Due to an injury about four years ago, I began requiring assistance to get in and out of my truck, as well as any other vehicles I was riding in. I got to the point where I needed help all the time, as I was no longer able to drive and yet still needed to be able to access vehicles for rides. I was able to find an assistive car handle device online through Amazon, note the smaller red handle in the pictures, and it served its purpose for quite some time. I was able to get in and out of vehicles with greater ease, as I was given more leverage and a handhold to enter and exit. I then switched to the longer support bar in the pictures, the Stander HandyBar. I have been thrilled with this handle. Finally, I had heard of the handles now being equipped with lights, so I was eager to try one out and evaluate it against the other two I have. I have also now tried all three devices, and I will share comparisons of each and my experiences. The biggest problem I had with the smallest red one was that the handle was not molded onto the aluminum bar and 'hook'. The other issue was the length of it: it was too short and didn't provide sufficient purchase when I would lean on it or grab it. The final straw for me was when I was using it during the summer, and the heat caused the rubber grip to slide off when I went to lean on it, and I slipped and hit my head on the inside of the car door's frame. The HandyBar’s handle is long, strong, and the rubber is molded onto the aluminum handle. There is a seatbelt blade, and it is solid and fortunately, I haven't had to use it, aside from just checking the sharpness of the blade. I have dropped this handle a countless number of times, and the only sign of wear is on the aluminum 'hook' part of the handle. This handle is used all the time, by myself and now by my father. The only two things with which I have an issue with are the aluminum hook showing a lot of wear, and second, the glass breaker tip is a separate piece from the aluminum hook. The Mytium Car Door Handle is an aluminum bar that has a plastic housing at the head of the 'hook' for the batteries and the light. The instructions state that two (2) number 7's are to be used, and honestly, I had no idea which type of battery that was; they are AA's, by the way. The battery cover was easy to remove and reinstall, but it doesn't feel very secure. After using it several times this week, I must routinely push on the cover, so it doesn't fall completely out and off. The light turns on when the button is pushed, but it requires a firm push to turn it on. The handle is very comfortable in the hand, as it is an open celled foam that compresses mildly. The foam is just as wide as the palm of my hand. The end cap is where the seat belt blade is installed, and the manufacturer thought ahead to install a protective cover on the blade, just as they did, as well with the glass breaker tip. The problem with the plastic end cap is that it flexes when I use it, such that I fear that it may break during use, since it is a two-piece product held together by two small screws. On this handle, note that the tip is integral to the 'hook', and thus, there's no need to worry about it falling off. The hook and tip do not show signs of any use or wear, notwithstanding the frequency of its use this week. I liked the angle of the downward 'hook' compared to the others I have, which aside from the light, was the feature that intrigued me most. It is a very good handle that I know will continue to service me well. That is at least until I accidentally drop it, or it falls. With the amount of plastic on the handle, it will not take much for it to break, wherein it could be sharp and potentially dangerous for me, especially since I take blood thinners. Another concern I have with it falling, aside from the end cap also breaking, is the damage that may occur to the foam handle. All three handles are effective and provide much relief and assistance for me. I am frequently asked by people with whom I am driving, as well as passersbys where I got the handles and which I like the most and why. While I enjoy the new Mytium Car Door Handle, especially with the extra assistive strap handle they provided in the box, it is the most expensive handle, the HandyBar, that I prefer most because the handle is a hard rubber material that is completely cast onto the aluminum handle. Aside from the issue with the glass breaker tip that moves, and the wear seen on the ‘hook’, I feel that this assistive device will still provide the longest and most effective use.
