Powerchair vs mobility scooter vs batec

Steve_in_The_City

@Poppy_ I will continue to look in to having a powerchair. There are a few situations where a powerchair would be better for me, that much I have learned. So I will continue to investigate and see if I can hire one.

@katwater51 It is not a silly question to ask about the battery. The battery is one of the most important things to consider when buying a mobility scooter. The greater the range, the more it will cost. Mine has a 13 mile range, but that is in perfect driving conditions; smooth level pavements etc. The battery in mine is in a sort of container, and the entire container has to be replaced. It is about £170. After 4 years of use the bike is battered and bruised. The front tyres are bald and it won't be long before the vinyl seat gives out. Once the battery starts to fail you find that you can no longer manage the longer journeys, and then even shorter journeys become problematic as the battery starts to drain.

I don't know if you are in the market for a mobility scooter, but if you are look for one with all round suspension (front and rear wheels) because it is a bit of a bumpy ride!

katwater51

Hello @Steve_in_The_City thanks for your summary about batteries & wear and tear. This is all news to me. 

It’s funny what you’ve mentioned about a bumpy ride - the scooter I hired to test has hard tyres and I suspect no suspension. I guess its a basic model. It’s a right bone shaker! It’s not helpful for pain levels! This is a useful piece of advice thanks. (The other thing I’ve found is the scooter’s tyres are obnoxiously noisy on bubble footpaths and brick-style paving.)

I had a small try-out of your method and managed to alternate hands. Following your advice, when on longer straight bits, I also managed to push my whole left hand behind the lever to go forwards. This didn’t call for too much effort through the left hand but also took a bit of strain off the right hand. My arms muscles are burning a bit this morning though. It’s hard to know causation - maybe they’d have been bad today anyway due to the flare up and poor sleep. I think I should give it a few days and then try it again. 

Kat. 

Steve_in_The_City

Hi @katwater51 Solid tyres mean noise but no punctures! All round suspension will help with the noise just a little bit and will make your ride marginally less bumpy. On the plus side the noise makes people aware of you. If you are stuck behind slow walking pedestrians and they hear your scooter, they step aside and let you pass.

katwater51

Thanks @Steve_in_The_City, these are good points to bear in mind. I noticed that people could hear me! 😃

katwater51

@Steve_in_The_City @Alex_Scope @Poppy_ @Wibbles
just want to say thanks for taking the time to give me advice. I’ve (finally) managed to make it to a shop with a friend’s help to look at some powerchairs.

Your advice helped me to narrow down the issues and know what questions to ask. There’s a lot to consider and it’s such a massive expense - thanks for helping! Kat

durhamjaide2001

I would choose power chair all the way if it was my decision 

egister

Solid tires dangerous on a slippery road