by hairyapple » 21 Oct 2010, 00:57
I have recently taken delivery of my 'Salsa Pro (R), from the Wheel-Chair service. I have had many powerchairs in the past, but I have found the 'Salsa to be very disapointing. I was advised that it's weight was around 120KG! But with the power tilt mechanisam, the chair is infact a 142kg. This was a bitter blow 'As my car hoist has a maximum lift of : 130kg. 'So I will need to have my hoist 'either replaced or uprated. 'But I have been unable to find any companies, who list a suitable lifting bracket for the Salsa anyway! The Salsa is in fact a very compact PowerChair. 'It is in fact smaller that my previous (Karma KP 25 Falcon). But the Falcon only weighed in at: 68KG and with it's 40amp batteries it had a resonable range of around (8Miles) in the summer. The Salsa has 60 amp batteries, So I was hoping that it would have a much improved range! Unforunatly 'this isn't really the case! I have discharged and recharged the batteries around (10 times now). But the range is very disapointing! I am lucky if I get, 10 miles on a full charge!. I feel that this is partly due to the "Very heavy weight of the Salsa" and also due the the small dimintions of the "So called '60 amp batteries". I also find that (Sunrise) have returned to the previous "Bug Bear" of their 'Model F50 power chair. ie, The foot plates are simply to close together! This causes the sides of my carf / legs 'To contact and rub on the footrests. I had the same problem with a (Power Tech F50) 'Years ago!. Also 'the foot plates and foot straps, tend to rub on the front tyres when reversing! I find that the footrests are very heavy to remove and refit! "Why on earth are they made out of steel?? You also have to be very carfull that you don't catch the (Joystick adjustment shaft knob on doorways or people!! This stupid knob 'Sticks out by about an inch! 'In fact I took this knob off, and simply tighten up the seperate allen key. The joystick cable is very poorly postioned / run. 'It seems far to easy to catch the cable on passing objects! 'I feel that the standard headrest is a poor degign. It sticks out of the back of the chair 'Much to far! The headrest then catches on walls and furniture, when you try to manover & turn indoors. But the Salsa does 'give a very comfortable ride. Best wishes, Paul