An increasing number of adults in the United States are facing serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Some can get around using a cane or walker, but for some they must rely on mobility scooters. The harsh reality for them is that it's difficult to get from one place to another and to do things like board a plane to see family.
Luckily there are a variety of foldable mobility scooter that are airline approved. Golden Technologies has designed a near perfect carry-on mobility scooter. Below is an extensive review of the their Buzzaround CarryOn folding mobility scooter.
Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter at a Glance
Summary
- Cost: The Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn retails for $2,019.00 (we offer financing through Affirm). This model is an average price for a top tier portable scooter. It is one of Golden Technologies' most popular compact travel scooters at this time.
- Comfort: The Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter’s seat is your standard mobility scooter seat. It is not overly plush but we find it to be more comfortable than other portable scooters on the market.
- Usability: This scooter's usability is similar to its competition in aspects like speed, turning radius and weight capacity. Its 4-point carry handles make it easy to transport.
What we like:
- The front and rear lighting package.
- The 15AH Lithium Ion battery gets up to an 18-mile travel range.
- Four inch ground clearance is above average for a portable scooter.
Drawbacks:
- Only one seat height position can be frustrating.
- You must purchase an airline travel battery which is sold separately.
Golden Technologies Buzzaround CarryOn GB120
About Golden Technologies
A family-owned and operated company, Golden Technologies began manufacturing lift chairs in 1985. Today, it makes mobility scooters, power wheelchairs and power lift recliners for home, outdoor and travel use. Headquartered in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, the company was awarded the 2021 Business of the Year by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter: A Closer Look
The Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter is a super-portable scooter option with a sporty design. The adjustable tiller folds flat for easy travel, and the heaviest piece weighs less than 50 pounds.
Comfort Features
Carry-on scooters don’t have a reputation for comfort, and the Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter is no exception. Its relatively straightforward stadium seat offers visibly less cushion than most of Golden Technologies’s other Buzzaround models (Buzzaround LX 4-Wheel), and it doesn’t have an adjustable seat height. However, the Buzzaround CarryOn does offer more generous padding, a more ergonomic seat shape and a higher-reaching backrest than many of its competitors. The flip-up armrests provide useful flexibility and comfort as well.
Safety Features
The Buzzaround CarryOn Mobility Scooter uses a self-locking seat frame to ensure the driver’s position during the ride remains stable and safe. Golden Technologies also includes a high-visibility orange safety flag with all its Buzzaround XLS-HD 4-Wheel, which can be inserted into the scooter’s back seat pocket at half or full height. The full lighting package will also increase others' awareness of your scooter.
Maintenance
The lithium battery does need to be used and charged semi-frequently. If lithium batteries sit for very long you may see a decrease in performance. Other routine maintenance Golden recommends is gentle cleaning and checking specific areas for wear that is outlined the user manual. A one-year in-home service agreement is included. To schedule a tech visit please contact us directly and we will assist in arranging this.
Usability
The CarryOn features an infinitely adjustable tiller (steering column) which allows the user to tailer their driving experience specific to their needs. Not being able to adjust the seat height could be a slight issue for some people. The display is easy to read and the oversized speed knob works wonderful. Both users and caregivers will love that this scooter disassembles into two pieces with the heaviest piece being only 47.5 lbs. which is manageable for most.
The Buzzaround CarryOn doesn't make any strides in terms of speed (3.6 mph) or turning radius (48.75") and a maximum gradient it can climb of 6 degrees. Despite the previous specs it boasts an impressive ground clearance of 4" which is far above industry standard for a compact scooter. The 18-mile drive range on a standard 15Ah battery is also impressive, but this distance drops significantly when traveling with an aircraft-rated 6.5Ah battery. Customers will have to purchase the airline approved battery separately for this model.
Warranties and Service
The factory warranty of the Carryon is more comprehensive than the competition. There is a lifetime warranty on the frame, one year on the battery and two years on both the drive train and electronics. All Golden Technologies devices come with a one year in home service agreement included. This means for one year a licensed technician will diagnose and repair the unit in the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts
The Buzzaround CarryOn compact mobility scooter is almost perfect and that is why it is featured on our Best Compact Mobility Scooters for Travel 2023 list. It holds its own against the competition in several areas for a compact travel mobility scooter. It is travel-friendly, fold down to 12" tall, and its infinitely adjustable tiller put it in a league of its own. Having to buy the travel battery separately may be frustrating but overall this Durable Mobility Scooter Cover is worth the investment.
Product Specs
To make it easier for you to compare to other brands and models, below are some of the most important Buzzaround CarryOn specifications:
Product weight: 65.5 lbs. (47.5 lbs.without the seat and battery)
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Dimensions: 38" long x 19.5" wide
Ground clearance: 4"
Tires: 6" front tires and 7" rear tires
Top speed: 3.6 mph
Drive range on a full charge: 18 miles with standard battery
Turning radius: 48.75"
