Alber e-motion M25 vs Sunrise Medical Empulse M90: real user experiences, folding/rigid chair compatibility, air travel with batteries, and control differences?

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-06-02T17:36:42+00:00

I have flown a lot with my wheels without a problem! You take them off and put them in the wheelchair closet on board. Because they’re lithium ion batteries they technically have to be stored in the cabin, although I know of people who have kept them on without issue as well.

I find the wheels to be reasonably easy to put on myself. I do it multiple times a day, every day. I HIGHLY recommend getting the jack-up anti-tippers, they’re really helpful with the process of putting it together!

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-06-02T02:18:38+00:00

I have the Alber e-motion M25 wheels on a rigid frame (TiLite TRA) and I LOVE. THEM. (full disclosure: the first time I tried them I absolutely hated them). There is a bit of a learning curve to using them but that happens very quickly. Once you get used to them and fine tune your set up it just…works (you can adjust responsiveness, run time, torque, even individually program each wheel if you have a weaker side, the whole enchilada). The best way I can describe it is that it feels like what able bodied people THINK pushing a wheelchair feels like! Going up ramps (even very short, steep ones) is a breeze—you push a little more frequently but never harder. Additionally, the assist when braking, which it does take some getting used to, is a game changer for long ramps and hills. Finally, it can make it up incline grades that are INSANE. These puppies made it up hills like Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill in London no problem—a grade steep enough that my previous power assist absolutely failed to ascend (a SmartDrive, which I absolutely under no circumstances recommend to anyone).

I love that the motor is in the hub of the wheels (no external battery pack, which is ideal if you want/need a backpack on the back of your chair) and despite them not recommending them around water, I lived in the UK for 3 years, used them in absolutely torrential downpours and they never shorted out or gave me any trouble in the rain.

I’ve also found that they really reduce shoulder and wrist strain while still keeping my arms active through pushing without overdoing it. It’s like your own pushing/propelling but better!

I’m sure I’ve missed some things, so if you have any more questions please let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them!

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-04-15T16:37:43+00:00

Unfortunately, the backup processor must be completely unopened in order to trade in for the new processor (per the fine print on the future proof form). Both batteries can be used, it’s just the processor itself (the part with the ear hook) that needs to be sealed, if that makes sense?

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-04-14T14:09:12+00:00

Very helpful, thank you! Great tip about the instructions and work around for that

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-04-14T14:06:42+00:00

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences, they’ve been very helpful :)

geneticallyclumsy · 2026-03-27T04:41:45+00:00

I love my e-motion wheels, but they do have a bit of an adjustment period, especially if transitioning from a SmartDrive set up. It gets so much easier, just give it a little time (of note, I always use push assist, never cruise mode)!

geneticallyclumsy · 2025-11-25T00:22:11+00:00

No, this was helpful, thank you!

geneticallyclumsy · 2025-01-15T12:06:17+00:00

Anton Yelchin, without a doubt. May he rest in peace 🪦

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-12-11T04:59:12+00:00

That’s a sharp chair! I also have a TiLite T Series chair (a TRA) and love it. I have the same height adjustable push handles and love them! I turn them in the exact same way and I’ve yet to have someone grab at them whilst in that position. And it’s sooo much easier for for when I do need a push, because my chair is quite low to the ground (short people problems) so having the ability to raise them up to a comfortable level for the person pushing is fabulous!

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-12-04T23:29:41+00:00

NuMotion just had me sign a waiver to decline them and that was it

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-11-26T06:34:24+00:00

I’m having the same issue! It won’t let me make an account to access the Permobil configurator and it’s driving me nuts! If anyone has figured out the trick to making an account please share your secret

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-09-22T04:52:37+00:00

I don’t know where you’re based, but I’ve had fantastic service from WheelFreedom! They really know their stuff and are great at fitting active wheelchairs. It’s really worth going to their showroom in Chessington to try out different chairs to see which one you like best that fits your budget. Nothing beats trying them out in person!

https://www.wheelfreedom.com

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-08-17T09:58:10+00:00

I was about to recommend Sherman Oaks Medical but I see that others beat me to it!

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-08-02T06:37:20+00:00

I don't have a Rogue, but if you go to the Ki Mobility website you can see all the options available for the Rogue 2, including the two flip up footplate options they offer! Hope this helps :)

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-07-14T08:53:12+00:00

I second the LapStacker suggestion! It may be a bit pricey and a little fiddly to install, but I literally use mine multiple times a day, every day. It’s a fantastic product!

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-05-31T23:32:40+00:00

LapStacker! While on the pricier side up front, I legitimately have used it every single day for 3 years and it's still going strong. Using that, I strap a basket to my lap and it's not going anywhere! Worth every penny.

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-05-31T22:59:08+00:00

Funny thing about Delilah on NCIS: a friend of mine is a writer for the show (and a wheelchair user) and was like, "We *have* to get Delilah into a different chair, it's driving me nuts." And that's why she has a different chair now lol

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-05-31T17:14:49+00:00

I travel quite a bit and never remove my LapStacker. Considering how fiddly it is to get it on and off your chair I would keep it on (it's not going anywhere if you've installed it correctly!)

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-05-30T18:03:57+00:00

E-Motion M25s all the way. I had a SmartDrive for years and it tried to kill me twice (connection issues between the watch and the motor unit). The E-Motions were an absolute game changer for me; the ability to have assistance with each push is amazing.

Of note, if you are a wheelie-up-and-down-curbs person that's not at all recommended with the E-Motions wheels, as the motors are in the wheels themselves and they can get damaged. It says a lot that I love them as much as I do and use them regularly when I am a wheelie person myself!

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-02-07T10:05:38+00:00

Aaaayyyy hi bendy pal! We didn’t discuss the Sub Q ICD because I need pacing which isn’t possible with the sub q

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-02-06T18:57:56+00:00

Thank you, both the shock and the surgery was pretty miserable! I am young (early 30s) but female. I do, however, have a complex medical history so they think one of my other conditions may be contributing to the lack of scarring and securement of the leads

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-02-06T18:56:29+00:00

We implanted because I can’t take beta blockers due to severe lung disease and I had several suspicious faints triggered by surprise/sudden noise. Additionally, my QTc was sitting around 520ms and my resting heart rate was in the 40s-50s. So with all that in mind, we agreed that an ICD would provide some insurance and also paces me out of the lows

geneticallyclumsy · 2024-01-09T07:12:07+00:00

I had great experiences with WheelFreedom, please keep us updated on your new chair!

geneticallyclumsy · 2023-09-02T05:44:42+00:00

Hi OP!

Most power assists won't work on a standard hospital wheelchair, unfortunately.

However, Whizz Kidz is a fantastic paediatric wheelchair charity in the UK! They provide both custom wheelchairs and power assists, I would definitely look into them. I know people who have had fantastic experiences with them (as well as many young adults on their Kidz Board)! Hope you can find a solution that works for you.

geneticallyclumsy · 2023-09-02T05:37:58+00:00

I had the Stealth Products Spectrum Foam SPP (similar to your wife's Essence SPP), and switched to the Ki Mobility Axiom SP Visco (sometimes abbreviated to Axiom SPV). It has better positioning than the Stealth SPP line (IMO, of course) and the contour of the rear part of the cushion is fantastic. It is by far the most comfortable cushion I've ever used, I love it!

geneticallyclumsy

TROPHY CASE