Options For Electric Wheelchairs

Options for Electric Wheelchairs

By Joseph Parish

With the development of the modern wheelchair many handicapped people have experienced a change in their lives. The introduction of the wheelchair contributed to a positive level of independent living for those people who were previously restricted in their independent movement. When we investigate the various wheelchairs, we can break down the types as either electric or manual driven.

With a manual wheelchair the means of propulsion is by way of round steel tubes placed alongside the wheels. The individual would push these hand rims to provide movement of the chair. The electric wheelchairs are usually heavier than their manual counterparts as they must be more stable and stronger in order to hold the batteries and the motor.

The amount of sophistication which appears in today's modern electric wheelchairs varies significantly from the simple standard batteries employing a joystick controller to that of the microprocessor and robotic type circuitry which allows a wheelchair to elevate upon two wheels. Owing to the wide sophistication levels involved in electric wheelchairs it is understandable that their price will vary widely also. A manual style wheelchair initially costs around $2000 and works its way up to a massive $30,000.

It stands to reason that the higher in sophistication level one goes in a wheelchair that the higher the cost. For most people who acquire an electric wheelchair its average cost ranges around $7,000. It is important to remember that when the time arrives to purchase a wheelchair that you select only a trustworthy brand from a fully licensed dealer to ensure that you receive full coverage in the event your new wheelchair will need servicing or maintenance. It is not prudent to procure a used electric wheelchair as they may contain hidden damages such as broken frames, defective motors or deteriorated batteries.

Wheelchairs are offered with diverse modes for propelling them:

The rear-wheel driven chair:

This type of chair is the most widespread drive method to use with electric wheelchairs. Although the drive type is fast it makes turning of the chair a bit difficult.

The mid Wheel Driven chair:

With this chair the turning is very suitable, although stopping and starting abruptly can create an unstable condition.

As with any other major purchase, there are many options available and you should take your time and fully shop around. Request product information on the chairs you are interested in and to compare each of the units. The more detailed information you have at your disposal the better you will be at making an intelligent selection.

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