Customer Reviews

Magna Cart Ideal Hand Truck

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Magna Cart "Ideal" is apparently the next step in the evolution of the original Magna Cart. It seems new as of March 2009. In the meantime, the manufacturer Welcom came out with the "Magna Cart Elite 2". All 3, as of this writing, are available on Amazon, but I expect the Ideal is the replacement of the original Magna Cart, which I expect to become extinct soon.

Bolstering that notion is the fact I saw some original Magna Carts in my local Big Lots store (same price as Amazon, but Amazon had free shipping). So, I've now been able to handle both.

What I can say is the differences between the original and Ideal are incremental, and not as big as I had thought. Basically, the Ideal is an "Elite 2" model, scaled down to the size of the original Magna Cart. What a great idea. In photos, the Ideal and Elite 2 look significantly more sturdy than the original MC, however being able to handle the original, I was still quite impressed. Actually, the weight of the original and Ideal are about the same. The folding mechanism and wheels also. The floor tray is similar (both metal). Extended height: same (I did mark the distance to my belly button for memory). I think folded height is same too. Width seemed to be the same, but not sure. The biggest differences I could see was the structural system forming the back and handle.

The original can extend and collapse with just one hand. The Ideal requires two hands, using the yellow button on the big gray crossbar as you can see in the pics. However, I believe the Ideal's system is sturdier (just not as convenient). I admit, the original's system is pretty slick. And actually, the original has 2 height settings. Albeit, they are close to each other, but it does give more flexibility. My Ideal only has one setting: maximum extension. All it would take is a small hole in either side of the tubular frame to get another notch in there; I'm surprised they didn't do that.

So, while just from looking and studying what I could online, the Ideal seemed a clear winner to me beforehand, but now they seem much closer, almost a wash. Just goes to show you how with all the information you can extract off the web, you still don't necessarily know before feeling and seeing something in person. The pathetically small amount of photos and useful information e-tailers provide, doesn't help that situation.

If the original is still available and you're deciding between that and the Ideal, I would actually call it a personal decision more than a matter of quality. For lightweight things like airport use, the one-handed operation of the original MC could be more useful. If you're planning on using it harder, or to carry more weight, or (like me) as a compromise between the strength (and weight and price) tradeoff of the Elite vs the original Magna Cart, I'd recommend the Ideal over the original.

If you're deciding between the Elite 2 and its little sibling the Ideal, the choice is easier as they are more differentiated. Despite being twice the price, the Elite 2 is simply an amazingly strong, innovative, small, and low-cost solution. It is up to some pretty serious heavy lifting, up to what most people would normally throw at a hand truck. It's not a professional mover's hand truck, and it's not designed to be. But considering its portability, it's amazing. The larger wheels of the Elite 2 make it easier to go up steps, but there's no 'stair climber' feature which heavy duty trucks often have, so keep that in mind. The Ideal's and original's wheels are actually not as small as you'd think--they're nothing like the extremely small wheels of my Pack'N'Roll, which is another product you should consider, depending on your needs. Pack'N'Roll is great for loose stuff like grocery bags, but basically useless for carrying boxes and large shrinkwrapped items, which is what my purposes were. Actually, the wider stance of the Elite 2 will make maneuvering inside your house slightly more difficult, but at the same time lends confidence and stability when rolling things around outside. For people who need some extra heavier duty in a folding cart, which is not most people, the Elite 2 is a great choice. Most people should do just fine on an Ideal or even original, and most people will never tax the sturdiness of any of these. I can't say the same at all of a Pack'N'Roll (lol). My Pack'N'Roll is extremely flimsy feeling compared to the 'confident' and comparitively heavy Magna Cart Ideal, which is impressive not only in design, but in manufacture. I would say the Pack'N'Roll is only impressive in design! lol. Then again, the Pack'N'Roll is half the weight, and is a true featherweight, where the Ideal and original were actually heavier than expected after what I read and saw online.

I'm considering drilling 2 holes in the bar of the ideal to give myself to height options. I think this is the only thing actually lacking, and I'm pretty nit-picky in reviews. Contrary to the original reviewer, who seemed to associate 'quality' with Chinese goods, I think most people out there would beg to differ. This guy is made in China, and I would characterize the quality as an exception to the rule. Something this quality shouldn't really be available at a price this low. Low-priced, quality but imported goods are nice on one end, but long-term destructive to our country; it's like eating your seed corn. The 'little guy' has no control over this, the decisions have already been made, and as long as we are essentially forced to buy Chinese-made products, this is a good one.

The founder of Welcom wrote an actually interesting and insightful review of his own product, in the original Magna Cart review; it's worth a read if you can find it. He is an American and a very innovative guy. Even with slave labor and dictatorship/totalitarianism, I don't know how he gets us such great products at such low prices. The innovation obviously continues on this product, as he combines the strengths and learned lessons of the Elite 2, into a product the size of the original Magna Cart. Well done.


Original Magna Cart:
http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Personal-Hand-Truck/dp/B000HVVSDU/ref=pd_sbs_hi_2

Magna Cart Elite 2:
http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Elite-Hand-Truck/dp/B0010XS5PS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1237861905&sr=8-3

BEWARE ! --- Buyer Beware !! - I bought the heavy duty version of this hand truck which works great UNTIL the black plastic brace holding the middle telescoping rod breaks and the rod keeps falling out as the rod goes up and down when used & folded. The problem that the securing black brace or bracket is made of plastic which eventuslly cracks. Sure you can put the rod back in place and tighten the screw but the rod will only continue to fall out each time you raise the handle because the middle rod is only secured by a cracked black plastic brace/bracket.

Very Happy~!

Pros:

1) I'm 6FT tall and the handle telescopes to a reasonable height, other models seem to be too short this one is perfect.

2) Solid construction does not feel like cheap plastic, the cart says that it can carry 150LB load, and to be honest I bet it can, this surprised me.

3) Value for Money another well built Chinese product.

Con's: None.

I purchased this to use basically on camping trips. My son is in the Boy Scouts and we go camping usually once a month. Being older, I like my comfort so I bring along a lot of gear. This hand truck is great as I bungy-cord up the equipment and roll it out. So much better on my back that lugging the stuff or making multiple trips. It is very sturdy and folds up nice and small. I have only used it once but really like it. July is the week long trip that the Scouts take and I am planning on bringing some heavy stuff. This will work out great.

As a freelance courier, the Magna Cart Ideal Hand Truck has been a lifesaver (or at least a backsaver) on many occasions. It will hold up to 150 pounds, is lightweight, easy to open up for use (simply hold it on the ground, push the platform down with your foot, and the wheels automatically unfold along with the rest of it) and collapses for storage in your vehicle just as easily.

It has a convenient handle that telescopes for use, and collapses for storage.

The only issue I have with the Magna Cart is that the handle isn't long enough. You have to bend over slightly in order to pull it, and that can be painful on your back. It should either have a longer handle, or have another handle included in it that enables you to extend that handle even farther than the first one. Otherwise, it's a great product!

I bought 10 of these for my computer support techs. We are rolling out a client refresh of 900 computers this year, the cart is very functional and we can generally carry an entire system or two including a 19" flat screen monitor if you stack them right. Would have been nice if the cart was perhaps two inches taller and also you have to buy a bungee cord to tie down the equipment. But other than that we love them and have made hauling the new equipment in and the old equipment out much easier. They store away to a small space when not in use. I would buy more if needed!

I bought the Magna Ideal after reading favourable reviews on Amazon.

This cart has been a treasure. I have newly moved and have been doing some shopping for, and shifting of, heavy and bulky items.

The Magna Cart is sturdy and looks like it means business. It folds flat for carrying in a car or on public transportation. Fully unfolded with the handle extended, it is great for moving those heavy Ikea furniture cartons, etc.

I have used it with the Master Lock bungee cords, which I also bought on Amazon. I found that the wheels of the cart are large enough to bring things up and down a flight of stairs.

The price was very reasonable compared to other flimsy looking carts. The free shipping was a bonus!

This is a handy product, which I would purchase again and recommend to others.

I work as an local auto parts deliveryman. Many times during the day I have to deliver either one large box, or many small heavy items such as brake rotors and drums, 5 gallon pails of chemicals, and large industrial batteries. (Just to name a few) I use a Ford Ranger to deliver, so carrying a full-size hand truck is tedious and takes up way to much space!

The Magna cart is wonderful. With its compact size I am able to store it behind, beside, or in front of the passenger's seat when not in use, ready for deployment!

But when deployment is needed, it is easy and smooth. Flip the folding apron down, pull the handle up, and you're ready to go! The rubber-tired wheels roll very smooth regardless of the weight being beared, and terrain being rolled over.

I have carried 70-90 lb batteries, and the Magnacart did not show any strain, bowing, or such. I can honestly say that the 150lb rated capacity should not be too far off from the truth.

If your someone who totes around heavy or bulky items, yet does not want a huge overkill-capacity hand truck to deal with, this product is for you!

Needless to say, my coworkers thought the Magnacart was so neat, we now have a fleet of four in our small store!

This truck has been very helpful to a 79year old woman in getting a
50Lb. bag of mulch out of the car trunk. I was able to drag it out
right onto the cart, and wheel it out to the patio where I was able
to disperse the mulch over my flower bed.
The truck also folds up quite easily to take up less room in the garage.
I still have potting soil to put down, so I think it was well worth the purchase. And I'm sure it will help laying snow remover onto the patio when winter comes. {not looking forward to that}
Yes, I would recommend it even to seniors, since it is fairly easy to handle.

We had a ton of out of town meetings that were going to require a lot of walking and transporting of cases.
I was worried that the Magna Cart was going to be cheap and flimsy, and that I should have spent an extra $[...] Bucks on something else.
What a surprise when it arrived and during it's use, Great Product.

The Good: Craftsmanship, compact easy folding design, rugged and dependable.

The Bad: None!