#184849 - 03/28/10 07:06 PM
Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
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cosgig
Junior Member
Registered: 03/28/10
Posts: 2
Loc: michigan
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My daughter has had a powered wheelchair purchase from Invacare and every two months (NO JOKING) it has been in for repairs mostly motor related and gone for 4-6months because of insurance auths ect. For my 11year old daughter this has been totally affecting her independence,social wellbeing she's had power since 5years old and we have never had a chair with soooo many problems. We have contacted them with NO RESPONSE of course. Contacted insurance to help with issues of repairs since its coming from their pockets No response and no wonder the costs of everything is OUTRAGEOUS!!
Has anyone else had any issues with Invacare and their powered wheelchairs?
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Cuda Kid
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#184872 - 03/29/10 10:31 AM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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Roadrunner
Member
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 2516
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No, but I am looking for a new chair now and my DME repair fellow told me to only get an Invacare with GB motors. If that ends up my choice.
I had loads of trouble with the Pride I am in now until the dealer replaced a defective part (they would not admit it was defective till after the warranty was up). Need I tell you we had to fight for it, but I have had no problem since replacement.
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Beep Beep 
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#184878 - 03/29/10 11:31 AM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Roadrunner]
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Paulwa_dup1
Member
Registered: 02/12/05
Posts: 4951
Loc: Washington
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I got a 1999 Invacare Ranger II in 2001. It was a used chair but had only been used once and the lady didn't like it. I have never had any problems with it. The current lead acid batteries are going on 6 years now and I wonder how they will stand up this year. May have to replace them this year. It is a front wheel driive chair and I love it. It is one that when the batteries are removed it can be folded together losing about 1 foot or more in width. I only use it in good weather to go down town as I can't walk that far so I can go shopping where I couldn't before. Don't know anything about the newer Invacares but I have nothing but high praise for my old canvas slung and back PC. I use a pillow to sit on and it is very comfy. It actually is a tad small for me but not thatmuch. It works fiine.
Paul
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#184900 - 03/29/10 02:37 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Paulwa_dup1]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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does your state have wheelchair lemon law
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#185196 - 04/02/10 06:54 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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Lola
Member
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 5944
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i always had invacare chairs and recommend them to everyone. i miss my ranger X 
i'm sorry you have had such bad luck with them, but everyone i know who has one woulnd't change brands.
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#190282 - 07/28/10 08:45 AM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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Jackandlo
Junior Member
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 1
Loc: Texas
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My husband is a quad and has an Invacare 3G storm series powered wheelchair with tilt and recline and has been nothing but TROUBLE within a few months of it's purchase in Nov 09, like yours this one breaks down every few months some of the parts have gone out 3 times in one year. We will not be purchasing another Invacare product- ever !!!
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#190495 - 07/31/10 04:24 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Jackandlo]
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Rex Chapman
Junior Member
Registered: 07/15/10
Posts: 16
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I've used Invacare power chairs for 24 years and have had very few problems. The chair (Storm Series Arrow) I have now has been perfect for 5 years. The only times I've had a mechanic touch it is after airline abuse.
http://www.spinalpost.com
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#191993 - 08/31/10 10:23 AM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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mustang
Junior Member
Registered: 08/31/10
Posts: 1
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We are experiencing problems with the invacare storm arrow chair. we had no problems with our previous chair. Hopefully, we will be given a new chair as the motor actuator, leg rests have all been replaced since our purchase in March. Now we are having issues with the joy stick. we are praying for a new, quiet, good working chair like our previos arrow.
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#193475 - 10/01/10 08:54 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: mustang]
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AzDaven
Junior Member
Registered: 10/01/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Phoenix, Arizona
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I can't speak for power chairs but my second manual chair was an Invacare and it was a major piece of crap! I would never buy an invacare product. It's just like anything else, they are all machines and some are good and some are bad, but I have heard too many horror stories about them.
Good Luck.
_________________________
AzDaven
T-9 SCI 2003
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Diag. 1995
Quickie Ti
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#193506 - 10/02/10 03:58 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: AzDaven]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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love MyRangerX!
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 67.87.81.12
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#194752 - 10/27/10 04:51 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: soda]
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Millard
Junior Member
Registered: 01/20/05
Posts: 17
Loc: Plains, Georgia
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I got my TDX SP last November and have had absolutely no problem with it at all.
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Millard
--
"Life's tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid!"--John Wayne
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#198739 - 05/04/11 04:59 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Millard]
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Stan-n-Florida
Junior Member
Registered: 05/04/11
Posts: 1
Loc: Florida
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Need advice from those with experience!
I've been a quad, c5-6, since Sept 1971, finished high school, college, and 29 years of teaching high school while sitting on my butt in the now defunct E&J and then in a PERMOBIL Chairmen 2k.
All E&J were rear-wheel drive. Then, Permobil (an extremely comfortable chair) but I have not been able to master this front-wheel drive chair. Name it and I've hit it from behind this decade!
INSURANCE COMPANY WILLING TO PURCHASE A NEW CHAIR!!!
One company came out with 1 choice & only 1 choice but they could only show me the chair on the Internet. The chair looks great but is a mid-wheel drive Permobil M300. Looks great but I need info having never been in the chair and by just watching it on the net.
Another company, at my request, sells Invacare and Sunrise.
Anybody with any experience with a powerchair from Permobil, Invacare, or Sunrise?
I am extremely active in my chair and want a chair that won't break down with extensive use. I figured that I put at least 5000 hours a year in my chair.
Ideas welcome regarding any adult male, 6'2" @ 225 lbs capable power wheelchair.
Willing to talk if you prefer. THIS IS OCCURRING NOW, May 2011!
Stan
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Thanks
-----> Stan
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#198763 - 05/05/11 12:48 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Stan-n-Florida]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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i have the permobil c500 with EVERYTHING. i use it like a car... i even go on new smyrna and daytona beach with it. where you at in fl.? i may b able direct you to a DME.
I'M A C4-5 @ LIL OVER 200 LB
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#199366 - 07/01/11 05:48 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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Cappyjoe
Junior Member
Registered: 07/01/11
Posts: 1
Loc: Sacramento CA area
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I have had 2 storm series Invacare chairs and had nothing but problems ! My first ,provided by the VA was in the shop 16 times in the first three months, they finally replace the electronics 2 time and it has been good since except for a recent Joystick and wiring replacement. My newest chair replaced By the VA after the charges exceeded the cost of replacement Has been in the shop for almost 5 months! They have had to replace everything as well as replace one of the replacement brushless motors. I'm not happy!!! I will never accept another Invacare product. their Quality control is out to Lunch constantly, imagine not testing a replacement motor for that matter a part.
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#199367 - 07/01/11 09:17 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Cappyjoe]
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Paulwa_dup1
Member
Registered: 02/12/05
Posts: 4951
Loc: Washington
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I keep my Invacare Ranger in our garage shop. Millie is faunching at the bit to get me out there to pull the two batteries and measure them. Hope I can get a slightly shorter battery cause I can't get the lid on the bat. box totally. I am using plain maintenance free lead acid deep cycle rv batteries now because they last so much longer. At least the last pair did. I think she wants me to get out of the house and out on the streets into fresh air and sunshine. Hope it isn't too hot this summer. It was 85 here today in the northwest.
I got nothing but good to say about my old machine. It is front wheel drive and I really like it.
Paul
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#200362 - 08/06/11 12:10 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Paulwa_dup1]
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Paulwa_dup1
Member
Registered: 02/12/05
Posts: 4951
Loc: Washington
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Well here it is August 6th and my new batteries are sitting in the garage waiting for me to put them into the Invacasre Ranger II. The great batterties I removed after 6 years were maintenance free lead acid batteries that I had to fit in with a shoehorn nearly. The one great feature was that they were 55 ampere hour batt's. Invacare specs call for 35 amp hour batt's. And that is the only ones I could find at as cost of $107 each. I was hoping to do better thasn that in power and price, but after searching for over one week, that was the best I could do. I hope I can gert them installed today and top off the charge and maybe take it for a run down town today. I am sure I won't get six years use on these batteries. Probably 3 at best. We'll see.
Paul
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#200364 - 08/06/11 09:06 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Paulwa_dup1]
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Paulwa_dup1
Member
Registered: 02/12/05
Posts: 4951
Loc: Washington
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Batteries are installed and I took the chair out for a four hour cruise. My green led turned to a bit yellowish after about 1 mile showing it had drained some power, so I stopped at Fred Meyers and had a snack. It stayed bright green from then on till I got all the way home, even climbing some grades. I put it on the charger when I got home and will probably let it go overnight. So I guess my chair is running very good now. Yippee!
Paul
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#200716 - 10/28/11 08:34 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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InvacareUserNow
Junior Member
Registered: 10/28/11
Posts: 1
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I have an Invacare Storm Series power wheelchair with tilt seatting capacity only and overall I've been satisfied. However, I am having problems with the "advanced" switch they have for the tilting capacity of this wheelchair. I remember when Invacare had a 2-way Toggle Switch and now all they have is a 4-way Toggle Switch. I have had constant problems trying to operate the 4-way Toggle Switch and I was wondering if there is anyone out there who knows how to modify the 4-way Toggle Switch and make it a 2-way Toggle Switch in order to make it a non-off-on and the toggle itself does not rotate?
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#200722 - 10/30/11 12:07 AM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Paulwa_dup1]
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Rolling Radio
Junior Member
Registered: 10/29/11
Posts: 9
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I received a TDX SP with every option there was to get my Neuro just told the PT and OT that he will support every power option for the chair because every 2 months my EMG's showed declining nerve function over the last 2 years and wether i was gonna need it now or in 6 months he wanted it there when i needed it.but i have not had a single repair issue with the chair ,i bought my own programmer so i could adjust my turning and braking and acceleration and all that jazz and that was a very good investment. and since then i have extensively customized the chair with lighting and radio transceivers and hidden self defense products in case of trouble in the neighborhood ( the only disabled housing in this area is subsidized housing mixed in with all the crack heads and there dealers they try and keep the elderly/disabled in one area away from that stuff but sometimes you have to travel through it to get where you are going) but again i must say i got my TDX SP in 08 and all i done was changed the batteries runs like a kitten.
Peace
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#201026 - 01/13/12 09:49 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Rolling Radio]
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66tbird
Junior Member
Registered: 01/13/12
Posts: 2
Loc: AZ Deserts
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I got my first Invacare in 95, a Torque Storm, I was a big guy then and went through the usual stuff. Mainly brush failure. So I took a good look at a new set and was blown away they didn't silver solder where needed. So I did and fixed that issue for good. I used that chair till 03. That was/is the best riding chair I've ever flown. The Bullfrog front suspension was night and day difference on the ride and I've never found a better ride for full speed over rough terrian.
In 03' I got a TDX5 and wow what a different ride. Like a sports car really, it's good and fast with great handling. But it started having problems in the tilt/recline which is also linked to the drive. So long story short from 03' till 11' that chair was in the shop 40% of its life. So much so early on I had to search out and buy another chair to use because my Torque Storm was now way to big for me and my new home. When the TDX5 worked it was awesome. Quick, maneuverable, comfortable, I even installed a heated seat with massage. Standard mod on all my chairs now btw.
I really lucked out in my search for a back-up chair in 05. Hit a Buy-it-now off eBay for a Ranger X (full tilt-recline, brand new) for $1100 delivered. I did have to convert it to lefty but I enjoy making things anyway. That chair was a real work horse and never I had an issue. Even the batteries are still going strong. To bad I couldn't get a Frogleg front suspension for it because it rode very rough and of course drove like a truck. Just like the Storm does.
This year I got a TDX SP and so far no issues. I don't like some things about the mk6i controller. Like it is way to bright so forget about night driving until you make a 'post-it' sticky cover for it. Plus it's noticeably not as fast as the TDX5 and gets stuck in soft dirt really easy. Took 16 years to finally really need to make a small travel set of climb out ramps because it gets dug in very quickly.
I've looked into other chair brands but I need parts availability via eBay and Invacare has that. They have a lot of different ways to do the same thing and in the position we all are in that is a good thing imho.
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#201258 - 02/05/12 04:19 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: cosgig]
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HarleysMom
Junior Member
Registered: 08/16/07
Posts: 1
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My own Invacare Pronto M71 is just 6 yrs old. While I haven't had many shop visits, the few things throw me off totally w/o my power wheels.I need a new chair because I have changed.
Medicare/Medicaid replaces powerchairs after 5 yrs I think. Check with yours and maybe you can get away from that chair all together.
http://www.permobil.com has a HUGE selection of awesome chairs with awesome features!
Best of Luck to you.
DON"T GIVE UP. If you qualify pester the insc co until you get it.
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#203161 - 10/06/12 12:31 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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1JerseyJet
Junior Member
Registered: 05/22/12
Posts: 4
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jOHNBOY,
This web site is not accessable to my computer. Please advise,
1JerseyJet
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#203169 - 10/07/12 01:30 PM
Re: Invacare powered wheelchairs ?lemons
[Re: 1JerseyJet]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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Jerse, how can i help you? my e-mail is j1p2s336@aol.com
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