FF series.

Maxfind FF Pro Specs:

Price	$799
Battery	SAMSUNG 12S3P 29E, 8.7Ah, 376Wh, 48V
Controller	HOBBYWING V5.0 FOC
Top Speed	28 Mph (45 Kph)
Range	27 Miles (45 Km)
Deck	X-composite + Glass Fiber
Motor	1000W*2 Hub drive
Net Weight	24 Lbs (11 Kg)

Deck – X-composite + Glass Fiber:

Starting with the deck, the Maxfind FF Pro kept the same X composite and fiberglass deck as the FF Street and the FF Belt, which is now a staple in the FF series design. The deck is wide and features a good concave for secure foot placement, just like its predecessors. It’s also a double drop deck design, which is well known for its stability and decreased riding height.

We like the rubber grip tape, as it doesn’t snag on fabrics or damage them. Another thing that sets the Maxfind FF apart is its top-accessible built-in electronics compartment, which allows easy access for hot-swapping the battery and gives it a sleek, unibody look.

Battery – SAMSUNG 12S3P 29E, 8.7Ah, 376Wh, 48V:

Photo of Maxfind FF Pro battery enclosure

Speaking of hot-swappable batteries, the FF Pro is powered by a hefty 376Wh Samsung Battery with a 12s3p configuration. While we love the convenience of the easy access battery compartment this does cause risk for water seeping in from the top.

The FF Pro is marketed to have a range of up to 27 miles (45 km) and in our tests, we managed to make it to 17 miles (27.5 km) with a 196 lbs (89 kg) rider.

ESC and Remote – Hobbywing 5.0:

Moving onto the ESC, Maxfind made no changes and stuck with the tried and true Hobbywing 5.0 ESC, which has never failed to deliver buttery smooth and intuitive control for both acceleration and braking. It comes with four-speed settings and is paired with a standard remote with an OLED display that allows you to customize your riding profile.

Motor – 1000W*2 Hub Motors:

Next, the FF Pro comes with massive 1000W dual hub motors which are marketed to have a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph) and when we took it to the streets we managed to rack up 23.6 mph (38 kph) on a windy day which is no short of impressive especially for a board that costs under $800.

Trucks and Wheels – Double KingPin Trucks and 3.8” Poly Wheels:

As for the trucks, the FF Pro sticks with the same Double KingPin Trucks as the FF Street.

The FF Pro comes with basic 3.8-inch poly wheels but you can easily switch them out for some Cloud Wheels for a smoother ride.

With a weight of 24 lbs. (11 kg), the board is considerably light for the battery it’s packing. It also has an ergonomic handle that you can use to conveniently pull it about when you’re not riding.

Specs Summary of the Maxfind FF Pro:

To sum up, competition is pretty stiff in the $799 range, and most boards at this price are belt-driven. Boards like the Propel Pivot S have similar specs but fare better and are much stronger with a powerful pair of belt motors. To give Maxfind some credit, if you’re a fan of hub motors, then there aren’t a lot of options at this price point. A couple of the more notable competitors are the Wowgo Pioneer 4 and the Backfire G5, both of which have slightly lower specs and retail for around $550.

Enough with the on-paper comparison, let’s hit the road and talk about how the board rides.

Riding Experience of the Maxfind FF Pro:

The overarching theme of the FF Pro is that it’s a well-rounded ride that has no significant shortcomings but, at the same time, lacks any standout moments.. The speed control is nice and comfortable, as expected from the Hobbywing ESC. Stability is quite solid, but we can’t say the same for its power, which is about average at best. The double kingpin truck’s ability to carve is pretty mediocre as its turning radius isn’t that great, but just okay-ish. We had trouble doing sharp u-turns, and its return-to-center is also quite lacking. This could be improved, perhaps, by replacing the bushings.

We think, in this case, Maxfind could’ve gone with their standard Reverse Kingpin trucks, which were pretty good and would’ve done a far better job here. Ride comfort was alright, thanks to the board’s wide and long deck with its nice concave. The grip tape is definitely a plus, and the deck’s flexibility helps dampen the road vibrations, which is a blessing when you purchase anything hub-driven.

Verdict – Is the Maxfind FF Pro any good?

So what’s the verdict? Well, it’s not our favorite board, as we at ElectricskateboardHQ love specs and performance and care a little bit less about the looks of the board.

With that said, we think the Maxfind FF Pro has a good look, and the hot-swappable battery feature is definitely a plus. While the specs and performance weren’t exactly top of the class, they are decent enough to justify the price. If you are looking for a hub-driven electric longboard that has the look, the FF Pro may suit your taste.

And, if you’re a fan of the looks but aren’t quite satisfied with the features the Maxind FF Pro has to offer, you could always look into the many other variants in the FF series with similar decks and looks but different prices and configurations.

If you are interested in buying the Maxfind, 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!