Sterling S800 by Scoozy
With its striking forest green paint job and tubular steel frame, the all–terrain Sunrise Medical Sterling S800 by Scoozy is like no other scooter on the Motability Scheme. Our guest reviewer Jim, from Willenhall, West Midlands, travelled to the Motability Scheme Live event, at the NEC in Birmingham, to see if the manufacturer’s claims stood up to scrutiny.
The road–legal S800 certainly sets out its credentials as an ultra–modern go–anywhere machine with 18in wheels, trail mud tyres, advanced front and rear suspension and plenty of ground clearance.
Former bus and truck driver, Jim, 52, has Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, which has affected movement in his arms and legs.
“All my life I've been an out–and–about kind of person,” he says. “I am looking for a replacement that can handle anything most scooters can’t cope with mud or go out in the rain or snow.”
On the Motability Scheme Live test track, the S800 certainly seemed capable of delivering Jim’s adventurous requirements as it was smooth and stable over an especially challenging ‘bumpy mat’ on the test track, set up to simulate an off–road scenario.
“I reckon it’s the best all–terrain scooter going – I couldn’t fault it. I’d use it everywhere, even in Snowdonia,” says Jim.
Unlike traditional scooters, you sit in the S800 rather than on it, which suits its purpose to cover uneven ground. Jim found the bike–like handlebars, brake handles, and a thumb throttle, on the S800 very intuitive to use. Getting on couldn’t be simpler, as the seat neatly swivels round with long–distance comfort taken care of with seat, back–rest and steering column all adjustable.
The 70Ah lithium battery gives the S800 a range of up to 50km (31 miles) and, crucially, the battery is located beneath the footplate, meaning Jim had plenty of legroom.
A useful feature is the integrated battery heating, which means the S800 performs reliably even in freezing conditions. All the information you need, such as the state of the battery, is taken care of on a large colour LCD display fitted with advanced built–in security making it harder to tamper with or steal.
Erivo R10
While essential for many to get around, powered wheelchairs are often heavy, bulky items that are a challenge to load into a car.
There’s good news though, as recent advances in engineering mean that a new generation of folding powered wheelchairs are lighter and more compact than ever, but can be used as an everyday machine.
To see just how good these high–tech folders are, we asked Beverley, from Dudley, West Midlands, to test the Invacare Erivo R10.
Beverley, 63, a former accountant, currently uses a Quickie powered wheelchair and loads it into a Ford Galaxy with a hoist. She was looking to downsize her car and a folding powered chair could provide the answer.
Taking up less space than previous folders, the Erivo R10 only requires a small car hoist to load it in the boot. That opens up the possibility to use a more compact car that’s easier to park and cheaper to run, such as the Mazda CX5 SU, which Beverley is keen on.
Beverley had a spinal injury in 1993 and can now only walk a short distance on crutches, enough to transfer to a car from her house. Acute back pain means she struggles to stand for extended periods, so she was keen to find out if the Erivo R10 was comfortable for her condition for more than just short trips.
A cool–looking machine, the Erivo R10 instantly won her over with its gold metallic paint frame and compact dimensions. Her initial positive impressions were reinforced when she took it for a spin on the test track. “My back is getting worse, so it was useful to try out the wheelchair at the event. I found the Erivo very comfortable over obstacles as it has a firm seat plate compared to the other smaller folding wheelchairs I tried,” says Beverley.
Another plus was its easy–to–use joystick control, which allows for manoeuvrability in tight spaces. Crucially, given our poor pavements, she also found the Erivo R10 extremely stable, with the suspension giving a smooth ride over obstacles.
The Erivo is manufactured by Invacare company Abler in Germany, which is reflected in its top–notch build quality. On a full charge, there’s a range of up to 11 miles and it folds in seconds. The lithium battery means it’s even suitable for transporting on aircraft.
The power–assist system weighs around 8.5kg, and the battery can be removed for loading or charging. It has a maximum weight limit of up to 23.5 stone.
The Erivo comes in two versions on the Motability Scheme: the R10, tested by Beverley, and a R11 model with a bigger 30 Ah battery, which increases the range to 22 miles and adds a lighting package.
Photos: Carl Rodgerson, Jorrit Lousberg/Sunrise Medical Limited
