A powerful, easy to fit and use push aid for wheelchairs, the Alber Via Go is compatible with most rigid or folding manual wheelchairs. Designed to provide practical power assistance, the Via Go offers relief from the stress and strain of pushing for caregivers with limited upper body strength or mobility.
The Invacare Alber Via Go Powerpack is equipped with a single drive wheel, which is attached to the wheelchair axle. The system is equipped with a 24V DC brushless motor, a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 280 Wh, and offers a range of up to 10 miles on a full charge, with a maximum speed support of 3.4 mph. It provides three levels of power assistance (low, medium, and high) that can be adjusted according to the user’s preference and needs.
The Via Go has an easy-to-use control unit that allows the user to adjust the power level, monitor the battery status, and activate the power assist.
You don´t have to remove the Via GO to fold up your wheelchair. The clever mounting device allows your wheelchair to be folded up as normal, even with the push aid still attached.
It has an easy-to-use control unit that allows the user to adjust the power level, monitor the battery status, and activate the power assist. It's also equipped with an automatic braking safety feature when the user releases, alleviating any worries about using the wheelchair when going down hills or ramps.
Our Verdict
There's no doubt the Alber Via Go power assist system is a powerful and versatile option relieving a lot of the stress involved in pushing a manual wheelchair. What makes the Via Go really special is the way you can leave it attached to the wheelchair whilst folding it and the ease of which it you can detach it, if necessary. The 10 mile range is pretty healthy too. Sunrise Medical Empulse R20 is the only other powerpack on the market that can be folded up with the wheelchair. But this feature is really only an advantage if you're able to lift the wheelchair and the powerpack together. It might serve your purposes to detach the powerpack easily and then lift it separately into the car boot. We found the Via Go is a little easier to detach from the wheelchair than the R20 which could be critical for some. It's definitely worth putting both powerpacks through their paces to find your preferred solution.
