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Old 07-20-2018, 09:14 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Florida
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Loving our Cricket Golf Cart

Cricket Company should give me some kickback as often as I have recommended their product. People literally stop me and ask what it is and how they can get one. Indeed we do get a ton of enjoyment from it. We just got back from the largest old state park in Florida, Myakka River State Park at about 37,000 acres and started by the CCC in 1935.

A quick description is it's a very small golf cart that weighs only 300 pounds. It can fit two adults very nicely and has room for two more on the back. It goes about 13 mph and has a range of at least 20 miles. It had no problem handling the miles and miles at Myakka SP. I beefed up my receiver on the RV and bought the special made platform with ramps and it is working well. I even took the RV back to the folks who beefed up the receiver hitch and they said it was working fine. Everything on the Cricket is like OK, that's a good idea, OK, that's a good idea, ad infinitum.

BZ to the person who designed this amazing little piece of technology.

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Old 07-20-2018, 10:39 PM   #2
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I've got a dealer about an hour South of me. I'm gonna have to pay them a visit!
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Old 07-24-2018, 05:48 PM   #3
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I DO have some questions about these carts...
How do they compare to a more conventionally-sized cart?
(Other than being about half the price!)
The Missus and I have our Spyder for sale...
So we're going to need something to drive around in!
How are they on hills?
Is the sie to side space sufficient?
Does the 36 volt system have enough power?
Is the top speed sufficient?
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Old 07-24-2018, 06:18 PM   #4
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Most electric carts (EZ-GO and Club Car) now have 48 volts systems. They have 3 hp electric motors, with regenerative braking, and are controller limited to 14.9 or 19.9 mph depending on model and tires. They weigh from 600 to 900 lbs depending on the batteries, can carry 800 lbs and seat four. All will carry 800 lbs up a 12% grade (some golf courses have steep grades). Range on use of 50% of the batteries is 12 to 15 miles. The EZ-GO RXV Elite is street legal in a lot of cities and will travel 25 miles before needing a recharge.
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Old 07-24-2018, 06:44 PM   #5
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The RXV Elite is the other cart that we're considering...
I know that the Cricket is limited to a 600 pound payload: does that ever become a serious limitation?
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:01 PM   #6
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That is...unless you go gas. Much lighter and unlimited range without the long-term costs and drama of batteries. Drawback...a very few parks do not allow gas golf carts. I saw one of those Crickets in SC at a park we stayed at. Very cute!! Kids abused it all day and night...it kept going strong.
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:21 PM   #7
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Actually
That's not entirely true anymore!
The new lithium battery-equipped carts are now pretty comparable in weight to their gas-powered cousins.
774 pounds: to 734
(970 for the conventional battery-equipped model!)
But I'd be looking for battery power due to the much lower sound levels...
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:45 PM   #8
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I bought gas for use in property inspections for FDIC when I was working so I got it already. Sound level isn't a concern to me. Kids are much worse.
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:48 PM   #9
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But I like to sneak up on them, and unleash a loud air horn!!
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Old 07-24-2018, 09:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
But I like to sneak up on them, and unleash a loud air horn!!
Don't need a loud air horn, just sneak up on them.

With our EVs (the Focus Electric, Chevy Bolt) I can creep down the street in silence. A couple times I've creeped up to some kids playing in the street and just sit there until one would notice me. Would usually scare the c#* out of them LOL.
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Old 07-24-2018, 10:09 PM   #11
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I prefer to make sure that their pants are nice and soiled...

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Old 07-27-2018, 12:11 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I DO have some questions about these carts...
How do they compare to a more conventionally-sized cart?
(Other than being about half the price!)
The Missus and I have our Spyder for sale...
So we're going to need something to drive around in!
How are they on hills?
Is the sie to side space sufficient?
Does the 36 volt system have enough power?
Is the top speed sufficient?
The Cricket is smaller in all respects. The real point is to be able to load it into the back of an SUV, mid SUV, pick-up, or back of RV on platform. (WARNING -- beef up receiver hitch)

It does slow down some on hills, but I'm in Florida so I'm no expert on hills. I can hear the motor slow down slightly but I haven't been on any big hills.

My wife and I are both in our sixties, are "normal" size, and have "normal spreads". We fit very comfortably side by side not touching with a few inches to spare.

Together my wife and I are maybe 400+ pounds and the speed is not really noticeably effected. The "zip" feel is still there.

One of the surprise benefits is that the small size allows me to fit thru spaces the have been restricted by physical barriers like poles, etc.

If one needs to ferry around large adults long distances all day, then a gas powered one would be better. If it's just two retired couples who want light easy transportation without super serious demands, this is it.

BTW, I have taken it down some hiking and biking trails and it is so cool to not have to pedal and/or walk yet still get out into nature.
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Old 07-27-2018, 12:48 PM   #13
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Thanks: your post really fills in a lot of the blanks!
The Missus and I are about 365 pounds... so your assessment is really useful.
We don't ever see us carrying much more than ourselves, and a five-pound Pomeranian on it...
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Old 08-12-2018, 12:29 AM   #14
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Mini Cart

Be sure to compare it to the Kangacruz made just north of the border. The Roo seems to be built much better.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:33 PM   #15
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Thanks for this tip!
Are they a new Company?
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Old 08-12-2018, 09:59 PM   #16
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Cart

No, not a new company. Both are made overseas and marketed here. Look at the pics of each maker and especially look at the frames. I seen one of the Crickets and the owner had a hard time sliding it back to a retracted position due to frame flex. It still seems like a good tool/toy for RV'ers.
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Old 08-12-2018, 10:05 PM   #17
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I'm not at all interested in being able to "squish iut down" into a smaller size: I just don't need to try and carry a 105" long, 970 pound golf cart around...
But the Cricket seems a little bit........ small!
The Kangacruz is about 10" longer, 5" wider, and 100 pounds heavier. More my size!
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Old 08-12-2018, 11:15 PM   #18
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Weight matters and weight behind the axle really matters.

I am on my 3rd (upgraded) Cricket over 10+ years. It has worked well for us, carried on a hitch supported platform. I looked at the Kangacruz, it appeared solid, powerful, and practical, BUT it is 1/3 more weight than the Cricket for the same 600 lb carrying capacity (also costs more). The hitch is rated to only hold 500 lbs, max. With the cart weighing 400 lbs and the platform around 80, that is pushing it. Adding that 500 lbs that far behind the rear axel adds more stress as well. If you are towing it is a different decision factor.
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Old 08-13-2018, 06:12 PM   #19
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I just spoke with the "KangaCruz folks".
The pricing on their Aspire RS is $3995 (US)
The upgraded charger is a hundred bucks...
Shipping to my address is $595, and there's a in import fees.

The total racks up to $4850: not too shabby!
I'll be ordering one soon!
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Old 08-13-2018, 07:38 PM   #20
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Cart

When I seen the discussion I just wanted others to see an alternative that for me would be a better cart. I have not ordered yet. It would fit inside the back of my toed small SUV. When you get the cart let us know how you like it.
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