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Review about: Turboant
I purchased a Turboant V8 scooter for my daily commute
I purchased a Turboant V8 scooter for my daily commute and I've been using it for a few months, I'd like to share my opinions about the V8 scooter for my experience.
Design
The first thing I noticed with the TurboAnt V8 is how big it is. It’s not necessarily taller than other e-scooters, reaching a height of 45.5 inches (1155 mm) when unfolded. But, it has a much thicker stem than you’ll typically find on most e-scooters and a wider deck as well.
There are a few reasons that it’s so heavy. The most obvious is that the TurboAnt V8 has two batteries. One of them is a removable battery in the stem and the other is in that wider deck. Since the V8 comes with two chargers, one of them a charging port for the removable battery, I can charge both at the same time. Charging both will take about four hours to reach full capacity.
Also contributing to the weight is that wide deck, measuring 19.9 in (505 mm) by 6.9 inches (175 mm) which gives me plenty of space to place my feet no matter how I stand on it. I found it easy to shift our footing repeatedly while in motion. It also helps that the deck has a nice rubberized textured top for easy gripping.
The LED display situated between the handlebars shows any pertinent information. A meter on the left side will display how hard you’re pressing the brake lever. A meter on the right will do the same for the throttle. It also displays which of the three riding modes you’re on, the speed, and how much battery is left. Unfortunately, the LED display is dim enough that it’s hard to see outdoors under strong light.
To change any settings, you have to do a particular amount of presses on that power button. Long presses turn the V8 on and off. A single press turns on all the lights. And, a double press will switch between its three riding modes.
Performance
The V8 is a fairly smooth ride, and its dual braking system is responsive, while the TurboAnt V8 might not be small, its 450-watt motor is powerful enough to give a fairly smooth and zippy ride. Just a kick or two to get going and a push of the throttle and it picks up immediately.
There are three riding modes: Eco Mode which tops out at 6 mph, Comfort Mode which tops out at 9 mph, and Sports Mode which tops out at 20 mph. Riding around in Eco Mode is fine when I'm on flatter streets and trying to conserve battery. But, I preferred using the faster settings. Though it’s the biggest energy hog of all the modes, I preferred keeping the V8 in Sports Mode and riding the throttle to stay at the speed I wanted.
I tested the TurboAnt V8 in a hilly neighborhood that includes a 15-degree hill. Not only was it powerful enough, especially when used on that Sports Mode, for a smooth, easy ride but it was able to keep a speed of 5 MPH when going up 15-degree hills. Of course, as soon as a hill inclined more, the V8 had to be walked.
Overall, I am satisfied with this purchase. It brings great convenience to my commute.