12-11-2014, 09:45 AM | #51 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North west England, UK.
Posts: 3,043
|
Just as a minor update to this thread. I have since sold the Airwheel. Whilst I did enjoy riding it and did manage to get back on it after my accident, I fell out of love with it as a serious transportation option, for me at least.
__________________
Gareth Brandwood The comments posted are made by the fat figners of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the brain. |
12-18-2014, 12:51 AM | #52 | |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Clearwater, FL, USA.
Posts: 2,666
|
Quote:
Reflecting on your experience and my own perceptions of the device when I saw the initial videos of it in operation, I really couldn't see the validity of its design, based mainly on the fact that it had only one wheel. Sure, they somehow made it "work" and showed skilled operators on it who were rather convincing. But what I DIDN'T see were any "panic stops" or any slow speed maneuvers which would be rather essential if one were operating it in crowds or busy concourses. But then I could see why we didn't see any such operations, because such aren't really possible on that thing. I'm also not surprised to NOT see any Ryno devices around for similar reasons. Dean Kamen stuck his neck out with the design of the Segway PT, perhaps giving the general public too much credit in expecting mass adoption in large numbers. Even though its design is much more sound and viable, it also carries with it a rather high requirement that the operator be substantially agile, both mentally and physically, and be able to be far more alert and observant than the average Joe so as to avoid gliding mishaps. I've called gliding "low level flight" on a number of occasions. I think the comparison is apt, because airplane pilots are also held to much higher than average levels of alertness, training, preparedness, clear thinking, quick reactions, calmness under pressure and/or dangerous condition, etc. Airplanes cost a lot, mainly because they have be be safety certified and reliable. Same goes for the Segway PT. Operators of both, though, enjoy the uncommon pleasures of flight.
__________________
"Never stop looking for what isn't there." --Monty Wildhorn Dan Swanson To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 727-403-2628 |
|
12-18-2014, 02:46 PM | #53 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Galactic Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha
Posts: 2,086
|
The solowheel seems to me to be more of a sporty hobby, like rollerblading or some such. The Segway is much more "pedestrian" (heh) in its design. The solowheel never tried to be a Segway. It's an electric unicycle, that's all. If you ride a solowheel, you're still riding a unicycle. Panic stops work the same way they do on a unicycle-- You put your feet on the ground. Working in crowds is more difficult, since you need to keep moving to remain stable, but you don't need to be going very fast. The expert at my work can do turns roughly 5 feet in diameter, which is difficult.
Basically, if you don't want to learn a new physical skill, and want a safety-conscious method of transport, the Solowheel is not for you. That doesn't mean it is useless.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "...if you insist on being imprecise in use and unique in definition, you should hardly be surprised that your attempts at communication are poorly understood." -a wise man |
12-19-2014, 09:11 AM | #54 | |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North west England, UK.
Posts: 3,043
|
Quote:
It's such a shame to me that the Ryno, which once talked about travelling at speeds of up to 25MPH, will launch limited to 10MPH (launching next year - they're not out yet). That's the same speed as an Airwheel and slower than a Segway. With less range than a Segway. Shame.
__________________
Gareth Brandwood The comments posted are made by the fat figners of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the brain. |
|
12-19-2014, 11:00 AM | #55 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 555
|
Quote:
There communication is lacking from ever aspect.... Price is OK... |
|
01-01-2015, 11:02 PM | #56 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 23
|
Mini Segway
I too looked at last mile alternatives to my Segway. after reading about Solowheel(and now 100's of copies) I decided to try one of these: Mini Smart Self Balancing Electric Unicycle Scooter balance 2 wheels (sorry I don't NO how to paste a link, look this up on ebay) Not bad! look around as there are already 100's of these! one thing that steered me away from the Solowheel( 1 wheelers) is their legality. This meets the definition of a EPAMD
Last edited by mikemrm; 01-01-2015 at 11:17 PM.. Reason: spelling |
01-02-2015, 09:39 AM | #57 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 71
|
Quote:
|
|
01-02-2015, 10:16 AM | #58 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 23
|
Unicycle?
Yeah I NO. Chinese(Japanese) descriptions (and their manuals) are hilarious! Google the description WITHOUT the unicycle word. Me
|
01-02-2015, 10:38 AM | #59 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 23
|
Hilarious descriptions; tire size: 1700mm
Look up efreefeet.com.(S5-05)It says "tire size: 1700mm"(should be 170mm)! That tire size would give my Segway XT 62.92" of ground clearance! Me
|
01-09-2015, 03:46 PM | #60 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 23
|
29.46"
Sorry, I meant 29.46" of ground clearance.
|
Tags |
crash, onewheel, ouch, solowheel |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 26 (0 members and 26 guests) | |
|
|