Talk:Observation wheel

References?

Are there any references for accepted public use of the Ferris wheel -- observation wheel distinction, or is this just some nitpicker's arbitrary definition? From [1] it would certainly appear that an observation wheel was a type of Ferris wheel. Ropers 23:00, 9 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Please explain how it is decided that Ferris wheels and observation wheels are distinct. It seems to me that the purpose and appearance of these things is so overwhelmingly similar, despite some of the engineering and ideas used in observation wheels being new, that it's perverse to block us using the familiar word. --Hotlorp 01:31, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)

This article should be removed and replaced with a redirect to Ferris wheel. "Observation wheel" is merely a generic descriptive substitution like "high-voltage AC coil" for "Tesla coil", and the distinction here is misinformed, marketing-driven propaganda. Common sense makes my case but there's plenty of good support:

The source of this distinction is marketing. Check out this rhetoric disguised as a FAQ buried in the javascript of the brochure web site for the London Eye: "Is it a Ferris wheel? No it isn't - for three reasons, firstly that its capsules are enclosed, secondly that they are positioned on the outside of the wheel and thirdly that the whole structure is supported by an A-Frame from one side only."
The requirements of the category are unsupported assertions that are not, upon inspection, any more than design decisions:
- The original Ferris wheel had enclosed capsules also.
- Neither specific position of the cars on the wheel, nor how they are stabilized, nor one-sided support has anything to do with the main purpose of the device or the definition of the words 'observation wheel'.
The requirements are not consistently met by real-world examples. The third photo in this article shows the Yorkshire Wheel - classified as an "observation wheel" - which does not meet 3 of the stated requirements: the cars are gravity-stabilized, the cars are not mounted outside the frame, and the wheel has two support towers.

Ironically, the category that the marketers and this article seem to be trying to describe has more in common with the original Ferris wheel than most modern examples referred to with that moniker - the average fairground portable with open gondolas that fit 2 to 6 seated. I would recommend edits to the Ferris wheel article that would assert that observation wheels as a subtype of Ferris wheel that typically:

feature fully enclosed cars,
are larger and slower than most fair/park types, and
are permanently situated for beautiful or interesting sweeping vistas

... these being distinctions that make sense and are reflected by examples in the real world. --Metaxis 06:59, 4 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

(see also http://londoneye.com/SiteImages/Assets/8/102.pdf for the "Is it a Ferris wheel?" text quoted above) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.173.5.164 (talk) 06:45, 26 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Melbourne Australia is also building a simmilar wheel dubbed the Souther Star observation wheel.

Guys -- let's agree to disagree. Perhaps the difference is in the eye of the beholder...er, observer. ;)

---

I agree with the "This article should be removed and replaced with a redirect to Ferris wheel" suggestion, unless someone can provide a proper reference and explanation for the distinction between a Ferris wheel and an observation wheel. (FWIW I just noticed that the London Eye article intro now states "...the Eye remains the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.") 118.173.5.164 (talk) 06:06, 26 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Update?

Is there updated information to the Las Vegas project? I couldnt find anything. 129.42.208.182 23:30, 2 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Purpose?

So, what is the purpose of these things? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 199.111.231.67 (talk) 14:49, 7 December 2006 (UTC).[reply]

contradict-other tag

article contradicts the London Eye article because they don't agree on what's the biggest Observation Wheel (since they don't agree on what is and is not an Obs. wheel. Suggest using clearer definitions of O. Wheel and Ferris wheel. Don't know what though. Please be certain when you change it that you know for certain Obs. wheel is a common term, coz it looks like a ferris wheel to me. 203.221.126.225 22:52, 19 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The London Eye claims to be the Worlds largest Cantilevered obs. wheel, as it is supported on one side only, so it does not contradict. Martin451 (talk) 22:26, 22 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This article also contradicts itself because because Star of Nanchang breaks criteria 2 and 3 in the article, as does the Yorkshire Wheel, pictured in the article. Singapore Flyer (also pictured in the article) also breaks item 3. J.S. 2007-08-29