EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: edy on September 13, 2015, 05:50:52 pm
-
Hey folks,
I have noticed a few times now in my area (Toronto) some guys selling NOT speakers and HiFi systems or watches, but these new "Self-Balancing Smart 2 Wheeled Mini Scooter" things (See photos I snapped while one of these deals was going down in a parking lot by my house).
Anyone know more about these? I don't know what the guy was selling exactly, or the price, but I assume anything out of the back of a car in a parking lot has got to be shady. Either the toy is going for a good deal higher to earn a profit, or made very cheaply compared to what he is representing it as being.
I looked some up on eBay as well and saw a big price range. Has anyone torn apart one of these things and compared the cheaper and more expensive models? Do the electronics look well designed?
-
Added note:
Just found this review and video showing exactly what looks like this guy was selling (box looks identical) - NOT my video or blog:
http://selfbalancescooterreview.my-free.website/blog/6-top-tips-for-a-tip-top-blog (http://selfbalancescooterreview.my-free.website/blog/6-top-tips-for-a-tip-top-blog)
Unboxing video (see box looks same):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YCGuRKWo_9s (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YCGuRKWo_9s)
Apparently, there are either glitches with the Self-Balancing circuit which may knock a rider off, or electrical faults causing it to catch fire (see blog review).
The box says "Smart balance wheel"... so I searched for that and I found them on eBay for $300-400. Alibaba a bit less. But still, it's not chump change. That is a fair bit, who would risk buying it online, and from the back of a truck/van/car? Crazy people...
Either you fall and badly hurt yourself on one of these if it glitches or it explodes because they are using the poorest electronic components and wall charger imaginable... And for that kind of money? Geez. There are a lot better transportation options in that price range. :palm: ...although most users say how much fun they are, we'll see how much fun they are having if their expensive toy lasts only a year.
-
Edit: article about these things: http://www.wired.com/2015/06/the-weird-story-of-the-viral-chinese-scooter-phunkeeduck-io-hawk/ (http://www.wired.com/2015/06/the-weird-story-of-the-viral-chinese-scooter-phunkeeduck-io-hawk/)
Apparently, there are either glitches with the Self-Balancing circuit which may knock a rider off, or electrical faults causing it to catch fire (see blog review).
Sounds like the typical case of bad caps...
This seems to be one of the cheapest I found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fashion-Mini-Smart-Electric-Scooter-Unicycle-Self-Balancing-Mini-Smart-2-Wheels-/221814285289 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fashion-Mini-Smart-Electric-Scooter-Unicycle-Self-Balancing-Mini-Smart-2-Wheels-/221814285289)
Here is one of many videos of someone disassembling and assembling one, not mentioned which model it is exactly but there sure are a lot of parts inside...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzmDU1T-hE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzmDU1T-hE)
And despite all the claims, this is not a unicycle as it clearly has two wheels.
-
Certainly not a empty speaker box from the back of the van. Lots of parts
Interesting :popcorn: