Portable hand controls

[Niese]

I have done some searching on the internet as on this site looking for the best portable hand controls. I would really like to get some others opinions on what you like the best. Any info would be wonderful
Thanks
Niese

[Hunker]

http://www.sportaid.com/catalog/page34.shtml?Hand%20Controls

Ask for Stacey or Jimmy they are good people.
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
Matt

[Jessecj7]

these are the one i have, and they work great!

http://www.wheelability.com/

~when all else fails, use C4~

[Jeff]

I'm looking for a set so I can drive my wife's car. So far $299 at Sportaid is the cheapest I can find.

~See you at the SCIWire-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[Curt Leatherbee]

I would recommend the Wheelability ones over the Sportaid z4 ones. I have the Wheelability ones and they are very easy to install and use, the z4 ones can be a little tricky to drive with.

[fuentejps]

colours wheelchairs has a new set on the market. look good

[JimD]

I have had the Wheelability ones for several years now; very easy to install and use, never any trouble.

[Andy]

Could someone describe how they put their body to reach the pedals to install some of these portable controls? I have been thinking how I would do this but cant figure out how to reach the pedals in my car if I was to try to install some temporary controls into it (or any other car).

[Hunker]

Originally posted by *Andy*:

Could someone describe how they put their body to reach the pedals to install some of these portable controls? I have been thinking how I would do this but cant figure out how to reach the pedals in my car if I was to try to install some temporary controls into it (or any other car).

I lean over from the drivers side and put them on. You are T6 so you may want to tranfer from the passenger side and lay on your stomach so you hands can reach the foot petals better. I always strap the controls around the steering wheel first to get them out of my way.I set the gas and brake up as far as I can, because the knobs get in the way or they can hit each other. Be sure to test them out when you get in the drivers side and double check they are not hitting each other. The safety chain should be on to of the pedal so if they come off. I always keep a bat,broomstick just in case my hand controls mess up. My friend Stan has MS and he did not like portable hand control in fact we just took a ride in his golf cart that has rigid hand controls. We had a lot of fun.I will post some pictures.
Have a good day,
Matt

[This message was edited by Hunker on 10-31-04 at 06:49 PM.]

[Andy]

Ah Ha! The passenger side, didnt think of that. Thanks for the picture, really helps for me to see how these would work. I think I'll buy a set, would be nice to drive something else besides my car sometimes.

[wheeliegirl]

I have the Wheelability ones also. I've never had any problems with them. They are easy for me to install and un-install myself. I simply leave my legs outside the car, and lean back, balancing as best I can, and install them. It probably seems a lot harder then it is, but it's really not.

[richwelsh63]

I have a set from wheelabilty and I think their great I oinly used them twice. I got them because we were going on a trip. I'm thinking about selling them. I paid $350 for them. $45 was overnight delivery! They are still in great shape and I sell them if anyone is interested let me know!

[McDuff]

I was just surfin' and came across these:

portable controls (http://www.spokesnmotion.com/products_shop/product_detail.asp?product_id=1015)

Look interesting because of simple install.

McD

"Rather be ridin' than rollin'"

[dan_nc]

What's the biggest difference between these portable ones and the rigid hand controls? I'm looking at borrowing my sister's car for a year (until I have the funds to buy my own car). The portable ones look good, but I can't seem to figure out how they work. Is it just like the rigid (push to stop, pull to accelerate) or are they separate controls for the brake and gas pedal.

I have heard really good things about the rigid ones.

For those of you that have tried both what do you think? Also, when you rent a car with hand controls, are they usually the portable kind? What brand?

[bcripeq]

Cars I have rented had monarch controls and some cheesy push pull type. I have those peddle masters and they are pretty good but not ideal. Gas pedals are much different on different cars. Some are real narrow and some are real wide. It wont hold onto the narrow pedals. So I wrapped duct tape around the jaws to make them narrow. Then its a pain to get them to stick on wide pedals later. It is common for the gas to just fall off. The brake is real good EXCEPT you have to be careful when hitting the skids that the gas isnt under the brakes. Hit skids, handles connect, apply gas.

If you can the Colours are the best I have seen. They use them all the time not just portable. I know other guys that use similiar hand controls all of the time as well. Certainly cheaper and easier.

[Linda H.]

The pedal masters look kinda scary to me, then again I've never used anything other than the kind perm. installed. The timing of this thread couldn't have been better, my DH and I were just talking about buying a set last night. He just went for his drivers training eval yesterday, and he doesn't want to have to wait to be able to drive his truck after they change his drivers license. I've been thinking about buying a set on and off ever since I started driving again 12 yrs ago myself, in case I ever needed to rent a car in a hurry. I guess I'll be checking out the other sets availible, I just can't see myself driving with the peddle masters.

[dan_nc]

I ended up getting the colours ones. They seemed okay actually. Press with the thumb to accelerate. Press with your wrist to brake. I think they just take some practice.

[Curt Leatherbee]

I would recommend the Wheelability ones over the Sportaid z4 ones. I have the Wheelability ones and they are very easy to install and use, the z4 ones can be a little tricky to drive with.

Like the ones in the picture Hunker posted. I have had no problems with mine, well almost no problems, I was getting an oil change and forgot to remove them and the mechanic nearly drove the car through the wall.

[Linda H.]

Well I just ordered a set from Wheelability, I'm looking forward to being able to finally take my DH's new 2006, F150 for a spin.

[Curt Leatherbee]

They sure do come in handy at times to have. It is great to be able to drive just about car out there as long as it is an automatic, I have even had mine in Corvette. Be very careful installing them in making sure they are not binding on anything and then most important push down on the brake and pull the throttle hard a few times after they are installed to make sure everything is properly attached and the engine comes back down to idle properly. If installed, tested after installation and driven properly they can be a safe control. As I said before never let anybody else drive the car using the foot pedals with the controls still installed, that is asking for trouble, always remove the controls when you have anybody else drive the car.

[fb1907]

I have a set from wheelabilty and I think their great I oinly used them twice. I got them because we were going on a trip. I'm thinking about selling them. I paid $350 for them. $45 was overnight delivery! They are still in great shape and I sell them if anyone is interested let me know!

I do have a question.. how does the gas works.. Do you have to push down towards your legs to accelerate and push forward for breaks?

I might be interested in? What is the price in your mind?

Thanks

[Rbrauer]

I've got a set of army cot legs I've been using for driving for several years now.

[Curt Leatherbee]

that looks kinda scary.

[Rbrauer]

After finding this site, then seeing links to several hand control providers, the set I have are basically no different. They attatch with wire that hooks in the back, wont come off unless you unhook them. Only problem I ever had was when the wife tried to put them back on, I didnt check and the one for the gas came off. Kinda grew up with making do with what you had.

[fb1907]

anyone interested in selling or renting the equipment? I am leaving for a vacation..

Thanks..

[bubbah]

peddlemaster has the thing licked ...the controls have a "grab" mechanism at the peddle end and a pull device at the top operates the grab so you don't have to even bend over...install takes 30 seconds (no kidding)!

[taziar]

Thought I'd give this thread a 'bump' - I'm interested in getting some portables because I really don't wanna blow $1400 on new controls for the vehicle I just bought for my wife. We only plan to keep it for a few years while we pile up some cash, and the vehicle is only worth $3600.
Seems like Wheelability was the most recommended portable set, but I was wondering what people thought of the new Colours AZ-1 available on SportAid. How different are they from the Z4 and Wheelability? What was it about hte Wheelability that you preferred?

[arod636]

Taziar I designed a set of hand controls. They are protably and take about a minute to install and are very safe an durable. I have been using them on my 1970 chevelle for over a year now and on my 2003 gmc sierra. I use quality metals and get all the welding done at a metal manufacturing company that my brother manages. I sell mine for 200 plus shipping. Mine work better than the other portable ones I have seen because you initiate the gas by pulling on a lever like you would on a bicycle to press the brakes. You simply pull on the lever an that pushes that gas down. Then you push down on the other lever to press the brake pedal in. There isn't a lot of strain on your thumb like the other portable hand controls out there. If you would like some pics send me a message and I can provide them for you.