GT Remotes being able to control more than 1 board at a time, SAFETY MESSAGE!! PLEASE READ

The aim of this post is to let owners of GT boards know that it IS possible for your remote to control more than one board at a time, giving you the power of acceleration and brake over your own board PLUS other riders boards at the SAME TIME!.


I contacted Evolve about this issue, as we noticed it while on a group ride recently, We got the issue to happen about 4 times during our day, never seen it happen before, and we usually ride with multiple people. (see video below, then read the rest of this post)



First time we were all in the same area when we turned on our boards to head off, and the other times we were at least 100meters away from others and still had it happen when you passed someone who was on the same freq. Seems there is no security protection for the bluetooth connection, and maybe only a certain number of un secure channels for remotes and boards to use for pairing. it is possible for it to control other boards.


On the Evolve site in the FAQ section it says this can never happen (see below), but we have found that it can and does.


Evolves official response was basically turn it off and on and re pair. This is not really a proper fix, this should not exactly be able to happen ever, and for those wondering it is not always noticeable straight away that your boar may be double paired with another user, as the interference is not immediate. I can tell you this is quite dangerous, even if this is a small chance of this issue happening, we got it to happen 4 times during a 5 hour ride day, even once is enough for someone to be seriously hurt, we did have a few riders myself included fall hard due to this issue. I did email about the issue and call them to let them know. Once a company becomes aware of such issues, they should have a duty of care to let their customers both old and new know that this CAN happen, how to avoid it, and what they are doing to fix the issue. I trust every rider would agree with this.



I will post this in the GT Carbon, and GT Bamboo sections, as both types of boards can be effected, a double up of posts i understand, but this is an issue that can cause injuries, and it is better to inform people with accurate information, sadly it is up to customers like us to notice these issues and inform people.


Feel free to comment below, let us know how you feel about this or any other issues you are having with your boards, we are not looking for posts about how you have never had any issues, this is to track issues that do happen, we understand that any company can have issues with products, but it is how they are actioned / dealt with and resolved that makes for a good customer experience.

 

I 100% agree. Issues like this happen, but it will be how they handle it that shows how they value their customers and our safety. I would encourage EVERYBODY who reads this thread to reach out to evolve immediately. Via email and all other social media outlets. This issue is way too negligent and dangerous to be ignored.

 

This is not meant to be a negative topic, but more to let people know about issues and how to avoid them. If you look at Boosted boards, it only took 2 boards to have the same malfunction (yes different i know) until the company made a post about it to inform customers, and to halt production to fix things.

 

I agree but I am not comfortable with them not taking action.

 

Hi Warren,

The information you are providing is not correct. As we advised to you directly, this concern has been addressed already, with an even wider range of the encrypted bluetooth channels available in our latest available remote. It is still not a concern with the original GT remote due to the fact a simple re-pairing of the remote will select a new channel to operate, and it is a concern we addressed very early in the design stages of this board - hence why this feature is how to rectify this experience. The reality is there is more boards out there, than there are in the huge range of available bluetooth channels to communicate to - when paired correctly there will be no issue riding with other boards of any type. Please remember we have had multiple events recently with large numbers of riders riding together, and none of these have reported issues - we do not need an issue manifested when the solution is already readily available.

Please use the correct support channels if you would like assistance with your product - there is a reason we have this option available.

 

I have used the correct channels, both a phone call and email, the response I got didn't really address the dot points I raised. The guys in our group asked us to send you a list of common issues they had with they GT's. If the issue has already been addressed and corrected, thee should be no issues with new models or even the slightest chance of it, as you said the V2 remote apparently fixes this, but a line of dialogue for your customers to know this would be good. This was the first time we experienced this particular cross connection issue ourself, We have never made any false claims, we can only speak from what we have experienced personally, we all love your products and will continue to use them.

 

Hi EvolveHQ

Maybe you can do a remote replacement program for your "older" customers to improve our safety?
Can you tell us if you have a solution on the way for the connection/signal issues?
I have the problem with my carbon gt and it seems that we are a lot with this issue, I think this problem can cause serious injury?

Thank you

 

I was told that they will not replace old remotes for the new versions, you will have to pay $120 for a new one if you want the added features and apparent improved connection. There seems to be more than a handful with the drop out connection issue, where you get random connection drop outs or full disconnections while riding, I had this as well, had to get a motor controller replaced. This other cross connection issue is different, apparently using the old I.T Crowd trick of turning it off and on and pairing it again one at a time helps fix this. Both have the potential to cause you to not be in control over your board, that is a true statement, so always ride within your limits and wear protection.

 

Hello,

I just bought my Bamboo GT 3 weeks ago (in Germany), and thankfully, it's did not happen to me yet.

is there any way how to check if I have the new remote without the problematic controlling issue?

Thanks,
Shai

 

I meant to ask, consider that it didn't happen to me yet if there any serial number batch or some of ID Number on the remote or board that will tell me that I have the defective remote & not the new one?

 

This issue is still happening on GT boards, both old and the very new batch, just to keep you up to date. We can replicate this issue on all of our group rides.

 

They've added this to their FAQ page (at least on the USA site anyway)

 

I love my board, but this is just poor software design. This exact issue was solved in the RC world, where most of esk8 parts originate, years ago. Using more Bluetooth channels reduces the risk, but doesn't eliminate it. The receivers should use a guid, which is communicated in a one time binding process with the transmitter, and a protocol that ensures communications can only be handled by the board with the appropriate guid, no matter the frequency.

I think Evolve's response here is a bit off here too, suggesting it's the users fault for not following steps to avoid this issue, when it shouldn't be possible to begin with.

 

This statement is wrong too, 2 boards CAN be controlled by 1 remote, we have seen it happen many times, and it is till an issue
even with the latest version remotes and boards

 

You are right Andy, once boards are synced they are all good, but each ride we still get people with crossed connections, with both newer and older motor controllers, and also with either V1 or V2 firmware remotes, this is why we do a quick safety check before all rides, takes a few minutes, we go around and get each person to turn board and remote on and pair, then the next person does the same, when we get back to the start we get them to do a quick trigger pull each as a final check. It does suck when you happen to be paired with another person, as it is not always obvious straight away, I have been in this situation myself, and it is very scary I can tell you. Bottom line is that it shouldn't be able to happen, and hopefully in a future fix this will rid the problem completely. If you have doubts about this still happening, we can possibly find a few clips, or film some for you.

 

Thanks Andy, that has been the most helpful response I have seen on this issue, as I was told the remote firmware also helped fix this issue. We will check to see who has had the issue, and what motor controller version they have. Do you have a way for us to know what the difference is.

 

Thanks Andy, so it sounds like it is a good idea to get your remote firmware upgraded if you ever get your motor controller replaced, I'm still on the original remote firmware.