Invacare Spectra Plus Review

[Burgerman]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/invacar ... e-plus.htm

Invacare make some good chairs. This isnt one of them...
I did this review because I wanted to show how bad all these cheap, small motor/battery powerchairs really are. Its not just about the invacare version but ALL budget low end nasty powerchairs as supplied by the NHS etc.

If you have any comments or want to add anything (even just to say I am wrong) feel free!

Burgerman.

[benmk21600]

Yep! I have a Invacare Spectra Plus from the NHS as my every day chair and a hate it!
Its slow, has no power, put it under any real load and CLICK off go the main circuit breakers (under the seat! where i can`t get ) and it eats batterys! (could be the cheap things the NHS keep fitting!) not sure what they put on? never taken much notice!
I would like to think i am a ok driver (used to drive a car and playstation generation and all that) but i still managed to mount a wall after getting it!
So much controller delay dialed in even after them supposedly changing the settings its no better It still supprize`s me with overstearing
Thinking of investing in my own lifestand anyway.

[Burgerman]

Why not INSIST that they supply you a suitable powerchair?

I did. I insisted rather a lot! It took months of letters, faxes, meetings, etc. And then I told them I was assessing myself in writing, which I did. And then told them I was getting one anyway and would be publicly taking them to court for the money.

Remember that they have to supply you with a chair that suits your clinical requirements. That includes style, enough speed to cross a road without being killed, enough power and control for ramps, curbs etc. Just be a bit insistant! They paid for my F55s originally. Now they dont like me and have an attitude! Like I care.

[benmk21600]

Ha ha ha
The web site review says it all! Love it!

"hopelessly incapable device of torture. "

"less controllable indoors and totally useless outdoors with its small hard wheels and slow speed while being uglier and more old fashioned at the same time!"

"Built by a committee of specialist OT's and Physios and Bean Counters. And obviously not one of them understands even the very basics of powerchairs." (yep i have a hard plastic molded seat with a little gel pad! It relay is a long, front heavy, unmanoeuvrable, bone shaker)

"small batteried 4mph motorised deck chairs"

[Burgerman]

Could be worse. They could have given you a "harrier" powerchair!

I aim to please and tell it how it is. Wheelchair services hate me. I have a meeting on monday with the people that hire and fire the wheelchair services staff and oversee the department. I want to know why they are so incompetant. And have several questions for them... They dont currently give me anything but cushions as they *cant* supply a suitable chair! The F55s was originally supplied under great protest and much stress which included a nervous breakdown, someone getting moved to an easier job, and lots of trouble! Now I am going to do it again.

See the questions here: http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/pdf-files/questions.doc in word document. Should be fun.

[benmk21600]

Bah I bet they realy hate you
Nice one!!

[Burgerman]

Thing is I am not trying to make them hate me. They do simply because they are incompetant and so cant answer the legitimate questions. So they think that makes me a problem. I disturb all their meetings and coffees and stop them idling the days away. So they dont like it.

[funkykeyboard]

Yep! I have a Invacare Spectra Plus from the NHS as my every day chair and a hate it!
Its slow, has no power, put it under any real load and CLICK off go the main circuit breakers (under the seat! where i can`t get ) and it eats batterys! (could be the cheap things the NHS keep fitting!) not sure what they put on? never taken much notice!
I would like to think i am a ok driver (used to drive a car and playstation generation and all that) but i still managed to mount a wall after getting it!
So much controller delay dialed in even after them supposedly changing the settings its no better It still supprize`s me with overstearing
Thinking of investing in my own lifestand anyway.

Besides this problem viewtopic.php?f=2&t=193&p=1358#p1358 I do enjoy the lifestand wheelchair

did the mean you are taking the piss?

[Burgerman]

Not sure what or which bit you are refering too?