Since being crippled by a spinal infection in 2010, I've purchased several rollators. This is my 3rd HealthSmart--why? I've given away two of my earlier purchases to parishioners who needed them. If you look at this rollator, what makes it special as opposed to the crappy little models from Drive, etc., is that the owner walks inside the rollator, rather than behind it. Seems like a simple, logical concept, but look around and you'll see how few rollators (or walkers) use this important principle. Because of the extended arms on the back wheels, when I stand and use this rollator, the front wheels are in front and the back wheels behind me. Use the dopey little 'nursing home' type rollators and you'll see that the patient is actually walking behind the walker, making that patient particularly vulnerable to tipping backward with no support. I own the Access Active rollator which is a good rollator, more expensive than this, but also much heavier. Being constructed of aluminum, this is an appliance that is very easy for me to lift into the car, even with my ruined spine. I can't do that with the Access. I find that the braking action on these HealthSmart rollators is very positive and efficient--it's not going to accidentally roll away when locked. I particularly like taking this rollator to Mass; I sit at the end of a pew and can easily collapse it with one hand to be out of the way in the aisle and just as easily unfold it for Communion. Because it collapses quickly from side-to-side like a wheelchair, the movement is very logical. Also, the sling seat on here is very comfortable, like a director's chair. I just used it last night for a meeting where it was much more comfortable than sitting in those standard hotel convention chairs. I've sat in these for up to 8 hours at a stretch with no problem. The seat is deep enough that I don't feel like I'm falling out the front, but not so deep that it's hard to get up. Plus--again, with those great brakes I don't have to worry about it rolling out from under me. The photos show the included bag on the front of this rollator; I never use it that way. Why? I'd have to take it off every time I needed to fold it. fortunately, that large messenger bag has an excellent, wide shoulder strap with pad! I just set the bag on the seat while I'm walking, then I can either carry it on my shoulder or use the handle included. It would be a great bag to use regardless of the rollator; it has a large Velcro tab at the flap to hold it closed. This rollator actually closes up very, very small. When the adjustable handles are collapsed, those long arms holding the back wheels simply fold up into the frame using large knobs. Additionally, the front wheels also fold up into the frame with their own large knobs. I never do this, basically, because I just collapse it from side to side and place it either in my car trunk or the back seat. There are no sharp edges to hurt upholstery. Drawbacks? Few. The handles are easily adjustable using spring pins, but it does take a little longer than the instant-adjustment tabs on the Access. But again, I don't retract the handles on a daily basis. Like using a regular home-model wheelchair, one needs to be certain to snap the rollator all the way open--it gives a resounding 'snap' when you do it. As with any good rollator, this is NOT meant as a wheelchair replacement. If you sit in this and start rolling around you will eventually wear out the wheel bearings and perhaps bend the frame. It's meant for walking, then sitting--and it's perfect for that. Looking a the prices of the flimsy competition with bent round tubes, hard to handle and not nearly as safe as this rollator, it really makes me cringe I spent 30 years in health care and I know now, personally, how important it can be to prevent falls. This HealthSmart is an amazing rollator, even more so when the price is taken into account. I'd call it a good buy at twice its price. Now--if I can just keep from giving away my third one!
