MonoRover R2 Test - Self Balance Scooter

First impression of the MonoRover R2

 Order 

Anyone who has decided on the MonoRover R2 should purchase it from an official dealer. Under www.monorover.com you get a list of the official resellers. Alternatively, you can also order directly from the manufacturer's website. The R2 model is available in 4 different colors (black, white, red and blue) and costs $ 299 on a regular basis. The "Refurbished", the used and reconditioned variant, is already available for 199 $. My test model was shipped promptly and after a few days the scooter was delivered securely packaged.

 What's in the box 

The MonoRover R2, which is ready to go, is of course included in the scope of delivery. The built-in battery was already charged so that you could start driving straight away. A suitable charger with EU plug is included, as well as a charger with US plug. An English-language instruction manual and a warranty card are also included. Unfortunately, a transport bag is not included. 

Design and workmanship

Externally, the MonoRover R2 hardly differs from the cheaper models. The housing of the scooter is made of solid plastic with a piano lacquer look. Due to the shiny look, the R2 is prone to dirt and scratches.

In order to guarantee a safe stand, the sensor plates are covered with patterned rubber mats. There are two bright blue LED headlights on the front. These headlights provide sufficient luminosity to control the hoverboard even at night. The tires of the MonoRover R2 are solid rubber tires with a profile. So you don't have to pump up air. The power button and the 3-pin charging socket are located on the back. On the top there are two indicators in the middle that show the battery level and status.

OPERATION

The commissioning of the MonoRover R2 is largely self-explanatory, nevertheless, the instruction manual offers many hints that should be considered just as a beginner. The explanation is understandable and detailed. On the other hand, what the manual lacks are notes on how to calibrate the scooter and how to switch between beginner mode and "turbo mode".

 Calibration 

It was more by chance that I came across the possibility of calibration. If you hold down the power button for a long time, you get into the so-called calibration mode. The front-facing LED headlights indicate that you are in this mode. The scooter can be balanced within this mode. To do this, you should look for a flat surface and accurately align the joint of the R2. Then switch the MonoRover R2 off and on again. The hoverboard is now calibrated.

 brainer 

In the beginner mode, the movement speed and turning speed are reduced. To activate the mode you have to press the power button again after switching on. A longer beep indicates that we are in beginner mode. To switch back to turbo mode, the same steps must be repeated.

First road tests and practical test

With the MonoRover R2, I stood on a self-balance scooter for the first time. The first 5 minutes took a lot of effort to even dare to put both feet on the R2. Even with one foot you can feel how the R2 tries to move. It is crucial to find the balance, because as soon as this is found, the scooter stands still and allows you to step on with the second foot. After 10 minutes I was able to stand cleanly on the device. The locomotion then takes place purely through body tension. One could think that the scooter could read minds. If I want to drive forward, the scooter moves forward. Turning also works on command.

Descending is the next hurdle that every beginner has to face. I myself had the urge to descend forward on my first attempts. However, this caused the MonoRover R2 to lose its balance and literally flew backwards. Fortunately I had a chance to hold on, otherwise the descent would certainly have ended in a bad fall. When dismounting, you should make sure that you descend towards the rear. You should also be careful to keep your balance until both feet are off the scooter.

 First driving successes can be achieved after a good 30 minutes. Driving successes on bumpy roads, on the other hand, require a little more practice. Driving at full speed (around 10 km / h) also requires practice and protective clothing may even be recommended.

 Driving on the road 

 "Hoverboards" have not yet been approved for road use. Anyone who nevertheless uses the vehicle in traffic is committing an administrative offense. In addition, there is also driving without a driving license and without insurance cover, because such a scooter reaches speeds of well over 6 km / h!

Battery and range

The main difference between the MonoRover R2 and cheap no-name models lies in the built-in battery. In the news you often hear about Self Balance Scooters that go up in flames because they use inferior batteries that quickly reach their performance limits. The manufacturer of the R2, on the other hand, points out that high-quality Samsung or LG batteries are built into the MonoRover R2. More precisely, it is a lithium ion pack, consisting of several 18650 cells, with a capacity of 4.400mAh. The battery is charged after a good two hours. With a fully charged battery, the possible range is a maximum of 20 kilometers. However, this is based on the best possible conditions. The range achieved in the test was around 16 kilometers. On the one hand, the weight of the driver and the load on the engines are dependent on this.

Website of the manufacturer: www.monorover.com