Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

About three years ago, my mom bought me a Drive transport chair for what we thought was just a lingering, but short-term problem. Fast-forward to today, and my short-term problem is actually a degenerative neurological condition that affects so much of my life. My shoulders are still on again/off again, but I am *tired* of *just* a transport chair and want to be able to move around on my own if I decide to wander off - and doing that easily isn't possible in a transport. So my desire to be able to move on my own PLUS larger tires on a standard wheelchair mean that going over little bumps or cobblestones sidewalks is easier. I checked out standard manual chairs at a medical supply store near the main hospital here, and found one that converts from manual to transport (also made by Drive), but this one actually makes more sense for me, and I'll tell you why. I've also included some pictures that may help you: PRICE & AVAILABILITY: The "transformer" chair (changes from transport to manual) costs around $700 locally. Online, it was around $300. I kept looking and decided that I could be just fine with this one at $103 despite the fact it looks like an electric blue (if you love blue, not an issue). It's actually not so electric bluish likes it look online - maybe in bright light, but I'm also not the one looking it all the time since I'm sitting in it. Plus, I could get it in two days at no extra charge assembled in the box. For the price, you can't beat it! FEATURES I LOVE: ~I love, love, love the fact that I can push a button and lift the armrests and put them behind me so I can roll under a table more easily. Way easier than my transport. Also easier if I'm transferring to a booth in a restaurant. Lift the armrest and boom, I can slide into that booth instead of having someone assist me in standing up and sitting back down. Nice! ~Folds and unfolds easily - TIP: if you have trouble unlocking it, tip it slightly to the side and it opens just like that! I personally cannot lift in into a trunk of a car, but I CAN knock it with my knees into the backseat of my car, which is a bonus if I need to get out on my own. It's a bit of a struggle to get it out, but I can at least do it. ~Easy to maneuver, even for me. I have a ton of issues, and even though I will generally always have someone with me when I'm in this, I like that I can use this easily. If a bunch of us are together, then not one person is stuck with me (even though nobody has ever complained, I sometimes feel like I'm a burden). One handed turns? Yes. Quick stops? Yes. I like that it's just like my old bike. You can put a quick "spin back" on the wheels and bam, you stop. It has a GREAT turning radius. I've got one very narrow hallway and this fits just fine. I'm no speed demon through there, but I can do it. I have to back up and do a three-point-turn to get into the kitchen because of a hard 90 degree angle, but the cool thing is that *I* can do it myself. No more scooting myself across the floor by pushing my feet and then trying to swing myself through doorways by grabbing onto the walls. That's so cool. ~Brakes are solid. EDIT FOUR MONTHS INTO USE: I think I should note that I'm a native Floridian on the southwestern coast, so the only real grades I deal with are ramps. I have no idea how well these brakes hold on real hills. My husband has tightened the wheels down for me a few times since we've bought this END EDIT. ~Love the Allen wrench that's included if I need to tighten up anything on this chair. ~Also love the pocket sewn onto the back. I carry oxygen tanks with me, so I put things I need but don't need access to frequently in there. Consider that when you pack things into the pocket, because if you have a backpack, it may bounce into your back, and you don't want a bunch of awkward things in that pocket because it'll be uncomfortable. FEATURES THAT COULD BE IMPROVED: ~If it could be a little lighter, it'd help someone like me when I'm on my own. But it's 40 pounds. It can't get whole lot lighter than that for a chair like this. ~The wheels could roll a little more smoothly, but I'll take this because I've been in the transport my mom bought me three years ago. I think that the reason it's 40 pounds is also because the wheels are lightweight. And that's why the wheels sometimes feel a little choppy depending on terrain. EDIT FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I do sometimes have trouble getting traction with one side on slick surfaces. It's as if the left wheel can't maintain contact with the ground, so if this continues, I'm contacting Drive END EDIT. ~It's snug for the cushion that I have. I have a nice gel seat that fits my transport perfectly, but not this one. I have to wedge it in the seat, and when I lift up the armrests, it's okay. When I put the armrests back down, I have to fidget with the cushion. It's not a big deal, but I did lose about an inch of width in the seating area - I think I was under the impression that my transport was the same width and depth, so that's my fault for not checking. I think most seat cushions will be a tight fit so if you're buying this as a new chair, you'll want to check the seat cushion you have or are planning to buy. This would not be comfortable to sit in for long periods of time without a cushion, by the way. ~The blue streak is SHORTER than my old chair, too. The reason this is an issue is that the back of the top part of the seat fabric hits my back (I'm 5 foot, one inch) at a different height than the transport, and if the O2 backpack straps slide toward me, it makes for an uncomfortable ride. So I have to make certain that the backpack handles stay on the handlebars, which leads me to the next thing that could be improved: the handlebars. ~The handlebars do not come out as far as the ones on the transport chair. It's not an issue for the people who push me, but if you hang a lot of stuff on the back of your chair, you might find that the straps start to dig into your back. Plan for that if you're out on a long haul. ~You'll want to air it out because the smell is a little offputting at first. Chemical offgassing is definitely a thing, but I think this aired out after about a day on the lanai. OVERALL: I really do like this chair. If I could afford to shell out the $2K for this one Smart Chair - Electric WheelchairSmart Chair - Electric Wheelchair, I would, but I can't. So this one is it for me for now. I included some pictures so I hope that helps anyone looking for a chair. If I need to come back to edit this review, I will.