If you, like many people, have had the strange experience of watching a pedestrian zoom past you on what appears to be a tiny disc-shaped spaceship, do not worry – you are just witnessing the latest technological trend to take over Great Britain and the US. Do you remember the Segway? Well, this is his little brother and he is nippier, cooler, and way more exciting.
The self balancing scooter is, essentially, a Segway without the handles. Or, if you like, a rather technologically advanced skateboard. It looks great – retailers are gearing up for a rash of Christmas sales – it travels effortlessly over potholes and up hills, and it satisfies gadget nerds by combining gravity accelerators and gyroscopes to stay balanced.
The Leray Self Balancing Scooter 6.5’’ Two Wheel is one of the most popular gadgets on the market. It comes with an intelligent battery management system, which regulates the function of each cell for maximum safety. Plus, it offers two different drive modes; dual wheel and two-way direct drive. The question is, does the Leray Self Balancing Scooter perform impressively enough to make a great Christmas gift this year?
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Specifications and Features
The Leray is certainly not a cheap toy. However, it is priced at around the middle of the market – there are a number of cheaper budget brands available, as there are much more costly versions. The bottom line with self-balancing scooters is that, if they perform as well as they promise, they tend to be worth every penny. It is time to look at some of the main features of this gadget and see if it measures up.
The Leray Scooter comes with a 100-240V AC charger with a US connector, so you will need to purchase an adaptor if you are buying from elsewhere. The body of the device weighs just under 30lbs, so it can be carried around with ease by older children and adults, but younger kids might need a hand. As soon as you take the scooter out of the box, it is clear to see that the tires are extremely thick and sturdy – the risk of flats should, therefore, be minimal.
For parents worried about safety, the Leray Self Balancing Scooter offers an intriguing and exciting new innovation; a dual pressure sensitive motor system which prevents the device from moving forward until both feet are firmly on the footpads. This stops the scooter from zooming off before the rider is ready and reduces the risk of injury. Plus, when the rider is firmly on board, the lights on the Leray shine and give the gadget a futuristic look.
As far as features go, it is the motor in this Leray scooter which really impresses and makes it stand out from the crowd. The ‘Smart Motor,’ which is pressure regulated and fine-tuned for safety, is also able to control the speed at which the device is moving uphill or downhill. So, if you are travelling downhill, to keep you safe, the Smart Motor will regulate the speed and keep it at the same level as if you were travelling on even ground.
The Leray Self Balancing Scooter can reach a peak speed of 13-14mph, which might not seem very fast but is actually on the upper end of the scale for a commercial battery powered transporter. If you think about the fact that the typical human being runs at a speed of 5-6mph, the Leray suddenly looks pretty nippy. Whilst it runs very smoothly over asphalt and hard flooring, it cannot tackle high kerbs, nor can it run unassisted over very uneven surfaces.
The Good
It takes just an hour to fully charge the Leray Self Balancing Scooter, from the box, and a full battery lasts five hours. This is bound to disappoint some gadget fans, who are looking for a much longer lifespan, but considering the fact that you only have to charge it for sixty minutes, the battery life here is rather good.
Plus, the Leray has a super intelligent system which can tell the rider whether they are turning incorrectly so that they do not fall off the device. If the rider applies too much pressure on one foot, when turning, the scooter rattles as a warning to correct the balance. Whilst it can take some practice to master turning, stopping, and changing the speed, once learned, it is difficult to ride this scooter poorly.
The Bad
There are some downsides to the Leray Self Balancing Scooter, however – for instance, it claims to be able to handle a range of different surfaces, but has trouble moving unassisted on anything but relatively smooth asphalt and hardwood flooring. Whilst it is surprisingly nifty at skipping over potholes, it stalls on long grass and will cause damage to carpets.
Also, the outer shell of the Leray is easy to scratch. You need to either be extremely careful with it – especially when learning to ride – or you need to buy one in a dark colour, so that the scratches will not look so unsightly. To be honest, the darker colours are more versatile and will not look anywhere near as dirty after prolonged use.
The Verdict
If you are looking to pick up a hoverboard this Christmas, you cannot go far wrong with the Leray Self Balancing Scooter 6.5’’ Two Wheel. It is a particularly good choice for younger kids, considering the amount of speed regulation and stability controls it offers. Whilst the price is hardly modest, it does stand up well against many of the pricier models currently on the market.
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