A Dead Segway is a Expensive Segway
November 17, 2007 Posted by Al Castle
add a comment Categories: Castle, Segway, gnash-teeth
I received another call from the Scooter shop in Fairhaven. Apparently the Segway despite being an older model, was upgraded to the newer lithium-ion batters. Which means the previously quoted price is about half as much. 800 clams for each of the batteries.
I’m thinking I might just sit on it until after the holidays. $1600 is more than a quarter of the sticker price for the unit. Crazy.
Dead Segway
November 8, 2007 Posted by Al Castle
1 comment so far Categories: Castle, Segway, gnash-teeth
My Segway died a few months ago actually. It’s just taken me awhile to get off my duff. The two batteries in the base of the unit need to be replaced at $400 a pop. I’ve already ordered them and am just waiting for them to arrive.
Cheese Spa
December 23, 2006 Posted by Al Castle
1 comment so far Categories: Segway, Squirrels
I know it sounds twisted, but really it’s just my phonetic catchy title for this post about Davids new business venture Chispa. And actually that’s not even phonetically accurate, but it’s funny so give me a break and be thankful I don’t start an actual Cheese Spa + Hooters mashup franchise.
Big bucks, big bucks no whammies…..and back to my post.
Chispa is based out of Bellingham,WA with a shop opening up in historic Fairhaven. Currently they have a temporary setup in the local mall until the construction is complete. Apparently they have a complete inventory housed in some undisclosed Area 51 warehouse in the Fountain District I hear. The store has exclusive dealerships for a variety of personal transportation devices, most of which are green, including my beloved Segways. They recently acquired a Vespa dealership and also carry several other lines: Schwinn, eGo, CobraPowerSports and others.
If you’re in the market for saving gas and having fun this summer I know they’ve got electric scooters starting at about $1000 all the way up to….well all the way up. I think you can pimp out at Segway to something like $8000+ with all the accessories. They also carry a few gas models that I’m sure are not only street legal but probably go faster than 40mph.
But what you really really want, is a Segway. Seriously, get the off-road model and I might let you ride with me.
My Hog
August 18, 2006 Posted by Al Castle
add a comment Categories: Segway
Ah the day has come. Well it came early this week, but I’ve been too swamped to actually blog about it. The Segway formerly known as ‘The Segway David McInnis Owns’ as mentioned in my Segway Disclaimer, has now changed hands. I’m the proud new owner of a slightly beaten Segway i180, technically the old model, but still a very cool piece of hardware. My first order of Segway business will be to take the unit home and begin exploring my home town of Lynden on it. I would have done it this weekend, but alas I’m traveling to the great state of Texas.
Fortunately the unit became available after David purchased the newest and freshly released i2 Commuter, which I must confess has a cooler look and some features that make me a bit jealous. For example, when he powers up the unit via the “key” which is really the detachable odometer, speedometer, and radio frequency ignition, it makes this cool electronic escalating hum. The front of the i2 also has what looks, at least to me, like a mini main deflector dish from Star Trek, or perhaps the front of a jet engine. Unfortunately I can’t find a picture of that on the Segway site. The unit is a flat black which reminds me with all its led lights and smooth curves of the car Kit from KnightRider.
It also drives significantly different from the i180 - which I’m quite proficient on making me appreciate my new i180 that much more.
Rosey
August 13, 2006 Posted by Al Castle
1 comment so far Categories: Science, Segway
Slap on an outer shell for this thing from Carnegie Mellon and it could pass for the housemaid Rosey from the Jetsons cartoon. Although, it looks like Rosey may have had multiple wheels, never the less this is a pretty cool implementation of alternative robotic mobility.
The gist being that their robot balances and moves by using a single ball, sorta like a ball point pen. They claim this allows the robot to take up less space and allow for greater freedom of movement and speed. The release states, “Because it is omnidirectional, it can move easily in any direction without having to turn first.” Apparently it still has three legs which it uses to stay upright when it’s not actually in motion.
For me I’d like to have a robot that has the option to go on legs for rugged terrain and on a wheel or wheels for speed and elegance. Of course while I’m wishing for magickal ponies, my bot would have it’s own AI and double as my mech suit.
Another balancing robotic system, this one using two wheels has been out for quite awhile from the good folks at Segway, which have the Robotic Mobility Platform. It has to turn first, but is also probably ready to go for commercial applications. Ooow. Looks like Segway has some other items I haven’t spotted before here.
Transition
July 21, 2006 Posted by Al Castle
add a comment Categories: Segway
Just a quick mention that I ran into three guys from Transition Bikes while on my Tour de Fernburg this afternoon. We exchanged pleasantries about my hog ( a term referring in this case to my Segway ). I’m in need of a bike and may check them out later this month. Cool site too.
Dog owners should be leashed.
July 21, 2006 Posted by Al Castle
1 comment so far Categories: Segway
Growing up we raised many dogs, German Shepard’s and purebred Pitbull Terriers each of which had many litters of pups. So for the record I am a dog lover, just not a dog owner lover.
Anyway, it’s a toasty hot day in the Fern and I’m out for a break on my Segway. Cruising down to the park, shocking the natives on my futuristic Jetson-mobile. Breeze rustling my hair like a Baywatch babe….WHAM!
I get caught in a blitzkrieg, pincher maneuver by two neighboring dogs, snapping and snarling at me.
I don’t blame the dogs. I blame the inbred looking owners watching this hybrid of man and machine battle two of Hells Hounds. My top-speed according to the fine folks at Segway is 12mph. I can’t really kick the pooches without a seriously likelihood of loosing my balance and eating pavement. I’m riding at top-speed, this could get ugly.
Like most dogs they give up after I’m far enough away from their yard. Of course now I’m stuck at the end of a dead end. I have no fear of dogs, I love them. But I also know those teeth can tear up my calves or other body parts I deem necessary. So after riding around for a bit, I decide to go top-speed past the houses again. This time they’re not there. Did their owners get off their duffs and intervene?
I don’t ponder the point too long and continue my cruising on over to the Nooksack. All in all it was a good ride. Though my titled point still stands. Those dog owners should be leashed.
