In this detailed review we are going to go through some of the distinctive features of the Segway i2 SE and the Segway x2 SE. And also we would give you some basic information about it’s price and how to find the best supplier / dealer for this important personal transporter.
The i2 SE and x2 SE are the big brothers in the Consumer & Lifestyle line of products that the company offers. Compared to the miniPRO or the One S1, this is a much bigger transporter, but it offers great benefits for those willing to spend the “extra space” that it will take to store it and transport it.
Segway calls the i2 SE and the x2 SE models indistinctively as “the Segway PT”, for Personal Transporter. We will be using that acronym too in this review.
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Important information to keep in mind before purchasing the Segway PT
The PT will need to be assembled and charged for about 12 hours before it can be used for the first time. Do not skip this step if you are planning or already purchased a Segway i2 or x2.
Also it’s important to write down the serial numbers of your PT and the InfoKey Controller (the tiny computer controller that it’s attached to the main shaft). If you ever need a service or order a replacement, you might need to provide these numbers. can provide helpful information in the future for asset and warranty tracking, insurance claims, and in case of loss or theft. Store the serial numbers in a secure location, separate from your PT.
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Please refer to your Segway i2 SE or x2 SE owners manual in order to find the exact locations of these numbers.
Your Segway i2 / x2 SE best friend is the owner’s manual, that you can find online in http://www.segway.com/support/manuals-guides, under Manual & guides, alongside with a handful of other useful material.
What is the Segway PT / i2 / x2 SE?
The Segway PT is a personal transporter vehicle, that uses self balancing technology to allow the rider to move and turn.
The i2 SE model is optimized for indoor/outdoor use in a wide variety of environments.
The x2 SE model is optimized for outdoor use and has larger wheels and wider tires with knobby treads. The x2’s wider stance and low pressure tires provide increased stability and traction on more varied and rough terrain. The x2 is not intended for use on sidewalks.
How does the Segway PT Works?
The PT works like the human body, using technology called dynamic stabilization to maintain its balance and move forward or backward. When walking, if you lean forward, you take a step forward to keep your balance. If you lean back, you step back. On a PT when you lean forward or back the machine powers the wheels in the direction that you lean. When you lean, your center of gravity moves beyond the contact patch (the place where the tire contacts the ground) causing the PT to tilt. The PT’s systems sense this change, powering the wheels to keep them underneath you.
When you pivot the LeanSteer Frame left, the PT turns left. When you pivot the LeanSteer Frame right, the PT turns right. To turn the PT, point the LeanSteer Frame in the direction you want to go, keeping the Handlebar in line with your body. When the LeanSteer Frame is centered, the PT travels straight ahead.
The PT’s dynamic stabilization technology balances forward and backward but not side-to-side. If you tip the PT onto one Wheel, it will not dynamically bring itself underneath you and it could fall over. You are responsible for maintaining side-to-side stability while riding the PT. To do this, keep your body aligned with the LeanSteer Frame. Lean into turns and lean uphill when riding across a slope to maintain side-to-side balance
About the Slow Speed Roll Compensation Feature of the Segway
The PT utilizes a feature called Roll Compensation that separates steering input from terrain changes. This allows the rider to ride in a straight line over uneven terrain by keeping the LeanSteer Frame oriented straight up and down. When riding at low speeds and on slopes, Roll Compensation is reduced, allowing for more precise control at slow speeds as well as reducing steering drift during power on. As the rider’s speed increases, Roll Compensation increases, as well.
Beginner Setting Mount/Dismount Feature
The Segway PT LeanSteer technology was designed to provide responsive steering. The software includes a feature to help new riders easily learn how to mount and dismount the PT without unintentionally initiating a turn.
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When the PT is in Beginner Setting and the rider has less than two of the four Rider Detect Sensors engaged, and the PT is moving neither forward or backward, the sensitivity of the LeanSteer frame is 15% of normal operation. When the PT is in Beginner Setting and the rider has two feet on the PT, and the PT is moving neither forward or backward, the sensitivity of the LeanSteer frame is 55% of normal operation. As the PT’s speed increases, the sensitivity of the LeanSteer frame is gradually increased.
How to set up your i2 / x2 SE Segway?
The Segway PT comes packaged with several disassembled parts, that you will need to put together. When you open the package you will find:
- Handlebar
- LeanSteer Frame
- LeanSteer Frame Fasteners
- Segway PT Powerbase
- Mats
- InfoKey: Controller, Dock, Fastener
- PT Batteries (2, in separate box)
- Power cord (for charging the PT Batteries)
- Wrench set (3 mm and 5 mm hex)
- User Materials & Safety Video (USB drive)
- Segway PT Limited Warranty/Guarantee
Assembling the PT is easy, but needs to be done with care and special attention. We are not going to cover the details in this review, as those are very well explained the owners manual assembly section. The manuals comes with detail explanation and schematics on how to assembly the PT.
Keep in mind that you will need a torque wrench (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench) with a 3mm bit and a hex wrench (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hex_key) with a 3mm bit to complete the full assembly process.
Remember that the batteries will need a 12 hour charge cycle before it’s first use.
What is the InfoKey Controller of the Segway PT?
The InfoKey Controller is one of the main components of the Segway i2 / x2 SE, and allows the rider to operate and monitor the vehicle. The InfoKey Controller has four buttons around the outer edge and a display in the center. The InfoKey Controller must be within 15 ft. (5 m) in order to communicate with your Segway PT.
The InfoKey buttons allow you to select PT functions and scroll through various information, including: powering the PT on and off, toggling the beginner on and off, scroll through information (time, date, speed, avg. speed, trip distance, odometer), set configuration options, and activate the security features.
The InfoKey Controller display provides status information such as messages and warnings, through various icons.
Check out the Segway i2 / x2 SE manual in order to know more about the InfoKey features and operation.
What are the safety controls in the Segway i2 / x2 SE?
The Segway PT comes equipped with several safety alerts. These include:
- Speed Limiter
- Stick Shake Warning
- Safety Shutdown
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When you approach the maximum allowed speed, the PT’s Speed Limiter will push the Handlebar back to slow you down. This is an alert that you are moving too fast! When the Speed Limiter pushes the Handlebar back, stop leaning forward and slow down.
One of the ways that the PT notifies you when you are at risk of falling is by shaking the Handlebar and making growling noises. This is called the Stick Shake Warning. The Stick Shake Warning can occur in conjunction with, or independent of the Speed Limiter and Safety Shutdown alert, depending on your riding situation.
When riding, the Stick Shake Warning occurs if you demand too much power from the PT. The Stick Shake Warning can happen when riding on a steep slope, over rough terrain, against an obstacle, or when accelerating or decelerating abruptly. The Stick Shake Warning also occurs if you ride backward too fast or if you try to step on the PT when it is not ready to balance. The Stick Shake Warning is more likely to occur when your Batteries are low, cold, heavily used, or poorly maintained because there is less energy available to keep you balanced.
You do not have to be riding the PT for the Stick Shake Warning to occur. The Stick Shake Warning occurs if the PT is moved too quickly while in Riderless Balance Mode. Riderless Balance Mode is when the PT is in Balance mode without a rider standing on the Powerbase. The Stick Shake Warning also occurs if the Wheels spin as you pull the PT over a curb or up stairs.
If the PT detects a fault in any of its redundant systems or a Battery is depleted beyond its safe limit, it performs a Safety Shutdown. When a Safety Shutdown occurs, the PT automatically reduces its speed, gives the Stick Shake Warning (shakes the Handlebar and makes growling noises), flashes the Balance Indicator lights, emits a warning tone, and the InfoKey Controller displays an unhappy face. You have approximately 10 seconds from the start of a Safety Shutdown to come to a controlled stop and step off.
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How to find the best price deals for the Segway i2 SE / x2 SE?
I wish there was an easy answer for this one. It’s not that easy to find the best price online. Amazon, at the moment of writing, is not selling the i2 SE nor the x2 SE, only its smaller vehicles, like the One S1 or the miniPRO.
Although there are also some other online eCommerce sites where you can find the i2 SE and x2 SE, our recommendation is that you start with the official dealers listed on Segway’s website: http://www.segway.com/dealers .
These two models aren’t cheap! Starting around u$s 5,000 for the i2 SE and u$s 6,000 for the x2 SE, this is not the device you want to purchase from the first online shop you find.
Go to the dealers list and explore your options there. Look for the ones closer to your location. Remember that your dealer would be the contact point to assist you and help you if you have any issues with your PT. Is better that you find yourself a good dealer you are comfortable with, close to your location if possible.
Do a little bit of research first. You may find that some of these dealers are actually bikes or car shops. Just contact them by email or by their website contact form. See how well and quick they respond to your inquiry. Request them to briefly comment about prices, deals, and warranty coverage and assistance they offer.
You can even write a simple email template and send this to several of the dealers you choose. This will give you valuable insight on the shop and their customer service.
On a side note, you can also search for new or used offers in eBay. But we will stick to our recommendation. This is not a cheap piece of equipment. You should find a dealer with good support and assistance. If this comes in the form of a company website that allows you to purchase and get your support easily online, all the better! But do your research first to avoid headaches later on.
Segway Dealers that replied to our online questions
I took on the task of contacting each an every official Segway Dealer showcased in the Segway.com website in the USA, and see how good their response to online inquiries was. I presented myself as the main writer and editor of GearPriest.com and let them know we have special articles reviewing the Segway I2 / X2, and that we would like to mention them on the articles. Obviously this is not a purchase inquiry, but nonetheless an interesting business proposition, as they would potentially be exposed to more people.
These are Official Segway Dealers, all with websites where renting and selling Segways is a main part of their businesses. I contacted them using their own published contact information, as any customer interested in purchasing a Segway would.
I’ve got replies and good attention from the following dealers:
If this seems a quite short list in comparison to the dealers there are in the USA, your are totally right! It really struck me how few of these business actually cared to answer inquiries through their own published contact email and Facebook pages. A few of them were impossible to reach, with emails bounced and Facebook pages not event online anymore. But the rest of the official dealers (the ones not listed here) where contacted at least twice through email and/or facebook pages and didn’t answered the messages. This does not imply they have bad customer service, we did NOT try the good old phone call, and all of them have a published number if you want to try that on your own.
If you are a Segway Dealer and want to be listed, please contact us at GearPriest.com, our form does work and we reply to every message in a few days ;).
What are the Segway i2 SE / x2 SE Specs?
| Rider and Cargo Limits | i2 SE | x2 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Payload (Rider plus all Cargo) | 260 lbs (117 kg) | 260 lbs (117 kg) |
| Minimum Rider Weight | 100 lbs (45 kg) | 100 lbs (45 kg) |
| Maximum Handlebar Cargo Weight | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Performance | i2 SE | x2 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 12.5 mph (20 km/h) | 12.5 mph (20 km/h) |
| Energy (Rechargeable Batteries) | Lithium Ion (Li-ion) | Lithium Ion (Li-ion) |
| Range on a Full Charge | 16 – 24 mi (26 – 39 km) | 9 – 12 mi (14 – 19 km) |
| Turning Radius | Zero. The wheels can rotate in opposite directions, enabling the Segway PT to turn in place | |
| Tire Inflation Pressure | 15 psi (1.03 bar) | 4 psi (.275 bar) |
| Power Requirements (Worldwide) | 100 – 240 V~; 50 or 60 Hz | 100 – 240 V~; 50 or 60 Hz |
| Dimensions | i2 SE | x2 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Weight Without Batteries | 82 lbs (37 kg) | 96 lbs (44 kg) |
| Ground Clearance (Unloaded) | 3.4 in (8.5 cm) | 4.4 in (11.2 cm) |
| Machine Length and Width | 25.5 x 25 in (65 x 63 cm) | 26.5 x 33 in (67 x 84 cm) |
| Handlebar Height from Mat | 38 – 43 in (97 – 109 cm) | 38 – 43 in (97 – 109 cm) |
| Handlebar Height from Ground (Unloaded) | ) 46 – 51 in (117 – 130 cm) | 47 – 52 in (119 – 132 cm) |
| Powerbase Height (Unloaded) | 8 in (20 cm) | 9 in (22.9 cm) |
| Tire Diameter | 19 in (48.3 cm) | 21 in (53.3 cm) |
| Tire Type | Standard | All-terrain |
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Operating Limits
The Segway PT has some limits to maximize rider safety while reducing the risk of damage to the device. The Segway PT will perform better when you observe these limits.
To keep the Segway PT and rider upright, the Segway PT must always have enough power to be able to drive its wheels forward and backward. Exceeding the weight limits, especially when combined with other variables that require more power, will increase your risk of falling or damaging the Segway PT. Variables that require more power include: Higher payloads (weight of rider and all cargo), Steeper slopes, Bumpier surface conditions, Higher speeds, Abrupt maneuvers.
The Segway PT monitors the amount of power being used and will activate safety alerts when it senses excessive power demands. It is important that you learn to anticipate and recognize when the Segway PT is reaching the limits of performance.
Minimum Rider Weight: The rider’s weight must not be less than 100 lbs (45 kg). If the rider is below the minimum rider weight, he/she may not be able to ride safely because he/she cannot shift his/her weight far enough back (behind the centerline of the wheels) to safely slow down and stop. This is especially true when riding downhill. Also, riders below the minimum weight may not sufficiently activate the rider detect system, failing to properly interact with the Segway PT’s balancing system.
Handlebar Cargo: The total weight of any handlebar payload plus any other attachments hanging from the handlebar must not exceed 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
Structural Weight Limits (Maximum Payload): The maximum payload (rider plus all cargo) is 260 lbs (117 kg).
Where can I learn more about the Segway i2 SE and x2 SE?
The best place to go or more information is the Segway website itself: http://www.segway.com . Also you can check out the guides, manuals and other support material on their website: http://www.segway.com/support/manuals-guides.
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