Pride Jazzy Elite HD Power Chair Review
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Not all power chairs are designed for heavier users but if you need something a little more supportive and heavy duty then the Pride Jazzy Elite is ideal thanks to its generous 450lbs weight capacity. What’s more, with front-wheel drive, this wheelchair is perfect for tackling obstacles and use in the home.
There are a lot of interesting features we’d like to discuss so here follows our Pride Jazzy Elite HD power chair review.
Pride Jazzy Elite HD Power Chair Specs
Comfort
For bariatric users, a standard wheelchair isn’t going to provide the correct level of comfort and support. But that needn’t be a problem when using the Pride Jazzy Elite HD which has a range of comfort features to give you a more pleasant user experience.
Seat
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD comes with various seat options. The standard seat measures 18 inches by 22 inches which provides you with more than enough space to feel comfortable and not cramped. What’s more, there are other options such as a solid seat pan which provides a great base for a cushion, or the high back seat for full body support.
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD seat is fully padded and most users will find this comfortable enough. However, if you need support that contours your body then you might consider buying the optional luxury gel cushion but do keep in mind that this will cost an additional $110.
The seat is covered in a high-quality black vinyl which is super easy to clean and feels soft on the skin. However, this material isn’t incredibly breathable so you may find it useful to use a breathable cushion if you use the wheelchair for long periods or in hot weather.
Arm/Head/Foot Rest
The armrests on the Pride Jazzy Elite HD are brilliantly versatile. There is an option to adjust the height as well as the angle. If you need a little more room then moving the armrests outwards will provide you with this. You will need an Allen wrench to do this, however, so it can be a little fiddly.
On the Pride Jazzy Elite HD, there is a full backrest that provides optimal support. If you don’t want to sit completely upright then you’ll be pleased to learn that the backrest reclines to a limited number of positions so you can find something that feels right for your posture.
What really caught our attention about the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is that it comes with a choice of either a free elevating leg rest or a free swing away leg rest. You’ll choose the option that suits you but note that the elevating leg rest is ideal for people who need to relieve pressure in the legs while the swing away option is great for creating more room when getting in and out of the wheelchair.
The adjustable footplate further allows you to personalize the Pride Jazzy Elite HD to suit your own unique comfort needs. Moreover, the footplate is larger than that of a standard wheelchair giving you more room.
Weight Capacity
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is designed as a bariatric power chair so it comes with a greater weight capacity than standard power chairs. It’ll hold up to 450lbs and when you couple this with the wide seat, it’s not hard to see why larger users will find this chair super comfortable and supportive.
Moreover, the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is made with an aluminum body which is lightweight yet incredibly durable.
Since the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is fitted with dual motors that are much higher powered than a standard power chair, you can feel confident that it’s built for heavy-duty use.
Controls & Operation
Ensuring that a wheelchair is easy to use is an extremely important factor to consider when deciding on the right power chair for you. With the Pride Jazzy Elite HD there should be no concern over how easy it is to get to grips with the controls, as they’re incredibly simple.
You’ll use the in-line hand controls to move your Pride Jazzy Elite HD, and the joystick is incredibly intuitive, so everything will feel effortless.
In terms of comfortable use, the joystick is fully adjustable so you can set it to a position that feels best for you.
The batteries are located in the rear of the Pride Jazzy Elite HD and can be easily removed for off-board charging. They are directly underneath the chair so we should point out that you will more than likely need an assistant to help you remove them.
Portability
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is a heavy-duty chair that is not designed to easily collapse for transport or storage. However, it can be taken apart when you really need to get it from A to B but do note that this isn’t a quick process. When dismantled the heaviest piece weighs around 100lbs so it’s not too heavy that an able-bodied adult wouldn’t be able to lift it.
While the Pride Jazzy Elite HD isn’t ideal for travel, the seat does fold all the way forward which can make it easier to get the Pride Jazzy Elite HD into a larger vehicle.
If you’re going to be using the power chair most of the time then it’s good to know that there is a docking device at the back. This allows you to attach a variety of things such as oxygen tanks and baskets for storage. Pride Mobility does sell a range of attachments but the docking device is universal so you do have the option to buy from other brands if you prefer.
Maneuverability
Getting around shouldn’t be a challenge even if you are using a wheelchair. The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is a heavy-duty power chair that’s designed to navigate tight spaces and works excellent on a range of terrain types.
Size
It’s important to note that the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is a heavy-duty wheelchair so it isn’t the most compact model. That said, the manufacturer has attempted to keep things as small as possible and with dimensions of 24.25 inches by 35.5 inches, you should be able to move around most indoor spaces without a problem. The width is certainly compatible with standard doorways so you won’t need to find an alternative route.
Turning Radius
One of the great things about the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is its ability to turn pretty much on its own axis. With a 24-inch turning radius, you will be able to move around even in tight spots which is why we think this is a brilliant choice for indoor use.
Tires
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is fitted with no less than six wheels. The rear 3-inch wheels provide added stability while the front 6-inch wheels add to this as well as aiding when the wheelchair needs to tackle an incline.
In the middle of the Pride Jazzy Elite HD are two large 14-inch flat-free tires with a deep grip for the very best traction on a variety of surfaces. These foam-filled wheels are durable and stable which, when combined with the anti-tip front wheels, really make this feel like a secure and safe power chair.
Drive System
Front-wheel drive is ideal for a heavy-duty wheelchair like this. The whole chair is designed to perfectly balance weight across the whole body and the added front stability ensures the wheelchair won’t tip.
Having front-wheel drive makes the Pride Jazzy Elite HD ideal for indoor use, perhaps around the home or workplace as it’s much easier to navigate your way around obstacles. However, this drive system with its two motors allows you to navigate various outdoor terrain with ease. It is worth keeping in mind that the Pride Jazzy Elite HD does tend to struggle on gravel demonstrating that this shouldn’t be considered an off-road power chair.
Maximum Incline
Most wheelchair ramps have an incline of around 5 degrees so the fact that the Pride Jazzy Elite HD can handle slopes up to 6 degrees is perfect. This will not only allow you easy access to buildings with ramps but will also ensure that you can better navigate the world because, let’s face it, not everything is on the flat!
Ground Clearance
Surprisingly, the Pride Jazzy Elite HD has a 3-inch ground clearance. This is more than some off-road power chairs we have looked at and makes it easier to handle uneven terrain without the base hitting any obstacles.
Driving Range
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD will take you up to 9.6 miles on a single charge. This makes it a great everyday power chair for people who live an average lifestyle. It might not be suitable if you’re always on the go or take a lot of day trips.
You will be able to travel up to 4 miles per hour which matches walking speed so you won’t find yourself left behind when moving around with friends and family.
Safety Features
As you would expect from any wheelchair, the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is fitted with a seatbelt that prevents the user from slipping out or sliding around when moving. This is a pretty standard feature but still worth mentioning.
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD benefits from electromagnetic brakes which allow for a smoother stop and reduced friction. The advantage of this is that the brakes will last longer and stopping is far safer.
As we have already discussed, the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is fitted with front anti-tipper wheels. Without these, the power of the front-wheel drive could force the wheelchair over but this won’t be a concern thanks to these wheels.
What We Like
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is a reliable and robust power chair that is great for heavier users. It provides amazing stability thanks to its innovative design. The additional wheels ensure the wheelchair won’t tip over and the entire design ensures great weight distribution.
We were over the moon to see the comfort features on the Pride Jazzy Elite HD. This is a fully adjustable power chair that allows you to customize the comfort to suit your needs. There are add-ons such as luxury gel cushions and a high back seat that can further improve comfort and support and this versatility is something we really admire.
Another thing that really pleased us about the Pride Jazzy Elite HD was how easy it is to control. Where some power chairs come with a learning curve, you can pretty much get to grips with the controls on the Pride Jazzy Elite HD right away. The controls work with you and are incredibly intuitive so you get the smoothest and most effortless operation.
What We Didn’t Like
If you’re looking for a powerful front-wheel drive power chair for heavy-duty use, then there aren’t a lot of things that you won’t like about the Pride Jazzy Elite HD. However, there are a couple of considerations you might want to mull over before making a decision.
For starters, you have to note that the Pride Jazzy Elite HD isn’t going to work on all terrain types. Yes, it’s adept enough to run smoothly over most surfaces but things like gravel and rocky areas aren’t suitable. A lot of users have pointed out that they discovered this fact after purchasing so if you do need to regularly travel over something like a gravel driveway, this might not be the right choice.
We would also urge you to consider the fact that the Pride Jazzy Elite HD won’t be suitable for travel. It can be taken apart but this isn’t simply a matter of quick release functions or a folding frame. You’ll certainly have your work cut out for you if you want to dismantle it.
Round-Up Review
Pride Mobility is hailed for its innovation when it comes to power chairs and the Pride Jazzy Elite HD is no exception to the great things the manufacturer can produce. This heavy-duty power chair has a lot going for it and it’s perfect if you need something that’ll make moving around indoor spaces a breeze.
With a compact turning radius and front-wheel drive, you’ll be able to move around tight spaces with ease. While it is ideal for using indoors, the Pride Jazzy Elite HD also excels when it comes to navigating the world outside and will quite easily move over a number of terrain types.
The Pride Jazzy Elite HD is suitable for heavier users and is powered by dual motors, and has amazing weight distribution for improved stability. If you need something that’s going to feel supportive and safe, as well as being super comfortable, then the Pride Jazzy Elite HD might be right for you.
