You may know the Zinger Folding Power Chair as a lightweight power chair that folds easily for travel. But some of its most useful features often go unnoticed until you need them: a foot plate that swings out of your way, controls you can adjust to your reach, and a battery you can remove and charge while the chair stays put.
Altogether, the Zinger’s thoughtful construction makes it easy to plan an afternoon with friends, load it into the car for a family visit, or store it inconspicuously at home if space is limited. Here are seven things to know about the Zinger—and how each can make a difference in your day.
In This Article
Its Two Levers Do More Than Steer
The Zinger’s most distinctive feature is its two-hand control system. Instead of moving a joystick, you use a lever on each side of the seat to drive, turn, and brake. Holding both levers down engages the drive rollers with the rear tires; gently squeezing the trigger on the right lever controls motor speed within your selected speed range.
Pulling both levers up applies the wheel brakes. Turning uses braking on the inside wheel, giving the chair a different feel from a scooter with handlebars or a joystick-operated power chair.
For someone who likes hands-on control, the Zinger design is part of its appeal. You’ll need full use of both hands and arms, and time to practice. But before long, you’ll be a pro.
It Makes Tight Turns in Small Spaces
A wide turning circle can mean extra maneuvering to change direction near a dining table or in a store aisle. The Zinger has a turning radius of just 24 inches, a feat of engineering that makes navigating confined spaces easier than you could have ever hoped.
How does it do it? The lever system brakes the inside wheel to help the chair change direction efficiently, a design feature that means rather than backing out of a tight space, you can pivot on the spot to point in a new direction.
Speed matters, though. The faster you travel, the more room the chair needs to turn. Slow down before entering a turn and take tight turns below 1 mph, following the manual’s instructions. Think of the compact turning radius as a low-speed advantage.
You Can Fold It and Roll It
Folding a chair helps it fit into smaller storage spaces; rolling the chair means you don’t have to stress about how you are going to transport it. Once folded and latched, the Zinger can be tilted and rolled on its anti-tip wheels, giving you an easy way to move the chair when you aren’t riding in it. You still need to lift it into a vehicle, but you don’t have to treat every move as a carrying job.
Its folded dimensions are 36 inches long by 25 inches wide by 10 inches high. Measure your trunk opening and storage space before planning a trip and arrange help with lifting if needed. Turn the power off and set both parking brakes before folding, then check that both release pins have clicked into place.
The Battery Is Removable for Easier Lifting
The Zinger weighs 42 pounds with its battery installed. Removing the battery lowers the chair weight to 38 pounds. You may still need assistance loading the Zinger into your car, but it’s a little lighter with the battery removed.
The removable battery also means you can carry it to an outlet to charge instead of moving the entire chair, or buy a spare battery and swap it in and out when charging is needed. Note that while the maximum battery range is 8 miles under flat, continuous driving conditions, 5 to 6 miles is more typical for real-world outdoor use. Plan your outing with a charging margin, since terrain, load, and driving conditions affect range.
A Swinging Foot Plate Is a Safety Perk
Getting out of a power chair requires bringing your feet underneath you so you can stand. A lot of chairs require removing the footrest before standing, but the Zinger’s floating foot plate swings back using your heels, creating room to position your feet without removing the plate. That can simplify your routine and make transferring to another seat safer.
Never stand on the foot plate or put your weight on the control levers, and make sure your feet and shoes are completely clear before walking away.
You Can Adjust the Levers to Your Reach
Comfort includes more than the seat cushion. If you have to strain downward to reach a control, it can make driving feel awkward. The Zinger’s levers can be adjusted higher or lower to help you find a more comfortable reach. The goal: to help you sit fully back and operate both levers comfortably.
No Assembly Required
The Zinger comes just about ready to use. You don’t need to build the frame or install a separate joystick before getting acquainted with the chair. Your first tasks are to inspect it, charge and secure the battery, unfold the frame, and check the latches, brakes, and tires.
That can make the first day more manageable, especially if you and a family member are setting it up together. You can spend your time learning the controls and planning where to practice instead of sorting through an assembly job.
Give yourself that learning time. Every time the chair powers on, it starts in Low speed range, which limits speed to 1 mph. Read the entire manual before riding and remain in Low until you feel confident steering and braking.
Bottom line: The Zinger’s thoughtful details make using it intuitive and easy. Picture the places you want to go and the people you want to spend time with. Then imagine a portable power chair that allows you to do exactly that—stress-free. The right mobility device is one that makes everyday plans more manageable, and you’ve got that with the Zinger.
Want to Learn More?
Discover more about Journey’s Zinger Folding Power Chair with a call to one of our mobility experts at 888-404-1724.
