Mobility scooter: Hi I'm thinking of getting a... - Ataxia UK

Ataxia UK

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Mobility scooter

Guyb profile image
Guyb
7 Replies

Hi I'm thinking of getting a scooter one that can go a fair old distance and not be fazed br rough terrain I'm 6'3 20stone any comments good and bad break gratefull how about used ones as I use my DLA on the car Thanks

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Guyb profile image
Guyb
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7 Replies
wobblybee profile image
wobblybee

Guy, I'm surprised you haven't had reviews re this post, there must be plenty of people who could comment 😉

I'm no help since I've no experience but that's not to say I'm not aware of the huge variety available🙂

I was in an Asda restaurant and a man had his large mobility scooter with him. It looked more like something from hells angels, he let me sit on it, very impressive 😉 xBeryl

auntiesally profile image
auntiesally

Get in touch with your local mobility company, lots of available scooters to suit you, good company will come to you

Ant1 profile image
Ant1

Hello Guy,

I'm 73, relatively recent cerebellar ataxia, 6' or so but not overweight at 12 stone.

I now have four mobility scooters:

First, a secondhand 'transportable' which dismounts into several awkward heavy parts which will load into a car, which now lives with our daughter's family some distance away. In use it's a normal 'shopping' general purpose scooter.

Second, my mother's general purpose scooter which had been looked-after in the garage against this eventuality. A typical shopping runabout.

Third, a new Solax Smarti (there's some tie-up with Monarch in the UK who sell something identical but differently named) which can fold itself up or down with a tv-style remote. The novelty's not worn off yet, I demonstrate it to anyone who looks interested, especially kids!

It folds small enough to wheel like a suitcase onto a 'bus or train. It's a fairly new product, Monarch also do a Mobie and something else similar but they're hand-operated and I can see they'd soon be beyond me.

The transportable and the folder have 'solid' wheels, no worries about punctures but, well, a bit solid. Nothing to worry about though. Mom's are pneumatic and a bit bigger but of course a puncture is always possible, I shall get a rescue air-canister from a car shop.

The 'normal' scooters, my first and second, are bigger and heavier, better balanced but even so I've got to be careful on awkward slopes, for instance going up onto a pavement and at the same time turning left or right. One's dignity can only withstand so-much abuse! And dangerous, of course, on a street corner.

It has to be said that the folder is rather worse stability-wise because it's smaller. Although I'm 12 stone I'm a six-footer so my centre of gravity is quite high and I do need to read the road and ramps/turnings ahead and balance my body accordingly, I've taken several tumbles and I'd like to see more warnings in the paperwork. Alright if one realises...

These are all 4mph 'pavement' scooters, there are also 4/8mph for pavement/road use, and I've just bought a second-hand one, a Rascal "Vision" as borrowed at a National Trust property. A lovely serious thing, much more stable, heavier duty, long distance, proper suspension, lights etc. It'll be lovely to not be restricted, essentially, to town streets.

A rather long post, sorry, but hopefully it'll be generally useful as I've tried to make it fairly comprehensive.

Regards Ant

Guyb profile image
Guyb

Thanks for the comments Ant I'm just trying to save up at the moment I've seen some nice big ones but big price and I don't trust some of the shady characters I've rung allways avoiding the cost but I'll get there this ataxi though you don't know what it's got instore for us I can't walk at all hardly now Guy

Ant1 profile image
Ant1 in reply to Guyb

Hello Guy, I've just bought a Rascal "Vision" on ebay from a dealer

Ant1 profile image
Ant1

Sigh... Hello Guy again, I've just bought, via ebay, from LLG Wheelchairs,

Leigh: Head Office Parsonage Garage, Kirkhall Lane Leigh, WN7 5RP

a Rascal "Vision" for a good deal less than new price, even allowing for courier etc. I think they had a second one in stock. It's so far ahead of the smaller ones there's really no comparison but of course its size can be a nuisance. So now I have a complete set! Tell 'em I sent you!

Guyb profile image
Guyb

ill give it a try thanks this guy on ebay last week tried to con me

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