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.