I have worked in a multi-level trauma hospital for over a year evaluating and treating patients with compromised ambulation (walking). More importantly, I witness these patients slowly come to terms with the fact that walking with their kids or grandkids, hikes, shopping and simple strolls through their neighborhoods will be severely limited. To compensate for this limitation, patients often purchase power chairs and/or mobility scooters. The inherent problem with these transporters is that it makes patients feel debilitated often making their handicap more difficult by simply restricting their freedom. I am an advocate of assisted devices, such as mobility scooters, but their low speeds, small tires and limited range often tether their rider within only a few miles of home. Understanding this, I challenged myself to locate a product that offers freedom by compensating for mobility scooters lack of range, versatility and speed.
I took inventory of the powered chairs we use at the hospital, noting speeds between 4-8 mph, short tires, and limited ranges between 5-9 miles. However, power chairs are usually used indoors and their lack of range and speed is understandable. Generally, patients use normal wheelchairs indoors and purchase mobility scooters for the outdoors, unless their disability confines them to using a powered chair. So I researched other brands online such as Invacare but prices skyrocket well over $2,000 for increased ranges (past 15 miles) and speed. Unless you are shopping used, finding a mobility scooter under $1000 is difficult, so I set the bar at $1500. Is there a scooter that offers long range, good speed, versatility at a reasonable cost of $1,500, absolutely.
Out of all the mobility scooters on the market the XB-420M is the fastest (15+ miles per hour), offers a 30 mile range, and not only has large tires but a raised height. The raised height and large tires allows more versatility over off road whereas other smaller and wider tires simply sink. If you would like further information on the XB-420M, click on adult trikes.
