I got my GPV from a salesman here in NZ. When I got it, it was an ex demo chair and was at least 10 years old. I think this is a reflection on the quality of the chair and it’s versatility to different situations. You will not find many wheelers (regardless of their reason) who have not either heard of, tried, or use a Quickie GPV. The GPV was one of the first rigid wheelchairs available on the market. If you read different biographies of Marilyn Hamilton you will read that before Quickie chairs very similar to the GPV were made, old, heavy Everest and Jennings chairs were the latest thing in the market. The GPV’s style has not changed over the last few decades that it has been produced, and many people are still recommending it as a good “first chair”. I personally think the GPV has stood the test of time and is still a r
elevant chair to use today.
I do not regret my decision to get a GPV as my first chair, and I am not the only one. Wylz, one of the members on this site will tell you his very first wheelchair was an ex rental Quickie GPV that he had to spray paint (it was a horrendous neon yellow). It did not take long to learn to adjust to my chair and I quickly mastered many every day skills required in wheeling. I now have a firm grasp and feel for my chair and I know just how far I can take it before it is too far.
The GPV’s frame is a box shape. This can make it irritating getting in and out of your car. My particular chair has long caster forks and 3” casters, and I can attest to many a time losing my patience trying to get my chair into the back seat. Any other problems I say I have with this chair would have to be problems that anyone would have with their chair. Loose wheel locks, bent spokes, the list can go on if you really wanted it to. One issue I did have with this chair was the leg rest. Because of it’s tapered design, shortening it can be rather “challenging” to say the least. I don’t know what it’s like with other chair models that have tapering leg rests, but the salesman had to attack my chair with a hammer to try and raise the leg rest, and it still is not high enough.
You’ve heard my gripes now hear the positives. The GPV is the cheapest rigid chair you can buy (brand new) nowadays. If you kept it completely base, you could have a nice GPV for under $1000 usd. Because I bought my second hand GPV from a Quickie salesman, my chair still has the frame lifetime guarantee, so if I managed to “conveniently” accidentally brake the frame, it would be replaced at no charge…he he he, I like that :D. This chair is very manoeuvrable. The only I found myself having was when I first had the chair and didn’t quite have that “sense” of where my chair is. Hey, you could decrease the rear seat height, increase the camber, put the appropriate straps on, and you would have a workable tennis chair. The choices are endless. I hope this review is helpful. I would recommend the GPV to any person looking for their “first chair”. I don’t regret buying this chair and now that I’ve gotten some good experiences in it I feel I’m better prepared to face the wheelchair market and look for a brand new chair.
I was happy to see your review of the GPV. It’s the only bona ride review I’ve come across (the other “reviews” all being written by Sunrise/Quickie) and is very helpful. I’ve been thinking about getting a GP/GPV chair to replace my current chair, which is costing a fortune in repairs, but am kind of freaked out by the instruction in the GP/GPV Owner’s Manual that says “do not leave your chair in a damp bathroom while taking a shower”. Not only do I depend on my wheelchair to get me in and out of the bathroom when I shower, I also spend considerable time outside while it’s raining. Do you have any feedback on how well the GP/GPV can withstand exposure to damp environments? I’d also appreciate feedback on why, exactly, the GPV is often referred to as a good “first chair”. I’ve been a wheelchair user for 20 years, so whatever chair I buy now will most definitely not be my first chair, yet apart from the vulnerability to water I haven’t heard any reason why the GP/GPV wouldn’t be ideal for me.
It’s so good to see my review has helped all sorts of people including slightly more normal people 🙂
People call the GPV a good first chair because it’s inexpensive and fairly adjustable. It’s a good chair to experiment with and learn what positions and measurements work for you without fear of breaking it. That way once you’ve learned your limits and it’s time to replace your trusty GPV you can order a new wheelchair (which tend to be slightly more customized) knowing exactly how you want it.
My GPV is at least 15 years old now and it is still in fairly good condition (it was an ex demo chair). I used it in the pouring rain and still haven’t noticed any water related damage. I hope that helps.
Thanks for answering my questions, Ahiru. You’ve been more helpful than some people who are PAID to provide advice on wheelchair purchases. I’m especially relieved to hear that your GPV hasn’t suffered from water related damage. I can’t imagine phoning my boss in the morning and saying I won’t be at work because it’s raining and my wheelchair isn’t allowed to get wet!
I’m inclined to buy a GP/GPV chair (still not sure what the difference between the GP and GPV is), although I’m concerned that if it breaks, the manufacturer will blame me for having it in the bathroom during my showers and outside during storms. I can get one for only $800 (US dollars), which is much cheaper than any of the other chairs I’ve seen.
If another chair was clearly superior to the GP/GPV in some way, I’d be willing to spend more money for a better chair, but at this time I’m not aware of any chairs that would be better for me than the GP/GPV. As long as a chair is sized correctly for me and has a rigid frame, it’ll work for me. What WOULD be a huge selling point for me is for a chair to be “green” in some fashion and/or made entirely from union-made parts (no Chinese sweatshops), but neither of those things are mentioned in any of the advertisements I’ve seen. I’ve tried asking questions of the medical supply company I get my chairs from, but they couldn’t even answer my question about the GP/GPV and rain.
I find myself exasperated by the lack off real information on the chairs that interest me. Wheelchair manufacturers’ sales departments seem to target their sales pitches at insecure guys whose egos need stroking, making the wheelchairs they sell sound macho without providing any real information. As a woman who is perfectly comfortable with myself and my disability, I roll my eyes at advertisements showing chairs with camouflage-colored cushions and other “guy” features. I’m more interested in warranty information and other practical details. Anyway, the GP/GPV sounds like it may be a practical chair without all the pointless bells and whistles that cost big bucks, so I’ll probably order one soon. Thanks again for providing so much useful information.
The difference between the GP and the GPV is the footrest. The front of the GPV is a V shape and the GP is a straight U shape. Or at least that’s what I think the difference is.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the whole water damage thing. When I bought my chair from the salesman he told me the frame had a lifetime guarantee and it would be honoured as long as I didn’t do something like cut through it with a hacksaw LOL.
http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/images/products/additional_info/documents/_eiqscolors.php
As you can see from this colour chart you can get your chair in forest green or toxic green 🙂
I realize I’m coming into this a bit late, but by green, I think she meant eco friendly during the production phase of the chair.
I would love to get my paws on a GPV.
I’m not really convinced of the green eco friendly….thing. Did you know more environmental damage is done making a hybrid car than what a normal petrol car does in it’s lifetime?
I think I can tell you why there might be a concern about dampness on the Quickie. I have had a GPV for 20 years now…the same one!
I have even used it for outdoor showers just covering the upholstery with plastic trash bags.
When you wear out the seat sling and need to replace it, you might find that the threaded screw inserts that are used to attach the seat sling to the frame are rusted at some point in time. Mine became rusted and un-useable replacing my third sling after 17 years. I now use a piece of custom cut 3/8 inch plywood sitting on the frame rail for the cushion to sit on and and held in place with velcro. works just fine and I can keep the GPV as my everyday chair another 20 years God willing.
I would bet that the corrosion problem could be avoided by using either lithium grease or maybe even anti-seize compound when you change it the first time… but who knew?
I also make my own cushion covers from denim and Naugahyde and they last a lot longer than the ones Jay provides with their cushions.
By the way, as much as I like X-core wheels (I have had two sets) and on both I have had the hub flange fracture and gouge the carbon fiber. When/if you purchase them just know form the start they are only going to last a couple of years. I alos own a set of Glance wheels and love the look but they are heavy and only use them for special occasions. I just got a good deal on a set of Spinergys. they are super light and we will see how well they hold up.