Review, Invacare AT'M Travel Chair

Edmond Wheelchair Repair & Supply

Rick's review of the Invacare AT'M Travel electric wheelchairs.

Invacare AT'M Travel Electric Wheelchair.
Rating
Recommended use, Travel / Occasional Indoor

I must admit my comment on first seeing photos of the Invacare AT'M was, "Oh great, some fool has put wheels and motors on a lawn chair." Since that time I have learned much more about them and gotten to play with one a little. While I still would not recommend one to a person needing a chair for everyday use, it was not designed for that purpose. What it was designed to be is a very light and easily transportable electric wheelchair, and it does that better then any other I have seen.

I have to say that looking at photos and actually seeing the chair are completely different experiences.

The seat frame unlatches from the base and easily folds, like a lawn chair. The difference is the steel tubing is of a much larger diameter and higher strength. The seat frame should last for years, if the chair is used for it's designed purpose. The folded seat easily fits into most car trunks.

Once the seat is removed, you can easily remove the batteries leaving only the base. The base alone is only 34 pounds and can be easily carry it in one hand. The chair is propelled by two shafts rubbing against the rear tires and causing them to turn. Not the most efficient way, but it does away with gearboxes and saves weight. Several chairs have used this method through the years.

The front casters are 6 x 1" and are very similar to those used on some ultralight wheelchairs. I would have preferred the casters to be wider to prevent any chance of one hanging in a large crack. While very unlikely, I feel the 6 x 2" would be a better choice and would have made for a smoother ride without adding much weight.

The rear tires are the 12-1/2" x 2-1/4" found on most smaller electric wheelchairs. My only complaint here is that the tires are pneumatic instead of a good urethane solid tire. Pneumatic tires will have to be kept inflated to the proper pressure and will wear much faster, but they are more easily replaced.

Most of the rest of the chair is pretty much what you would expect on a chair of this type. 3 amp off-board battery charger and 17 AH batteries. Range is listed as 12 miles but it should be noted that all electric wheelchair range figures are under ideal conditions, on a smooth, flat surface and no wind resistance. If your driving in San Francisco on a windy day your range is going to be about half the factory spec.

To sum it up, The AT'M is a very good chair for travel or for trips to the store, but not for everyday use.



PROS

Good customer service.
Parts are readily available.
Meets its design goal for a travel electric wheelchair.
Easy to use and fast assembly.
Good maneuverability.
Light weight when disassembled.
Fits in most car trunks.


CONS

Could use a wider front caster option.
I feel urethane rear tires would be better.

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10/19/2007