Best power chair

[kilgore]

It's time for me to start shopping for my next power chair. I'm sure there's a list of opinions somewhere, but I haven't found a good site. I've been to wheelchairjunkie.com, but don't trust all of the information because he works for Pride. Here's what I've gathered so far:

Invacare (what I use now)- Fastest, easy to get parts and service, standard but not very exciting
Quickie - about the same as Invacare, but with louder motors
Permobile - slower, reliability problems, tendency to flip forward, but more maneuverable, better leg lifters, and cool seat elevator
Omegatrac - like Permobile but not as attractive

Do you agree with these assessments? I'm tempted to wait for the Ibot, but I'm a C5 quad and would probably need major modifications to get tilt, leg raisers, and friendly controls.

[Chris Chappell]

I suggest Quickie first.

But, if you could afford / wait for the iBot I would.

Onward and Upward!

[marmalady]

My son just got a Permobile and loves it. Have never heard of any forward tipping problems, and the way the chair is built, I honestly don't see how it could happen. The speeds can be adjusted - in Sweden, where the chair was designed, they're actually legal on the road and can go up to 20 mph! We had heard about the service issues, too, and talked with a regional rep for the company. He told us that when Permobile was first expanding into the US, they pretty much allowed for any vendors to sell the chairs; they've since learned to screen their vendors, and are more particular about who they allow to carry their products. We talked with 2-3 vendors, and picked the one who offered the best service, loaner chairs if needed, and who was working with Permobile - in fact, our guy was being sent to Sweden for an inservice! Parts problems have also apparently been addressed, and there is now a factory in Tennessee making both chairs and parts.

The leg and seat elevators have been great for my son, but they're also way cool for us caregivers, too! If he needs adjusted in the chair, instead of me bending way over, we can elevate the chair so I'm in a better position. Tying shoes is easier, too, with the leg lift. The tilt function makes pressure relief so much easier for him, and the recline function allows for things like cath changes, etc. in the doc's office to be done right in the chair, instead of a transfer.

Need I say I'm a Permobile fan?! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[svenstrs]

I have an Omegatrac. It's big claim to fame is its suspension and drivetrain. I'm able to ride over relatively rough surfaces without triggering spasms. With the air suspension, you can have an easy lock pin and still be able to go over rougher ground. Compared to my Quickie 626, it is far more comfortable and stable. The downsides are: it's noisy and a little bit longer than the average wheelchair.
If you have the bucks for a premium wheelchair like the Omegatrac or the permobile, I would wait and see the iBOT. With the 29k Price that has been thrown around, I wouldn't be surprised if the final price of a fully equipped iBOT pushes 40k. But, if it performs as advertised, it will revolutionize the power wheelchair. And after all, J&J has spent hundreds of millions on development, it's got to cost more. I would love to see the iBOT succeed and, hopefully, have the price come down as they reach economies of scale. I will also get pleasure from seeing all the dealers and manufacturers of conventional power chairs lose business with their overpriced pieces of crap. I don't know about you, but I have felt nothing but ripped off by the durable medical goods Industry!

[tvot]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kilgore:



Invacare (what I use now)- Fastest, easy to get parts and service, standard but not very exciting

Had my Invacare 6 years now, 0 problems. And thats with alot of road trips.
I would never go with anything else. They have a proven track record.
BTW what do you mean by excitment ?

[ghoti]

I drive an OmegaTrac, and I wouldn't compare it to anything - it's in a class of it's own. Front wheel drive for tremendous ability off-road and climbing curbs. Perfect true-tracking performance on slanted surfaces. Full suspension with 3" of travel and shock absorbers plus a frame that is nearly indestructible. Maneuverable indoors and out, and the gearing can be changed to suit your needs for speed vs. power. Sorry to sound like a commercial, but the OmegaTrac gets dismissed by a lot of people who think it's too expensive. This is a case of getting what you pay for. If you think your insurance might go for it, at least give one a test drive. I had a Quickie 626 as a loaner before my OmegaTrac, and there is no comparison. You can see their website at www.teftec.com (http://www.teftec.com) .

[kilgore]

Thanks to all for the input. It sounds like everybody's happy with their wheelchair. I guess I can't go wrong. Fish, I thought at first you were just copying words off the web site, but it's obvious you and sven are sincere. Tvot, I wouldn't mind getting an update of my current Storm, but I'd like the "excitement" of sharp turning radius, seat lift, and a leg lifter that telescopes out so my knees don't hit my tray. Also, the front wheel drive chairs can handle bigger bumps head-on. Does anybody have a point-by-point comparison?
I've a couple comments on the Ibot. First, no quads were in the study group. Second, testers said they liked the Ibot for outdoor use but preferred their own chairs inside. Third, I can't see using the nifty stair climbing mode more than a couple times a month, not including showing off. It's a shame I can't put off this shopping trip. Hopefully by the time my new chair wears out, I'll be dancing at the CareCure reunion...

[Cris]

I have the Action power care by Invacare. It has gearless brushless motors, and it is virtually silent. Its top speed is between 7 and 8 mph and I am very pleased with it.

[Carl R]

I used Invacare action storm for about four years until about four months ago when I got a Permobil. In my opinion, there is no comparison between the two. The Permobil is way ahead of the rest. It looks better, feels better and can get me in more places. I love the elevation feature and can get over roughly a 4 in. bump when I need to. And it still has a tight turning radius and can easily maneuver around in the House. I looked around at others and even the new Invacare chairs are much better, but they still don't compare with the variety of features that the Permobil has without looking like a tank.

[Matter of Opinion]

Pride is a very large co. and it advertises on TV. The ad you remember could be for a Pride Jazzy Select 6 Ultra. It has a standard power elevating seat

http://www.pridemobility.com/jazzy/jazzyselect6ultra.asp

[Katilea]

What are the joysticks like on these chairs? and the buttons to press for switching on/off, speed, lights etc? Are they tiny or is there a large button controller option?

Can you get big chunky joysticks for people who have difficulty gripping the small standard ones?

[woman from Europe]

I think Permobil has big ones and you can get even bigger if you want, I think.

[Matter of Opinion]

Try pacesaver - they have tilt and optional leg rests. They are very reliable and parts are easily available because they are all made in the USA.

Prices are about the same as Pride, but they are much better quality. Their scooters have been known to last for years.

http://www.pacesaver.com

[justadildo]

you should trim the i-bot from your list

[Katilea]

Do any of you know what model joystick controller is featured in this you tube clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aCiqJbFaXI

At about 0.14 you get a good side view of it and can see how chunky the joystick is to grip

Thanks

[Katilea]

p. s the pacesaver site wouldn't open, it said the server wasn't reponding.

Kati

[SCI-Nurse]

What are the joysticks like on these chairs? and the buttons to press for switching on/off, speed, lights etc? Are they tiny or is there a large button controller option?

Can you get big chunky joysticks for people who have difficulty gripping the small standard ones?

Note that the original posts here are 7 years old! There have been new products introduced since then.

If you cannot hold onto a small joy stick, virtually all power wheelchair manufacturers also have an option of a U shaped type "yoke" control in which you just rest your hand and drive with your arm movements. I know Permobile does as we use a lot of their power chairs. For the other controls (tilt, speed, etc.) they have both push button and flip switch controls, or you can do it with the main joy stick...your choice as they are all available on the one control. If you are working with an experienced PT or OT who is specing out the chair for your medical justification, they should be very familiar with these types of options for a wide variety of chairs.

(KLD)

[Figboot]

Look at the Quantum 6000. recently got one as my first power chair after 27 years of pushig. I consder it a GREAT chair.

FIGBOOT

[SCI_OTR]

What are the joysticks like on these chairs? and the buttons to press for switching on/off, speed, lights etc? Are they tiny or is there a large button controller option?

Can you get big chunky joysticks for people who have difficulty gripping the small standard ones?
Here a few readily available joystick options...

BodyPoint "U" Shaped Joystick with Flex Handle (http://www.bodypoint.com/store/product874.html)...

http://www.bodypoint.com/store/media/large/JHU4FS.jpg

BodyPoint "Dome" Shaped Handle (http://www.bodypoint.com/store/product886.html)...

http://www.bodypoint.com/store/media/large/JHDR.jpg

Stealth Mushroom Joystick (http://www.stealthproducts.com/catalog/products.php?code=mjm250)..
http://www.stealthproducts.com/catalog/images/MJM250.jpg
Most of the modern powerchair controllers use small buttons which are frequently difficult for someone with limited upper extremity function to access. This is usually not a problem, however, because most have input jacks on them which allow the same functions to be performed using switches.

[Katilea]

Thanks the U shaped one looks interesting.

I just wondered if anyone knew the name of the one in the you tube clip? Hard to know where to find these items if you dont know what they call them!

I'd never of thought of searching for powerchair controllers under 'U shaped yoke control' or 'flip switch'

[CapnGimp]

I don't know what the controller is in the vid. But I can tell you this. You can unsrew the joystick grip on your chair and put anything there you want. Tell someone what shape, get them to make it and drill/tap it to fit your controller.

I've saw beer taps, doorknobs, knife handles, etc.
You could make it out of wood, plastic/resin, just about anything.
Cheaper than buying a chair :D