If you’ve ever wanted to have your own Segway you could ride around, without having to go on some lame tour, and the Segway unicycle just wasn’t doing it for you – you’re in luck. The Segway miniPro is as close as you can get to the real Segway, without spending 5 grand. The miniPRO is really more of a “self-balancing scooter” or “self-balancing transporter” than a full-on Segway, but we’ll take it. With 10.5” pneumatic tires, a durable aircraft-grade magnesium alloy frame (even lighter than aluminum) and weight capacity of 220 lbs., it’s compact but still hefty enough to ride around on comfortably. And no hands are required; it features precision sensors that help you keep your balance, and it’s controlled with the knee control bar, which lets you steer just by leaning – kind of like a hover board.
Top speed is 10 MPH, and the battery has a range of 14 miles. The engines are 800-watts a piece and designed to have no problem getting over bumps and ruts in the sidewalk. The device is still small and light enough to carry or stash in your trunk, weighing 28 pounds. Automatic headlights and taillights let you ride safely at night.
And, the miniPro connects to your phone via the app, which lets you adjust light colors and safety features, upgrade firmware and run diagnostics, and move the miniPRO remotely. It also lets you lock the scooter with an Anti-theft alarm, which will alert you on your phone if someone tries to move it.
What do you think? Ready to ride around like a mall cop without the badge? At $500, the Segway miniPRO isn’t a bad deal at all. And it’s fun.
