Meepo Super V3S Electric Skateboard Full Review
Intro
There's no denying the growing popularity of electric skateboards, and Meepo, known for its wide range of efficient and high-quality boards, has seemingly done it again with the introduction of the Meepo V3S as one of the premier entry level Electric Skateboards. Because it's so similar to the Meepo V5. I'll be making comparisons to it to help you understand what has changed and why you should buy the V3S. Here's an in-depth look at what this board brings to the table.
Design
At first glance, the Meepo V3S resembles more of the Meepo V5 which is currently also available for sale. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the V3S is a distinct model with some iterative upgrades. What are the differences that sets itself apart from the pack? Let's take a look now.
USB Output
First Let's showcase my favorite feature on the V3S. This is a USB outlet on the battery enclosure. It's capable of suppling power to an LED Light strip, essentially turning this board into the Zealot X which has an integrated LED Neon Light system around the edge of the board. But the Zealot X costs close to 3 times the price of the V3S. If you want to get an LED system without breaking the bank, the Meepo V3S has got you covered. But that's not all, the Zealot X LED system only has 1 color while you can choose from the entire color spectrum at your fingertips with the simple $20 dollar upgrade on your V3S. Of all the boards that I previously owned. Not a single one has a USB functionality built into the battery enclosure. This simple outlet will empower riders like you to customize your boards the way you want, and at a fraction of the cost. Use the link below to check out the Neon Light Strips I used in the video you see right now. The simple USB outlet is ingenious and opens up a world of potential LED customizations for the V3S!
Motors and Range
The Meepo V3S is designed for the practical in mind. Its hub motors require very little maintenance and are super quite. The board's newly upgraded dual hub motors, at 540W each, offer enough power to reach a top speed of approximately 29 mph under ideal conditions, I've been able to hit 25 mph on it. But then again, I'm a heavier guy so not hitting the max speed is to be expected. All and all, the 540W motors add a noticeable punch to the acceleration in the mid and higher RPM range than the V5, making it just that much more fun to ride. I have to add that the lower RPM range felt exactly the same as the V5 which has 2X 500W motors. But, once the V3S kicks into 10mph range or higher, I can feel a noticeable boost in acceleration. I was able to get 12 Miles from this board in range, that's roughly 70 Percent of what the official estimate was. But I expect, under ideal conditions, for the range to improve for lighter riders and riders who go a little bit slower, as I was in turbo the entire time doing the range test. From the drive train perspective, the V3S sees an impactful upgrade. If you are wondering which Meepo board to get at the sub $500 price range, then V3S will give you the best boost in performance.
Deck
The V3S retains the durable 8-ply Canadian maple deck composition used in the previous models, ensuring the continuation of a sturdy and reliable build. The 8-ply deck provides amazing stability while being flexible enough to absorb most of the road vibrations. This is a tried and true deck that needs no additional changes in its composition. The handle bar cutout is built into the same place as the V5, providing the highest level of convenience for users who frequently need to pick the board up and go on foot for a bit. My only gripe is that the bottom of the board seems to already have blemishes on the paintjob right out of the box. I can understand how some users may be disappointed at this. Everyone wants their board to look perfect.
One thing a lot of people have noticed is that, the overall shape of the board looks almost exactly the same as the V5. But that's not the case, the V3S has a rounder profile at each end of the deck while the V5 is a bit more angular. The length of the V3S deck also curves ever so slightly inward as opposed to the V5 which is just a pure straight line.
The deck concave from my observation look exactly the same on both boards, which has a slight upward concave, barely noticeable but still provides some level of increased controlled over completely flat decks.
Also what I love about the V3S deck design is that it could accommodate nearly all wheel sizes, eliminating any concerns for a wheel bite. Here is me testing out the Meepo Donut wheels which has a larger diameter and there is absolutely no risk to wheel bites at all.
Trucks
The board comes with high-quality adjustable trucks that contribute to stability and maneuverability. They are reverse king pin trucks at a 45 degree angle, these trucks typically are used in most electric skateboards for its superior turning capabilities and stability at higher speeds. These look very similar to the V5's trucks with some slight cosmetic design differences but performance wise, both are equally responsive during turns and stable at high speeds.
Bushing
The bushings for the V3S is a weird one. It's both good and bad. It's incredibly soft for a 92A bushing, which makes it feed somewhat unstable while going in a straight line. However, these bushing offer extremely high rebounds that I've ever seen, making the V3S a super fun carver. With these bushings, the V3S feels like it has very little support and stability going in a straight line but it absolutely comes alive while carving. The responsiveness and turning radius is the sharpest out of any board I've reviewed. When compared to the Meepo V5, the V5 feels more of a straight-line board while the V3S feels more like a carver that's meant to turn nonstop. But what if you want more stability instead of carving all the time? Meepo has included a great set of 100A bushings with your board, so you can make it super stable with these stiffest bushing money can buy. No matter what you like, the whether its going in a straight line or to carve non-stop, this board's got you covered. You just need to swap the bushings to get it to your sweet spot.
Hill Climbing
The V3S’s enhanced motors are designed to handle inclines of up to 22% grade which is pretty good considering the low price point of the skateboard. You won't be bombing uphill like it's a premium board, but it will get up to where you need to go at a respectable speed. It's worth noting that the hill-climbing ability can be affected by the rider's weight and the battery's charge level.
Remote
The upgraded remote control of the V3S offers an ergonomic design and a user-friendly LED screen. It displays essential information like speed, battery level, distance traveled, and also allows riders to easily switch between the four different riding modes as well as forward or reverse. This certainly is an upgrade over the Meepo V5's remote which has no LED panel of its own. However, it's a bit bulkier than the remotes that don't have an LED panel. So a fair tradeoff I suppose. Other than that, the acceleration and braking are all pretty smooth on all speed modes.
Charging Time
Despite the higher battery capacity, the board is still able to completely charge to full in 3 hours. This charging speed ensures you can get back on your board as quickly as possible. Just a friendly reminder that this board is using a 2 AMP charger while the V5 is using a 3AMP charger
Wheels and Ride Comfort
The V3S shines when it comes to ride comfort. The board's flexibility, combined with the upgraded shock absorption from the maple wood deck and premium quality polyurethane wheels, ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride, even on rough surfaces. The stock wheels are exactly the same as all other Meepo boards. Made from high-quality polyurethane, they provide excellent confidence inspiring grip and contribute to smoother rides, even on rough surfaces. In fact, I think beginners should stay on these stocks wheels as I see no need to upgrade to other polyurethane wheels as the real world performance may not be incremental at all. You could upgrade to Meepo's Donut wheels for extra comfort and support. Your acceleration will probably drop a bit, but you'll get super comfortable ride quality as a tradeoff. The donut wheel performs how exactly Cloudwheel would perform. Soft, quite, and smooth and best of all, cheaper. They won't be as punchy in acceleration as the stock wheels but you'll gain extra points on comfort for sure.
Weight
Considering the added features and larger battery, The V3S is only 18.5 pounds, making it ever so slightly heavier than the V5 but still portable enough for daily commuting. With the extra handle on the side, it seriously feels a lot lighter and more nimble than it should. Honestly I would pick the V3S to commute over the Mini 5 short board or the V5 any day. The only reason why I would pick the Mini 5 is if my storage space is limited upon arrival.
Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
The ESC in the V3S is the LYFOC-24H ESC, the same one that's used in the V5. It provides a smoother acceleration and braking curve. This contributes to an improved user experience by offering more control and predictability to the rider. I was able to jump on this board, put it on max power mode and feel right at home with this board. That's pretty big win in my book.
Conclusion
The Meepo V3S Electric Skateboard offers significant upgrades from its predecessor V3 and the current sibling, the V5, making it a worthwhile investment for both novices and intermediate riders. With its enhanced performance, improved battery life, and increased ride comfort, the V3S offers a perfect blend of speed, range, and ride quality. While the Meepo V3S comes at a slightly higher price point than previous models, the whole list of upgrades that we just went over justifies the increase, making it a strong contender in the market of entry level electric skateboards. If you are looking for a reliable, efficient, and high-performing electric skateboard and under $500, the Meepo V3S should be at the top of your list.
