The i-Go Plus is a breeze to fold - just lift off the seat cushion, fold the footrest in, and squeeze the release levers to enable the folding mechanism - you can then smoothly fold your wheelchair up into a compact, easy to transport size. It will then stand up while folded - ensuring it takes up minimal space, and can be conveniently wheeled around like a trolley, saving on lifting. It is a little heavier than the original i-Go, at 24 kg with the lightweight Lithium-ion batteries removed, but this can still be lifted into a car by an able-bodied person. This transportability and compact size makes the iGo Plus the ideal powerchair to bring on holidays, whether by coach, cruise or plane.
The i-Go Plus features much larger wheels than other folding powerchairs, with the rear ones being pneumatic, and has notably improved outdoor performance. While mainly designed for shopping trips around a town centre, or firm paths in a park, we've tested the i-Go Plus up a grassy hill, and it performed admirably.
The 18.2 Ah Lithium-ion battery gives a good range of up to 9.6 miles, and you can charge the batteries either on-board via the joystick controller, or off-board should you store your wheelchair in a car, and want to charge the batteries indoors. The batteries are extremely light, and can be easily slotted into and out of place, locking automatically into the chassis.
The comfort of the i-Go Plus has been enhanced, with a higher backrest and improved padding to the upholstery, a clear step up from the low-back seats found on other folding powerchairs. The cushion can be easily substituted for another should you already have a preferred wheelchair cushion. Front suspension helps to smooth the ride, while the pneumatic rear tyres provide further cushioning.
While traditional powerchairs suffer from a lack of storage, the i-Go Plus is well catered-to in that regards. It has an underseat storage pouch, rear pouch on the backrest, and even a built-in cup holder on the armrest. The joystick can be mounted on either side, and can be swung inwards or outwards to ensure it is in a comfortable position. The i-Go Plus features an improved control system over the basic i-Go, offering more reliability as well as precision controlling.
Our Verdict
Given the i-Go Plus is not significantly more expensive than the original i-Go, we would recommend the Plus in almost every circumstance - it folds easier, is more comfortable, and performs much better. It is also notably cheaper than Motion Healthcare's range of folding powerchairs, including its nearest equivalent the Foldalite Pro.
