Review, Invacare M-50, M-51, M-71

Edmond Wheelchair Repair & Supply

Fair and honest review of the Invacare mini electric wheelchairs.

Invacare Pronto M-50, M-51, M-71 series, MWD POWER WHEELCHAIR.
Rating
Recommended use, Indoor / Light Outdoor

UPDATED 10 / 20 / 2003

The Invacare Pronto M-50, M-51, M-71 series were designed to be small, very maneuverable indoor power wheelchairs with limited outdoor usage. These chairs, I feel are among the best for this use. 

The small size ( 38" x 25" ) and mid-wheel drive make for a very maneuverable chair while the SureStep suspension and wider casters then previous Invacare minis allow it to handle thick grassy lawns and small obstacles with ease. 

The main differences between the three models are that the M-50 has limited programmable electronics, The M-51 has the standard Invacare MK-IV RII programmable electronics, and the M-71 has a take apart frame, the standard Invacare MK-IV RII programmable electronics and offers a wider selection of seats.

All three models have a top speed of 3 mph. Not fast enough for active users, but very well suited for use in the home or nursing facility.

The M-51 I have been testing has the new Invacare captains seat. Invacare seems to have learned the lesson about to short captains seats. The captains seat on the Pronto M-50, M-51, and M-71 can all be adjusted from the normal 16" seat depth to 17" or 18" deep, this is a big improvement over the captains seats that Invacare previously offered. A semi-reclining captains seat is optional on the M-50, M-51, and is standard on the M-71. For those needing to use a wheelchair cushion, sling style upholstery is available on the M-71 with a solid seat pan. This seating is available in 16" to 20" seat widths and depths.

The SureStep suspension climbed over small curbs and obstacles with no problem and should handle rough curb cuts or door thresholds without a hitch. While not the softest ride available, it was not bad. I do wish Invacare offered a pneumatic tire option for the rear casters, it would help a lot. 

Like most other mid-wheel drive chairs when going down a slope or leaning to far forward, the chair can rock forward. The Pronto mini series does this because of the SureStep suspension system which allows the front casters to climb up over obstacles. While this is not dangerous, it can scare the heck out of you the first few times it happens. If you are going to be cruising up and down hills a seat belt is in order and comes standard on all three models.

The things I do not like about the Pronto mini series are that the battery charger cord is placed low down on the very back of the chair and many people may have a hard time reaching it. On the plus side, the cord can be left out and the end placed in the pocket on the back of the seat. This does not look that great, but it does make it much easier to plug in for recharge.

The weight limit varies by model, on the M-50, and M-51 the limit is 300 lbs, on the M-71 it is only 250 lbs because of the take apart frame.

The M-50, M-51, M-71 series has been out a while now and I had to downgrade it's rating a little as reports of problems come in, but they still rates as some of the best. Out of all these models we have sold, we have had two reported with a bad battery charger and two with bad motors. If I get more of these reports, I will have to downgrade the series more. Invacare is working to correct these problems.


PROS

Good reliability.
Parts are readily available.
Meets its design goal for a small indoor / light outdoor power wheelchair.
Mostly easy to use with the exception of the charger port.
Very maneuverable.
Good seat selection.
Comfortable seat.
On-board charger.


CONS

Battery charger location.
Could use a pneumatic rear caster option.
Some reports of bad battery chargers.
Some reports of bad motors.

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12/30/2005