Our customers have been very satisfied with the 16” suction grab bar we offer. We have received numerous requests for a larger bar. We are please to announce that we now have a 23” bar in stock. It uses the same suction cups as the 1167 16” bar and is basically a longer version of that model. The real overall length is actually slightly more at 23.5”. As always, make sure that you have a flat non-porous surface to attach the bar to. If installing on tile, be sure to measure first to ensure the suction cups will be entirely on a tile surface.

Drive Medical has introduced the Silver Sport 1 and Silver Sport 2 wheelchairs as their new economy models. The Silver Sport 1 replaces the Winnie and Saturn models, while the Silver Sport 2 replaces the Winnie II.

The Silver Sport 1 is a single axle chair. It is available only in 18” seat width. It has an attractive silver vein finish with nylon upholstery which gives it a sleek modern look. 

The Silver Sport 2 is a dual axle chair. It is available in 16”, 18” and 20” seat widths. It too has a silver vein finish, but has embossed vinyl upholstery (as opposed to the nylon in the Silver Sport 1).

Both models are available with a choice of swingaway footrests or elevating legrests. All configurations have a choice of Fixed Full Length Arms, or Detachable Desk Length Arms, except for the 20” Silver Sport 2 which is only available with Detachable Desk Length Arms. 

We have broken the new Silver Sport models into three product pages: Silver Sport 1, Silver Sport 2 and 20” Silver Sport 2.

Now you see it, now you don’t. As some of you may have noticed, the Invacare Junior rollator (model 65350GR) that I blogged about back in August is no longer offered on our website. The main reason for this is unpredictable availability. The second reason is that it is only offered in green.

 

But fret not. In its place we have added Three Junior Walker Rollator models. I would like to take this opportunity to point out the highlights of each.

 

As I mentioned in the earlier post, the Lumex RJ4301 Walkabout Junior Rollator was not for everyone, as it was quite narrow. The Lumex RJ4300 Walkabout Standard Rollator was the correct width for these individuals, but was too tall. So for the Goldilocks’ out there, we now offer the Lumex RJ4302 Walkabout Hemi Rollator – which is “just right”. Its width is identical to the RJ4300, but is designed for shorter individuals.

 

Actually, all of the three newly added models are for average width adults. Aside from the slight differences in the various dimensions (which can be viewed in the product specifications tab), the main difference between them is the basket. The Lumex Hemi rollator (RJ4302) has an under-seat basket. The Petite Walker Rollator Deluxe (HL400) has a front mounted basket. The Drive Medical 301PS has an under-seat pouch instead of a basket, which doesn’t have to be removed when folding (assuming the pouch is basically empty).

 

As you may recall, Drive’s initial offering, the 301, had a plastic seat. Many customers requested a padded seat option, and so they added the 301PS model. The 301 is still available for those who prefer a plastic seat (at least for the time being), and is the only Junior Rollator we offer that has that. Please note the 301 has a front mounted basket, unlike the pouch on the 301PS.

 

Invacare has released a new junior rollator (model 65350GR).
This rollator features a padded seat. Until now, our most popular junior rollator has been the Drive Medical 301. However, the 301 has a plastic seat. Many of our customers have inquired about a padded seat junior rollator. Although we do have a Lumex product (model RJ4301), it is a smaller unit - too small for most of our customers. This new Invacare product fills a niche that we noticed was lacking for quite a while. We anticipate this becoming our most popular Junior Rollator.

We are pleased to announce the introduction of foldable ramps from Drive Medical. These ramps are available in five sizes ranging from two feet to six feet. They are competitively priced and are backed by Drive's limited lifetime warranty. An added bonus is a free carry bag for maximum portability. The thoughtful design features perforated slots to allow rain water to drain through, avoiding puddles. For more information visit the product page.

We currently offer two junior rollators on our website. They are quite different from each other and I would like to take the opportunity to point a couple things out. The Drive Medical 301 is basically a shorter version of a standard rollator. It is ideal for shorter adults. It comes with a plastic seat and a front mounted basket. The Lumex RJ4301 is smaller overall. It's as if a full size rollator was shrunk in the washing machine. It comes with a padded seat and an under-seat basket. Before choosing a junior rollator, please review all the dimensions in the specifications tab to help you to determine which one is appropriate for the intended user.

We have been receiving quite a few inquiries regarding our suction cup grab bars. I decided to put together an FAQ to answer some of the more common questions we receive.

http://www.gowheelchair.com/Bath-Safety/Grab-Bars/catid-315.htm

Will the suction grab bar work on such and such a surface? The suction grab bar will adhere to any smooth, non-porous surface. Examples include fiber glass, tile and glass. The surface has to be smooth of any grooves or pronounced texture to ensure that the suction cup can make a proper seal. When installing on tile, one must make sure that the suction cups will end up situated on the tile surface and not between tiles on the grout. Keep in mind that the mounting surface must be strong enough to withstand the pull of the suction grab bar. For example, suction grab bars should not be installed on drywall surfaces.

Can I use the suction grab bar with X size tiles? Before purchasing, you should measure your tiles to make sure that the grab bar can be positioned so that the suction cups are entirely on the tile surface area. The specs are listed for each model specifying the suction cup diameter and the distance between cups. This should allow you to determine if the grab bar will work with your tiles. If one size won’t work, another size may do the trick. The Drive Medical model comes in sizes with adjustable lengths to allow precise installation.

Which model will work with 4” tiles? It seems that 4” tiles are pretty popular, as we receive this question quite a bit. Although the suction cup diameter on the 1067 and 1167 is 3-7/8”, the distance between the suction cups is not adjustable and it may not line up properly. We have heard feedback from a customer that said it fit perfectly (but they had to install it at an angle). It really depends on the grout spacing. We highly recommend you measure first. The adjustable models from Drive Medical have 4.5” suction cups, so those won’t work either. We do have a single handle suction device that will work (1168), as there is only a single 3-7/8” suction cup to deal with.

Are suction grab bars safe? When installed properly, suction grab bars adhere really well. They are easy to install and remove and are ideal for many situations. That said, a suction grab bar is to be used as a balance assist only, not a weight leveraging device. In other words, a person has to be able to stand on their own in the unlikely event the grab bar should fail. The manufacturers do not accept liability for any injuries involving grab bars that come off unexpectedly – and neither should you! This bit of information cannot be stressed enough. If the user needs something to grab to assist then in entering and exiting a shower, suction grab bars are a great alternative to traditional grab bars which must be permanently installed. But they should not be used if the patient would not be able to remain standing safely if the grab bar should unexpectedly come off.

Are they returnable?Yes. All our suction grab bars are covered under our 30 day money back guarantee. If you find that it doesn’t work for your application, simply contact us for an RA number for a no hassle return. The item must be in brand new resalable condition and in its original packaging. The customer is responsible for the return shipping. The full cost of the item is refunded, but not the shipping charges. There are no restocking fees. See the guarantee tab on the product detail page of the model in question for the full return policy.

Why are the Drive Medical grab bars so much more expensive? The Drive Medical grab bars are superior in quality to the other bars that we carry. Also, the Drive model comes in very large sizes with adjustable lengths. Truth be told, we sell far more of the less expensive models and the vast majority of our customers are satisfied. Many come back to purchase additional quantities for other locations in their residence. If you do not need the additional size of some of the larger Drive Medical models, I would recommend saving your money any trying the cheaper models. With our 30 day money back guarantee, you can always upgrade if you are not satisfied.

Which is the most popular grab bar? By far our most popular grab is the 16” 1167. It is only a few dollars more than the 12” version and provides nearly twice as much handle gripping area. We find that most of the customers that choose the 12” version do so because of space or measurement constraints.

How do you install the suction cup grab bar? Installation is extremely simple. You simply push the suction cup against the mounting surface, and flip down the plastic tab on the outer side of the suction cup. This action pulls in the inside surface of the suction cup material, creating the vacuum that allows it to strongly adhere to the mounting surface. Repeat for the second suction cup, and you are done! To remove, simply flip up the tabs and the suction is released. 

In my opinion, the 10208PS Go-Lite Rollator offers the best bang for the buck. It is not the cheapest rollator, but at our current sale price of $99 with free shipping, I feel it is worth the extra investment. Let me tell you why.

The Go-Lite is a standard four wheel rollator with 6" wheels and a padded seat. Padded seats tend to be more popular with most of our customers due to the extra comfort they provide. 6" casters are considered the de-facto standard for rollators (though there are models with 8" which excel on rougher terrain).

I really like the under seat pouch. Not only does it look better than a basket, it also does not need to be removed when folding the rollator. This can prove to be a huge advantage for the active user. In my previous article I mentioned front mounted baskets which also get around this problem. But I prefer this arrangement.

The build quality of the Go-Lite is superior to the slightly less expensive R6 from Drive. According to Drive Medical, both are good walkers - "It's like the difference between a Cadillac and a Chevy." A customer also pointed out that the Go-Lite has a larger seat than the R6, making it more comfortable.

Last but certainly not least, the Go-Lite lives up to its name, weighing a mere 12 pounds. That is as light as we have for standard rollators. In contrast, the Invacare 65650 weight 19 lbs, which is quite a difference. (It is also a pound lighter than the 13 pound R6).

The R6 is still a great rollator, and currently a best seller. But I strongly recommend considering upgrading to the Go-Lite.

Virtually all rollators come with a wire basket (the Invacare Rollite Rollator and Drive Clever Lite being notable exceptions). There are two possible mounting locations - under the seat or in front. I have heard from several customers that they prefer the basket under the seat as their valuables were more secure. However, I very much prefer models with a front mounted basket. The main reason for this is that a front mounted basket does not need to be removed when folding the rollator. A basket mounted under the seat must be removed whenever the rollator is folded. This can prove to be a considerable inconvenience.

I also think that in general, front mounted baskets are more convenient in day-to-day use. It can get fairly burdensome having to lift up the seat every time the contents in the basket need to be accessed. Then again, we have that "security" argument on the other side...

The 835 Transport Chair carry bag from Drive Medical was back ordered for over a month. We are happy to inform you that it is back in stock and available. This universal carry bag allows you to conveniently store and carry your transport chair. It features a shoulder strap for easy portability. It is designed to fit standard transport wheelchairs up to 19" wide. The bag is fabricated from durable nylon and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Please note that the bag will not fit hybrid or manual wheelchairs with larger rear wheels.

We now also offer two carry pouches for use with standard wheelchairs and transport chairs. They are designed to hang from the two handles on the rear of the wheelchair and can be used for extra storage. The STDS6000-1 is a standard pouch with two large pockets and measures 17.5" x 16.5" x 4.5". The STDS6005-1 is a deluxe pouch and has one large zippered pocket as well as a mesh pocket with Velcro closures. It measures 15" x 15" x 5". Both bags are constructed from durable nylon which is easy to clean and are designed to fit most wheelchairs. They also offer a 90 day warranty. As always, GoWheelchair.com offers its 30 day satisfaction guarantee allowing returns even if there is nothing wrong with the product.