Be prepared to explain it to everyone you meet
Written: Jan 24 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Amazing speed; pollution free (sorta); very cool and easy to ride
Cons: Expensive; still an oddity; heavy
The Bottom Line: Great advance in urban transportation; perfect for nice weather commute of 10 miles or less one way.
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| derk99's Full Review: Segway Human Transporter |
As the user of a Segway HT E-Series (industrial version with sidepacks and front pack), I don't have quite enough praise for how cool the Segway is.
First off, never call it a "scooter." Officially it is a "Human Transporter" but it is much more than that.
Let's get the preliminaries out of the way. The only Segway that mere mortals can order is the basic model available for order on Amazon.com and scheduled for delivery in March 2003. It differs slightly from the one I am using, which is more rugged and designed for quick on and off use (deliveries, police, mail carriers, etc.)
The Segway has three major modes:
1. Off. No power, you can push it freewheeling like a wheelbarrow or pull it like a trailer with no shortage of "oomph" (it weighs 87 pounds plus cargo.)
2. "Follow" mode. Good for up and down stairs, you dismount and use the Segway's own power to move it. Consider a powered-lawn mower...you're behind it but it is helping you move.
3. Rider mode. You mount the Segway one step at a time. After the first step, you hear a "beep" and the control console turns green. The platform levels itself for you and you make your second step. You are now on the Segway, standing still.
You lean forward to go forward and lean back to go back. You stop leaning to stop. That's it. The learning curve is 60 seconds for basic movement.
To turn, you twist the throttle-like controller in your left hand. You can spin in place...it has zero turning radius.
After a few hours of practice you can move in and out of doorway without dismounting...the Segway is not much wider than a person and easy to get into elevators and such while you are on it. (Just remember to DUCK...the Segway adds a foot to your height.)
The cities all ticked off about Segways on the sidewalk are missing the point...these are not skateboarding freaks using Segways...they are urban commuters who are not intent on running people down.
You are given three keys with a Segway, Black, Yellow and Red. The Black key starts the device in "training mode", a limited speed and slower turns. As you get better, you use Yellow (advanced) and then Red (wide open, top speed mode.)
Range is about 14 miles on a charge. Top speed is 12.5 MPH, which is plenty fast once you're on it. Weight limit is claimed to be 250 lbs but 350 is more like it.
Using the Segway in snow is do-able but be careful of ice. Snow tires are coming as accessories. Jumping a normal-sized curb is simple enough; larger barriers require a dismount.
Six hours on a charge and you're fully charged. The batteries do not have "memory effect" so you can plug in at any stop (and mooch someone else's electricity.)
(rant)Those that claim the Segway is "pollution free" are not seeing the forest for the trees...Segways do not use fossil fuels it is true and they emit no pollutants. However, they run on electricity...and that electricity has to come from someplace. In my neck of the woods that is coal-burning power plants and nuke plants. Electric cars and Segways are not pollution free...they just push the pollution higher up on the power grid. However, they are very energy efficient and pollute far less than a car (and more than a bike)(unrant)
Prices for consumer model are $4995 at Amazon.com.
For details, video and other info, see www.segway.com
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
derk99
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Location: Midwest, USA
Reviews written: 86
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
I am a happily married man with 8 wonderful kids.
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