Finding the Right Electric Scooter

People who can not walk easily and without assistance are often not able to walk or move freely. This type of disability can make it very difficult to go shopping and to get around on vacation. Rather than rely on others to do your shopping and to simply go places that require walking, many people find that they are served much better by using mobility scooters.

There are a few different kinds of electric mobility scooter, but they all share several common features. A captain’s chair, similar to a fine office chair, is usually mounted towards the middle section of the scooter. This chair usually features adjustable armrests, goes up and down, and frequently swivels to make it easier to mount and dismount the scooter. Mounted on the front of the scooter will be an adjustable set of handlebars. The handlebars, called the tiller, can be positioned so that it is closer or farther from the seat and usually controls a battery level gauge and other hand controls. Many also have front mounted headlights and turn signals mounted on the tiller.

Since scooters are battery powered, you will want to be conscious of the range of the electric scooter. They plug directly into normal electrical outlets and depending on the model have ranges that are usually between 6 and 50 miles. Usually the scooters that have larger ranges will not be as easy to transport and might be slightly heavier, but they will also support more weight, have more features, and travel at greater speeds.

Different Kinds of Electric Mobility Scooters

There are many people in the United States and abroad that benefit from the added mobility they receive from an electric mobility scooter. Electric mobility scooters are devices that carry a seated person around the house, mall, or in many outdoor settings. There are 3 main types of mobility scooters available.

Travel Scooters: These types of adult mobility scooters can be easily transported so are perfect for taking on vacation. They can be completely taken apart into several pieces that can be managed by most individuals. The heaviest of the pieces when the unit is disassembled is around 30 pounds. They can be easily transported in the trunk of a car or taken on a plane, but this comes at a slight cost. They usually have less features, a lower per charge range, slower speed, and are not as well suited to unpaved ground.

Heavy Duty Scooters: These types of mobility scooters are used by individuals who need an extra rough and ready mobility vehicle. They have reinforced suspension, larger tires, increased range, better stability, support more weight, and travel at higher speeds. Most also have upgraded seats, improved lighting, and other special features. These types of scooters have a much larger turning radius though and this makes them not as well suited for close indoor quarters. They also are not as easy to transport and you will probably need to invest in some sort of scooter carrier system for your vehicle.

Non-Travel Scooters: This is a broad category and includes all mobility scooters that are not heavy duty scooters or travel scooters. They are the middle ground and are not as durable and rough as a heavy duty scooters are, but they are more durable and rough then a travel scooter. These types usually can also be disassembled, but the individual pieces are not as easy for a single individual to handle. Often the heaviest piece, when disassembled, is more than 50 pounds.

Mobility Scooters Explained

Mobility scooters are used by people who can not easily walk. This may be due to age, illness, injury, or disease. People use their mobility scooter in many different settings. Some only use it around the home, while others take theirs shopping and to other public areas.

A heavy duty mobility scooter is one very popular type of mobility scooter that is designed to be very stable over rough terrain. They can support a good deal of weight and have improved suspension and lighting. In addition they also have larger tires and a higher ground clearance, which can make them excellent at navigating the outdoors. Many can travel at speeds over 9 miles per hour and can be operated with either hand. A heavy duty scooter is great if you are going to be using it outdoors, but they tend to have a large turning radius, which makes them not as well suited for indoor use.

There are many other types of mobility scooters available. Many are designed to be easily taken apart to make traveling easy and some have ranges that are over 40 miles per charge. Before you begin shopping, make sure that you have a good idea of where you would like to use your scooter and what type of terrain you need to be able to go over.

Getting Ready for a Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters are used by many people who have difficulty walking. They can greatly increase your ability to independently and freely move around. With all the many types and models of mobility scooters available on the market today, it is a good idea to have an idea of what you need and expect from your mobility scooter before you buy it.

One of the most important considerations is where you intend to use your mobility scooter. Do you only need it indoors? Are you planning on using it outdoors over rough terrain? Most mobility scooters can be used both indoors and out, but some are better suited for the outdoors then others. A 4-wheel mobility scooter is typically better for outdoors. It is more stable than a 3-wheel scooter and it is also better suited to handle rough terrain. 3-wheel scooters are better for indoor use though, because they have a much smaller turning radius, which makes it easier to navigate tight corners.

Another consideration is whether you intend to take your mobility scooter away from the home. If you plan on traveling frequently then a travel scooter may be a good choice. Travel scooters have less features than a traditional mobility scooter, but they can quickly and easily be disassembled into several easy to manage pieces. They fit easily into the trunk of a car and can be placed on a plane easily. If you do not have a travel scooter, then you will likely need to buy some sort of vehicle scooter carrier. There are several types of scooter carriers. External scooter carriers attach to a vehicles hitch. Internal scooter carriers either use a winch system to lift it into the car or use a small platform that extends from the back of the car. A third option for scooter transport is a vehicle ramp, which allows you to drive the scooter straight into the vehicle.

The safety features of the mobility scooter should also be considered. If you intend to use it frequently outdoors, then it is a good idea to purchase a scooter that has an adequate set of lights. This includes blinkers, headlights, and running lights. There are two different types of scooter tires available as well. Solid foam filled tires are great because they never need to be filled with air and are puncture proof. They do not provide as good of a ride as air filled tires, which also can be adjusted to accommodate different terrains.

By thoroughly analyzing your needs before you begin shopping, you will be able to better select a mobility scooter.

Mobility Scooters: Advantages

If you are mobility challenged, whether due to injury, illness, or simply age, you might feel like you are very restricted in the activities that you can perform. It may be difficult to do things like shopping and for many it is hard to ask for assistance from friends and families. For these individuals a mobility scooter can greatly improve your independence and your ease of movement.

There are several manufactures of mobility scooters, but the two biggest names are Pride Mobility and Golden Technologies. These manufactures have been making home mobility equipment for over 20 years and make very dependable and reliable equipment. They provide many different types of mobility scooters for both indoor and outdoor use.

A mobility scooter makes it possible to go places without any assistance and without any pain. When you purchase a mobility scooter that is made by a reputable manufacturer, like Pride or Golden, they are covered by a very inclusive warranty that ensures you will receive many years of dependable service.

Mobility scooters are battery powered and some can travel at speeds of greater than 10 miles per hour and distances of very 30 miles per charge. This makes them great for outdoor use and traveling. Some are designed to be used in rugged outdoor situations and over terrain that you wouldn’t think about driving your car over.

Purchasing a mobility scooter can greatly improve you independence and lessen the necessity to rely on others.

Mobility Scooters: Safety

Mobility scooters are used by people who have difficulty walking. This difficulty can arise due to health related problems or age. Many mobility scooters are designed to be ridden all day and over all types of terrain. Improper use of these can result in injury though, so ensure that you read the instruction manual before you use the device.

One of the biggest risks to a mobility scooter rider is other vehicles. It can be hard for drivers of cars and trucks to see the mobility device, so you never want to put yourself in a position where the car must stop to avoid hitting you. Always look both ways before crossing the street and do not cross until you are sure you will have enough time to cross the road. You will also want to avoid driving on public roads as in most states this is against the law and can be very dangerous.

Falling out of your mobility scooter and tipping over your mobility scooter can also present a risk. If your unit has a seat belt then you should remember to buckle it while in motion. Avoid turning at high speeds and if you start to feel like the mobility scooter may be tipping than immediately take your hand off the accelerator. It is also important to avoid driving over large obstacles, like high curbs. There is a much larger risk of tipping over backwards if you attempt to climb over a curb that is too high.

While mobility scooters can greatly increase your mobility, they can also be dangerous if used incorrectly.

Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller

Mobility scooters are personal mobility devices that are used to allow people who are mobility challenged to move around freely. They utilize rechargeable batteries and can travel over many different types of terrain. One manufacturer of mobility scooters that is very popular is Pride Mobility.

Pride Mobility began custom making lift chairs, recliners used to help stand and sit, in the 80’s. In the early 90’s they revealed their first mobility scooter and since have been leading the industry in design and durability. They make many different types of scooters that are used in various situations and they also manufacture electric power wheelchairs.

Their line of travel scooters is very popular. Travel scooters can be easily disassembled to make their transport and storage very easy. They can be placed in the trunk of a car or shipped on a plane with ease. One of their most popular travel scooters is the Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller. The Traveller is a 3-wheeled mobility scooter that has a turning radius of 32.5 inches. It features solid tires, so you need not worry about getting flats or filling your tires with air. It easily breaks down into 5 pieces, and the heaviest piece is only 28 pounds. The Go-Go Elite Traveller can support 275 pounds and has a per-charge range of 10 miles. It can achieve a top speed of 4.25 miles.

One of the major advantages of travel scooters is that they can be transported without the need for vehicle lift. The Go-Go Elite Traveller is great for indoor use and can be used outdoors as well.

Electric Mobility Scooters: A Powerful Aid to Mobility

There comes a time in many peoples lives that walking around is just not as easy as it used to be. This can be due to medical conditions, age, or a combination of both. In these cases a mobility scooter can be very valuable. A mobility scooter is a device that is similar to a wheelchair in that it is a transportation aid, but both the sitting position and the way the wheels are configured is very different.

Mobility scooters come in either 3-wheel or 4-wheel configuration and most feature some sort of captains seat that is mounted over the back wheels. Some of these chairs are similar in design to an office chair or one that is found in a boat. Depending on the model, some of the chairs are overstuffed, extra wide, high back, and some even feature a built in electric lift, that raises and lowers the seat to make it easier to get on and off of the unit.

Virtually all manufacturers of mobility scooters use electricity to power the units. Some earlier models were gas powered but this was largely phased out. This is because electricity is safe to use indoors, does not risk explosion or carry the same risk of fire that gas does, and the components of the motor do not get hot like a gas engine does. Electricity and batteries have come a long way and so electric mobility scooters are also much more cost effective than a gas powered scooter is.

Mobility scooters have a wide variety of features. Most offer an adjustable tiller, which is used to steer the unit, that can be moved to make the controls accessible for most individuals. Swivel seats, adjustable armrests, cane holders, and oxygen tank holders are just some of the different features and accessories that are available for many units.

Finding an electric mobility scooter that will fit your needs is rarely a problem. If you intend to largely use the device indoors, then you will want to find a unit that has a small turning radius and does not take up as much space. 3-wheel scooters are typically great for indoors, because by only using 1 wheel in the front, the turning radius is greatly reduced. For outdoor use the range per charge, speed, and tires is likely to be more important.