Slimline Base
Dietz's Sango Slimline is their narrow-base performance powerchair, designed to manoeuvre around those spaces where a standard-sized powerchair couldn't fit. A width of just 51 cm is available with 12 inch drive wheels, or 53 cm with the larger 14 inch drive wheels.
While other narrow-base powerchairs exist, they tend to compromise on battery size, significantly reducing the distance you can drive. The Sango Slimline can be fitted with 60 Ah batteries, the same size as found on conventional "full width" powerchairs, meaning there is no need to compromise.
The most popular drive base of the Sango Slimline is mid-wheel drive, which allows the Slimline to turn on the spot, the ultimate in manoeuvrability. Two versions of this are available:
6 wheels - a conventional layout best for stability and those balancing outdoor use.
5 wheels - with one central rear wheel, reducing the footprint of the Slimline, helping it fit around the tightest of spaces.
Both rear and front-wheel drive versions of the Sango Slimline are available too for those that prefer those drives.
The Slimline features the same suspension as on its larger Sango Advanced brother, providing you with a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride when driving outdoors. A choice of high-torque motors are available, with top speeds of up to 6 mph.
Sego Comfort Seating
Dietz's advanced seating system is available on the Sango Slimline. It can be configured precisely to match your requirements, and can accommodate a wide range of needs from those after a luxuriously comfortable and supportive seat for all-day use to those with complex clinical requirements such as precise postural supports and pressure-relief.
The Catapult Seat is an option unique to Dietz powerchairs. The seat tilts forwards, aiding you with forward transfers, and we've found it to be a really popular addition that can make a real difference to people's use of their powerchair. Other powered seating options include a seat riser, tilt, recline and elevating legrests. Also of note is the high degrees of tilt available alongside the seat riser - 52°, compared to the 30° tilt limit on most seat lift/tilt modules.
Transit
The Slimline is fully crash-tested, meaning you can use it for occupied transport in a wheelchair adapted vehicle. It can be pre-prepared for a DAHL docking station, which combines with the low seat height to make the Sango Slimline ideal for driving from.
Style
Dietz's Sango range doesn't perhaps rival Permobil's powerchairs or Quickie's Q-series for looks. However, they are still modern-looking powerchairs, with a minimalist style, a choice of frame colours, and black non-marking tyres. Their construction gives them a different look to most powerchairs on the market - the Slimline omits the plastic shrouds, inserts and components featured on most competitors in favour of sturdier metal components.
Our Verdict
The obvious competitors to the Slimline are Quickie's Q300M Mini, and Quantum's Edge 3 Stretto. Both are equally narrow - however, the Slimline's advantages are its high-end seating system, the option for the catapult seat, and its large batteries. For those needing to drive around the tightest spots, the five-wheel variant is also a great option, sometimes the only powerchair able to manage those spaces. It is worth trying all three chairs to see which works best for you.
For those prioritising outdoor use, or who need wider seats, then the Sango Advanced would be the better option - it features a more conventional sized wider base, and can go at higher speeds.
