Personally owned ECV

[Janell]

I am looking into buying my mom an ECV. She will use it mostly in the parks. Any suggestions on which one to buy? And why you like it?

 

[Momelie]

Mine is a Golden Buzzaround Lite, one of the really little ones. Its a 3 wheeler and breaks down into 4 pieces, the heaviest of which is only about 20 pounds, and it fits into a very small (Toyota Matrix) trunk or hatch space. I have an auto-immune arthritis, which is degenerative, and if I have to, I can assemble it myself, as can my 11 year old.

I use mine pretty exclusively at the parks - sometimes at the malls, or Home Depot, or if they have me teaching in a building on campus that is not where my office is located, for instance.

It does have a smaller battery, but it is very, very easy to charge. I plug it in when I stop for lunch (just ask me, I have a list of about 25-50 locations per park - someday I should probably write them up formally, huh?). Last week, though, I was there for the Food and Wine Festival and thus didn't stop for lunch and the battery didn't start flashing till I was at SE on the way out of the park - needless to say I made it to the car with no problems!

It comes with a front basket, but mine kept coming loose, so for $15 I got a back basket, and I like it SO much better! It holds much more, and I have much better vision! I mounted a light where the front basket used to be and now getting out of the parks after dark is easier as well.

I do have a spare battery, but for some reason, the original one is still running strong, and I've never needed the other one, but we do keep it regularly charged and use it from time to time, just to keep it fresh.

I don't know what other information would help you, but if you have any specific questions, please let me know and I'll be happy to answer them!

 

[peemagg]

I have a Pride Go-Go Elite Traveler Plus 3 wheeled scooter. It also comes apart into 4 pieces easily and the heaviest part (the rear wheels) is around 39 lbs.

I find it to be a very comfortable scooter and I have been driving the wheels off of it the last few months. I am taking college classes that are walking classes and it is partly in grass and dirt (hard packed). This little scooter hasn't let me down once yet. The battery has handled all of it with no worries about needing a charge. I also took it to Disney and used it from open to close without needing to be recharged. It also charges quickly when on charger.

I really just love my little "Scoots" and don't have anything bad to say about it.

I also have a couple of attachments for it. I have the front and rear baskets and a cane holder. I had a cup holder, but that got destroyed the first time I went to use it in Disney (I forgot that it sticks out from the armrest and I took a corner too sharp. It shattered). I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on that but maybe you would have better luck.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Mine is a Pride Celebrity-X. It is a full-size ECV. It does break down, and I have put it in the trunk of a car when I was in California with it. But at home I hsave a power lift on my Ford Edge.

 

[Janell]

Thank you all for posting. I will look into the scooters and may have questions for you later.

Again thank you so much for your input.

 

[SueM in MN]

You did not mention her size, but if she is Pooh sized, she will need a heavy duty ECV. If she is not, then some of the light weight, very portable options would be possible choices.