In a Nutshell:
The closest thing to a budget option in the tracked wheelchair market. Sturdy and robust but be aware that the Tomahawk All-Terrain Tracked Wheelchair is being offered by an unknown company. No information on customer service and support. Recommended for anyone who wants a tracked wheelchair, doesn’t have a ton of money to spend, and is willing to take a chance on a tiny, unproven company.
Customization options
Ease of Use
Comfort
Performance
Overall Rating
4.3/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone who wants a tracked wheelchair, doesn’t have a ton of money to spend, and is willing to take a chance on a new company.
Do you have a mobility issue keeping you from enjoying the great outdoors as you once did? Have you always wanted a tracked wheelchair that could take you anywhere, but after looking at the most popular models, you threw your hands up in despair and concluded they were just too expensive to be a realistic option?
If you answered yes to those two questions, you’ll love our review of the Rocket Mobility Tomahawk.
Make no mistake—compared to many other all-terrain wheelchairs, the Tomahawk is still expensive but far cheaper than any other tracked wheelchair on the market today.
That alone makes it worth examining, which is why it placed a respectable fourth in our recent roundup review in the tracked wheelchair category.
This chair has limitations and shortcomings, not the least because it’s being offered by a tiny company with no proven track record. Also, we currently have no information as to the capabilities of their post-sales support team, which purchases the Tomahawk as something of a gamble. You can read more about their offerings in our Rocket Mobility wheelchair reviews.
Don’t worry, though. In the following sections, we’ll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this is the right model for you.
Ready to take a closer look? Let’s jump right in and see what the Tomahawk can do!
Key Features of the Rocket Mobility Tomahawk All-Terrain Tracked Wheelchair
The Rocket Mobility Tomahawk All-Terrain Tracked Wheelchair is a sturdy, minimalist design. It isn’t really analogous to anything else on the market today, but it does bear at least some similarity to conventional indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs, except that it has a bigger footprint and rugged, rubberized tracks instead of standard tires that allow it to go anywhere.
Even better, the machine’s big, comfy Captain’s chair will ensure you get to where you’re going in comfort and style.
Here are the basic stats of the chair:
As you can see from these stats, it’s a mixed bag. The chair is certainly big and sturdy enough to accommodate most users, and with a 0” turn radius and the capability to handle slopes of up to 45 degrees, there’s not much that it can’t handle.
It’s also constructed of solid steel rather than aluminum. That adds to its weight, which is a mixed blessing. It makes it slightly harder to transport, but it also makes it more durable.
On the other hand, its top speed and maximum range are abysmal; unfortunately, you can’t add a battery or two to extend the range. The Tomahawk is a rugged, all-terrain tortoise.
That’s fine as long as you’re not in a big hurry to get where you’re going, but if you’re looking for a zippy-tracked chair like the Ziesel Ground Squirrel, this one will leave you underwhelmed.
Few Adjustment Options
There is some play in the position of the seat, which gives you at least a little wiggle room in terms of adjustability.
Since options are limited on this front, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the dimensions of the model, including the seat height and width, to make sure you’ll fit the machine since there’s not much you can do to tweak it to make it a better fit for you.
While not technically an adjustability feature, one small thing worth mentioning in our Rocket Mobility Tomahawk All Terrain Wheelchair review is that the armrests flip up, making it easy to transfer into and out of the chair.
No Extras and No Customizations
As we said at the start, Rocket Mobility is a tiny company. Their only product is the Tomahawk. There are no extras or add-ons on offer, although some of the third-party aftermarket products you’ll find can probably be made to work with a bit of applied creativity.
That’s a good thing, too, because if you plan on taking the Tomahawk out for any distance, you’ll need to bring along some solar panels to recharge the batteries. It’s the only option you have in terms of extending the machine’s range.
Doesn’t Win High Marks for Portability
There’s not a track chair on the market today that wins high marks for portability, and the Tomahawk is no exception.
Its steel frame makes it heavier than its peers (except for the mighty RipChair 3.0), so moving it from one place to another is no picnic.
It’s also not collapsible, so fitting it in any trunk or even a full-sized SUV is out of the equation. Your only options in terms of transporting the Tomahawk are:
Note that a lift may be a poor solution depending on your vehicle type and may even be entirely unworkable. If you’ve got a smaller car, the Tomahawk may be too much for it to handle, so plan the matter carefully and do plenty of research before committing to that path.
Simple, Intuitive Controls
On the plus side, since the Tomahawk is a bare-bones design, its controls are simple and intuitive. Mastering the chair’s basic operation will take you less than a few minutes, although if you’ve never driven a track chair, it will take some time and patience to get used to its unique handling.
That part of the adventure will be pure pleasure, and you’ll love every minute of every ride.
Pros & Cons of the Tomahawk All-Terrain Wheelchair
So where does that leave us?
Undoubtedly, the Tomahawk is important in the tracked wheelchair ecosystem, being the closest thing to a current budget option.
It’s a good chair, ruggedly built and durable, but it’s got some limitations to consider before committing to a purchase. The most significant are these:
Rocket Mobility Tomahawk Review Conclusion
We like the Rocket Mobility Tomahawk more than its score indicates, but that’s because we are do-it-yourselfers and love to tinker with equipment. We understand, however, that not everyone shares our passion, and as such, this model isn’t going to appeal to everyone.
In our view, the ideal Tomahawk user will be someone who:
The more these apply to you, the more you’ll like the chair.
Recommended Reading
Ripchair 3.0 Track Chair Review
Explore pure power and fun with the Ripchair 3.0, a rugged half-ton monster built for diehard adventurers.
Ziesel Ground Squirrel Off-Road Wheelchair Review
Learn about the Ziesel Off-Road Wheelchair and its unparalleled German engineering in our analysis.
References & Resources
- Rocket Mobility, Official Brand Website.
- Off-Road Wheelchair? Meet the Tomahawk, AutoEvolution.
- Rocket Mobility Helps People With Limitations, Lincoln Journal Star.
- Translogic 176: Rocket Mobility Tomahawk All-Terrain Wheelchair, Autoblog.
- Rocket Mobility Targets Disabled Outdoors Lovers With All-Terrain Wheelchairs, New Atlas.