Let the buyer beware. You get what you pay for.
It seems this is the case with the hoverboard trend. The balancing electric scooters are getting a bad name thanks to some models spontaneously bursting into flames. According to Tony Le, founder and CEO of Glitek—a hoverboard vendor—the cause of these incidents boils down to manufacturers choosing cheap batteries to save a few bucks.
News of the potential risks of hoverboards has spread quickly. Most major airlines have banned hoverboards from being transported as either checked or carry-on luggage due to the perceived risk that they might explode or catch fire, and some cities have banned the use of hoverboards on public streets.
According to Le, though, not all hoverboards really pose a threat, and reputable manufacturers are being lumped in with shady hoverboard vendors. To date, Glitek hoverboards have not been involved in any of the fire or explosion incidents. Le appeared on Good Morning America this morning to share his thoughts on the hoverboard fire controversy and explain the cause of the fires.
In a nutshell, Le says it comes down to the batteries being used. Battery life is important for hoverboards and the battery makes up a significant part of both the cost and weight of the device. Some hoverboard manufacturers cut corners by using cheap, counterfeit or knock-off batteries. One of the reasons those batteries are cheaper is that they leave out the control board that monitors temperature and shuts the battery down before it gets so hot it bursts into flames.
There’s a quote from John Ruskin that pretty well sums it up:
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
I’ve been reviewing an S Glide hoverboard from Glitek for about a week now. This device has gotten virtually non-stop use. My wife hasn’t dared to step on it yet, but between myself and the four kids that live here (I use the term loosely—they’re 21, 18, 13, and 9) the S Glide has been in operation virtually 24/7 since it arrived and has done about 3,000 laps (perhaps a slight exaggeration) around my house. We’ve taken it outside and raced it as fast as it will go up and down the street. We’ve tested its ability to go up (and down) a steeply-inclined driveway. I have never even felt it get warm—never mind reaching a point so hot that it could catch fire.
Both on Good Morning America and in a recent press release, Le stated that he obviously wants everyone to buy a Glide, but—beyond that—he wants them to purchase from a reputable dealer for their family’s safety. He offered up these tips to help you choose a quality hoverboard:
Hoverboards that are catching fire have the cheapest batteries on the market. It’s imperative for consumers to inquire about the quality of the batteries before making a purchase.
Be sure to check customer reviews and the social profiles of the vendor you purchase from. Those who have had poor experiences are voicing their opinions loud and clear.
See who has been mentioned in the media. Hoverboards are in crazy demand by the media. If your distributor hasn’t been getting much media attention, it’s doubtful that it’s reputable.
On Good Morning America Le stressed that shoppers should look for branded batteries. Reputable hoverboard manufacturers will clearly state that the battery is from Samsung, or LG, or Sony. No-name batteries should be avoided. He also suggested choosing a hoverboard vendor that provides a longer warranty. Le says that cheap batteries won’t last past 6 months, so if your hoverboard vendor is willing to back it for a year or more that’s probably a good sign.
Honestly, the Glitek S Glide is the most fun I’ve had reviewing any technology—and I’ve reviewed a lot of gadgets over the years. It’s not cheap, but cheap tends to spontaneously combust so do your due diligence to find a quality hoverboard.