Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I rented the Drive Medical DV8 Aluminum Steerable Knee Walker Crutch Alternative for two months and then I purchased the KneeRover Scooter and have used it for a week. I purchased the KneeRover because my doctor informed me that I could be using a scooter for many more months, and the cost of a new knee scooter is about the same price as a 2 month rental in my area. The most important message is that both scooters can do the job and are far preferable to crutches. But each one does some things better. Here is my comparison since they are both priced similarly. As a note, I am a very tall guy, so some of the comments have to do with how well it serves someone who is tall. What KneeRover Does Better Basket – I would not have thought this is important, but if you are using a knee scooter and are not supposed to walk on your injured leg at all, even small jobs become challenging. Worst of all, you need two hands to drive the scooter well. Under the best circumstances you can free up one hand to carry something by placing the steering hand in the center of the bar, but this can only be attempted on a smooth surface, likely indoors, and over short distances. Put this all together with how hard it is to turn around, and small jobs moving things from one place to another like setting a table can be very challenging. You will want the basket. Steering rod – The steering rod and handles are connected more solidly. My DV8 had a little wobbliness in several of the joints, but this may have been because it was a rental. Height – I purchased the KneeRover because the knee pad goes to 1” higher than in the DV8. Since I am tall, I found this better, but I wish I could go another 1-2” taller. The handles on the KneeRover can go much higher than on the DV8 (6-8”?). In fact, the handles go taller than I want or need. Disc Brake – The KneeRover has a disc brake which is far better than the DV8 brake. The biggest deficiency with the DV8 is that the brakes apply a metal arm to surface of the rear tires to slow you down. This is not very effective and quickly gouges the plastic on the tires. After a week, I rarely used the brakes and just managed my speed with my good foot. But this can be challenging on any kind of incline. In fact, if the person using the scooter is not relatively healthy, the lack of effective brakes could be a major problem. I would not have recommended this for one of my grandparents, for example. The KneeRover uses a disc brake which works very well. KneeRover’s biggest deficiencies: Wheel base too narrow!!!!!, smaller turning radius, knee pad not as comfortable, handle folding mechanism hard to engage. What DriveMedical DV8 Does Better Width of wheels – The DV8 has wheels that are set more widely apart which makes it more stable when turning. This should me a major consideration for people that may have additionally mobility issues. Both scooters can tip over if you turn while going too fast, but it is easier to tip the KneeRover scooter. Turning radius – The DV8 allows you to turn at a sharper angle than the KneeRover. This is very useful indoors. But even with this, if I needed to turn around, I found I was just as likely to put my healthy foot down and lift the front of the scooter to turn and pivot. If you are not physically able to do this, you will be doing a lot of 3- or 4-point turns, and will prefer the DV8. Knee pad – The DV8 has a marginally more comfortable knee pad. It is close, but I prefer this one. Width of handles and depth of pad and handles – The handles on the DV8 are more widely spaced and there is an inch or two of more room between the handles and the knee pad, which felt more comfortable to me. This is likely a personal preference. Folding Down – Both scoooters have a way for you to fold the steering column back so that it might be easier to stow in a car. The mechanism on the DV8 is easier to use. DV8’s biggest deficiencies: Brakes!!!!!! , shorter height on knee pad, no basket. If I had to purchase one all over a again, I am not sure what I would pick. Hopefully someone will manufacture a scooter in the future with KneeRover’s height, disc brakes, and basket and DV8’s wider wheel base, knee pad, folding mechanism, and wider and deeper handles.