07-06-2013, 09:07 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: greenville, sc
Posts: 27
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Over 3 years using Seg as a mobility device
It's been over 3 years since I got my X2 to use as a mobility device and I thought I would share my experience. Forgive the long post but I've got a lot to cover.
I have a rare form of late onset muscular dystrophy which makes it difficult and painful to stand or walk for very long, however I am still able to step up onto the Seg without much problem. I'm 60 years old, 6'5" and weight about 225 lbs. My Seg lives on the back of my old 1992 Dodge 250 Pickup truck. I uses a Segavator for transporting it. I have a SegSaddle so I can sit while gliding. I'm going to break down my experience by Segavator, SegSaddle, and the Seg itself. Transporting the Seg Soon after I bought my Seg my dealer told me he located a used Segavator for $500 at the Seg dealer in Atlanta about 120 miles away. I called them, and went down and picked it up. It was in good shape and hardly used. It took me a few weeks to get my truck wired to run the #10 wire from the engine compartment to the existing trailer plug. Once done it was quick and easy to load and unload the Seg. About 2 years later I started having problems. I've lost the Seg off of the lift 5 times now. Usually it happens as I am turning while coming out of a parking lot and running over the curb. The combination of the jostling and side force of the turn bounce the Seg enough to let a wheel come off the side of the arm and the Seg falls off. The first time it happened I was a half mile down the road before I realized it was gone! After it happened again I realized that the weld where the arm attaches to the lift was cracking which lowered the arm. The lift has has failed twice due to these weld failures. The 2nd time was on the interstate at rush hour. I notice the handle seemed to be tilting more and more. When I finally pulled over the weld failed completely and the Seg fell off. Getting the lift and Seg into the bed of was difficult but I got it done myself. Fortunately I had a welder and employees that fixed it for me. We reinforced the joint using a 1/4" plate on top of the arm. That has solved the weld cracking for now. The other lift failure was at the bracket with the series of holes in it that allow adjustment up and down. The bracket cracked through the hole that I keep the bottom pin in. Again we welded up the crack and redrilled the hole. I believe that the cause of the weld failures is the heavy suspension at the rear of my truck. The 3/4 ton suspension is hard unless I have a heavy load in the bed. The jarring from bumps forced the Seg down hard enough that over time it fatigued the weld. The bracket failure was caused by an employee that backed into the Segavator from the side. No one told me until after he no longer worked for me so that he wouldn't get into trouble. This had elongated the adjustment hole which ultimately lead to the cracking. The last time I lost the Seg off the lift I was going 35mph and hit the equivalent of a speed bump. I looked in the rear view mirror to see the Seg going end over end behind me. I went back put the key on it, started it up and drove it back onto the lift. I ended up bending both wheels, and the handlebar. $300 for new wheels and pounding the handlebar back into shape and I was as good as new. I now use a rope to tie around the Segavator and the Seg. Since I started using the rope I haven't had another problem. The SegSaddle. Like most people that want a seat, I couldn't find anyone local that had a seat I could try. I chose the one that at the time seemed to be the best for me. I knew I wanted a gen 2 Seg so I did as much on line research that I could and chose the SegSaddle. SegSaddle wouldn't sell the seat directly to me. They required that I go through a dealer so that he could install the seat and verify that it was working properly. My dealer said that he would sell me the seat at his cost but he wouldn't install it (liability issues). I installed the seat easily. It only used 4 bolts. The seat comfort has been OK but not as good as I was hoping. I think my size works against me. My sit bones are wider than most people. Also my butt muscles are wasting away. The gel material is probably the best that could be used but my butt gets sore and numb after about 1/2 hour. I can fidget and reposition to get some relief but if I can find somewhere else to sit for a while it feels good to get off of it. Since the Seg stays on the back of my truck I get road dirt and grime on the lower part of the Seg including the mechanism that engages the foot sensors. The two plates that transmit the seat/foot forces have a thin gap that gets clogged with grit causing binding of the mechanism. This is a safety issue since the Seg foot pads can be engaged even though I have gotten off the Seg. I always reach down and pull up on the plates to make sure they disengage. About six months ago it started getting difficult to disengage the plates. I removed the seat mechanism, took it apart, and found that the seat base was made of steel and was rusting where the grit had been accumulating. The grit had eaten through the powder coat, exposing the steel, allowing rust. I sanded the rust away and used primer and paint to finish the repair. Also about 6 months ago the seat cracked. It hasn't caused much problems so I haven't followed up with SegSaddle to get it repaired/replaced. These issues aside, I really like using the seat. I use it for all my shopping and can push shopping carts using my hands and steering with the inside of my thighs. I have pushed home depot carts loaded with 4 sheets of plywood, 16 2x4s, and other things that weighed hundreds of pounds with no problems. Starting is easy but stopping takes a little longer so you have to "drive defensively" and anticipate having to stop. I usually have to stop once or twice each shopping trips to talk with curious people. The Segway I bought the Segway x2 used through my local dealer. I live on 7 1/2 acres on a hill leading down to a river. I thought I would use the X2 off road a lot, however, the first time I tried to go through a doorway I regretted the extra width of the X2 tires. I could just barely fit through a 3 foot door by literally squeaking on both side of the door frame. I2 wheels and fenders solved the problem and I have gone all over my property with very few problems. I have crashed more times than I can remember. I tell people that the way that guys learn what something will do is to find out what it won't do. I learned quickly that if you spin a wheel you are going down. All of my crashes have been my fault. I push the limits until I go down. Soon after buying the Seg I started having problems where it would not start up unless I plugged it. A few times it went into emergency shut down while I was in a store. My dealer found that my X2 was under recall for a faulty communications board. We sent it to the factory where they said it wasn't the board, but my batteries. It cost me $600 for this information plus $1700 for new batteries. It didn't solve the problem. Segway sent a new board to my dealer. Once installed the problem has never happened again. Segway refused to do anything about the $2300. Except for the above problem I have had no other problems with the Seg. I have abused it a lot of different ways and it has kept on running. I honestly thought it was ruined a couple of times, but it would start up and go right on. I did have to buy new I2 wheels since the first ones got bent from losing the Seg and it going end over end. Both wheels got bent. The Seg ran OK with the bent wheels but people were constantly telling me my wheels were bent. ADA problems - dealing with ignorance. I have had very few people challenge me while using my Seg. I have been in numerous Walmarts, grocery stores, Michaels, Lowes, Home Depots, without any issues. A few years ago I was told over the phone that I couldn't use my Seg at the Columbia SC zoo. That was when I started researching ADA rules. I was stopped at my local library. I immediately told him that I used it as a mobility device and he backed off and said I should bring in my handicap placard the next time I came in. Any other time that I have been challenged I said I would file an ADA complaint against them and their objections disappeared. Just recently I was told that I couldn't use the Seg at a music festival that I am planning to go to in Michigan. My son is playing with my sisters family band. The organizers were OK with it but the county campground board said no. My sister and the organizers passed ADA information that I gave them to the campground. I found out a few days ago that I am welcome to use the Seg. I hope that this information will help others that are considering using the Seg as a mobility device. I am going to be gone to the music festival for the next few weeks, but will check back in when I get back. Jeff |
07-06-2013, 09:26 PM | #2 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Marin County, CA
Posts: 3,783
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Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I once almost lost my entire Segvator + Segway on the freeway, due to a weld failure on the hitch. Fortunately, the remaining welds held, and it merely dragged along the freeway, sharpening the trailing edge of the Segvator... I replaced the hitch, and all has been well since. The way my Segvator grips my Seg, it would take an actual collision to dislodge it. But a weld failure or other damage would certainly change the picture. The upper arms should press down firmly on the floor mats, with some tension. You shouldn't be able to move it at all, and the tension should be same on both sides (and should make contact at the same time). I do have a bit of damage to the thinner metal where the wheels rest. That can be hand-bent back into position; it doesn't affect much. But if I had a way to secure my Segway independently of the Segvator, I'd do it. It could save both Segway and Segvator.
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07-06-2013, 09:27 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 792
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Glad you're happy with your setup!
It's very strange that Segway did not give you a refund, which you need. You should call them and tell them about it so that they can do something for you. It doesn't take much to get used to segways. |
07-06-2013, 09:34 PM | #4 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 792
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Quote:
Never did I lose a Segway again. Had an i2 stolen before the cable was added so after buying a new Segway, enough was enuff! |
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07-07-2013, 12:03 AM | #5 |
Glides a lot, talks more...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
Posts: 10,356
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yes, thanks OPMD.
It is great to hear these stories about how the segway works, and how people work their way around obstacles. Have a good time at the Music Festival, and feel free to share any adventures there...
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Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
07-07-2013, 09:13 AM | #6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 38
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Confused
I'm a little confused. What would Segway give him a refund for?
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07-07-2013, 01:55 PM | #7 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 792
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Quote:
"Soon after buying the Seg I started having problems where it would not start up unless I plugged it. A few times it went into emergency shut down while I was in a store. My dealer found that my X2 was under recall for a faulty communications board. We sent it to the factory where they said it wasn't the board, but my batteries. It cost me $600 for this information plus $1700 for new batteries. It didn't solve the problem. Segway sent a new board to my dealer. Once installed the problem has never happened again. Segway refused to do anything about the $2300." |
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07-07-2013, 08:23 PM | #8 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 38
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Out of warranty
Quote:
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07-07-2013, 09:05 PM | #9 | |
Glides a lot, talks more...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
Posts: 10,356
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Quote:
I do not recall a recall of the segways, but rather there was a grace period where that board would be replaced for free if other repairs were being done, or some situation like that. I do recall there was a specific time frame to have this repair done, however, and that has passed, several years ago. After that, I do not think there was any warranty that covered this. It is quite possible that the machine was from that time, but had not been repaired. When it went to the factory, the communication board may have worked fine. (they had a tendency to fail intermittently) but the batteries may have been under performing. Since this was originally on machines manufactured in 2006, and he has had the machine for 3 years, by 2010, those 4 year old batteries may have been under performing. All this makes sense to me so far. However, if he did send it in for repair, stating that it has symptoms consistent with a bad communication board, and they charged him for other repairs, and the original problem persisted, and that communication board ultimately had to be replaced, they may have made some modification to the costs of the repairs. We do not know if this is so. It is possible that the second repair for the board was only a cost of the board, and no labor charge, or that they may have called and gave him the option to repair that board on the first repair, but he opted out because they did not find it malfunctioning at the time, or any one of a dozen other possible scenarios. I have spent a career in electronic service and repair, and his story did not have enough details for any of us to fully understand all the details, and I do not believe it was intended to. It was to tell us what happened, not why or exactly to what detail. So, while it is nice and fun to take not enough information and debate it to death, and I sometimes do just that, it is also not something that can have a single right answer.
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Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
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07-22-2013, 08:26 AM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 84
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Thanks !
Thanks! Enjoyed reading it. Haven't had your issues, but have a segvator and now will inspect it closely! I don't transport often, but when i do, I always use a bungee, now I know why!
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