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iBOT
4000 independence technology stair climbing and balancing
Powerchair - a quick review!
>>>
FULL
MAIN iBOT 4000 Review
here!
In the original
iBOT 3000 test I identified a few issues that spoiled an
incredible chair. Now they have seemingly addressed at
least some of these issues
Here is a quick
review of the latest 4000 variant. Now after all, I
may buy one.
Picture
shamelessly borrowed from their site here (They wont
mind if I send them a few customers!) And if they have
fixed the problems of the original iBOT then they should
have a good few customers at that judging by the sheer
number of email I get about this chair!
I have one or two
reservations still though, like that awful seat! Presumably
my normal Jay2 and now ROHO QUADRA (thank you very much Lee
Conlogue! an EXCELLENT cushion) will still be usable.
The one that comes with it is all "crunchy" and filled with
small air filled triangles like cheese slices! I tried
one once and it left plenty of marks on my paraplegic
backside. Not the cheese dummy, the cushion! So no thanks!
Maybe they should drop
the price an let you use the cushion that suits you?
And those awful footplate swing away things... Why
could they not have left it exactly like the prototype I
tried? that was ideal! Anyway a review (not by me) (yet)
follows!
A users /
buyers review.
Hi John.
I
enjoyed reading your
review of the iBOT 3000 Mobility System as well as
the subsequent email response by Phil Playfer. John I
learned more about the iBOT from your review than I did
from Johnson & Johnson.
I too
had the opportunity to test drive the IBOT 3000 and as
of last week the new iBOT 4000 model as well. I found
the new model to be less offensive to the ear, with
added manoeuvrability and speed. Unfortunately the 4000
is not as easy on the eye with the introduction of a
sports like seat, gaudy reflectors and a tall head rest
which collectively at first glimpse brought forth an
image of lipstick and earrings on a pig. Actually they
do offer a rehab seat selection and in all fairness the
new sports seat allowed the 4000 to be crash tested so
you can now use it while in your van.
We
accidentally compared the speed of the 4000 with the
3000 via an impromptu drag race and the 4000 (while in
slow mode) easy beat the 3000 (while in fast mode).
Turning seemed much smoother than the 3000 and it
responded instantly to doughnut manoeuvres.
The new
model actually granted me the luxury of manoeuvring
under my dining room table, which amazingly was not
allowed by the 3000. Swing away footrests were added
along with other minor changes like repositioning the
power button and front casters.
Bottom
line, I ordered the iBOT even though medical insurance
coverage will be denied because this is the first
wheelchair I have seen that is not itself mobility
limited. This baby will go places that even a
combination of wheelchairs can’t go.
I will
miss my 2001 Porsche Turbo.
Sincerely
Guido
As soon as
I can test and photograph one of these (and most likely
buy one if we can agree something about both price (see
ibot 3000 review!) and their ridiculous
qualification system which means I need to get another
pressure sore just to get to and come back from their
place!!!
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Seat Height (now
lower): |
Rehab Seat: 18 inches |
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Maximum Drive Range: |
12.4 miles (20.4 km) max |
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Max
Speed: |
6.8 mph (10.9km/h)
programmable (too damned slow!) |
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Drive Wheels: |
12 inches
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Casters: |
6 inches
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Ground Clearance: |
3 inches
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Minimum Turning Radius:
(Meaningless but here it is) |
Standard: 39.8 inches (1012
mm)
4-Wheel: 29.9 inches (760 mm)
Balance: 30.6 inches (776 mm)
Remote: 31.6 inches (803 mm) |
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Length: |
42.9-46.9 inches
including footrest
varies with seat size (too long) |
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Overall Width: |
25.2-28.7 inches
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Battery: |
Two x .2 volt; Weight 24
lbs each;
recharge time 8 hours |
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Weight: |
289 lbs |
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