2024 - Volume #48, Issue #1, Page #21
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Zoom Chair Offers Long, Stable Ride
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“One of the wheels is in front of the other, and the wheels are tilted for stability. It’s all about balance and so it doesn’t tip over,” says Kim McCabe, the U.S. distributor for the Swedish-made Zoom. “And it’s a lot faster and goes farther. It looks more like a fun, sporty bike chair.”
About 3 years ago, she added it to her business, McCabe Outdoor Mobility, which she started after her husband was paralyzed from an accident.
“My husband is an extreme outdoor person,” she says, “and the Zoom chair allows him to stay active - exploring, hunting and fishing.”
With two lithium batteries that fully charge in 4 to 6 hrs., running time is about 2 hrs. and 20 miles, depending on the terrain. A new battery promises to last about 60 miles, McCabe adds. The seat swivels and flexes and is similar to a race car seat. An additional liner offers padding for pressure sores. The 18-in. wheels have treads like a mountain bike tire, yet they’re suitable for going into businesses or restaurants. But they’re not as maneuverable as wheelchairs designed for everyday home use.
“You do have to have upper body strength to drive these,” she emphasizes, to get in and out of it and to operate the twist or thumb-operated throttle and brake.
McCabe has delivered them to be used in parks and to individuals.
“They can go from 0 to 13 mph in seconds. The biggest thing you notice is they try it, and they have a huge smile on their face. It changes their life; they don’t have to sit on the sidelines,” she says, adding the speed can be geared down to 3 or 6.3 mph.
Zoom was designed by a Swedish development engineer for an active woman with MS. Very popular in Europe, some are geared up to race at 20 mph.
“I have dealers in 10 states and want one in every state by the end of 2024, so they can deliver them in person, teach and help maintain them,” McCabe says, adding that often customers make the best dealers.
Contact her for more information about being a dealer or to purchase a Zoom (about $15,000).
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, McCabe Outdoor Mobility, 1200 East Main St., Eaton, Ohio 45320 (ph 937-733-0927; info@zoomchairusa.com; www.zoomchairusa.com).
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