Any Tours Using The i2 Now?

[Florida Ever-Glides]

If so, how is it going? And, are you training at the same time on both the HT and the PT?

I'm still on the fence whether or not to convert yet. I want to see some period of 'real time' use first.

And, I want lots of questions addressed by 'new group' experience.

It's way too early to convert my units to the i2 until I see if this change is permanent or just another 'new coke' market test.

One of the biggest concerns is the elimination of the 'yellow key speed/turn'. To me, it is much more risky taking large groups on 'red key tours'. My accident record is outstanding for the number of riders we have taken on tour, and there is NOTHING that I will do to compromise 'tour safety'...

[bystander]

Any Tours Using The i2 Now?Does this count? I realize they don't do Segway tours exclusively, but their repertoire does include several Segway tours.

i2 video we took over the last three weeks (http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?t=12963&highlight=sanibel)

Looks like Mr. Kirkland is willing to answer questions:

The i2 (http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?t=12947)

Map shows about 100 miles away from your location by land, less by sea.

[wwhopper]

Right now the first retail deliveries are just starting to happen. Each dealer only got a handful, if that, to have on hand for customer demos, so there is not enough in any one place for a tour company to operate with.

I think it will not be until next month that I2's will be showing up in dealerships in the numbers required for tour companies needs. No tour company will do a mixed fleet tour - that would take way too much time training everyone on two different gliding systems.

I believe that the Phoneix Arizona tour company will be up and gliding soon with close to a dozen of the I'2s as well as Segway Authorized Tour Company in Annapolis MD, Segway of Annapolis. As that dealer is an active participant in DCSEG I know they have more than trippled their initial I'2 order as well as the X2 order, as there has been so much interest in the new machines, and so many deposits placed to hold the orders.

From my experience people who have never been on a Segway, seem to prefer the new machines over the older ones.

[Florida Ever-Glides]

Will,

Are the Segway Authorized Tour Company's also Segway dealers?

[Segway Shawn]

Segway New Mexico is offering a Couples Tour on the New Segway i2. Take a cruise through Historic Old Town in Albuquerque or the Santa Fe Plaza at sunset.

We also offer Nature Tours on the Segway XT that is a whole bunch of fun. Follow a tour guide down along the Bosque trails near the Rio Grande River. See nature up close! This Nature tour is almost as much fun as our fishing tour where we catch "Huge" :eek: Trout and Catfish.

Visit Segway New Mexico's website at http://segwaynm.com (http://segwaynm.com/) for more information on these tours.

[Stewbonz]

According to the video, Billy at Sanibel has been using the new safer Segways on his tours.

Great video here.
http://www.billysrentals.com/flv.php?id=240

.

[joe]

And, are you training at the same time on both the HT and the PT?

Well, all Segway models are now PTs... :rolleyes: so you mean Gen I and Gen II. That's a tough question. At least you'll need two instructors and disallow changing the machines between the attendees.

It's way too early to convert my units to the i2 until I see if this change is permanent or just another 'new coke' market test.

Are you joking? The "market test" is already passed (if there were one) and there is no way back (except maybe a continued i180 model for "special needs" but I doubt).

One of the biggest concerns is the elimination of the 'yellow key speed/turn'.

You should know that the Gen II features a "turtle mode" which is similar to the yellow key, and this setting is lockable too. And for fleets custom programming will be available, I've read.

--
Johannes

[gbrandwood]

You should know that the Gen II features a "turtle mode" which is similar to the yellow key, and this setting is lockable too. And for fleets custom programming will be available, I've read.And the possibility for a master key. Although it's not available now according to the FAQs at Segway.com. I was surprised to read about the possibility of a master key,especially that they already exist for large commercial customers (Gen 1).

[sholloway]

Yes, Segway Authorized Tours have to be a dealer.

[SegwayUtah]

To echo joe, I believe that Segway can program InfoKeys to make the machine top out at various speeds less than 12.5 mph. So you could probably lock your machines into a "black/yellow" equivalent instead of "black/red."

Also, the new "turtle" mode is a bit of a hybrid between the old modes, but is most similar to "black key" speed.

Chris

[Desert_Seg]

Yes, Segway Authorized Tours have to be a dealer.

This is incorrect. According to my understanding of the SegwayAuthorized Tour contract addendum, dealers and / or distributors will be signed as non-exclusive SegwayTour operators. However, Inc reserves has the right to appoint non-dealers as SegwayAuthorized Tour operators.

I would add that the value that folks like Tom bring, and have brought, to the "game" is something not to be taken lightly and that in my opinion (and my OPINION only) is that Inc has approached the dealers first and will soon, as early as next week, approach the non-affiliated Tour operators.

Within my multi-country territory, as an example, I am responsible for appointing and managing the SegwayAuthorized Tour operations. I will obviously seek to support my dealers first but if a dealer isn't able or is unwilling to meet the program guidelines than my contract addendum will clearly state that I have the right appoint whomever I wish.

Steven

[sholloway]

That is very strange. At the dealer meeting it was confirmed several times that only Segway dealers would be considered for the Authorized Segway Tour program. Maybe the information I have only applies to the US. I'll check into again.

[sholloway]

I have confirmed that I am correct inside the US and you are correct outside of the US.

[jayrogo]

If so, how is it going? And, are you training at the same time on both the HT and the PT?

I'm still on the fence whether or not to convert yet. I want to see some period of 'real time' use first.

And, I want lots of questions addressed by 'new group' experience.

It's way too early to convert my units to the i2 until I see if this change is permanent or just another 'new coke' market test.

One of the biggest concerns is the elimination of the 'yellow key speed/turn'. To me, it is much more risky taking large groups on 'red key tours'. My accident record is outstanding for the number of riders we have taken on tour, and there is NOTHING that I will do to compromise 'tour safety'...
The last time I checked the web, pictures of folks in Santa Barbara were using i2 on a tour. They looked like tourists, not guides or locals.
My opinion is the Gen II models are easier for beginners to use than Gen I. I've done a few experiments putting regular/first time users on the Gen II and some on the Gen I. And then one group on both. People said the Gen II felt more "intuitive" than the Gen I.

[polo_pro]

The last time I checked the web, pictures of folks in Santa Barbara were using i2 on a tour. They looked like tourists, not guides or locals.
My opinion is the Gen II models are easier for beginners to use than Gen I. I've done a few experiments putting regular/first time users on the Gen II and some on the Gen I. And then one group on both. People said the Gen II felt more "intuitive" than the Gen I.
I can confirm that Segway of SB uses i2's on tour...we talked about this very topic yesterday when was picking up Eeyore. I loan Eeyore out to them when they have bigger tour groups.

If anyone out there has some strange desire to ride Eeyore, you can always put a special request in with the Segway of SB folks when you do a tour with them. Then you can say you rode the same mangy beast that has done AMAZING thing going places where no segway has been before! 8^) 8^) 8^)

But I have to warn you...watch out...that mule will buck!

[IGlideTours]

You can definitely have them reprogrammed. We will be running tours on the I2 exclusively...probably by this weekend. Feel free to email periodically and I will update on training, etc. lew@iglidetours.com.