Amazon
Porto Mobility Ranger Discovery XL
Features
- Drive type: rear-drive
- Seat width: 21”
- Weight limit: 440 lbs
- Range per charge: up to 18 miles
- Speed: up to 5 mph
- Turning radius: 33”
- Motors: Dual 250W brushless motors
- Batteries: 2 x 6Ah lithium-ion LiFePO4
- Wheelchair dimensions: 34″ x 24″ x 36″
- Wheelchair weight: 58 lbs (50 lbs without batteries)
- Warranty: 3 years frame; 1 year batteries, motors and controller
Other features: Puncture-free wheels, 360-degree joystick, caregiver control provision, travel case
The Ranger Discovery XL is the updated version of the Porto Mobility Ranger concept that made the original article attractive in the first place: unusually high weight capacity without the enormous chair weight normally associated with heavy-duty power wheelchairs.
The current Discovery XL supports up to 440 pounds while the chair itself weighs approximately 50 pounds without the batteries. That is an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and gives larger users an option that can still be folded and transported without installing a permanent vehicle lift.
Outdoor capability is another major advantage. Dual 250W brushless motors, larger rear wheels, 3.7 inches of ground clearance and a claimed climbing ability of up to 25 degrees make the Ranger far more capable on grass, gravel and uneven ground than most compact travel chairs.
Porto specifies a 21-inch seat, 440-pound capacity, 5 mph maximum speed, up to 18 miles of range and a 33-inch turning radius for the current Discovery XL.
What we liked
Few folding electric wheelchairs combine a 440-pound capacity, 21-inch seat and approximately 50-pound frame. The range and outdoor performance also make this much more than a specialist bariatric chair.
What could be better
The Ranger is more expensive than many generic folding chairs, and its relatively large wheels and wider seat mean it takes up more room than ultra-compact travel models. Users who do not need the extra capacity may be better served by a lighter chair.