View Full Version : The "Sight-Unseen" Factor
Brooster
12-01-2002, 12:08 AM
Here's something I've been thinking about over the past several days ...
It's something I've not seen being discussed much, and something that (in my opinion) will definitely affect the ultimate outcome of Segway LLC's success in this initial ofering.
$5G is a pretty good chunk of change. And let's face it, 99% of Americans have never seen a Segway with their own two eyes. Fewer yet have personally witnessed one in operation. Fewer yet have ridden one.
$5G is a lot of money to part with (for almost anyone) in these economic times, for something only seen on TV or in a Web video. If it weren't for my having a very understanding and generous wife, I'd not be among the early adopters.
For those of you "on the fence," I'll say this: I'm one of the extremely few lucky people who have ridden it. I'm not a Segway employee or anything like that ... just someone who has had a good opportunity to look over this device, learn a bit about it, and ride it. It's incredible. It's "for real." It's not "cheap and plasticy." If anything, it's overbuilt. The fit and finish and attention to detail are superb. It exceeded my expectations, and I'm sure that the others who have ridden it ... Weskifm, 4Seg, Frank T, MomentOne ... will agree. My impression is that this is a machine built to last a long time.
I know that most people wouldn't even buy a $5,000 used car without thoroughly looking at it and driving it. Dropping $5G on a device you've never seen in person is a big leap of faith. To most of you, I'm just some guy writing on the Internet, but I'm here to tell you that it's a leap of faith that you won't be disappointed in.
I'd like to see Dean and his team rewarded for their work, and for making the i-Series available to us. If you're "on the fence" about this, I hope these words will help.
Broo
Brooster
BBBix
12-01-2002, 12:42 AM
Right on.....I got a ride in Oct. and the words that you said couldn't be truer. I love the machine and if I wasn't 16 years old and short 5k, I would have already bought one.
Bill B.
Brooster
12-01-2002, 12:51 AM
Thanks BBBix. I didn't know you'd been on one. Congrats on the ride ... you're one of the lucky few! Pretty cool, huh?
Brooster
Cube128
12-01-2002, 01:02 AM
BBBix, perhaps you could fork over 3 or 4 thousand, and somehow convince your relatives to chip in the rest? Those are my tentative plans.
Brooster
12-01-2002, 01:09 AM
Cube, if it wasn't for you, your attentivenes to Segway's "Calendar and Events" page and your post on TIQ way back when, I'd never have had that ride. Thanks again, and I hope you get one soon.
Broo
Brooster
BBBix
12-01-2002, 01:30 AM
Well, I have a job and am slowly pulling in some dough......Eventually I will get one, it is just a matter of time (hopefully by college, great for zipping around campus). The one advantage to waiting is that either the price will drop or there will be more upgrades (say some Li ion or Li poly batteries) or both.
The ride was great...
Our FIRST team (# 418) was invited to demonstrate out robot at the Scoiety of Petrolium Engineers (SPE) convention in San Antonio.
We were setting up out robot when, much to our suprise, 8 Segways come rolling into our booh. Throughout the day, I would hop on them whenever there was no line and I accumlated about 30 min of time on them.
Wow.......These devices are amazing, I'm hooked. The first thing that I noticed when I steped onto it was how stable it was. It took about 30 sec to get the hang of it. Too much fun. My body instantly aligned with the device and within 5 seconds of being on it, it was like it was an extention of my body. It is amazing how even on the beginner key it is so responsive.
The best part was, I jokingly asked one of the Segway reps when Dean Kamen was coming (I had no idea that he would show up) and I was told that he would me there in 2 hrs. How Cool!!!!! I got to meet Dean. Yaay. (and I was grinning foolishly for days afterward)
Here are a couple of pics....
This is part of my team with Dean Kamen (our robot is just barely visible in the background). I am the second one in from the left.
http://www.lbjhs.net/~bixlerw/team.jpg
And here is me on one of those amazing devices.
http://www.lbjhs.net/~bixlerw/pic5.jpg
Bill B.
Brooster
12-01-2002, 01:55 AM
Cool, Bill Bix! Thanks for posting here with us "old guys." Sounds like your involvement in FIRST has brought you some tremendous experiences. Makes me wish I was your age again.
I should re-formulate the levels of Segway Luckiness:
4) Seeing a Segway with your own eyes.
3) Seeing a Segway in operation.
2) Riding one.
1) Getting to meet Dean.
Excellent stuff. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Brooster
GlideMaster
12-01-2002, 01:58 AM
Hi Brooster,
Well you know how I feel. Even though I get to ride more than most, I want my own more than most.
How does that old Kool Aide song go:
I love Segway; real great
Want my Segway; can't wait
<center>REMEMBER:
Responsible Riders Ride Segway
and
Segway Riders Ride Responsibly
Segway, The Mind Changer</center>
Brooster
12-01-2002, 02:13 AM
Weski, I'd say your SegTime makes you (with the exception of meeting the inventor) the luckiest of all! You've been a great resource of info for all of us. You, if anyone, should be able to tell people that the "Sight-Unseen Factor" shouldn't be a factor in an "on the fence" situation.
Whaddya think? Should people buy this thing without seeing it?
Brooster
GlideMaster
12-01-2002, 02:28 AM
<center>Thanks Brooster!
I think the end of my slogan says it all.</center>
<center>Segway, The Mind Changer</center>
<center>But don't forget!</center>
<center>REMEMBER:
Responsible Riders Ride Segway
and
Segway Riders Ride Responsibly
Segway, The Mind Changer</center>
Oh yes! And by all means buy the Segway. And in your case Brooster buy two (2). One for you and one for Lady Broo.
quote:Originally posted by Brooster
Weski, I'd say your SegTime makes you (with the exception of meeting the inventor) the luckiest of all! You've been a great resource of info for all of us. You, if anyone, should be able to tell people that the "Sight-Unseen Factor" shouldn't be a factor in an "on the fence" situation.
Whaddya think? Should people buy this thing without seeing it?
Brooster
Brooster
12-01-2002, 02:39 AM
LadyBroo is the catalyst. :D
If there were to be a second Segway in the family, I wouldn't get a Christmas present for what ... six years? LOL!
I think we can find a way to travel together, one on the bike and one on the Seg. We'll figger it out. :)
I'm just thrilled to be part of it. It still hasn't fully sunk in.
WOW ... (as J10 told me) ... "Dude, I'm gettin' a Segway!"
Brooster
wderooy
12-01-2002, 11:29 AM
Is financing not available for Segway HT? It seems to me banks are missing a bet. At this point, can a blue-book value be established?
In America everything is bought on credit, why not this item?
JohnM
12-01-2002, 12:20 PM
quote:Originally posted by Walter deRooy
Is financing not available for Segway HT? It seems to me banks are missing a bet. At this point, can a blue-book value be established?
In America everything is bought on credit, why not this item?
There are somethings that money can't buy.
For everything else, there's MasterCard.
Runnin' with the Big Dogs
Blinky
12-02-2002, 09:49 AM
The quote:re are somethings that money can't buy.
For everything else, there's MasterCard
Isn't this the truth! Especially this year in holiday shopping :(
GlideMaster
12-02-2002, 10:07 AM
Brooster you don't want the Segway necessarily when you see it, but you do want the Segway once you ride it. Like the slogan says: <center>Segway, The Mind Changer</center>
<center>REMEMBER:
Responsible Riders Ride Segway
and
Segway Riders Ride Responsibly
Segway, The Mind Changer</center>
quote:Originally posted by Brooster
Weski, I'd say your SegTime makes you (with the exception of meeting the inventor) the luckiest of all! You've been a great resource of info for all of us. You, if anyone, should be able to tell people that the "Sight-Unseen Factor" shouldn't be a factor in an "on the fence" situation.
Whaddya think? Should people buy this thing without seeing it?
Brooster
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