Power Chair Recommendations please

alissa · 07-05-2010, 06:42 PM

I'm needing a new power chair - grateful to get rid of this POS Permobil C300 - but haven't got any thoughts on what to get. Please review your chairs - NO FRONT WHEEL DRIVES!!! -
include pros, cons & if you'd get the same 1 again. Thanks in advance.

Peace,
Alissa

gjnl · 07-05-2010, 07:59 PM

My old power wheelchair was an Invacare Storm Action Arrow series with GB motors.
Loved the GB motors...pretty quiet. Had absolutely no problems with it and used it for 10-11 years. I am a C6-7 complete quad whose shoulders are completely shot from years of manual pushing. In the brake unlocked position it freewheels easily and my wife could push it around easily to get it out of the way.

My new powerchair is an Invacare TDX SP Mid Wheel Drive. When it came time to get a new chair, I decided to change a few things. The TDX SP allowed me to sit a bit lower. I am 6'4" and sitting lower allowed me greater accessibility to normal tables, desks and the side entry door of my van, etc. I also like the smaller turning radius of the mid wheel drive which is helpful in access into my van. It is a bear for my wife to push around. It just doesn't freewheel at all (pushing against gears all the time). After 29 years, she has had to learn how to drive the wheelchair, because she just can't push it around like she could the GB. Otherwise, I am quite satisfied with the TDX SP.

Really can't say anything bad about either one of them.

Eileen · 07-05-2010, 08:08 PM

A lot depends on what sort of ground you want to cover. I have a Quantum 6000 mid-wheel drive with tilt and like it a lot. It has a more powerful motor than the Invacare Neutron I had before it, but it is also closer to the ground underneath, so really rough terrain is pretty much out. It's quiet and goes for many miles before needing a charge.

alissa · 07-06-2010, 02:51 PM

thanks for the responses.
Eileen - do you consider grass & gravel "rough terrain"?

Eileen · 07-06-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alissa

thanks for the responses.
Eileen - do you consider grass & gravel "rough terrain"?

It will definitely go over grass, and light gravel too. If it is a rocky terrain, not so much....

Katilea · 07-13-2010, 01:57 PM

I am also interested in this topic of RWD V FWD V MWD.

I have been using mobility scooter since 2003, for walking my dog I find it better for getting over playing fields etc but since I was moved 4 years ago to adapted housing the nearest small park for me to let my dog off has a swing gate that scooter too long to go through.

So I got a quantum vibe cheap off internet, I can get that through swing gate if I take footrests off and the chunky tyres easily gets me over the gravelly path and grass and along the grass path (not proper path just where people have worn the grass down).

It is expensive to repair through as person neglected to mention it was cheap cos they don't make/ship them over here anymore, so any repairs takes weeks as have to get parts from US. (I'm in UK).

It is too bulky to get around my bungalow particuarly between bedroom and lounge door as they are at right angles to each other so cant turn from one straight into other without hitting door frame or turning into hall first, turning round then going into other room.

Smaller RWD chairs tend to have smaller castors which then don't handle the 'little park' as well when I need the chair for backup for dog walking.

FWD chairs often have bigger castors on back and I heard they have better manouvering in tight spaces but I like to fly about at top speed and they seem to have low top speeds or 'fishtail'.

MWD, I'm not sure the two small castors front and rear would handle the rough terrain at all although I'd probably be able to get from bedroom directly into lounge easily and turn in bathroom and office (smallest rooms) much easier.

I'm also looking into 'standing chairs'. I can stand and hold myself up for short time but then my arms start to shake with effort of holding myself up. I can manage long enough and few steps for transferring but haven't stood for 30 mins... (or over 5mins) for around 5 years. Not sure why they recommend 30 mins a day standing?

Do I go for standing chair next for health benefits or get more robust indoor/outdoor chair and seperate standing frame/device?

Kati
(UK)

07-05-2010, 06:42 PM	#1
alissa Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: CA Posts: 574	Power Chair Recommendations please I'm needing a new power chair - grateful to get rid of this POS Permobil C300 - but haven't got any thoughts on what to get. Please review your chairs - NO FRONT WHEEL DRIVES!!! - include pros, cons & if you'd get the same 1 again. Thanks in advance. Peace, Alissa __________________ "We must become the change we want to see in the world." Gandhi

07-06-2010, 02:51 PM	#4
alissa Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: CA Posts: 574	thanks for the responses. Eileen - do you consider grass & gravel "rough terrain"? __________________ "We must become the change we want to see in the world." Gandhi

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07-05-2010, 07:59 PM	#2
gjnl Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,037	My old power wheelchair was an Invacare Storm Action Arrow series with GB motors. Loved the GB motors...pretty quiet. Had absolutely no problems with it and used it for 10-11 years. I am a C6-7 complete quad whose shoulders are completely shot from years of manual pushing. In the brake unlocked position it freewheels easily and my wife could push it around easily to get it out of the way. My new powerchair is an Invacare TDX SP Mid Wheel Drive. When it came time to get a new chair, I decided to change a few things. The TDX SP allowed me to sit a bit lower. I am 6'4" and sitting lower allowed me greater accessibility to normal tables, desks and the side entry door of my van, etc. I also like the smaller turning radius of the mid wheel drive which is helpful in access into my van. It is a bear for my wife to push around. It just doesn't freewheel at all (pushing against gears all the time). After 29 years, she has had to learn how to drive the wheelchair, because she just can't push it around like she could the GB. Otherwise, I am quite satisfied with the TDX SP. Really can't say anything bad about either one of them.

07-05-2010, 08:08 PM	#3
Eileen Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: last house on the left Posts: 9,796	A lot depends on what sort of ground you want to cover. I have a Quantum 6000 mid-wheel drive with tilt and like it a lot. It has a more powerful motor than the Invacare Neutron I had before it, but it is also closer to the ground underneath, so really rough terrain is pretty much out. It's quiet and goes for many miles before needing a charge.

07-13-2010, 01:57 PM	#6
Katilea Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 385	I am also interested in this topic of RWD V FWD V MWD. I have been using mobility scooter since 2003, for walking my dog I find it better for getting over playing fields etc but since I was moved 4 years ago to adapted housing the nearest small park for me to let my dog off has a swing gate that scooter too long to go through. So I got a quantum vibe cheap off internet, I can get that through swing gate if I take footrests off and the chunky tyres easily gets me over the gravelly path and grass and along the grass path (not proper path just where people have worn the grass down). It is expensive to repair through as person neglected to mention it was cheap cos they don't make/ship them over here anymore, so any repairs takes weeks as have to get parts from US. (I'm in UK). It is too bulky to get around my bungalow particuarly between bedroom and lounge door as they are at right angles to each other so cant turn from one straight into other without hitting door frame or turning into hall first, turning round then going into other room. Smaller RWD chairs tend to have smaller castors which then don't handle the 'little park' as well when I need the chair for backup for dog walking. FWD chairs often have bigger castors on back and I heard they have better manouvering in tight spaces but I like to fly about at top speed and they seem to have low top speeds or 'fishtail'. MWD, I'm not sure the two small castors front and rear would handle the rough terrain at all although I'd probably be able to get from bedroom directly into lounge easily and turn in bathroom and office (smallest rooms) much easier. I'm also looking into 'standing chairs'. I can stand and hold myself up for short time but then my arms start to shake with effort of holding myself up. I can manage long enough and few steps for transferring but haven't stood for 30 mins... (or over 5mins) for around 5 years. Not sure why they recommend 30 mins a day standing? Do I go for standing chair next for health benefits or get more robust indoor/outdoor chair and seperate standing frame/device? Kati (UK)