GoTrax SRX PRO Review

The GoTrax SRX Pro garners no awards in this review due to its average performance across all test metrics. However, what sets this board apart is its highly competitive price point and some cool features — such as onboard Bluetooth speakers — that will satisfy many recreational users. So, if you don't plan to make long daily commutes or don't need to do rugged off-roading, then you might want to give this board a look. Thanks to the amply sized tires, it's fairly fast, stable at speeds, and has a smooth ride.

Performance Comparison

Fun Factor

Since having fun is why these products were developed, we weighted our fun metric as much as all the other metrics combined. Fun is different for everyone, so we looked at five different features to cover all the bases of what most would consider the makings of a good time: ability to maneuver through a basic obstacle course, maximum speed tests, weight (because schlepping heavy items is NOT fun), color options, and accessories.

The SRX Pro scored in the middle of the class for these tests. While the board pulled a respectable 9 miles per hour on average in our speed trials, it proved less than graceful on the obstacle course. In particular, the SRX struggled when performing basic back and forth direction changes. However, the wider platform had testers feeling a bit more balanced, and the Bluetooth speakers and LED headlights go a long way to making up for the lack of aftermarket skins and bags.

Outdoor Capabilities

We ran the boards in our review through various terrains such as packed dirt and sand, grass, bumpy roads, and cracked roads. We even went so far as to climb steep inclines and cross large thresholds. Given the look of the SRX Pro — big wheels, beefy 8.5" tires, fenders, and a broad standing platform — we had high hopes. But we were less than impressed with the general lack of off-roading capacity. When it comes to loose surfaces and a 14% grade incline, the SRX is underpowered. The 250-watt twin motors just can't deliver the needed torque when bearing the weight of an adult tester. However, the large tires do a good job of absorbing feedback from cracks and bumps on firm surfaces.

Support

Support is a general category that addresses three important aspects of customer satisfaction: how will a company treat a patron when something goes wrong with one of their products, how resilient is the product in the face of aggressive test rid, and what kind of warranty, if any, is provided with the product. We approached GoTrax's customer support with a hypothetical, though practical, question about the SRX, and we evaluated their response based on punctuality and accuracy. We also put considerable wear and tear on our test model. When all was said and done, we took a close look at the product and how it held up to adult testers pushing it to the max.

Overall the SRX performed slightly above average in this category. We found that email correspondence from GoTrax is on par — they responded with a thorough email within 24 hours of our initial contact. However, while there is a warranty, it's very limited and short (90 days), which hurt this model's score in this metric.

Battery

The battery metric is a critical category as it gauges the longevity of the power source driving the hoverboard and the time it will take to recharge the battery when it is fully depleted. To begin, we ran a range test on a flat track to determine maximum mileage. Next, we ran the boards through our obstacle course to measure the run time during a practical application (i.e., not simply circling a flat track). The last thing we looked at was charge time. The SRX Pro had an average max range of 4.7 miles, an average run time of 50 minutes, and a prolonged recharge time of three hours.

Value

We do not consider cost when rating products because we want the best products to come out on top no matter the price. But, when we contrast cost with performance after testing, we get an idea of the true value of a product. In this light, we find that products such as the SRX Pro are not so unattractive as their overall score would suggest. It is significantly less expensive than many of its competitors, performs well enough on hard, flat surfaces, and offers some fun features. With these things in mind, we think you'll agree that this board offers a decent bang for the buck.

Conclusion

While not the top dog in any one category, the GoTrax SRX Pro is a solid purchase for the price. The big wheels and robust tires are a bit misleading as it has a poor performer offroad, but those same tires make for a smooth ride on firm surfaces. Add to this a ton of color options, LED headlights, and some onboard speakers to bump your favorite tunes, and we think that the recreational rider will be quite satisfied.