At this time, we can be reviewing the Backfire Ranger X5, which got here out in April 2024.
As extra manufacturers make all-terrain electrical longboards with belt and equipment drives in recent times, the as soon as very talked-about hub-driven Backfire Ranger sequence appears to have been considerably forgotten. Following the development of belt-drive every part, Backfire launched the Hammer Sledge final yr, but it surely appears they aren’t prepared to surrender on the hub-driven variant simply but. As a substitute, this yr, they launched this Ranger X5, which is among the prettiest-looking AT boards on the market.
Backfire didn’t take an excessive amount of threat with the design of Ranger X5, nonetheless. There’s some upgrades in components and polish and a $200 value bump, however the Ranger X5 is actually the ‘facelifted’ Ranger X3, because the specs are virtually the identical.
Backfire Ranger X5 Specs:
| Worth | $1299 |
| Battery | 50.4V 12S3P Samsung 40T 518Wh 90A |
| Controller | 12s Hobbywing ESC |
| Prime Velocity | 26 Mph (42 Kph) |
| Vary | 21 Miles (35 km) |
| Deck | ABS, Fibreglass and Maple Composite Deck |
| Motor | 1500W*2 Twin hub motors |
| Internet Weight | 28lbs (12.8kg) |
Deck – Multi-Layer Composite Deck
Beginning with the deck, the Backfire Ranger X5 makes use of a double-drop composite deck made out of ABS, glass fiber, and maple. Regardless of that includes ambient lighting alongside the deck, the X5 continues to dwell as much as the repute of the Ranger sequence for having a versatile and comfy deck.
It’s a 40” deck, longer than most longboard and comparable in dimension to mountainboards such because the Acedeck Nyx Z3.
There may be additionally a purple accent stripe operating alongside the sting of the deck, so even when the LED gentle isn’t turned on, the board maintains its black-and-red look.
ESC and Distant – 12s Hobbywing ESC:
As for the ESC, there appears to be no change from the X3; it was geared up with a 12s Hobbywing ESC. What units it aside although, is the X5 comes with the gorgeous Halo distant, which was first seen with the Backfire Zealot X.
In case you didn’t know, the Halo distant is de facto neat. It has a big show, fingerprint unlock, and a reverse change. The distant can also be lengthy, good to carry, and permits entry to journey profile customization.
It’s heavy, feels high-end, and, properly, drains the battery sooner than a normal distant. However you’ll agree that it’s a small value to pay for the options you get.
Battery – 12s3p Samsung 40T battery:
One other characteristic that doesn’t change with the X3 and X5 is that each boards use a 12s3p Samsung 40T battery, totaling 518Wh, and has a marketed vary of 21miles (35km).
Motor – Twin 1500W Hub Motors, Vans and Wheels:
Powering the Ranger X5 are twin 1500W hub motors. From what we are able to inform, these are similar to hub motors from the X3.
Whereas belt and equipment methods are able to extra torque, which by definition are extra thrilling, the hub system has not less than three benefits:
- it makes use of much less energy and therefore offers a greater vary for a similar juice;
- it requires much less upkeep and
- it’s loads quieter.
You gained’t have to fret as a lot about sand, sticks, and leaves changing into caught within the motor methods when off-roading in case you use a hub system.
The identical stress-free design applies to the 165mm airless rubber tires, too. Surely, using on totally different terrain calls for various tyre pressures, and pneumatic tyres supply extra consolation. However in change for the marginally higher journey, you pay with having to handle tire stress and risking the prospect of a tire puncture in the course of an off-road path run. It occurs greater than you’d suppose.
The highest velocity on this pet is a modest 26mph (42km/h), which we’ve got no drawback hitting.
Sadly, the double kingpin vehicles—which hook up with the hubs and wheels—are die-cast somewhat than solid. It appears to be the identical truck because the one on the X3, and we’ve heard good issues about it.
LED Lights:
Backfire undoubtedly put further effort into the sunshine system. The LED system might be switched between a number of modes with a double-click of the ability button, together with stable, respiratory, flashing, and off. The Ranger X5 additionally has further white lights that flip purple when the brakes are used along with the ambient LED deck. The ambient LEDs on the X5 activate to point out that it’s charging whenever you plug it in. After all, that is an non-obligatory characteristic, but it surely’s a pleasant contact.
Add-ons obtainable for the Backfire Ranger X5:
Additionally, there are many add-ons that you may purchase, like a spoiler, pull bar, and mudguards – we heard they’re helpful. We don’t have these add-ons, however if you wish to see how the Ranger X5 appears in its closing kind, try EV Tech Steven’s critiques. Warning: his footage is just too fairly, and also you could be lured into shopping for the board and each single add-on.
The board weighs 28 lbs or 12.8 kg, which isn’t that heavy for an all-terrain board.
Specs Abstract of the Backfire Ranger X5:
With a price ticket of $1,299, the Backfire Ranger X5 doesn’t pack the largest battery or the strongest motor. As an illustration, even the $1,199 Evolve Hadean Carbon AT has a barely larger 12s4p battery, and Evolve just isn’t precisely often known as a price model both.
It’s clear that Backfire needs to ascertain the X5 as the perfect hub-driven all-terrain board obtainable. A board that surpasses the likes of the Maxfind FF AT, Tynee Explorer, or Meepo Metropolis Rider 3 by way of versatility, energy, magnificence, and construct, and after testing the board, it’s certainly higher than these opponents.
Learn our evaluate of the Meepo Metropolis Rider 3 right here (click on)
Learn our evaluate of the Tynee Explorer right here (click on)
Driving Expertise of the Backfire Ranger X5:
It must be stated that hub-driven all-terrain boards are an underrated breed. The worst half about hub methods is often the street vibration and comparatively harsh journey. Whereas these are large issues in the case of road setup, they’re virtually negated when the board has large 165mm wheels with a versatile deck.
The Ranger X5 can also be somewhat good at dealing with lesser torque, which is one other concern with the hub association. These twin 1500W hub drives are enough to climb any steep uphill we encountered, regardless that the Ranger X5 was not as torquey as, say, the Acedecks all-terrains with their robust gear-drive and enormous gear discount. The Ranger X5 feels 70% extra highly effective whereas in turbo mode than the Acedeck Nomad N3 and the Nyx Z3, which is greater than most individuals would wish!
Let’s simply put it this fashion: for a rider who doesn’t insist on having the strongest torque, the Ranger X5 is essentially the most ‘hakuna matata’ off-road board that may undergo grass, water, and sand. It may well get soiled with out you having to fret about issues getting caught within the motor system. It may well journey over questionable surfaces with out the fear of a punctured tire.
It may well nonetheless virtually traverse any terrain {that a} conventional belt or gear system might and does equally well-dampening street vibration.
Ranger X5 is a little bit bit greater off the bottom, which isn’t our favourite journey profile however means higher floor clearance for off-road conditions. And it’s nonetheless fairly secure at prime velocity. We might keep at prime velocity with no velocity wobble as soon as we barely tighten the vehicles, however the spotlight of the board is certainly its responsiveness. For a protracted AT board, the Ranger X5 may be very simple to show, because of the double kingpin vehicles. I’d say responsiveness and maneuverability are what separates the Ranger X5 from price range all-terrain boards just like the Meepo Metropolis Rider 3 and Tynee Explorer. Carving on the Ranger X5 is much more satisfying and much more enjoyable to journey.
And I don’t know if I nonetheless must say this, however the velocity management is ideal as Hobbywing ESC tends to be. Completely easy acceleration and braking throughout all velocity modes. No shock right here.
Verdict – Must you purchase the Backfire Ranger X5:
It’s kinda humorous that whereas the Ranger X5 is a good journey, what units it aside is outdoors of the using expertise. It’s a handsome-looking board with lights that decision for consideration. It has a stress-free possession expertise that may’t be stated the identical for a lot of higher and pricier boards.
I feel for a lot of informal riders who need a board with large wheels, getting the Ranger X5 makes plenty of sense. And I’d even prolong the advice to the Ranger X3. Though we haven’t tried the $1,099 Ranger X3, its similarity to the X5 makes us fairly assured that it’s too an ideal possibility, a greater board even, for individuals who don’t see the worth in paying further for the X5 for its polished and the appears.
In case you are desirous about shopping for the Backfire, make sure to try our affiliate low cost hyperlink right here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to obtain $5 off throughout checkout.
It would assist you to get a small financial low cost and assist us out too. On prime of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electrical Skateboard HQ buyer and doubtless be handled higher. Cheers!