An electric balanced scooter was on special at $350 the other day, now back up to $499.
Considering to get one for the not too little one and myself to have some fun over Xmas.
Look up eBay and there are a lot of craps and copies to choose from, ranging $250. most priced between $350 to $500.
For the geeks here, can someone tell me if this is good time to get one? Which one?
please pass on your 2 cents - your logic.
They're not a good form of transportation. They're barely, if at all, faster than walking. If you're looking for a speedier form of transport you'd be faster on an actual scooter.
For reasons given above, if you choose to use one for transport, you're going to look like a tool.
That leaves them in the toy category and that makes them a very expensive toy that is likely to have a short entertainment value. It's not like you're getting the exhilaration of speed, there's not too much challenge. So after a month you'll likely find it pushed to the back of the cupboard in the shed.
Also, as of the last few weeks… http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/hoverboa…
You're good in QLD though.
Some might argue using a coupon makes you look like a tool!
I thought ozbargainers had no shame!
I didn't realise you walk at 12-20KM/Hour? That's amazing!
@scubacoles:
12 kph is definitely running.
Normal people walk around 3-4kph, fast walkers maybe up to 6.
@MrTweek:
Yeah, you're right, my bad maths..
My walk to the train is 1.2Km according to Google maps, and it takes me just under 10 minutes..
My dodgy maths equated 1.2*10 = 12kph, but there's not 100 mins in an hour (duh!) therefore I walk around 7kph.. That's just my cruising speed, not trying to walk fast (and I've "followed" people who are hoofing it faster than me). I can get to the train when I'm late within 7 minutes ~10kph, feel it in the legs if/when that happens.
3-4kph is an absolute dawdle, I can't believe that could be the "norm" unless that average is including 70+ year olds with dodgy hips/knees.
@scubacoles: Maybe you should get one of those hoverboard the OP has asked about, you wouldn't feel it in the legs ;)
@nickmcm:
Just proves that I'm not particularly fit.
And point 2 still stands even if the speed point doesn't.
I'm enough of a tool without requiring an accessory to enhance the effect!
[@scubacoles]:
Use an app on your phone that calculates your average speed, I think you're miscalculating the 10kph too.
@Whatsthedealio:
Why would I ever want to do that?
10kph/60minutes = 0.1666km/minute x 7 minutes = 1.166Km.
If I'm doing 1.2Km then I must be doing slightly faster than 10kph. How many decimal places did you want me to give?
[@scubacoles]
no decimal places, im almost 2m tall with long legs and if i walk fairly fast im doing 5-6kmh. fastest race walker in the world did around 15kmh and they are flying. that's why I'm a bit skeptical of your 10kmh strolling :D
@scubacoles: he used existing mathematics to describe his theory of the fundamental workings of nature; his most famous equation being the mass/energy equivalence. Einstein was known to be a competent mathematician but not a "contributor" to the field. Even he would say "Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater."
@Whatsthedealio:
Who said I'm strolling at 10kph? I'm borderline running, a jog is probably more efficient. That's why my legs are jelly after doing it!
I am "strolling" at 7 though, not that I'd describe it as such. But it's my cruising speed when I'm trying to get somewhere. Can quite happily maintain that speed over a few K's.
A guy in south yarra Vic has one. He travels the same speed as people walking and he looks silly doing it. Do not get one.
You think it's silly, I think it's cool…
It's all subjective.
I saw a young fella in the Melbourne cbd a couple of weeks back motoring down Bourke St. Looked to be going a good 15kmph and in the rain, I was kinda impressed!
i think 700w makes them illegal to use in public places. save your money
Saw a guy was using one on the road yesterday. thought it was not bad for the lazy @ss to walk.
If the cops weren't in a good mood, they would have nabbed him for a ticket. Illegal on the road. Illegal on the footpath. Legal in private property only.
A buddy of mine was fined and is going to court to contest it. He lives in Darlo (near the big police station mind you), but was only playing around with it when he go ticket and not using it for transportation
What a joke. Any danger to the public is a tiny fraction compared to a skateboard or even bicycle.
They're a public hazard, to both you and pedestrians. They've taken off world wide and are the latest electronic geektoy to become a 'fad' but seems like authorities and lawmakers don't like em too much!
Hoverboards banned from footpaths in NSW
Hoverboards banned from public use in the UK
Hoverboards banned from use in New York, USA
Naming them hoverboards is so stupid. They are a self balancing scooter just like a Segway. This is a hoverboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSheVhmcYLA. Really hope people stop calling them that.
Just because it was 30th anniversary of back to the future. Pure marketing spin.
Yeah. but its like calling a motobike a car. so stupid.
"don't give a damn" =/= legal
Hoverboards banned from footpaths in NSW
Duncan Gay is that muppet who banned 49 cc assisted bicycles because some feral kid fleed from Police on one and got himself killed. :/
just logged in to say that
I'm looking as well. I think it would be really fun to use.
They're illegal to use on the footpath or road in australia.
Try to understand the logic. Certainly a bicycle goes faster than this?!
My push scooter probably goes faster and it doest need to be recharged.
What about a unicycle?
a bicycle runs on foot power, a "swegway" has a motor.
The law has an exception for low powered electric motors on bicycles (which still have pedal capacity). Everything else is illegal.
Thus, wonder the logic of the legislation to ban it on the road.
Is it too fast?
Is it training required?
Is it government wants a cut on registration?
cause there is a real potential people can use it as a form of transport from home to station.
Not that I need it. May be it is the fight against obesity.
@eatwell365: Because the law requires anything above 200W motor to be registered for license but there is no license for self balancing scooter thus making it illegal to use on the road.
@Letrico: no disrepect to draw comparison but to understand the logic - just walk pass a senior on a mobile scooter - do not seem to have registration either. it is probably faster too.
@eatwell365: Yeah it's a retarded law. I think senior mobile scooter are exempted since you know they are categorised as "disabled". I don't know how to road law works but I was completely disappointed when I wanted to buy one few weeks ago and found out they were illegal. Apparently police are keeping an eye on any self balance scooter to cash in on fines.
@eatwell365: Most of them are illegal too. Just the police choose to ignore them unless they're acting dangerously.
Still crazy. It's easy to generate > 200W on a bicycle. Hell, you could crack 1kW if you needed to.
Therefore: dangerous.
Still, to reach the 1kw you've got to be pedalling 4 times the motor capacity. It's also on a product designed for road use
It's easy to generate > 200W on a bicycle. Hell, you could crack 1kW if you needed to.
Nah.
Thanks guys for the news. Saved me $500 for piece of junk playing in the backyard otherwise.
We should create a new web called OZcounselling / AUSadvisor
We should create a new web called OZcounselling / AUSadvisor
Sometimes advise will be much more helpful than a bargain not only in financial thing
just got 1 exploded in HK
Thats probably a battery problem and not the actual product.
it will happen here - from the way they sell it on eBay,
God bless.
I guess in the end it depends on who sold it. You do have the option to get the one direct from China, unbranded or you can get some fancy branded ones from JB with warranty.
toys r us had them on pre order for $399. I'm after a 10inch 1 and I'm like you just dint no which person to buy from! its a lot of money if they r a no show
If you really want one suggest waiting 6 or better 12 months. The prices for them are on a typical intro-mainstream decline curve. They were selling them in Thailand a year ago for $650. In a year they are likely to be selling for $250 or less. If you really want one sooner suggest waiting till post-Xmas sales or Gumtree for unwanted Xmas present!
It's a pity they aren't legal in public in Australia. I did a couple of Segway tours in Europe and they were great fun.
That seems more sensible.
dunno, i always thought the limit was 200W before they need to be registered. this particular model has 2x350W motors.
So in NSW I can not use it? Or I can not use it on road but footpath? Or I can only use on my own driveway?
you are free to use it on private property
from the link provided previously ( http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/hoverboa… ), $300 fine for footpath or public area, $600 for road. find another hobby :)
This is why there is so much obesity in the community. People do anything to avoid actually having to use their muscles and burn calories. The other day I saw a photo of someone in the US "walking" their dog by holding a lead out of the window of their SUV. I had this doesn't catch on in Australia too.
We have obesity because most people have to spend over half of their day sedentary and don't have practical options for traveling other than by car. I don't think you can point at these and say they make people fat when they probably require the same effort to use as push scooter or bicycle.
They're a toy, not a serious alternative to walking.
What if a fit person owned a hoverboard. Would that be okay with your highness?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hLAq5SRi2w
Let's run over Gob -
'it's a good thing he's already got that little scooter'.
10000 points to anyone who recognises that quote.
I recently watched some video on liveleak where this chinese guy's balancing scooter burst up in flames while moving. It was hilarious….
…some lambo's or ferrari's have been known to do this, not just limited to cheap electronics from china :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpRTEcyqGw
Xmas day 2015. Kids using them outside of private property. Blind eyes everywhere. Some kid gets killed or injured a huge uproar. The usual bullshit of knee jerk reactions to everything these days. FFS. Let people be people.
Depends who has to pay the hospital bill when they eat pavement
Children have been having accidents and getting themselves killed for millions of years. This is nothing new!
As Gollum says…My Precioussssss.
You should build a website "knives for kids" I say…
We use them as toothpicks, things to chew when they are teething and all around good tools. You want a toy car… here is a knife and some wood… have at it.
From the website: "The most fun you'll EVER have on two wheels - just in time for Christmas!"
Obviously they never went on 2 wheels: http://photos.ibikeride.com/original/75/60/ca/glenlivet-46-1…
They are not hoverboards! They do NOT hover!
Bah 2 wheels, get one of these instead.
Ninebot One Electric Unicycle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fH6Y3uh_Bg
http://www.amazon.com/One-wheel-Self-balancing-Ninebot-Unicy…
Ok granted it's more expensive, but it looks a lot more useful than those two wheeled ones around at the moment. Plus I'm sure there will be ones shipped to Australia soon enough.
piece of overpriced toy..nah..
Take careful notice of this article http://gizmodo.com/beware-exploding-hoverboards-this-christm…
You have been warned. Cheap Chinese imports are at it again. This toy could burn your house down!
If I were to buy one, I would look at getting one of the models with 10" inflatable wheels. HawkBoard sell one called the HawkBoard Rogue.
nice.at $1399, would it be one of the best.
I'd presume so. I haven't seen any other Australian businesses selling a 10" model.
it's interesting how lazier the human race gets.
the video is unavailable?
It's never a good time to get one.