Medline - Excel Freedom - Mds808200bar - Lightweight Bariatric Transport Chair,F: 8 R: 12

Started with the assembly. Read the first few steps. Removed wheelchair from the box. Removed a lot of bubble wrap and small zip ties. Found the winged bolts that the instructions said to remove from the locations they were supposed to be when assembled - but they were in the bottom of the box.Had to tighten one of the foot brake levers - it was loose. The brake levers can be operated by the person seated in the wheelchair. If the brake lever extensions were used, they would interfere even more with the back being folded.Hopefully, the brakes on this steel wheelchair will hold better than the brakes on the aluminum wheelchair (where the chair could not stay on an inclined driveway while the car door was opened for the patient to be moved up closer to the car).This is a replacement wheelchair since the aluminum transport wheelchair had a handle that broke where 2 large holes (design flaw) went through the arm where the fold down release is located. I may have to try the fit of the aluminum footrests on this chair to reduce the weight.Woah! Footrests (tubes and all metal parts) are steel on BOTH the aluminum wheelchair AND the steel wheelchair. I used a magnet to test. No weight savings here. I do appreciate having the devices that hold the footrests in place without having to remove them all the time.Folding the wheelchair would be easier if the folded back and handles didn't interfere with the brake handles. Lock the brakes before folding down the back and handles.The arm rests are NOT padded on the steel chair, but they are padded on the aluminum chair.The aluminum wheelchair was advertised as 23.5 pounds, this steel wheelchair is advertised as ??? A reviewer wrote it weighs 28 pounds WITHOUT the footrests. I am not weighing it, but it does feel heavier than the aluminum wheelchair.NOTE: The correct method of determining the weight of the wheelchair (or any other small item that might not be heavy enough to weigh accurately by itself) is to stand on a weight scale, record your weight, pick up the wheelchair, record the combined weight, and subtract the two weight measurements. The difference is the true weight of the wheelchair.I want to improvise a strap to make it easier to carry this wheelchair up and down stairs.I will update this review after I have been able to use it to transport a relative and have a chance to weigh it.

It’s VERY lightweight which is a huge blessing! It’s incredibly easy to fold up and easy to push along while folded. It moves along well with my Mom in the chair except going over some thresholds. I’ve learned to pull her through doorways backwards when I see that the threshold is taller, instead of pushing her through frontward and it works so much better. Other reviews I read before purchasing said the wheels were not very sturdy and some mentioned the front wheels breaking very easily. Pulling the chair over the threshold instead of pushing it through will definitely help with the life of the smaller front wheels. I bought this one because it has larger back wheels and I’m glad I did. The only thing I worry about is the life of the brake handles. Because they are down on the back wheels, there is a tendency to use your feet to lock & unlock them which could easily bend them so you have to be careful. If we have a need for another one, I might try the one with the brakes on the handles. Oh, I love how nice the foot rests attach to the sides of the chair and easily pop out and swing around for use! The last thing is that I believe the stats said the chair could hold 300 lbs. While I’m sure it could hold that amount of weight, I don’t thing it would last very long at all.

I have a rollator and a power scooter but there are situations when I require a lightweight and compact means of getting around, like in a shopping mall or stores that don't have motorized shopping carts. My 75-year-old mother has been my caretaker and was not able to lift conventional wheelchairs (those with wheels that allow self-propulsion) into her compact car.After some basic research I decided to order this wheelchair and have not been disappointed. It comes assembled so you can use it right out of the box. I did order a cup holder to go on it which I find handy, as I like having my coffee to go cup or water bottle with me.My mother is able to easily fold the wheelchair up and lift it in and out of her car. The ONLY downside is that depending on how the wheelchair is placed in the car (usually on it side), the flyaway detachable foot rest will fall off - but it is easily put back on once the wheelchair is opened up.I do like the detachable foot plate feature which allows you to secure the footplates in an upright position for storage - the wheelchair can be easily tucked away when not in use or when I sit in a chair in a restaurant it can be stashed in a corner or out of the way spot. You can also adjust the footplates to leg length, which is a nice feature since I am only 5'1".The seat and back are comfortable - a nylon fabric that provides adequate support. It probably cleans easily should there be a spill.The only thing I have noticed is that from time to time the back of my ankles will rub against the front wheels when the wheelchair is being turned but this is rare.In some instances, medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid will cover the expense of durable medical equipment (DME) which falls under this category. Ask your health provider for a prescription for a wheelchair. You can try submitting the receipt for the wheelchair with the prescription for reimbursement. Contact your health care provider before doing this though, it may be an out-of-pocket expense. You may be able to deduct the item as a medical expense if you itemize. Also, you may be able to use your HSA funds to pay for this item. Consult an expert.Overall I would highly recommend this wheelchair for its value for the features provided: comfort, support, ease of maneuverability, compactness and durability.