Power chair or Scooter? Which one do I need?

[Cin]

Mom may be renting an ECV for our trip and neither of us knows anything about them. She currently walks with a normal gait a little slow and does not normally use a cane. She wears a brace on her ankle. She has a handicapped permit. The whole ECV thing seems really bulky and takes up a lot of space and looks difficult to maneuver in comparison to the power chair as it doesn't have that whole front end sticking out and the basket and all. I only ever see people with the scooter thing, so how do I know which one we need? Is there any difference in ease of operation and the fit in smaller spaces like in the shops and stores? We intend to be lots of the little shops and this is her first time with an ECV so it needs to be easy to operate and steer. Last time Mom was on motorized wheels was Dad's motorcycle and she wrecked it right into the fence because she freaked out and wouldn't let go of the throttle. So Mom and motorized wheels have a bad history already. We'll be using Disney transport or taking a cab and it needs to be lightweight enough that I can lift it as Mom can't do any heavy lifting and I can barely pick up a 40 lb sack of dog food to get it into the trunk so it has to be lighter than that if we take a cab. Or are we better off just renting day by day at the individual parks? How much trouble is it traveling with an ECV on and off the busses and on the boats and monorails and at resorts? I am so clueless. Help?

 

[SueM in MN]

I only have a few minutes, but want to say tha if she has never used a power wheelchair, she wants an ECV.

Power wheelchairs look easy to drive, but are actually much harder/take more practice than an ECV. The biggest reason is that EVERYTHING about the power wheelchair is controlled by a single joystick. Speed, forward, reverse, turning all by exactly how you point/push the joystick.
I am very competent driving my DD's power wheelchair from the side with either my left or right hand. Actually sitting in it and driving it is much more difficult than it looks.

Also, most of the companies that rent ECVs and wheelchairs understand this and will not rent a power wheelchair unless the person has experience driving one - for example, someone who uses one at home, but does not want to travel with it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Forgot to add - the power wheelchairs available for rent don't come apart, so someone using one needs to use WDW transportation.

 

[Cin]

Thanks so much now I know for sure to get a scooter. Now whether to rent day by day or by the week is the next question.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I only have knowledge about an ECV. The description of your Mom's condition suggests an ECV to me. The ECV - comes apart so that the heaviest piece is 26 pounds. My daughter (36) can assemble/disassemble a Gogo EliteTraveler in 30 seconds or less. (One time she did it in 22 seconds!)

My friend has both the power chair and the ECV. He leaves the power chair parked and uses only the ECV because he feels that the power chair is "dumping him out". He feels more secure with the handlebars of an ECV to grab on to.

Let me suggest something. Can you and Mom visit a mobility store at home and try both of them? This way - Mom is in charge of how she feels. She can then pick with absolute certainty that her choice is the "right" one.

Everyone is different and has different needs. Good luck to you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Something that Sue did not mention is that a power chair requires specific setting for each user. For a person to rent a power chair, the renting company will first contact your current supplier to see not only what model you have, but what the settings are, so you will be able to use it.

So if she does not currently use a power chair she will not be able to rent one.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Something that Sue did not mention is that a power chair requires specific setting for each user. For a person to rent a power chair, the renting company will first contact your current supplier to see not only what model you have, but what the settings are, so you will be able to use it.

So if she does not currently use a power chair she will not be able to rent one.

Actually, Apple Scooter will rent a power chair to anyone, as far as I can tell. I've rented a power chair from them twice and they've never contacted me prior to delivery to make sure I could use the chair, they've just had it in the lobby when I get there. (This is useful to me since my powerchair at home is used and I don't have a provider to send someone in FL to and I can't use a scooter, but can't transport my power chair.)

That said, I wouldn't encourage people who aren't familiar with powerchairs to rent one. For most people they are more difficult and they're definitely more hazardous because people think "smaller footprint" means more manuverability so may try to get them into places they wouldn't try to get an ECV, but that are really too small for a power chair.

 

[Cin]

For most people they are more difficult and they're definitely more hazardous because people think "smaller footprint" means more manuverability so may try to get them into places they wouldn't try to get an ECV, but that are really too small for a power chair.

This is exactly what I was thinking, smaller footprint + more manueverable + fit in smaller places. So glad I asked!

Now how to convince Mom we need one? I am thinking/hoping just arrival day's airport walks and resort tour plus trip to DD will be enough to make her reconsider it for park use.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, Apple Scooter will rent a power chair to anyone, as far as I can tell. I've rented a power chair from them twice and they've never contacted me prior to delivery to make sure I could use the chair, they've just had it in the lobby when I get there. (This is useful to me since my powerchair at home is used and I don't have a provider to send someone in FL to and I can't use a scooter, but can't transport my power chair.)

That said, I wouldn't encourage people who aren't familiar with powerchairs to rent one. For most people they are more difficult and they're definitely more hazardous because people think "smaller footprint" means more manuverability so may try to get them into places they wouldn't try to get an ECV, but that are really too small for a power chair.

This is exactly what I was thinking, smaller footprint + more manueverable + fit in smaller places. So glad I asked!

Now how to convince Mom we need one? I am thinking/hoping just arrival day's airport walks and resort tour plus trip to DD will be enough to make her reconsider it for park use.

I agree with the bolded part of Wheeled Traveler's reply.

She has experience driving a power wheelchair and advises against renting one for someone without experience.
My yougest DD has used a power wheelchair for the past 14 years, so I am also very familiar with operation of power wheelchairs.

Most of the companies will not rent a power wheelchair to someone without experience for a reason - they are a lot harder to use and can be hazardous with an inexperienced person trying to use it.

I would strongly recommend sticking with an ECV for your mom. They a much easier to drive and there is a lot more room for error.
A power wheelchair is driven with a joystick and a tiny difference in how far you push the joystick can translate into a large increase in speed. Same thing for turning. If the joystick is not pushed exactly straight forward, the wheelchair will turn. And, nothing in front other than the footrests also means if the driver runs into something, the feet will be what is hit (and, I do know of people who broke a toe from running into a wall because they panicked and kept pushing the joystick).
If you rent one of the smaller ECVs, you will not notice much difference in maneuverability, but it will be much safer for her. Especially as you already noted that she panicked and ran into something with a motorcycle.

Many people park the wheelchair or ECV and walk in stores. That gives some exercise and also avoids the problem of maneuvering in small, crowded stores (which can be difficult even for experienced power wheelchair users at times because of space).

 

[SueM in MN]

This is something I wrote about the differences between a power wheelchair and an ECV:
Similarities between a power wheelchair and an ECV. Both have/should:

• a power switch to turn on/off
• a lever, slider or knob to limiting the speed (often 'rabbit' for fast and 'turtle' for slow).
• one set of large wheels that are powered. They push or pull the PWC/ECV to move it.
• the large wheels are together on an axle and just go straight, don't turn from side to side.
• reverse speed is preset to be slower than forward speed.
• smaller wheels that just roll (no power). ECVs may have one wheel or a set in the front. The mid wheel PWCs have 2 sets of small wheels, one in the front and one in the back.
• lever to disengage the motor(s) when the power is off so you can push it - called freewheel and is kind of like putting your car in neutral. Freewheel is not stable; don't get on or off in freewheel and take care against it rolling out of control. Never leave in freewheel on a bus, incline or ride.
• controller needs to be protected from getting wet
• battery power guage
• a padded seat for the driver; not safe to carry any passengers.
• should be able to use WDW transportation (exception is if they are oversize/extrawide)
• brakes are not like car brakes. Braking happens automatically when the throttle or joystick is let go.
• drive in slow speed down ramps/inclines to avoid picking up speed. When going up an incline, go slowly and try not to start and stop. Go straight up and down, not at an angle. Going straight up or down a very steep ramp buts you at risk of tipping forward or backward. Going at an angle up or down a steep ramp puts you at risk of tipping over sideways. So, avoid ramps if you can. If you can't, go slowly and keep in control.

Now for the differences (ECV in regular type, PWC in italics)

• Many ECVs can be taken apart for transport in a car trunk. Almost all PWC can't be taken apart and will need special arrangements for transport in a van (won't fit in a car).
• While stopped, ECV seat can be unlocked and rotated. Especially helpful in theaters and restaurants. Pull straight in, turn the seat to face show. When done, turn to driving position and drive forward to get out.PWC seat fixed in place and can't be turned.
• ECV has a key; put it in and turn it to start. Take it with you to prevent people from driving ECV.PWC has NO KEY. Only a power button or switch. Turn it on and it can be driven away.
• ECV has 2 throttle controls - one for forward. one for reverse. They are usually far apart so it would be hard to reach for the wrong one. The same one joystick controls Forward and reverse on a PWC.
• ECV needs to come to a complete stop to switch into reverse (similar to a car).PWC goes instantly from forward to reverse; it all depends on joystick position
• ECV throttle control lever needs to be pushed for ECV to move. Located where it's unlikely to get hit accidentally & if hit, would only go the direction for that throttle. PWC joystick is out in the open and can get hit accidentally. If it's hit, the PWC will go in whatever direction it is hit.
• ECV steering is similar to a bike or car. Tiller (or 'yoke') attached to the front wheel(s) and actually turns turns them. Tiller only moves side to side and can only turn so far. If yoke in one position, it will stay that way until you move it. Same PWC joystick controls speed, forward/reverse and turning direction all at the same time. The front wheels are not controlled at all.
• backing up ECV works roughly the same as backing up a car; the back wheels stay straight and the direction of the front tire(s) controls which way it will back. Mid-wheel PWC small back tires swivel freely and the direction they are turned partly determines which way PWC turns. It's not that hard to back straight, if you start with all wheels straight. Backing and turning at the same time is a challenge. I sometimes have to nudge the wheels on my daughter's chair to get it rolling in the correct direction. You can't see the wheels, so it's hard to know where they are pointing. Small wheels on PWC that Buena Vista rents seem to be fixed and don't swivel. Front & back wheels on my daughter's PWC both swivel.
• One motor in the ECV controls the rear wheels together. One 'freewheel' lever. Each PWC rear wheel has its own motor. 2 motors means there are 2 freewheel levers.
• ECV drive wheels are smaller and are behind you.Mid wheel PWC wheels are directly below you - be careful of hanging clothing which could get caught.
• ECVs have very few (or no) settings that are individualized for each driver.PWCs may have many individualized settings. MY DD's has 8 different parameters that were set for her on the computer that controls her PWC. They include things like the top speed for forward, top speed for reverse, how quickly it accelerates, how quickly it stops, speed for turns, acceleration for turns, how responsive it is for turns.

So, there are quite a few differences, but the biggest is the joystick!
The joystick controls a computer that sends power to the motor for each of the large wheels. How much power is sent to each motor depends on the joystick position.
Held perfectly straight, both motors get the same amount of power; the wheelchair will go straight.
Push joystick away from center toward one side, one motor gets more power; that wheel goes faster and the wheelchair turns.
Instead of moving only side to side like the ECV yoke, joystick moves freely in all directions.
Think of a clock sitting on a table in front of you.

• The joystick has a stick pointing straight up at the center where the clock hands would be attached. In that position, the wheelchair is set to go straight forward, but is not moving. The joystick returns to that starting position whenever you let go of it.
• Push away from you towards 12 o'clock to go forward. Push as far forward toward 12 as possible (toward the 'outside' of the clock circle) and it will go straight, as fast as possible. Push it less distance away (still toward 12, but the stick more straight up), it goes slower.
• Pull the joystick toward you (toward 6 o'clock) to go backwards. Pull it farther toward you (away from the center) and it will go faster.
• Push joystick away to the right (toward 3 o'clock), wheelchair turns right. Push it away to the left (toward 9 o'clock) to turn left. The farther to the outside of the circle you push it away from you, the faster you will turn. If you keep pushing on the joystick straight to the same side, you will eventually turn a complete circle.
• You can turn and go forward at the same time by pushing at an angle. If you push toward 10 o'clock, you go forward to the left. Pushing toward 2 o'clock is forward to the right. Forward and turning would be any where between 9 and 3 o'clock. Back would be from 3 to 9 o'clock.
• The ability to move in all directions makes it very manoueverable, but also hard to keep straight. You may be trying for 12, but if you are actually at a bit less (like 11.90) it will be steering slightly left. My daughter had a lot of trouble with that and still does when she's tired.
• Joysticks were designed for people who don't have much strength or flexibility, a small movement of the joystick can make a big movement of the wheelchair. It doesn't take strength to use a power wheelchair; it can be driven with light pressure from your pinkie finger.