What's in a HT model?

[clm]

To me it is just a matter of trivia, but I am thinking that the Segway models differ less than one would suspect. I have noticed that on the early Segway graphics, that the i Series sports white wheels. The fenders are styled with light color inside and dark color outside.

But Segway is shipping us HT's with dark wheels and fenders with light color on the outside. This is the identical the color scheme used for the e Series. Hmmmm. Could Segway be shipping only one HT with the differences being only the lower side bags and the price?

If this is true. I wonder what makes for a p Series HT? Would the smaller 14" diameter wheels will fit and work on our i Series units? I plan to ask if I can get the smaller wheels and fenders as after-market parts. These would allow my HT to travel inside my car trunk.

Well I'm off to Segway training today, woo who! Wish me luck (that luck that I'm not in a car wreck of course :)

[pam]

There are software differences between the i and the e -- plus the e has the electronic kickstand, gets less range (due a lot to the extra weight), etc. I don't think you will be able to use the p wheels on the i model. The p will be smaller all around, and again with different software, etc.
Pam

[BruceWright]

The P has the same handle bars as the i, that's the only similarity. The platform is smaller, as are the wheels. Changing the radius of the tire is very dangerous. The software keeping you upright and in control in an emergency would also likely be confused by the different radius of wheel.

Remember, the Segway rolls forward to stay under your center of gravity. It knows how much to torque the wheels by how much you lean. If you have smaller wheels, that same torque will not roll you far enough forward, placing you off-balance. You would have to over-lean, but still be off balance, either falling forward or backward.
The machine will not know how to apply the correct amount of torque to keep you in control.

the I and E are structurally identical, except for the saddlebags and frame. From what I understand, an I can be upgraded to an E. A software change is required to support the different modes of operation, and the E-stand. Balance mode, mounting and dismounting are different, and may catch I users off-guard.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[cstull]

Good point Bruce.

Likewise, some have mentioned that they might get more speed if they put larger wheels on their i model. I think the software would over compensate causing the HT to buck.

Besides that, I doubt you could even find wheels and tires for the HT from any source other than LLC.

Craig

[BruceWright]

In order for someone else to make wheels for it, they would have to infringe on the one-bolt attatchment patent. Pretty sneaky, sis.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[opti6600]

I'm sorry guys, I just don't see the point in making modifications at all to a Segway. The HT's engineers tested this thing until they were blue in the face, and what we're riding is what they came up with.

I also just can't quite jive with the concept of mucking about with a Segway's hardware, software, or physical characteristics...powered faceplants are not my idea of a day in the park. I can see it now, some genius decides to mod a key, gets a command wrong, and ends up having the Seg's balance control go flying forward instead of hitting limiter...now that would be amusing, yet horribly painful. That's my concern right there.

[cstull]

I think it is safe to say that, among us early adopters, are some early hackers. I'm sure some of their "mods" will qualify for America's Funniest Home Videos.

That said, despite how sophisticated the engineers at LLC might be, hackers often come up with some great improvements.

Take my Tivo for example. I bought a recorder that was limited to 30 hours. The manufacturer didn't offer a larger capacity. Hackers figured out the operating system and wrote utilities to properly format a hard disk for the Tivo. The benefit to me? For the price of a cheap hard disk, and about 30 minutes of my time, I have increased my Tivo to 130 hours. The software was freely distributed on the internet.

I am looking forward to seeing what the hackers come up with. Not that I am in any hurry to modify my HT...:)

[rbmartin]

I too have modified my Tivo, mine is ~250 hrs. Works great for the most part, but every now and then it hangs, stutters or does something unusual that the unmodified unit didn't do. Fortunately my Tivo doesn't have a pair of 2HP motors that could hurl me at the pavement.

Hacking a Segway seems like a very bad idea to me.

Richard

[pt]

i have voided 99% of the warranties on everything i own, i've tested bluetooth gear underwater, made gps enabled walking sticks, led enabled shoes...the soldering iron is always 2 feet away from me.

i'm not touching the segway however.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[clm]

Good discussion. Thanks.

Just back from training - all went well. This was amazingly fun and instructive. I had a blast. I aquired lots of new skills from some very nice and knowledgable Segway employees. I even negotiated a self-closing door, both in and out. (Guess who's video helped on that.) There is a point going out where you have to let go of the steering control in order to push the door clear. That was a bit unnerving as I had to be sure the HT was pointing just the right direction before doing that. All in all, good show!

TEN DAYS!

Back on subject, I agree that hacking a Segway is not smart. Of course thinking such things through can help me understand just how the HT is doing its amazing job of transporting us so effortlessly and safely.

At one point they ask you to enter a dead-end spot, pivot in place, and exit. I did this, and looking down at the floor I imagined that I was in an elevator or something. What if I had to move over just two inches. Could I do that without scuffing the "wall"? Well, needless to say I did it, moving six inches forward, turned and six inches back, turned and repeated, just like parallel parking on a minature scale. Sure enough I moved the two inches over no problems. That is really amazing control and proof positive for me that I will be able to safely operate the HT among a group of pedestrians.

PT, So do tell - does Bluetooth work underwater? How far?

[pt]

quote:Originally posted by clm PT, So do tell - does Bluetooth work underwater? How far?

a little further than in air it seems, this was the first test.

http://www.flashenabled.com/mobile/blue.html

other tests will be posted this summer :-]

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[JohnHHarrington]

For me, the one switch would be the ability to carry my 6'7" 245 lb body, and a 50 lb bag of equipment. I am interested in the concept of "upgrading" the software. i don't want/need the saddle bags, etc but can anyone shed any light on my maxing out the limits of my soon-to-arrive HT?

Thanks!

John Harrington

www.DC-Segways.com