InfoKey, Not a Good Idea! [Archive]

dalessiokid

09-08-2006, 04:55 PM

Hi Guys:

Well, it was going to happen someday!, I arrived at work like everyday in my i2 yesterday and just after parking my pt, I took the infokey from the frame and accidently droped it!, I guess you can imagine what happened next, It Doesn't Work Anymore!!!, So now, I CAN'T USE MY SEGWAY!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!, I knew this could happen anyday but i wasn't aware of how fragil this Infokey was!, I mean, i Think anyone has accidently droped it's Keys, But before you just picked up your set of VERY RESISTANT, NOT ELECTRICAL, LCD FREE Keys and off you go, Now, I will have to wait at least 3 more weeks for the new infokey to arrive to use my Segway, I don't know if SEGWAY INC. ever saw this problem coming, but i remembered telling my local segway dealer when i purchased the new i2 of how i saw this as a potential problem, Well as you can imagine i am a very sad Glider, today is a beatiful day to go out gliding, but i will have ti take my jeep instead of my PT.

Has this happen to anyone else, if so, please post to inform.

Thank You

austin@SOH

09-08-2006, 05:03 PM

Huh, that is very odd, especially since I have seen the key fly off the machine and actually hit so hard that the plastic mount that anchors it to the handlebar dock came off... Did you try replacing the battery just for the heck of it?

IndyFIRSTengineer

09-08-2006, 05:07 PM

OUCH!! Sounds to me like a problem that INC should resolve. I worked for a consumer electronics company for several years and our $50 cordless phone handsets (WITH LCD screens and other sensitive electronics) had to withstand drop testing from 5 ft height NO LESS THAN 6 times WITHOUT breaking. IMO, as an integral part of a $5k machine, this is unacceptable.

dalessiokid

09-08-2006, 05:15 PM

sholloway

09-08-2006, 05:24 PM

I've had my come off the machine more than once without a scratch and still working. You may have just been unlucky. Had you already sent off for your free 2nd InfoKey yet?

bystander

09-08-2006, 05:30 PM

CAN'T USE MY SEGWAY!!!

Have you registered your PT on the segway.com site?

http://www.segway.com/support/product_registration.html

Segway PT Product Registration

Get a free Wireless InfoKey Controller!*

By registering your Segway® Personal Transporter (PT) with us, you'll receive a free Wireless InfoKey™. It will also ensure your current warranty information is accurate and up-to-date. Please take a moment to complete the form as accurately and completely as possible. After submitting the form, please allow 6-10 weeks for your new Wireless InfoKey™ to arrive.

*One InfoKey Controller per Segway PT. Allow 6-10 weeks for delivery. While quantities last

They send you a spare InfoKey for registering.

Don't know if you heard about it yet.

Doesn't do much good if your first one is broken.

But it will save you the cost of one replacement.

Edit: sholloway beat me to it, guess I shouldn't have spent the time formatting the text!

SegwayUtah

09-08-2006, 05:43 PM

I routinely throw my infokey onto the floor (which is carpet, not concrete) at night--and it has run great so far... I can't imagine that the infokey would break dropping onto even concrete, but since I only have one I'm going to not try that experiment quite yet... :)

Chris

dalessiokid

09-08-2006, 05:45 PM

I've had my come off the machine more than once without a scratch and still working. You may have just been unlucky. Had you already sent off for your free 2nd InfoKey yet?

Yes, i did that the moment i opened the box when i bought it, that was like two weeks ago or so, anyway i talked to my local dealer today and he's calling LLC to see if they can send me an extra infokey faster and i told him i would cover the express shipping charges, I will get it sooner or later what really worries me is if this will become a big problem for all i2 owners, i guess i was unlucky but still i didn't droped it from more than 2 feet hieght.

Desert_Seg

09-08-2006, 06:36 PM

Yes, i did that the moment i opened the box when i bought it, that was like two weeks ago or so, anyway i talked to my local dealer today and he's calling LLC to see if they can send me an extra infokey faster and i told him i would cover the express shipping charges, I will get it sooner or later what really worries me is if this will become a big problem for all i2 owners, i guess i was unlucky but still i didn't droped it from more than 2 feet hieght.

Jorge,

I just went through the exact situation two nights ago....once the battery was reset the InfoKey worked fine.

Hope that will work for you!

Suerte!

Steven

Sal

09-08-2006, 07:38 PM

Jorge,

I just went through the exact situation two nights ago....once the battery was reset the InfoKey worked fine.

Hope that will work for you!

Suerte!

Steven

That's exactly what I was thinking, open it up and reseat the battery. I have dropped mine several times.

-Sal

SEGsby

09-08-2006, 09:03 PM

Ah, this is good to know. Was wondering if we could get an extra infokey...

SEGsby

Have you registered your PT on the segway.com site?

http://www.segway.com/support/product_registration.html

They send you a spare InfoKey for registering.

Don't know if you heard about it yet.

Doesn't do much good if your first one is broken.

But it will save you the cost of one replacement.

Edit: sholloway beat me to it, guess I shouldn't have spent the time formatting the text!

terryp

09-08-2006, 11:03 PM

Does '*While quantities last' mean that future i2 buyers won't get a spare Infokey by registering?

dale@thecoys.net

09-09-2006, 12:11 AM

Ah, this is good to know. Was wondering if we could get an extra infokey...

SEGsby

It's interesting to note that the PT reference manual says:

"Record the unique serial numbers for both the Segway PT and the
InfoKey Controller. Store this information in a secure location,
separate from your Segway PT in case you need to order a
replacement InfoKey Controller."

But the registration form only asks for the PT Serial Number - not the InfoKey serial number.

...and then they send you a spare InfoKey.

SEGsby

09-09-2006, 12:22 AM

If the infokey's are encrypted to a specific machine, like the old iButton keys, it makes sense to need only the machine's serial number to look up the other one, since each ID code is probably unique.

SEGsby

It's interesting to note that the PT reference manual says:

"Record the unique serial numbers for both the Segway PT and the
InfoKey Controller. Store this information in a secure location,
separate from your Segway PT in case you need to order a
replacement InfoKey Controller."

But the registration form only asks for the PT Serial Number - not the InfoKey serial number.

...and then they send you a spare InfoKey.

KSagal

09-09-2006, 12:29 AM

Desert_Seg

09-09-2006, 02:02 AM

I find it interesting that so many people have dropped their key!

Yep, I threw it at the floor! Well, I had a rhinoceros sit on mine! Oh, yea, Well I ate mine, and now....

Just funnin'. I do feel bad, and I have ordered mine, and did so about as early as was possible, and have not gotten it yet. I hope it comes in soon for both of us...

As for the butter fingers out there, have fun gliding, but don't ask to borrow my crystal collection...

A Rhino? Wow! How long did you have to wait to get the key back? :)

My dropped key was a comedy of errors.
1. Potential client (PC) is looking at InfoKey
2. PC starts to hand InfoKey back and it slips out of his hand
3. InfoKey hits edge of my hand but I can't hold on
4. PC tries to grab InfoKey but only arcs it in the air
5. Both I and PC lunge for key but only succeed in looking foolish
6. InfoKey hits ground and everything turns silent, very silent
7. Long sigh as key starts unit (after reset)
8. PC decides he needs more time

It did, however, make us put a rush on the lanyards we are ordering for our clients (the old ones won't work on the InfoKey).

Steven

SEGsby

09-09-2006, 03:19 AM

With all the reported musical sounds the new i2 makes with startup / shutdown and error conditions-- I wonder how hard it would have been to implement a button on the top front of the info key that activates a "HORN"?

In California under senate bill 1918, the Segway is required to have "an audio signaling device" and other safety features like reflectors (which it has) and a headlight with a 300 foot range to be considered legal (I'm adding the headlight to my commuter package).

I think it would be very useful, if the i2 dosen't already have one...

Perhaps it would be possible to add a special keypress to the already existing design by updating the firmware in the future?

SEGsby

Timezkware Tim

09-09-2006, 04:43 AM

Jorge:

Sorry to hear about your key prob. Bummer.

Sounds to me like it was defective since keys are designed to withstand a drop. Perhaps your warranty will cover it. Good luck.

Segsby:

Good suggestion. I don't know if selling Segs without factory options like lights and bells is a design, image, or cost choice, but they like making them stripped down. Perhaps it gives the device too much of a vehicular image if it had a headlight. Who knows.

Anyway, if you're shopping for accessories, there's quite a selection in the bicycle world out there, as well as indi Segway accessories dealers. Froogle away for a few minutes and you'll see deals. ebay is great also.

I commute from Downtown SM to Venice Blvd and back everyday, both the bike path and Main Street. You say you're buying a light? I'd advise getting a really good one. Make sure it's rechargeable. For $60 I got a rechargeable light that's "pretty good". I wish I spent $200 and got something that really lights the asphalt better though. do a search on headlight in this site and you'll get some great links.

Tim

Sal

09-09-2006, 07:28 AM

In California under senate bill 1918, the Segway is required to have "an audio signaling device" ...
SEGsby

:) "Hey California!, HONK HONK" [in my horn-like singing voice], Segways are truly pedestrian friendly devices, I don't see why our voices (of those of us who aren't mute) can't be the audio signaling devices.

As for firmware upgrades to add all the (pardon the pun) bells and whistles... I am sure it's possible, but knowing the history of "less is more" with the design of all things Segway, my gut tells me to be doubtful of any "intrinsic" added features. But who knows?

-Sal

rgbyhkr

09-09-2006, 09:30 AM

Anyway, if you're shopping for accessories, there's quite a selection in the bicycle world out there, as well as indi Segway accessories dealers. Froogle away for a few minutes and you'll see deals. ebay is great also.

You're absolutely right there Tim. I went looking around at lights a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at what the bike world had to offer. The mountain bike industry specifically is vast and has offerings on all kinds of accessories from vendors all over the globe. Lights were almost a world untio themselves given all the options. After reading through a variety of reviews, magazine articles, and comments by folks both here and on mountain biking forums, I went the overkill route (what else is new for me?) and picked up an ARC HID light. I should have it by the middle of next week and feel confident that it will give me more than enough light when I pair it with my ordered i2.

Jeff

Tarkus

09-09-2006, 11:04 AM

You're absolutely right there Tim. I went looking around at lights a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at what the bike world had to offer. The mountain bike industry specifically is vast and has offerings on all kinds of accessories from vendors all over the globe. Lights were almost a world untio themselves given all the options. After reading through a variety of reviews, magazine articles, and comments by folks both here and on mountain biking forums, I went the overkill route (what else is new for me?) and picked up an ARC HID light. I should have it by the middle of next week and feel confident that it will give me more than enough light when I pair it with my ordered i2.

Jeff

JohnM, Their calling you !!!!

Alan

terryp

09-09-2006, 11:15 AM

After reading through a variety of reviews, magazine articles, and comments by folks both here and on mountain biking forums, I went the overkill route (what else is new for me?) and picked up an ARC HID light. I should have it by the middle of next week and feel confident that it will give me more than enough light when I pair it with my ordered i2.
Jeff
The ARC HID is the best. The only thing I don't like about mine is that whatever provided the detent that centered the light straight ahead wore off very quickly. Other than that, it's very well made. And super BRIGHT! You'll love it.

Florida Ever-Glides

09-09-2006, 02:05 PM

byped

09-09-2006, 02:58 PM

The infokey is the most advanced key I have ever seen. Well worth the cost.
Each day the Segway comes closer and closer to becoming the finest vehicle ever concieved. Then, everyone will have one.

I only recommend accessories sold by Segway, because the folks at Segway only seek the best equipment available at the best prices. Please support your local segway dealer, they're here for us...

Trivial as it sounds, I am finding myself using the key on an increasing bases for the time and date. I gave up wearing a watch several years ago and have since relied on a PDA or cell phone. Now it seems i just use the infokey.

byped

09-09-2006, 03:00 PM

Infokey freeze?

Has anyone had any issues with the key freezing up? Yesterday, I went to leave work and couldn't power on the key (no wireless ant. indicator on the screen). I resolved it by pop'n the battery out.

The trouble, trying to get the mounting bezel off was a bit difficult at the office. Ultimate, I found a big plastic piece that I leveraged against the bezel.

pam

09-09-2006, 03:43 PM

I don't think any of us know how long the little infokey batteries will last (of course, it will be dependent on our individual useage).

It could have been a case of low infokey battery.

Pam

SegwayUtah

09-09-2006, 06:30 PM

SEGsby,

I believe that the PT only makes noises when it's moving at a few MPH or less. If you notice, safety shutdown brings you to a slow speed and _then_ starts making the noises. I'd wager that Segway doesn't want to use up motor power to make noises when you're traveling quickly.

Chris

joelkfla

09-09-2006, 07:07 PM

I only recommend accessories sold by Segway, because the folks at Segway only seek the best equipment available at the best prices.
You're being sarcastic, right?

I don't remember the exact price, but I think I got the Lights & Motion Solo Logic from a bike dealer at about 25% less than the Segway site. And it was an updated model which accepts multiple battery technologies.

terryp

09-09-2006, 08:05 PM

I just heard from a friend whose infokey fell out of his pocket, cracking the display. I can't imagine why anyone would prefer the huge, expensive and fragile infokey over the tiny, cheap and rugged ibutton. It can't be the cryptic error codes. Maybe it's that it allows you to determine critical information like whether you're going 9.7 MPH or 10.6 MPH, or that you got 21.7 miles on a charge. Or maybe it's that you can turn on the Seg from a few feet away (how'd he do that?!).

Anyone want to post a picture of themselves wearing the infokey as a watch? I didn't think so.

KSagal

09-09-2006, 09:47 PM

I have found that the easiest way, even though it might not be the right way, to remove the back of the info key, is to put it in the port on the top of the leansteer frame and then turn it.

byped

09-10-2006, 12:00 AM

I have found that the easiest way, even though it might not be the right way, to remove the back of the info key, is to put it in the port on the top of the leansteer frame and then turn it.

Wise beyond my years. So simple, yet totally overlooked.:D

SEGsby

09-10-2006, 01:59 AM

Sounds like the infoKey needs something akin to what my cell phone has... A pin sized hole with a reset switch in it.

SEGsby

Infokey freeze?

Has anyone had any issues with the key freezing up? Yesterday, I went to leave work and couldn't power on the key (no wireless ant. indicator on the screen). I resolved it by pop'n the battery out.

The trouble, trying to get the mounting bezel off was a bit difficult at the office. Ultimate, I found a big plastic piece that I leveraged against the bezel.

Desert_Seg

09-10-2006, 11:04 AM

I have found that the easiest way, even though it might not be the right way, to remove the back of the info key, is to put it in the port on the top of the leansteer frame and then turn it.

Karl,

This is the right way to do it, shown to me by none other than Doug Fields.

Steven

SEGsby

09-11-2006, 03:35 AM

Actually, I wouldn't mind wearing the infokey as a watch...

SEGsby

Sal

09-11-2006, 06:21 AM

Actually, I wouldn't mind wearing the infokey as a watch...

SEGsby

I believe one of the upcoming accessories in addition to a lanyard, is a watch strap for the infokey... I know I'll be getting one.

-Sal

vertigo1

09-11-2006, 12:43 PM

Karl,

This is the right way to do it, shown to me by none other than Doug Fields.

Steven
Actually, to get the battery-backing off the InfoKey just use the spare battery located under the charge-port cover. It is the exact circumference as the inset sliver (designed that way) and it works GREAT. Tha spare battery becomes the tool to get the other battery OUT! ;)
-Bing

SEGsby

09-11-2006, 06:36 PM

Sweet. Just wonder what it will cost... :confused:

SEGsby

I believe one of the upcoming accessories in addition to a lanyard, is a watch strap for the infokey... I know I'll be getting one.

-Sal

SEGsby

09-11-2006, 06:38 PM

Cool. I didn't know the machine had built in storage for the infoKey battery...

SEGsby

Actually, to get the battery-backing off the InfoKey just use the spare battery located under the charge-port cover. It is the exact circumference as the inset sliver (designed that way) and it works GREAT. Tha spare battery becomes the tool to get the other battery OUT! ;)
-Bing

dalessiokid

09-12-2006, 02:06 AM

Well, i tried reseting the battery and changing the battery for the spare one and NOTHING!, I love my segway and today i am just one sad frustraded everyday glider, thanks to everyone for the advise, karl, hope your infokey arrives soon also!

ashley

09-12-2006, 06:10 AM

After reading your post on HID lights and not being happy with LED lights I took the plunge and purchased a TOPEX Moonshine HID Enduro made in USA via Tiawan and just took it for a spin. I attached it to my Skate Hat and all I can say is FANTASTIC, GREAT,AMAZING. I could see so well, man its bright. Took the Beagle on the extender lead for a long Seg in the pitch black which the light transformed into virtual daylight. It may have been expensive but as we are going into summer down in New Zealand the bike shop knocked off a hundred to shift the stock. I can't wait for my already running late I2 to arrive.

So if you are thinking lights I totally agree with those saying buy HID

terryp

09-12-2006, 03:08 PM

Segway says its major market is security and law enforcement. So what is a cop supposed to do with the infokey when he (or she) dismounts? Strap it onto his wrist? Hang it around his neck as he chases someone down? Put it in his pocket, where it will likely get crushed or fall out if he jumps someone?

With gen. 1 they gave us two red keys, apparently because they knew we'd lose one. With gen. 2 you can get a second free infokey by registering, apparently because they know we'll break one. (I use we in the general sense, as I have no interest in gen. 2.)

Maybe Segway will come out with a padded accessory infokey holster, with velcro flap and official logo. The infokey certainly isn't nearly as rugged as the machine it's used with.