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Q! What's all this about RACING HTs??

A. Get off. I just made that up. You couldn't have heard about it before. But since I ask...

Racing HTs is likely to become a skill sport.

Top speed isn't going to hook it, but strategy, maneuverability and those slicer things from the chariot wheels in Ben Hur and Gladiator can make all the difference.

Kidding about the slicers.

Or am I?

(Pictured; Roman glass etched plate c. 5 AD. and recently updated.)

HTs on an appropriate "GlideCross" track with equipment-friendly obstacles, ramps, slaloms, flags, slants, hairpins, hatpins and safetypin features would make a fascinating race for the easily amused crowd.

Can you get an extra 1 mph out of the HT by effective balance challenges to the internal computer?

Gentlemen, button up your engines!

 Q! Can everybody glide?

A. Not when it is switched off. Our pretzel-testing Chief Executive reports (exclusive to GlideWalk.Com):

"June 10. G1 and I were into some pretty serious testing the limits of the HTs around Kennebunkport (which is neither Kenny's nor a port for bunks) when papa bet me all the loot in Baghdad that I couldn't balance for five seconds on the machine when it wasn't turned on.

"I started adding up the possibilities. They found $650 million in the walls of one of Saddham's palaces, and how many palace walls haven't been broken open so far? It could amount to quite a chunk, so I gave it a try.

"Here's a strip showing attempt #391 or 392. On both of those I went forward and to my left. But I think I'm getting the hang of it. My longest time so far is 2.2 seconds. I think I'll sleep on it and try later."

i167

 Q! Two models--Different sizes?

A. The p133 is smaller than the i167. The most notable difference is the wheel size. But it doesn't end there.

The first commercial model is the i167. It's batteries are 67% stronger than the baseline NiCad cells Segway's engineers first considered using, so now the nomenclature is known.

Tires on the i167 are 19 inches in diameter and the wheels on the i133 are slightly narrower and just 15.5 inches across.

Mainly, the difference in size between the two is in the base. The footplate on the i133 is shorter by several inches, front to back, and the gearboxes ride more inside the profile of the wheel than on the i167.

Tire size, placement relative to the gear box and narrower profile all add up to a more svelte machine. While the i167 needs 25 inches to pass, the p133 needs only 21. Baby, have you lost weight?

Of course the 14 pound difference in weight has something to do with it, too. The p133 weighs 69 pounds while the i167 weighs 83.

Width of the base is the same. Thickness of the base is the same. Battery packs for the i133 are slightly thinner, and from the number, about 80% of the capacity of the i167's.

Here's a comparison animation:

Roll your mouse over the image and you will see the picture flip between the i and p models in rough perspective. The relative size of the two can be verified in the base bumper/logo detail and unvarying sizes of fixtures common to both models. Standing room is close to the same, side to side, but the mat is considerably shorter front to back on the p133. Note also how the fender intersects the gearbox on the i133--the wheel on this model is tucked closer to the rider's ankles, but the foot plate width is within an inch.

Still, both mats are welcome.

p133

Q! I must go up stairs. This thing weighs 83 pounds. Is my back going to take it?

A. Obviously not.

Until you grow an exoskeleton, you will have to use a feature called "Power Assist Mode," which lets you use the HT's own motor to power up stairs, loading ramps and difficult high curbs.

In this mode, the unit behaves like you might imagine a powered old-time spiral mower would, lifting itself up over things with a firm tug. For safety, you go up first, pulling it up toward you, or standing above it when you go down.

The HT wheels are large, 19 inches in diameter, so they have enough "bite angle" to roll up low steps using their own power. Even with rolling power, the mower wouldn't do as well.

Need to run the thing into the back of your SUV? Amazingly, garden supply stores sell low-cost ramps for loading mowers and things. Was that a clue?

Bungee cords may be needed to stabilize the HT in the back of your vehicle. Chances are good you can find these easily.

Nowadays, many public places are wheelchair compliant, meaning that they have ramps as well as steps. Aha!

Or, if you learn how to lift it straight up, with your legs, not your back, maybe you CAN simply lift it into your trunk. See? It fits in mine. And the i133 would fit even easier.

Q! So they're perfect, right?

A. That's exactly right. Except that they are missing a few "perfection" things.

Low co$t.

The first prediction was for October 2002 delivery of a $3,000 HT. Didn't happen. They also had plans for a factory cranking out a bazillion every hour. Didn't happen. For whatever reasons --politics, reality, our stunning economy-- Segway LLC has been pursuing a route different from the optimistic projections previously suggested.

Reflectors, but no built-in lights.

Here's a super-tech electric people-mover that has no built-in lighting. A number of early adopters have jury-rigged lights in different ways, and more designs will follow. Think "bicycle lights."

(The seven-LED StreamLight seen here is designed for Hard-Hat strap on and works for modest path illumination. Click on the image for a link.)

Click here to see the four (!) lighting variations introduced in May, 2003 by Segway LLC.

Horns.

Opportunity knocketh. How about a flat micro switch that stickies onto the right grip and powers a techie noisemaker that plays any of a list of neo-honks? Not the annoying squawk of bike horns or car horns, something nice like a warm contralto voice saying, "Coming through!" or a pleasant warning "be-doing" like iMac alerts.

Or perhaps you could simply say, "Coming through!" or "Hey!" Did I just save you fifty bucks?

Different colors.

"You can have your Model T in any color of the rainbow, as long as it is black." --Henry Ford.

The first commercial HT's are nice gray, silver and black scheme. No variations.

No gold ones, pink ones or stealth black ones are available. It is probably too early to ask for more. How many portable computers come in a variety of colors? Dang few. Still, I've alerted some guys I know who do the best automotive paint in the world...

What if you were to go into an auto supply store and ask for some of that plastic "chrome trim strip stuff" that people put around the edges of things like fenders?

Click here to see Kcaps' color 'decals' for the fenders and control shaft. Kewl!

Cargo.

In February I wrote:

"Segway will sell you a lovely $12 basket for the front of your handlebars, for $147. It disconnects, so you can take your valuables with you, but it doesn't have a briefcase-like handle. Obviously Dean wasn't the designer.

"The "e" model has side pouches that look like they were lifted from a BMW motorcycle, the consumer "i" model won't fit these. George Carlin won't like you if you don't provide a place for all his "stuff."

• Slick Transmit Glory on Monday. The original bags are now out of print. They are old news. Cancel that order, because
• Papa's got a brand new bag. The new news is that a cushy, silver-ish, larger bag full of neat pockets, nets, flaps and plenty of Velcro is Seg-worthy.
• This time, it DOES have a handle and pockets for all sorts of stuff. So you can carry it, briefcase style. $99. Did Dean get involved?

I wonder if this Shorty's back pack would do the thing. At $60, is it a bargain?

The most active third party Segway Accessory maker, Kcaps, has its own trim version of a handlebar bag for your HT.

HT covers.

Perhaps printed to make it look like a Ficus under wraps, or just to ward people away from trying to stand on it unattended. Standing on it with the plastic kick stand down is a no-no that can cost you $77 to repair it. I know: Drape a "Police Line-Do Not Cross" tape across the fenders... Oops, here's one now.

Long distance power packs.

Since it accepts AC power in, conceivably it could accept external power. But where do you mount the DieHard? Oops, no movement is possible while the charging cord is installed.

Notice that these first models use NiMH batteries? What part of Lithium Ion (stronger, longer, lighter) wasn't an option? Rumors say "later." The current batteries (intentional pun) are fairly heavy. The Lithium ones proposed should be quite a bit lighter and hold more eager electrons. At the same weight, LiION batteries hold 50% more "go".

Segway LLC has created an EXTERNAL Battery Charger, right. So if you have a set of extra batteries, you can charge the depleted ones while you continue on your merry way. The "Off Board Charger" will cost you $295 but it comes with this provocative note: "Can be used for all Segway HT battery types." You mean, like... Lithium? At any rate, it has the same brains as the sophisticated on-board charging system. Industrial heavy users will be pleased.

Enhanced Traction Tires.

For the Alaskan gliders. What's this? New, more traction filled tires? Segway is on top of it. Check em out. And thanks to Phillip Torrone for his ETT review.

The super-knobby loose soil tires seen in some military images are not yet available to the general user. The Mother of Invention may have to get involved.

Black Box.

A special model of GPS unit is called for. One that tracks not just where you were, but how fast, how bumpy, how hot, how high and exactly when at every tick of the trail. A street-map savvy unit with a pleasant voice to guide you toward a destination. Hey, I want one of those for my car, too.

Security alarm.

Hidden, sensitive to being moved, loud and/or LoJack clever. Some people will think that stealing an HT is a good idea, but it's ultra secure, unless they steal the keys, too. Of course, they won't know. When did you ever encounter a criminal with a tech-brain? The movies, right?

Ever watch Fox's COPS? Opportunist thieves are the tiny-brained folk. But when they discover their error, they'll dump the thing in pieces. Better to scare them off right away.

I have this Bike Watch alarm, and it is just what you want: A sturdy bike lock with a motion sensor inside with a piercingly loud alarm that triggers from any tampering.

Go Charger.

Transporting the HT in a car or SUV is logical. Logic says charging it as you drive would be a Good Thing, too. But the HT is looking for 110v AC... (actually, it will be happy to see anything from about 90 volts to 270 volts AC)

All weather clothing.

One wag suggested a surfer's wet suit, but the colorful ice skating exo-skins catch my eye. Then again, not everyone could--and some definitely should NOT--wear such gear. Still, we can dream that a bevy of 19 year old supermodels will buy them...

Helmets / Shoes / Gloves

The best reason for a helmet has not so much to do with the idea that one will simply fall off the HT unprovoked, but as protection when a curb or collision with a motorist THROWS you off the HT.

How about that cool ReeVu bike helmet with the rear-view mirror effect built-in? Er, how much traffic will be coming up behind you on the glidewalk? Or, for 1/3 the price, the TSG helmets are basic protection. Or special Segway shoes, or official T-shirts or adapted bike gloves...

Power tap.

Some of these add-ons eat electricity. Some would be better served via an on-HT power tap at 12 volts. Lights, horns, GPS, LoJack, alarm... none of these are big eaters of power, but as it stands with the i167 (the personal model shipping today) there is no on-board source of accessory energy unless you strap it on yourself.