Burgerman wrote:The problem you are going to have, if this actually bothers you, is that it is likely to come with a control system that you cannot get access to an oem level programmer. To me, that would rule out that chair straight off my list. That is the no. 1 parameter to me.
Why? Because I am a control freak. I want my chairs to steer properly, and allow me to fine tune 101 parameters. If it comes with a modern controller, the new LiNX system, I wouldnt want it even if it was free. Again, your mileage may vary. Compromises...
Quicker needs different motors unless you fit lithium. And that allows a small say 1mph gain, if you have R-Net as its OEM level rogrammer allosy you to increase the motor voltage to match the new battery.
Yes, controller functions matter to me. Overall I'm happy with the performance of 2nd gear/"Outdoor" mode on my Arrow, and I do wish that 3rd can be tinkered to better match the transitions in speed and stopping/turning.
Burgerman wrote:Lithium batteries are half the mass, approx 5x the range, and will last up to 12 or 15 years. And twice the price. So actually massively cheaper long term. But they are not plug and play, require some DIY and learning.
Speed...
Be careful what you wish for.
4mph HD 4 pole have the best torque.
4mph 2 pole are better for torque than the 6mph 2 pole motors.
6mph 2 pole are the lowest torque normally.
6mph 4 pole are what you want, relatively high torque, best for contrl, ramps, etc as well as longevity and range.
8mph 4 pole are a step too far for most. They give the same sort of torque as the 2 pole 6mph motors. But you are light. So you MAY be OK...
Again. Compromises...
And the 6mph 4 pole and the 8mph 4 pole NEED a 120A controller. Not 90, 70, etc. Or they will never give that torque you want.
Moosh89 wrote:.
- The batteries sliding out for easy access is a huge bonus. With my current Arrow, the chair has to be disassembled to get to the batteries. On my last Arrow, they were easy to get out for situations of taking the batteries out to easier lift the chair up or down stairs or in and out of the back of a pickup.
They just added a steel plate to wrap around from the front to back of the two plastic boxes. Can deposit of it, if you don't need it , and you're back to the good old days
And then of course, my beloved "Storm"
- I'm basically "used to" this chair already as I'd imagine it's pretty similar to my Arrow.
- It's got a shorter base
- I know it can have tilt AND elevation
- It's got a respectable speed, maybe if modified it could (safely?) go a little quicker?
All US version of Invacare have the same H-frame , so they are of the same length, except that you can choose the long wheel-base chair that will be 3" longer .
Also , all models (Arrow ,Ranger , Torque ) are the same thing. It's basically a price strategy/gimmick to me .
Go for GB version and you have decent 7 mph. By swapping to old generation motors , you can go 9 mph , like me. and it don't use the inaccessible LINX too.
shirley_hkg wrote:Moosh89 wrote:.
- The batteries sliding out for easy access is a huge bonus. With my current Arrow, the chair has to be disassembled to get to the batteries. On my last Arrow, they were easy to get out for situations of taking the batteries out to easier lift the chair up or down stairs or in and out of the back of a pickup.
They just added a steel plate to wrap around from the front to back of the two plastic boxes. Can deposit of it, if you don't need it , and you're back to the good old days
And then of course, my beloved "Storm"
- I'm basically "used to" this chair already as I'd imagine it's pretty similar to my Arrow.
- It's got a shorter base
- I know it can have tilt AND elevation
- It's got a respectable speed, maybe if modified it could (safely?) go a little quicker?
All US version of Invacare have the same H-frame , so they are of the same length, except that you can choose the long wheel-base chair that will be 3" longer .
Also , all models (Arrow ,Ranger , Torque ) are the same thing. It's basically a price strategy/gimmick to me .
Go for GB version and you have decent 7 mph. By swapping to old generation motors , you can go 9 mph , like me. and it don't use the inaccessible LINX too.
Moosh89 wrote:Controller "form" also matters. I currently have the "Mk6i" controller with colour screen. My last chair had the "MkIV A" controller with no screen and I preferred it because it didn't have the screen sticking out so far and the power switch was on the inside end of the controller and never got caught on my clothing like the Mk6 switch does.
You have various MK6i joysticks to choose from.
PSF ensembles the MKIV .
Screens are cool and all, but my neck also has some atrophy and I can't tip my head down to see the controller screen anyway. I can tip my head down and toward my left, but not to my right and I won't learn to drive left handed. If I could get a smaller controller for my driving hand on my right and an independent screen to mount/view on my left, that would be ideal.
Itsn't it what you're looking for ?
A compact joystick with seperate display , so you can install them wherever you want.
Here's my dongle...
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