As I mentioned, I had to get a new wheelchair as my old powerchair (Golden Lite/Envy) was considered portable and therefore not suitable for driving a vehicle. I ended up with a Golden Compass Sport. I have had it for a few weeks now and decided it was time review this powerchair.
I describe this powerchair as a cross between an office chair and a remote control truck. It has a comfortable chair that has many adjustable settings that are then locked. Plus the center drive wheel that assists in suspension and over more surface transitions.
I have driven the chair over grass, wood floors, thin rugs, tile floors, carpet, wooded areas, pebble paths, roads, ramps, and aggregate walkways. It does go over transitions/obstacles less than 1 ½ inches. I have maneuvered through 2 houses with different kitchen layouts. I have used it as a passenger seat in a wheelchair van. I have even gone up and down a few different ramps.
Overall, it has done well. Beware, if your research led you to a description of mid wheel drive power chairs as all terrain. They are really more terrains. I needed a push and/or another surface added to get through areas with sandy/loose soil, large roots, taller thresholds, steep grade, pebble paths, path borders, and driveway drain curbs. Surprisingly, patches of tiny roots acted as extra traction. I wished for telescoping training wheels to give me stability on sideways slopes.
Key specs:
- 39 inches long
- 24 inches wide – adjusting the arm rests wider will impact this measurement.
- 19.5 inches turning radius (very tight).
- Between 19.5 and 24 miles battery charge distance (Passenger weight and riding surface will impact this.)
- Max speed: 4.5 mph
- 182 pounds total weight of powerchair
- Adjustable headrest; armrests position; seat depth; seat height; foot rest height and angle
- Ground clearance 3.25 inches
- Controls can go on either armrest.
- Mid wheel drive
- Bluetooth key for app diagnostics and control is possible.
Pros:
- Can drive a vehicle while in this chair. This cannot be over emphasized.
- Comfortable seat. (Even 1 cat agrees.)
- Good control layout. The on/off, speed control, and horn are recessed out of the way.
- All customized adjustments are locked.
- The turning pivot is so tight I can pivot the 39” long unit on a 40” square platform.
- Captain style seat can recline a little.
Cons:
- All customized adjustments are locked. The height needed for driving my van is too tall for tables.
- It is easy to knock the armrests into a bad angle at a shorter seat depth.
- The foot rest is hard to move out of the way.
- It frequently flipped up corners or bunched up area rugs at my sister’s.
- Mid wheel drive does not mean all terrain.
- No under seat storage. Secure storage is non-existent. The charger is in a zippered bag dangling from an armrest frame.
- The chair starts to climb up the wall, door frame, etc if space is too narrow. This messed up my armrest angle. A son easily pushed them back into place.
- I needed a push to get through gravel, large rooted areas, sandy soil patches, and up driveway drain curbs.
Well that is a quick rundown of the Golden Compass Sport SLE. I will add a review of my Golden Lite/Envy, show you my 40’x40″ platform and ramp, then return to My Journey To AT Driving series.
- My Disclosure.
- My MS Tips and Hacks.
Life, Humor, and MS 