Okay guys need some help here. I've been using a bear of a wheelchair for the past ten years anytime I have to go somewhere that requires a lot of walking (grocery shopping, the mall, Lowes) And while I haven't had many issues with my chair I do think I can do a bit better than the $100 hulking invicare special. Especially now that it has creaked its final spin (the seat is worn, the casters and wheels are chipped and the hand rims are veritable hand slicers)

So my DH has been looking at the ultralight weight chairs, narrowing the field to a toss up between the Quickies and the TiLites. Both offer reclining backs, elevating leg rests, pop off wheels, folding back and both are within a pound of each other as well as within $100 difference between the two. The Quickie only offers a 2" seat pad, while the TiLite offers up to a 4" cushion (but honestly, have sewing machine can easily make a cushion as thick or thin as I want) and both look compact enough to maneuver around the house if providing I remove the hand rims, and possibly take off the leg rests to get in and out of the bedroom (ranch style home with very narrow hallway 34" wide which is only 2" wider than a standard door frame)

My current wheelchair can go down the hall but there's no way to negotiate it into any of the bedrooms. The real kicker is I need to decide soon, my DH wants to take a trip to Disney in September and it takes about 6 weeks to get a customized chair. In addition to the fact that I'm currently without a chair, mine is simply dead to the point of being all but unusable excepting dire need.

Does anyone have one or the other that can give an idea about the comfort of those chairs? The ratings and reviews really don't help in figuring out which chair would be more comfortable which at this point is about the biggest difference I can imagine would arise. Otherwise if they're both comparable in comfort, I'm down to color acid green or black cherry, which still doesn't help me decide any easier since given a can of spray paint I can easily make it any color I like.

My first chair was bought as a cheaper solution to renting (never thinking I'd need beyond an 8 week casted period) this time I'm looking for all around comfort and compact.

i don't have any experience with chairs. but, why don't you try calling your local MS society. they may be able to steer you in the right direction.

Starz, be sure to try one out before you purchase one. I couldn't handle
and didn't like the Quicky or custom made chairs of that type. They're
not for everyone and very expensive.

A small lightweight scooter may be a better option?

Very true on the price, but at the same time I just can't quite set myself towards an electric mode of transport. I really want to move about as much as I can, which honestly is even an issue in the wheelchairs as I get exteremely fidgety. Nothing like having ADHD in a broken body

But I am leaning more towards the TiLite... Just looking at the pictures it looks more comfortable than the Quickie... So I guess I'm in for a long drive to go try some out. Just need to wait for my mom to get back in town so we can also take her car to see them...

It's the smallest car in the family but one I ride around in quite frequently. So i really want to be sure this time the chair will fit in the trunk without needing to fold down both of the back seats. Wheelchairs and mirages aren't exactly friendly with each other , not that my accent is much better, but at least one seat can be left up in the back.

Though honestly I'm almost...almost... Tempted to simply modify my current chair... Replace the axles, change out the wheels, maybe cut off the back and reattach it with an adjustable hinge, could do the same for the push handles... Replace the seat, add in a cushion or two and voila! Lightweight custom wheelchair for a fraction of the price (most expensive part would be the wheels I'm sure). Heck throw in a can of spray paint while I'm at it.

I used to customize my bicycles when I was a kid, we'd pick up used bike from the bike shop for $5.00 and then begin the remodeling of the bikes... Made a ten speed that I could fold up and carry on my back when I was ten... I think I could handle modifying my chair if my DH would let me use his power tools.... The bike took a little over a month to complete, with a hacksaw, hammer, screwdriver and wrench. With power tools I think it could finish it in a day

Have you tried googling "wheelchair alternatives" or something like that? I looked at different wheelchairs on Amazon and there were a lot of different styles and sizes. I haven't actively looked at any for my own personal use......yet. I hope you find what you need.

I got to thinking about what my Dad did when he needed an alternative mode of transportation but wasn't ready for a wheelchair full time.

He got a scooter that he could maneuver around his house and that he could also get in and out of easily.

I don't remember the model he had but he got it from The Scooter Store and they came out to his house to measure doorways and hall width so he could get the scooter that met all his needs. He had the same one for several years so I assume he was happy with it!

Here is a link to their website http://the-scooter-store.com/

It looks like you can rent them so at least you can test them out before you purchase. Does insurance or Medicare cover any part of the cost?

http://www.spinlife.com/Invacare-Tra...er=77116725684

I am probably not going to be much help, but I bought a manual wheelchair off of craigslist like the one in the link with top and bottom cushions, like new for 100 bucks.

I have a power chair and scooter so it was a purchase made for ease of use for short trips.

I assume you have a helper pusher? Personally I couldn't use a Walgreens typical chair, its too heavy, because I do it all my own mostly. I got mine off of Craigslist, its a quickie lightweight alumnum with quick release wheels and one piece feet rest. The tires take air....basically they are bicycle rims and tires... I suggest combing craigslist.... I got mine for 500 and it is a 2500 dollar chair. They only used it for 5 months. The frame doesn't fold....its one piece but compact enough you can throw the frame into the car back seat. Its well worth it...the light chairs scoot along really nice...and the ride is comfy...air soft comfy.

Good luck hun.

Did you find you a chair yet?

Not just yet, my mother only just returned from WA laying my uncle to rest, she was gone for 2 weeks so she had to jump right back to work. But we're thinking of going to look at the TiLites next week. It's such a tough decision, especially given the cost. About the only thing I know is I'm not quite ready for a scooter or other electric wheelchair. Definitely want a manual chair.

Quickies and TiLites offer what I'm looking for as far as convience goes... Collapsible, removable wheels for further compaction and ultralight weight. Designed for chair cushions are nice, but more as an added feature, nothing I can't make for myself, so I guess it will likely come down to the comfort of the chair 'off the rack' so to speak, the less modifying I need to do to have it suit me, the better.

If the TiLites are comfortable and overall "sturdy" then I'll probably order one, otherwise it'll be off to find the nearest quickie carrier.... Failing both of those... Blowtorches and welders here I come ... I suppose...