I think you answered your own question. When speaking of purpose built things, its required to ask what the purpose is. esk8 is not a “purpose”, as you just pointed out, your different boards have different goals, therefore different purposes to you. So one could say there is no “esk8 purpose”, rather what suits that builder/rider’s needs.
You could, but what would the fun be in that 
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To be clear, what I am trying to understand is the difference in actual quality between adapted components / esk8’s and purpose built components / esk8’s as well as the reasons people choose the products they choose.
Going back to my Beast Mode vs Nazare example, Beast Mode was built for 2 reasons. I wanted to make a build using a Rum Runner because I’m a big fan of the deck as a push board. I wanted a board that was purpose built to beat the ever loving shit out of without worry. Both of the those requirements were satisfied.
The reason I purchased a Nazare Lonestar is because I wanted the ability to ride for 35 miles without having to build a battery that satisfied that requirement, in comfort with better than average performance. I hate building batteries, a 10s4p pisses me off, a 12s12p would drive me insane. The other requirements were more than satisfied.
If pinned down I would say the Lonestar is of better quality than Beast Mode, but it was built with one of the objectives being that it was bullet proof, as in very rarely if ever broke. Beast Mode is a one off, I will likely have to repair it at some point considering what I put it through.
I would, in addition, say that Beast Mode is more raw fun. That is not because of any lack in the Lonestar, it’s because Beast Mode was built to be hammered and abused in dirt & gravel as well as on asphalt. I am prepared for it to break and need repairs, even though so far it has been very resilient.
So the intended purpose is definitely criteria, but that doesn’t absolve us of the idea that one board can be better than another assuming the intended purpose is the same. It’s like Camero vs Mustang is a viable contest for street racing. Camero vs Toyota Land Cruiser is absolutely not. Nor is Camero vs Toyota Land Cruiser a viable contest off road or mudding. But Toyota Land Cruiser vs Jeep TJ is absolutely viable. These are the types of discussion that I hope to see examples of.
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I think in the case of comparing like for like, the purpose built item is almost always going to win either on convenience, durability or usability. Like a hanger with built in motor mount vs an adapted one, a board with a battery tray vs milling/drilling into a deck, motors designed for abuse vs universal motors. 2 cruiser boards, one built from the ground up vs one pieced together with off the shelf parts, the one from ground up is going to come out looking cleaner, function possibly better, less maintenance. But the factor now is cost. Purpose built is almost always going to be pricier due to smaller moq.
No reason it can’t be used in a commuter if it has that much control.
This is patently untrue.
Show me the ESC that has, when it fails. Biggest safety feature is don’t fail.
The Hypertruck is brand new from the ground up.
Well, at least we agree on this. It should. Not always the case though.
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My take on all this is that I like a mix of both because my preference for Purpose Built (my two Lacroix’s one stockish DSS60, and one 12S Kaly Geared Prototipo) vs Adapted (my Zenit Rocket, LY Evo, PP KReimer, and PP old school ripper) constantly changes based on how I feel or what I’m used too that week.
There are some days when I want to romp over potholes and other road imperfections with the cloudlike feel that only the purpose built Lacroix’s can provide but then I switch back to a skateboard vibe I go with my zenit rocket since its got SR TKP’s and smaller thane.
Then my evo and PP KReimer are kinda inbetween. both have 260mm TKP’s (made for esk8) and the Evo has AT vs the KReimer with 110mms. I still classify them as Adaptations but with purpose built parts.
All in all I still think @mmaner hit it, it’s all about what you want to do with it. At the end of the day we’re basically Hot Rodder’s so its all personal.
edit - now that I’ve thought about it even more is the stock Lacroix DSS60 another Adaptation? It uses MTB preexisting products but just applies them to a (mainly) street focused board.
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I personally think the tipo deck+enc is purpose built but everything else on the board is adaptation
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anyone ever ride their tipo analogue?
@sender but I doubt for long?
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I’ve pushed it without belts but with the AT tires - not very fun. However, with some bindings could see it be pretty sweet for MTB.
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Just parking lot testing
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I was thinking about this. All of the 5th scale electric R/C’s I built had hobbywing max5 ESC’s (8s). When they go on sale you could get them for $150. Infinite adjustability and dead reliable. I wonder why more don’t use them in an 8s format for each motor, feels like a pretty great option.
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you’d need a battery + wires + connectors etc capable of pushing 150a+? amps.
Less voltage, more amps sadly
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If Max5 is anything like Max6 in operation and adjustability, I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.
I had Max6 and it was a nightmare to modulate throttle and brake (on road) within humanly controllable parameters.
Max5 has more power than Max6, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Castle Creations Mamba XLX on the other hand, equal power to Max5 (or better) AFAIK, and…
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Quite doable actually, and that startup torque! 
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So I’m not much for having a strong stance on something, but the max5 is dead reliable based on my personal and forum experience (I’ve purchased 6 units with no problems). Max6 might be garbage. But the 5 is 200a capable, simple to setup and I’ve had no issues in multiple heavy weight 1/5 and 1/4 scale RC’s. Side note I see more issues with castle large scale products (xlx) when compared to the max5.
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Lots of options in the RC world for 200a.
Don’t get me wrong, Max6 was solid too, just the way it puts power down and brakes is more suited to RC racing than esk8s with people on. Max5 is even more powerful and that may exacerbate the problem.
Ok. Maybe it’s preference. I’ve grown up using hobby grade RC’s/TX modulation. My wife can’t handle the 10s6p eBay esc board I built, but I on the other hand love the on/off aggressive acceleration (for what it is). I actually prefer it over my other boards.
So you run uncensored BLDC on Max5? Maybe it depends on the motors used? @NoWind reported Leopard 8072 motors to have smooth startup on Max6.
Personally after that many falls on road with Max6 and a hospital visit with some memory loss, I just can’t be bothered with tech trying to kill me.
FWIW I’ve driven racing RC cars before, and what I’d deem as good response and power modulation there, doesn’t translate well to human reaction time when you’re on the vehicle.
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