All-Terrain Chairs
By Mattlin, Ben; Life in Action, Volume 1, Number 1, page 28Publication Date: July/August 2011
Article features four all-terrain wheelchairs, three of which are battery powered, while the fourth is powered by manual levers. (1) The TracAbout IRV 2000 runs on treaded tracks and is reportedly powerful enough to push a car with its gear in neutral from a dead stop down a gravel road. There are three separate track settings for different terrains. The TracAbout is built to order and can include specialized seating, a gun mount, and an umbrella mount. Disadvantages of the chair mentioned are the tracks stretching out over time and even slipping off, although this can be remedied by adjusting the track tension; footrests that extend too far forward, making transfer difficult; and a top speed of only 3.5 miles per hour. (2) The Magic Mobility Frontier Extreme X8 has a maximum speed of 6.2 miles per hour, four wheel drive that allows travel over obstacles up to six inches high, and optional wide knobby-treaded tires for traversing rugged outdoor areas. (3) The Magic Mobility Frontier V6 has a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour and can vault over obstacles that are up to 4 inches high. The Fronter V6 comes in front, middle, and rear wheel drive models and offers the same two types of tires as the Extreme X8. (4) The Renegade is powered by manual levers. As its left and right gearing systems work independently, users with less function in one hand can alter the gearing to suit their needs. The levers can be removed and stowed under the seat, allowing users to propel the chair using the hand rims. The Renegade is considerably less expensive than the other three chairs.
Assistive Products Discussed: X4 EXTREME WHEELCHAIR
TRACABOUT INDIVIDUAL RECREATIONAL VEHICLE 2000 (IRV 2000)
FRONTIER MWD ALL TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR
RENEGADE ALL TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR
Published by: United Spinal Association (Website:http://www.unitedspinal.org)
United Spinal Association (Web Site: http://www.unitedspinal.org )
Link to text: http://www.spinalcord.org/lifeinaction/LIA_July_Aug_11/#?page=28
