Personal Electronic Transportation
For over nearly two years, my preferred mode of transportation has been personal electronic transportation devices (PETs). These include things such as electric bikes, electric kickscooters, and electric motorcycles. Primarily, I have opted for electric kickscooters (eScooters).
I made my first purchase almost immediately after watching a video on YouTube by MKBHD for a XR Elite from GoTrax.
| Device Name | Max MPH | Tires | Weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR Elite | 15.5MPH | Pneumatic | 32lbs | $399.99 |
| Apollo Explore | 32MPH | Pneumatic | 52lbs | $1,399.99 |
| GT SE | 25MPH | Solid | 30lbs | $999.99 |
GoTrax XR Elite
This was my first starter electric kickscooter. While it was very much intended for a short-term trial to prepare myself for faster and riskier rides (such as motorcycling), I essentially fell in love with getting around town effortlessly. This has a proprietary firmware only GoTrax devices use, so it is hard limited on the set speed of 15.5MPH. The device takes two steps to fold, but the entire process can be done in about five seconds. While rides can be rough, they aren:t uncomfortable unless you are on off-road terrain. The device is easily transportable in a back seat or a bus. After almost a year, I did begin to grow sick of its limited range and power output.
It sports a bell and headlight, both of which have been above average compared to the other devices on this list. It also features a cruise control that performs remarkably inconsistently. In theory, holding the acceleration for ten seconds automatically triggers it (without any auditory or visual cues, which is dangerous); there's also no way to disable this feature either.
Apollo Explore
The Apollo Explore was the next upgrade to the XR Elite. It sports 10 inch tires, an upgrade from the smaller and less stable 8 inch tires of before. The top speed is almost exactly doubled, meaning that I can use the bike lanes to get around town even quicker than before. I got my first Apollo Explore in around August of 2022, while receiving my second in December. I could never recommend this device or company given that it is aware of manufacturing issues, but only uses those issues to advertise the next revision of their device. In addition, in accordance to its warranty policy, the buyer has to pay approximately 1/10th of the cost of the scooter at a minimum for a diagnostic to determine if an issue falls under warranty. My first Explore broke down to the point where the handlebars and onboard devices were unaligned and unstable. My second one had a factory defective battery.. Both instances of support were disappointing, where in the first, a representative told me that the breakdown is expected, but not so soon after owning the scooter. The second instance is where the $100, non-refundable diagnostic is required to determine warranty status.
This also suffers from design issues. The charge ports are located at the bottom of the device, where sand, dirt, and water rests. They also stick out to the point where if you dare brush the scooter against anything, you might not be able to charge it once you get home.
The scooter is rear-wheel drive, meaning that unless you turn off zero-start, you can kiss your rear fender goodbye. Dismounting the scooter a grip on the handlebar to stablise the device so it doesn:t fall. If you accidentally accelerate the scooter while dismounting, there is nothing stopping the device from accelerating without you. Since you are dismounting, you still have a grip on the device while not standing on it. This can cause the front of the scooter to zoom into the air and come crashing down on its rear wheel, damaging the fender.
This scooter would benefit from putting, at least, minimal thought into the design and longevity of their devices. Solid tires would be nice as well.
GT SE
This is currently my holy grail. This is my current electric scooter of choice. It solves almost all of my issues with the Apollo Explore, including
- Solid tires
- Front-wheel drive
- Portability and foldability
- Bluetooth and application support
- Above average post-sales support
I'll never have to worry about flats or become boggled down with routine maintenance. This device also has functional application support, allowing the user to remotely lock the device, and monitor its performance. Unlike the Explore, this electric scooter can be folded down with the press of a heel in less than two seconds, and conveniently store itself under a bus seat. Taking the compromise of ten less kilometers per hour was an easy decision.
The GT SE did essentially require one modification out of the box, however. There exists a set of buzzers that double as the horn of the vehicle. These buzzers trigger with every press of any button on the device, including simply turning it on. It is loud enough to disturb my neighborhood on a brisk morning.
So the very first thing I did was disassemble the device and remove the buzzers entirely. Much better.