In the US, the Omeo self-balancing powerchair will usually cost you just under $30,000, if you opt for a fully customized model that can be shipped anywhere in the US or Canada.
You can buy one in the UK for a little less than £18,000.
Omeo recommends you try out the wheelchair before ordering your own though. It’s easy to book a trial via the company’s website.
The Omeo wheelchair is designed to promote the independence of disabled people. It’s designed with safety in mind and boasts unique features, like the two-wheeled self-balancing platform.
As I’ve already answered the question ‘How much is an Omeo wheelchair?”, in the rest of this post, I’ll focus on finding out more about this super hi-tech wheelchair. I’ll cover how fast and maneuverable it is, how much warning of a flat battery you get, how the joystick works, and more besides.
First, though I’ll go through what you could use your Omeo wheelchair for.
What can I use an Omeo wheelchair for?
This hi-tech wheelchair is very versatile. It can serve as sports equipment, or just as a means of getting around for those of us who find it hard to walk but can do so for short distances. You can use an Omeo both indoors and outdoors, for work or leisure.
You could take your Omeo to the golf course, on the beach, or around a city. You can also take it off-road in less obvious ways. You can take it to farms and use it for sports. You can use it to play sports like football, fencing, archery, or even field athletics because the balance system will keep you level in your seat as you go across different kinds of services.
You can typically use an Omeo anywhere able-bodied people can walk, except for on escalators, stairs, and exceptionally slippery or rough terrain.
Hopefully, the Omeo will help you feel freer, more independent, and cool.
How fast does an Omeo wheelchair go?
One of the key attractions of the Omeo is that it can reach speeds of up to 12mph. Some areas do have restrictions. Always check and stick to the rules and regulations in the area you’re using your Omeo.
These wheelchairs are for indoor and outdoor use and are designed to provide people with an intuitive, safe, and stable way to move, not an option for high-speed travel.
Now it’s time to find out how easy it is to use an Omeo wheelchair, and how maneuverable it is.
How maneuverable is an Omeo wheelchair?
The Omeo is extremely maneuverable. That being said, you should use the All-Terrain found in the Off-Road Kit where appropriate. Doing this will give you a much more comfortable ride.
If you come across a rock or obstacle that your Omeo can’t go over, it will still try to keep going in the direction you pointed but will keep you balanced and will start giving warning vibrations to make you aware you are asking your Omeo to do something it cannot.
It’s nigh on impossible to overturn your Omeo. If the tires of your Omeo loses grip on a slippery incline, it could tip over, but in all other circumstances, it will keep you upright until you switch off the wheelchair. Even if that system should fail, the Omeo will shake and sound a warning, leaving you enough time to halt and use the Stabilizing Legs.
When moving indoors, your Omeo can turn with precision, so you won’t be in danger of being stuck with a cumbersome, lumbering machine. It even has lights for when you’re using it outdoors at night.
This wheelchair has limitations, just like any other, but as long as you use it responsibly, it will be fun and safe. It’s also true that the degree of manoeuvrability you’ll have at your disposal will depend, to some extent, on the model of Omeo you choose.
Will an Omeo go through standard household doorways?
Whether your Omeo will fit through normal doorways depends on which model you’re using.
Some Omeo wheelchairs are more compact and maneuverable and thus can fit through standard doors. Some will not fit when you’re using parts of the Off-Road Kit.
It’s vital to take account of the exact measurements of your Omeo if you need to use it indoors and therefore need to be able to fit through standard-sized doors.
If you’re unsure about the size and dimensions of your Omeo, it’s best to contact them to find a representative who can give you the precise dimensions of the model you’re hoping to buy, so you can find out whether it’s suitable for you.
It’s time to figure out how much warning of your battery going flat your Omeo will give you, something I know is important to every electric or powerchair user.
How much warning do I get before the battery dies?
On your Omeo, you can find the battery power displayed on the controller. Thus, you’ll always know how much battery you have left. If you haven’t checked it, your chair will signal battery power is low. An alarm will sound and the chair will shake when you need to charge the battery. Thus, you should never find yourself stranded somewhere with a flat battery.
Remember, it will run down faster if you travel at top speed, go up steep inclines, or use it off-road.
Can I take my Omeo on a plane?
The Omeo uses powerful batteries that can be considered dangerous goods, thus you’ll need to check an airline’s specific policy. Some won’t allow the batteries in this particular chair onto their planes. However, many airlines have terms that state that Lithium-ion batteries are allowed on their planes if they’re left intact, fixed to the body of the wheelchair, and the on/off switch is separate.
How can I secure an Omeo into a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)?
The Omeo — with you on board — will go up slopes or ramps and into a van if the angle is less than 25°. There are many points on the Omeo that you can use to keep it in place and attach it to the van.
You can secure it:
- Through the wheels.
- Through the handgrips
- Over the top, using the straps.
Next, let’s find out how the joystick works.
How does the joystick on the Omeo work?
You’ll find the controls on the right or left side of the chair, depending on what you prefer. The on/off, steering mode, and seat control controls are at the back, and the joystick is in front of you. That way, the on/off switch and steering mode are unlikely to be knocked.
There are two modes you can use in your Omeo. Active Seat Control (ASC) mode and Joystick Mode. When in Joystick Mode, you use it to move left and right and then use your body to move forward and back. When you switch to ASC Mode, all movement is controlled by your body.
Summary: How much is an Omeo wheelchair?
You should now have some idea of how much an Omeo wheelchair is, whether you’re in the UK or the US.
Aside from that, you’ll know a little about the Omeo wheelchair itself, including how maneuverable it is, how you can secure it in a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), and how the Joystick Mode works.
I hope the information I’ve given here has at least helped you decide whether the innovative Omeo powerchair is the one for you.
If you’ve found this post helpful, check out ‘Where to sell a wheelchair van?’ before you go.
