[Bandit]

I was looking at the Motability adaptions list to get some idea of what I’d be shelling out at renewal and was disappointed to see the lodgesons 7 function keypad control (R207) was now £445 (paid 250 last time which was bad enough) but then noticed that the new 7function wireless mini key pad for hand controls (which is basically a slightly smaller version of the R207 that can be mounted to most hand controls or suitable position etc) costs only £99.

I popped off a quick enquiry on the Lodgesons site asking why the WMKP couldn’t be mounted on a spinner (instead of hand controls or other convenient place) and that it was ludicrous that the R207 which does the same functions presumably using the same tech, is listed at £445 and the WMKP at £99?

Response: Thank you for your email. We do not manufacture or supply a fitting for the WMKP to be installed onto the steering wheel, it was primarily designed for use with hand controls so therefore does not come with a steering aid.

I’m thinking that as the WMKP  “can be attached to a hand control or could be located in any convenient position e.g. on an armrest” (from their own brochure) that I shall pay a visit to the local installer, have a chat and see if he agrees that it wouldn’t take much to fashion something that enables it to be mounted to a spinner!

Does anyone have a WMKP ( not the hardwired version obviously)?

Topic

[ChrisK]

Hi Bandit

Another user of the Lodgesons R207 here and yes its always had me puzzled the way these things are priced.

My first Mota car with the R207 cost me over £700 in 2008 then from memory about £300 for the one in 2011 then, again from memory about £200 plus in 2014 and again about the same in 2018 and now with my current yet to be delivered order its £445.

A bit of stability there as the £445 price has been stable for almost 2 years now that I know of.

How these prices changed with the wind I don’t know, maybe there link to the cost of a barrel of oil  ?or a therm of gas ? but somehow I think there linked to how much they can screw out of us without making too many waves.

Don’t know anything about the WMKP but was hoping to look at alternatives last year at a roadshow but as we all know they were cancelled and now having my order in since last October I’m giving it a rest.

BTW I was told the true cost of the R207 was over £1,200 and that sounds a bit steep but wonder if anybody knows how much such a system would cost including fitting if we were to go private outside of Motability.

[Peter]

I have bever controls 10 way.good system I rate it better than the lodgesons system I had on a previous car it was supplied and fitted by a very good local installer for £1400 as I don’t have a motability car this was funded personally  so don’t know if this was reflected in the price.

[Bandit]

Hi Chris,

Yes it is confusing! In the past (around 2005) I had an installer do the then IR version (Lodgesons) privately and that was a grand. Motability have obviously negotiated or subsidise well but it was the disparity between what is basically two things the same that irks me. Anyway I’ve made a bit more progress as follows:

Dear Jo,

Thank you for your reply. However, I can’t help feeling that the point has been missed entirely.

My issue is that the WKMP is, to all intents and purposes, a slightly smaller version of the keypad fitted to the R207 using the same technology and the same installation, with a receiver unit hardwired in and the sender unit (keypad) located conveniently for use. I would like to know where the £350 disparity comes from? Now I realise that it may be purely down to Motability  themselves and if that is the case then please say so and I will take it up with them

On a side note,  in your own brochure for the WKMP it states that it can “be attached to a hand control or could be located in any convenient position e.g. on an armrest” can you confirm this is correct please, because if it is then I will easily fashion a fixing to couple it with a spinner!

Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.

R

 

Hi R,

I am not able to go into our pricing strategy but yes in theory the WMKP can be used wherever convenient in the vehicle but we are not able to provide any parts to fit this to the steering wheel.

You could discuss with your installer having it fitted where you choose in the vehicle but it would be up to them as to what they are able to offer. We are only able to supply our products via our registered installers.

Best regards

Jo R-W

 

I shall be talking to my local installer and if he’s happy to fashion a fixing great, if not then I’ll have the WMKP fitted with instructions that the client will site the keypad themselves.

 

[ChrisK]

Hi Bandit

 

I did take on board what you were saying about the cost between the two systems but gave the example of the changing prices of the R207 over the years as to say they make the prices up on a whim with it being £xxx amount lower one year but £xxx amount more expensive the next then lower the next year as if the prices are just artificially made up as indeed I suspect the WMKP is. The WMKP being a less in demand remote, I guess, does not get such a big discount for Motability but that as they say is “sensitive commercial information”, well that what they like to hide behind. ?

 

On a slightly different matter I’ve just been to the Motability web site to check out another remote control device to write a bit about its cheaper price and if you or anyone else know anything about it but I see Motability have made their website look like a child’s comic, I suppose its because we disabled folk need to be treated as if we are the dumbest animals on this planet so need to be told or shown every thing in a pictorial manner but now I can’t find the adaption price list but sure it’s in there somewhere. ?‍♂️

 

 

 

[Bandit]

Here you go Chris

https://www.motability.co.uk/find-a-vehicle/adaptations/prices/#steering-aids

[ChrisK]

Thanks for that Bandit, it’s the Veigel UK 7 way remote control that I was looking for at £275 (think it was cheaper back last year) and wonder if anyone knows anything about this control.

It looks very much like the R207 but half the price. I did send the manufacturer / sales an email asking for more information about this device last August but heard nothing back, a bit like car dealerships in that respect.

[ChrisK]

Sorry I listed the wrong controller, its the Techmobility 9 way remote control at £150 I was enquiring about not the aforementioned.

I thought it was a lesser price but like I said can’t get any info about this control.

Not a problem now as I already have the order in for the R207 and for me its the old saying “better the devil you know”.

[Bandit]

Thought I’d give this an update in case it might help anyone else save a few bob.

At time of ordering the car I did opt for the the Lodgesons wireless mini keypad (£99) and a Lodgesons standard quick release spinner (£15) instead of the Lodgesons R207 (£445) and my local adaptions fitter has fashioned the two together to basically replicate the R207.

I’ll stick a pic up of the result when I’ve picked the car up.

[Author]

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