Invacare Series Tracer SX5 Everyday Folding Wheelchair for Adult with 20" Seat Width and Footrests & Desk Arms

This is actually my second wheelchair. I bought the Drive Blue Streak wheelchair 7 months ago, but it broke (apparently it's common for that design to get stuck and not be able to open/close), so I did a lot more research before choosing this wheelchair. One of my friends who works with mobility aids recommended this brand as he said they are usually better quality for the price range. I could tell the difference in quality immediately! Positives: This chair is super easy to open and close! My husband had to open my other chair for me as it was very difficult to get to open/close. But this chair opens very smoothly and easily. It's reasonably comfortable. I do have a memory foam cushion that makes it more comfortable. It's really easy to self-propel! My other chair felt more heavy and I usually needed my husband to push me when I used it. This chair feels a lot lighter to propel, and I can self-propel much longer than I could before. (The over-all weight of the chair is pretty heavy though, so getting it in and out of a car could be difficult, it's similar to the weight of my first wheelchair though. I usually need my husband to lift it in and out of the car for me.) The arm rest design is fantastic. The placement of the arm rests is comfortable, and it is still easy to reach the wheels to self-propel without the arm rests getting in my way. Negative: My only negative comment is sort of a half negative, half positive. Be aware that the footrests ship separately from the wheelchair. I was concerned when my wheelchair arrived and was missing the footrests, so I contacted the seller and they mentioned that the footrests ship separately. SO I checked to see if there was tracking info for my footrests, there wasn't. So I contacted them a second time. This time they mentioned that my footrests (the ones with loops) were on back order, but that they could ship an alternate version. I actually didn't love the loop design, so I said an alternate option would be fine. They shipped out a different set of footrests, and those arrived today. They fit my chair great and seem to be great quality. Thankfully, I had spare footrests from my old chair, so having to wait for my footrests wasn't a huge issue for me, but I was a bit frustrated that they didn't communicate the delay sooner, if I hadn't had a spare set of footrests then I really wouldn't have been able to use the chair for an extra week while I waited for them to be delivered. But I was pleased that the seller at least responded quickly. TL;DR: This chair is excellent quality. I would highly recommend it!

I read numerous reviews on Amazon before buying this wheelchair. The majority of the poor reviews were for chairs costing $100.00 less. Their complaints included fragile hardware, poor finish, packing and shipping damage, under-strength design, poor ergonomics and in one case an objectionable odor. None of these are problems with the Invacare Tracer: it's built like a rock. I'm a retired engineer and fussy about quality and design. The Tracer hardware is excellent and the simple latch design for the foot extensions and to raise the arms are, frankly, brilliant. I would unequivocally recommend this wheelchair to anyone looking for a quality product. The extra $100 was worth every penny. Steve Cochran, Frisco TX

Phillips Health Care customer service deserves a 10 star rating. I asked the seller a question (via "Contact Seller") after I ordered this chair, and the following morning I got a phone call from their customer service with an answer for my question and a follow-up email as well. They were very polite and professional so I would feeling very comfortable recommending this company to anyone needing their products. After researching this product, I found this to be the best price. The chair comes fully assembled out of the box, you just unfold it. Per the user manual, the weight limit on this chair (based on the seat width of 20 inches) is 300 lbs. I find it very easy to maneuver and get around by myself using the handrims on the wheels and using my feet. Thank you!

It's a great, sturdy wheelchair. It's great for sitting in. It's not so great for being wheeled around in. I feel as though I'm going to fall out. The seat doesn't seem deep enough. I am a veteran of a whole lot of wheelchairs. I currently own five of them. Hands down, the most comfortable of them to be rolled around in is this one: http://smile.amazon.com/HEAVY-DUTY-22-TRANSPORT-WHEELCHAIR/dp/B000JT7IX4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426346594&sr=8-6&keywords=transport+wheelchair+heavy+duty#customerReviews. Since then, I have been looking for a regular wheelchair that is just as sturdy but that I can wheel myself around in when necessary. I have been unable to find one that is good for sitting and equally good for being wheeled around in.

It is Light, much lighter than other chairs (without leg supports - 41.1 lbs) Cheaply made ----> * see update below<-(1/12/2016) As to the Chair, the Handrails are 27 1/2" on top and the bottom of: 28" meaning, the doorway had better be more than 28 inches or it scrape a lot. And I am talking grinding through a doorway, forcing the chair through. I found out that just because a doorway is 28" +/- the Door Can Reduce that Width greatly. I am an Above Knee Amputee, so the Foot holders are a pain in the ass. I do not have on.,because I use my remaining leg to help propel myself As to the Arms, yes they are Fold Away which is Extremely handy. Like for getting in and out of bed toilet etc.. Doorway Thresholds are so nice to go over as opposed to the Narrow type front tires that you fight with to go over. (updated) Because I am in the chair much of the day, aside from prosthetic wearing. I need something that is just Nice to sit in. Trust me, Invacare is a great name brand with a good quality product. I use a Orthopedic pad on butt/seat 2+ " as I am tall it helps there as well (6' 6") 20" wide seating is really nice on this chair, plenty of room. (updated) original seat is horrible on hind-side The Width though; that was a bit of a Disappointment. I was told it was 27 inches - NO IT IS NOT!!!! It is 27 1/2" on top and 28" bottom "HAND-RAIL" UPDATE There are Plastic Straps on the Criss-Cross pipes below seat. If you do not fold this chair properly IT WILL Bend Those Straps. I have found; Pull up on seat, then push together the Seat Pad, NOT the outer pipes as you would other chairs. Then when it is almost closed then push/squeeze together seat Update) Use ONLY Seat to Fold Unfold. DO NOT USE CHAIR HANDLES. YOU WILL DESTROY IT (PLASTIC STRAPS) IF YOU DO NOT DO IT IN THIS ORDER - YOU WILL BEND ONE OR BOTH STRAPS As to seller, yes good! they do read email and they do respond rather quickly. SELLER IS VERY GOOD AT REPLIES AND TAKING CARE OF PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE those front FAT Tires Pick up mud dirt and it transfers that to your carpeting (outside to inside) And those Fat Tires ride nicer, but are harder to move as opposed to those skinny tires. ONE Other Thing, yes this chair does weigh under 35 lbs. W/O Foot Supports. That lightness is nice if you are the one pulling the chair in behind you. It is all of 12 lbs Lighter than most other chairs Another thing, it is actually front to back shorter than it is wide. So if you can make it into a 28" width area you can also turn 180 degrees. Makes it nice for tight places. (of course I only have one leg) With the Ortho Pad, its actually pretty comfortable * UPDATE after 6 months of ownership Jan. 12, 2016 The Tires SUCK BIG BAD. if you are in snow, forget it! any light snow. If you are on even Laminated floors, they slip and slide. if you get Blue colored tires, have fun! Carpeted they gain some control. This Chair is my Leg, I have to rely on it for everything, toilet bed Walmart etc etc '''IF YOU HAVE A RAMP''' THAT RAMP BETTER BE 100% DRY NO LIQUID NO SNOW. otherwise it becomes a personal sled. hope nothing is not at bottom. They have way too much Silicone and brakes kinda hold, it slides sideways easy >>>>>>> BUT, I ALSO OWN A "TRACER IV" WITH HAVE WORN TIRES,>>> I just used it to go get Waste Management Can from street - about 100 ft...I went out as well as back like it was a 4x4. in 2-5 inches of snow. That is the difference in tires - That RIB Front Tire picks up dog poo, Dirt Mud and brings into house and not much you can do about it.

This was a great product at a very reasonable price. We'd priced it elsewhere for much more money. It arrived quickly and was very easy to assemble. My dad was able to use it within minutes of arrival. It is roomy and sturdy. We are very pleased with this product!

This is a great chair for a large person. It is not complicated, and the leg rests move very easily. It folds easily, and it glides smoothly. I bought this for my sister who has used borrowed chairs from the doctors, even large chairs, and this is better than any of those.

Ever since it's arrival, wc has not pivoted properly. Drive sent me a wheel-but that was not the problem-it was the bearings. Now, less than a year later, the entire bearing assembly has fallen apart-making the wheel lock side-ways,etc ,( and the wheelchair basically trash at this point) Sometimes, this stops the wc, and I feel like I am going flying. Other times, I have to "pop a wheely" every foot to try and re-align the front wheel so it will move forward another foot or so. . This is the second tracer I have owned-the first one the entire fram broke, thankfully not while I was sitting on it. In all fairness, I am a "hefty" person, very slightly over the # limit. But, I do fit comfortably in the seat, so its not like the wc is way undersized for me. But, honestly, if you are a "hefty" user, I would recommend a stronger chair. I don't think any of this is the sellers fault, I blame Drive for inferior wormanship/construction. I'm going to try to figure out how to get replacement bearings, other wise it will have to go in the trash...