What Is the Difference Between a Mobility Scooter and a Powerchair?
Mobility scooters and powerchairs are often grouped together to differentiate them from traditional self-propelled, help or pushed wheelchairs. There are however some fundamental differences between a mobility scooter and a powerchair.
Mobility scooters have three or 4 wheels and are steered using a bicycle style handlebar (or tiller) which requires 2 hands, search and are designed to travel up to 35 miles. They are used by people with limited mobility, or those who tire easily when walking.
Powerchairs usually look more like traditional wheelchairs, and some models even look just like a traditional wheelchair with batteries and a motor attached to each wheel. The powerchair is driven using one hand by a joystick controller on the arm of the powerchair. Powerchair users tend to spend more time in their chairs than scooter users spend on their scooters. Because of this, powerchairs tend to be more adaptable than disabled scooters and some models can have specialist seats and controllers fitted to suit the individual requirements of the user. For example, the powerchair can be controlled by hand, by a chin controller, or even using a sip and puff pipe operated with the mouth. The footrests can be specific to the user’s needs and can include swing away or articulating footrests. Powerchairs are also more likely to be used inside although some powerchairs are equally capable indoors and outdoors. Mobility scooters are more likely to be used outdoors, although some of the smaller ones can be used indoors.
Electric scooters usually have one motor to drive the rear wheels. Powerchairs have two motors to individually drive the rear wheels. This gives the powerchair a great turning circle, and provides a lot of traction and control. Some powerchairs even have an electrically operated hydraulic seat so that the user can reach traditionally unreachable places like cupboards and shelves. Disabled scooters tend to be less customisable than powerchairs, and have fewer optional extras.
Disability scooters tend to be less expensive than powerchairs. Powerchairs have two motors, and better, more supportive seating as users often spend a lot of time in the powerchair. Powerchair users may not be able to support themselves, or be able to walk at all, and so their requirements are different from mobility scooter users.
Traditionally, powerchairs were not as easy to dismantle as mobility scooters, but this is changing and most of the powerchair manufacturers offer powerchairs that will fit into a car boot. Designs are changing so that powerchairs are becoming as easy to dismantle and as rugged as mobility scooters. Some powerchairs have six wheels for added stability, and some are front wheel drive for added manoeuvrability.
Now that you have found out more about the differences between mobility scooters and powerchairs, you can decide which will suit you best.

For more information about mobility scooters, please visit www.scootamart.com

A new web site launched as a clearing house for mobility Products information ‘You Can Be Mobile’ is the new information resource to help sort out the confusion over Mobility products (PRWEB) September 29, sovaldi sale 2005 — In recent years personal mobility has become big business, look and like many other markets there are unscrupulous marketers out there using it to bilk the public out of literally millions of dollars each and every year. These dishonest or less then reputable sellers of inadequate and sometimes unsafe products have given the industry a black eye, and short of even more drastic Government regulations, it’s a mark that may remain for quite some time. Even so, that does not lessen the legitimate need in our society for persons with impairments or disabilities to be mobile. Herein demonstrates the urgent need to be well informed before an equipment purchase. Expensive advertising and slick sales pitches don’t necessarily mean quality products, no matter what the ads might say. Often time’s outstanding products are not as well advertised as products of higher quality and greater value to the consumer, for many reasons. When to purchase a new power chair, electric scooter or wheel chair can run into the thousands of dollars, and continue to carry cost after the sale such as scheduled maintenance, service and repair, making the right choice is not something to be taken lightly. Often a company will price a moderate or even high quality product at a price that seems very attractive to the customer. But what isn’t stated with great clarity is what the true cost of upkeep will be in coming months and years that the products remain in service. Many times because of cleverly hidden, high maintenance costs, the company selling the product will double or triple the cost of ownership. Make sure that all the details of maintenance costs are up front, in writing in the original sales contract. Don’t be fooled into buying a low priced quality item only to find out later that it has stings attached. Things to consider when purchasing a new mobility product might include these: – Does the company have a local service? How long will it take to get service if a products fails to perform, or needs repair? – Is the company upfront in volunteering information about the cost of maintenance, or is it a subject that is swept under the rug. Be cautious of companies that don’t outline completely service related costs, especially for electric mobility products – Be suspect of over anxious sales persons. Never be rushed into a sale. Reputable companies are in the business for the long haul, and one day, more or less will not make or break the company. On the other side of the same coin, service should be personal. If the company doesn’t seem to be able to give prompt friendly, personal service prior to the sale, this might be an indicator of what things to come might be like as well. – Do a close inspection of the product before purchase. If personal inspection is not practical, find a trusted person with at least some mechanical ability to inspect and report on the equipment or product. Never take at face value company claims of quality and durability. When it comes to mobility products, too much plastic should be a red flag. – Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau, to many complaints registered against a company might be a reason to consider looking elsewhere. In the same respect be cautious of companies that are not listed or do not have a Better Business Bureau history, they may be very new, with little information from which to judge by. Although there is no cut and dried, tried and true method to precisely gauge which product is the best or proper for a particular use, being informed is the best weapon against product misrepresentations and false claims. The new web site” You Can Be Mobile” at www.ucanbemobile.com is a place to find information, a place to become well informed before buying any mobility product. Informative articles and links to manufacturers and reputable vendors can be found, helping to clear away the misinformation that is abundant today. Good information and sound thinking are what is required to make wise choices when it comes to purchasing any type of mobility product, be it power chairs, electric scooters, or wheelchairs of any sort. Visit www.ucanbemobile.com/articles for more informative articles