Ray Mobility

We've selected the BEST Mobility Scooter and Power Wheelchairs...

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:57:00 +0000

Visit RAYMOBILITY.com to see
BEST Scooters and Power Chairs:

How we selected the BEST:

First, we looked for products designed and manufactured in the USA because we think the quality is better overall, the parts are more readily available, and it makes sense to support our nation.

We looked at how a product's specifications would effect individuals and came up categories of users & usage that might be common.

We defined what each of these meant in terms of specs, eliminated those with issues related to the category and came up with a top candidate for each type. Essentially doing the hard part of the 'researching' for you.

In addition to awarding these products, in some cases we have also created special configurations (we call RAY configurations) with pre-selected options we think are important to the category. Again, trying to make your decision easier.

Because we believe in our BEST award winners, we will include not only FREE batteries and shipping, but also a FREE 1year labor warranty, and often, some FREE accessories as well.

We expect the 'winners' will change over time, so stay tuned as new products come to market and we learn more from our customers. For instance we are working on selecting the next BEST Outdoor/Heavy Duty Scooter.

Realize this is strictly our opinion and doesn't say anything bad about products not chosen. It is merely intended to help you make a difficult selection easier.

If your needs don't match these categories, please email us at afriend@raymobility.com, tell us what you're looking for and we'll do the research for YOU. Maybe you'll create a whole new category for us!

raymobility.com
afriend@raymobility.com

Pride mobility will streamline their warranty

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:06:00 +0000

A new streamlined warranty is coming to all scooters and travel mobility products from Pride Mobility Products^®.
Beginning July 1, 2012, orders for all scooters and travel mobility products will have the same new warranty. The updated warranty will help to eliminate confusion.
The restructured warranty will be as follows:

Frame – three years
Seat frame – three years
Electronic components – one year
Drivetrain – one year
Batteries – six months

Pride is discontinuing the Wrangler

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:21:00 +0000

We are sad to say that Pride's WRANGLER, which Ray Mobility has defined as the BEST Outdoor/Heavy Duty Scooter will be discontinued as of June 2012.

This is particularly sad because the WRANGLER was a completely US made product. Pride still carries the Pursuit products which are partially made in China. We can only hope that this doesn't translate to layoffs here in the states.

Stay tuned as we re-evaluate the market to define a new BEST Outdoor/HD scooter...

BEST Scooter for a Tall Person

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:33:00 +0000

BEST Scooter for a Tall Rider
raymobility.com

If you are over 6’ tall you know that a lot of things just don’t fit. Most products are designed for the ‘average’ size person. If you are looking for a mobility scooter you’ll find that some of them are really too small for you. The seat may not rise up high enough so your knees stick out, or your center of gravity is so much higher that the small scooter doesn’t really feel stable. A four wheel scooter may work better for you. As less expensive scooters are being made overseas, they are getting smaller and smaller in an attempt to produce a less expensive product. A person may not realize by looking at a picture or even in a quick test drive that the scooter doesn't really fit them. I remember my father, Ray, driving around in his new little travel scooter a bit before realizing that he had to stick his knees out to the side so that his feet would fit on the platform. His little scooter, which had seemed like such a bargain, didn't last long.

This is what you should look for if you’re a tall person (look at the ‘specifications’)

Height:

· Seat-to-deck - at least 20” which is about right for a 6’ individual so your feet are comfortably flat on the deck. Many scooters seat-to-deck measurements only go up as high as 18”-19”. If it’s too small your knees are in the air or out the sides… For reference the average dining room chair is 18” from seat to floor.

· Consider a power seat, which brings the seat up even higher, but can easily go lower too. These add 5-7” variable height. The power seat lets you lower your seat to fit under the table, raise it to reach something or even as an aid for standing.

Lenght: Overall scooter length at least 46” or as long as possible for more leg room. The one we recommend is 48”. Most scooters are 44” to 46” in length. You don’t want your knees to hit the handles either. (Some scooters have a tilt-able handle which helps with this as well.)

High Quality: A high quality product will last much longer and some are nearly indestructible! Look for an American-Designed, good quality, durable, easy to maintain product. (eg. Amigo, Ranger, PaceSaver and some Pride products are US made)

Stability: A four wheel scooter provides more stability for taller riders but often sacrifices maneuverability.

Maneuverability:

· Check out the Turning Radius specifications. The smaller the better. There are some 4 wheel scooters that rival the 3 wheel variety.

· You’ll definitely want better than average Ground Clearance. Look for at least 3”. Important for taller/heavier than average people. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting high centered.

Adequate Power:

· Look at the Battery Range (miles per charge)

· The Speed (say 5 mph) specifications will also give you an idea of the scooters power.

· It’s important to get a scooter with adequate Weight Capacity. We recommend you get a scooter with a weight capacity of at least 50 pounds more than you weigh. This will affect the scooter’s power performance and you don’t want to be near it’s designed limits.

Transportability: How will you move it around? Do you need an automobile lift? Can you take it apart and put it in your trunk? If so you’ll want to look at the spec for the weight of the heaviest piece and consider how you will use your scooter.

Visit us at RayMobility.com to see the BEST Mobility for a Tall Person
The Solo IV by Ranger All-Season

Today's Senior

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:02:00 +0000

See my article in April's Today's Senior magazine "How to select a Mobility Scooter for a Short Person"...

Mobility Scooter or Power Chair?

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:06:00 +0000

If you’ve never had a scooter or power chair before you may not know which would be best for you. In general power chairs are better for indoors and tight spaces since their turning radius’ are much better. But a scooter can make you feel more secure, more stable, and if you’re a large person you may want a 4 wheel scooter for even more stability.

· Power Chair: Better turning radius and maneuverability. More expensive. Can roll right up to a dinner table (and with a swing away control arm get pretty close!) Generally not made for outdoor use.

· Mobility Scooter: More stability. Less expensive. Higher ground clearance available for use outdoors (although you can get power chairs with great ground clearance too!). Can roll up sideways to a table and turn the seat towards the table. May seem more 'fun', less focused on a 'handicap' than a power chair.

How to Select a Mobility Scooter for a Short Person

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:09:00 +0000

Selecting a Mobility Scooter is difficult enough, but if you are under say 5'2" (yes, including children) many of these scooters may be too big for you. In fact, short people are often overlooked when it comes to the size of seating of all sorts. Even dining room chairs and couches are often a problem. Right? For example, the standard height of a dining chair (floor to seat) is 18"-20". But someone who is 5' tall is only around 16" (back of knee to floor), meaning your feet aren't flat on the floor, when you're eating. You may not notice it that much, but if you were suddenly careening around the corner like that, it would be pretty important. Honestly you don’t even have to be all that short to need a product that accounts for shorter people. You should consider this if you’re under 5’4”.

If your feet are not solidly on the floor or the reach to the controls is too far, it can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous. You may not have adequate control or stability for full safety. We recommend buying a scooter that fits you properly. Make sure the seat can be adequately lowered so that your feet are flat on the scooter's deck and that the scooter's overall length is short enough that you can easily reach the controls. Review the technical specs for these items…

· Look for a scooter with a Seat-To-Deck height that can be shortened to 16" or below. Many scooters only lower to 18", which may leave your feet dangling in the air. Measure from the back of your knee to the floor to make sure the height works for you.

· Find a scooter with a shorter overall length of 40" or less, so that you can easily reach the controls. Some scooters have tilting handles which help.

· If you're also smaller in width, you may want a scooter with a smaller seat. Most scooter seats are 18" to 20" in width/length, but smaller seats are available. The chair we recommend comes with an optional 14"x14" seat for instance.

Other general tips for selecting a mobility scooter....

· Turning Radius is key. The shorter the better. Smaller turning radius means a more maneuverable scooter that will be much easier it will be to ride. Look for a turning radius of 35" or less if possible.

· Ground Clearance can be really important. Some scooters are not really meant for use on anything but flat surfaces (a low ground clearance). But to be more flexible, if you're going to use your scooter outdoors, for travel etc. You'll want the highest ground clearance possible, 2 ½” or above so that you don't get hung up, or high centered on uneven surfaces.

Ray Mobility - Mobility Scooters and Power Wheelchairs

noreply@blogger.com (Ray Mobility) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:33:00 +0000

Watch this Space!

We'll be posting some great information about scooters and power chairs here...