Don & Gail
Jul 6, 2014
We’re a couple, married and both quads. We use manual chairs and live independently. We have owned our SmartDrives (we own two) for over a year. When we first saw the SmartDrive units, we were intrigued. We each have been quads for 30+ years, both have had shoulder surgery, and we love these things. Going to a full-on electric chair for us is overkill, but these give us the option to essentially “clip on” power assist when we need it. We had stopped going to the theater and night on the town because there was too much pushing. Now we’re often out catching a show or concert and after the show we wait until the aisle is clear and these push us easily up the steep carpeted exits.
We took these on a two-week vacation and were all over downtown Chicago for three days on a single charge. The riverfront in St. Louis? No problem. At home, we live in a semi-rural neighborhood. We’re always going over to one neighbors or another and often that can be up to a half mile, uphill. It’s so nice to not have to drive such a short distance. We love these things!
Advantages: - Fast and easy on and off (the piece that is permanently attached to the chair weighs only a few ounces)
- Long battery life
- Easy to control
- Does not increase the overall length or width of your chair
- Two units and batteries can be stored in less space than your average piece of carry-on luggage
Disadvantages: - Can’t really (read: shouldn’t) go in dirt. We tried but the motor is pretty strong and cannot find good traction and the dirt and small rocks gum up the omni-wheel
- Avoid water! No brainer: It’s electric for heaven’s sake
- Takes a while to get used to: It’s all about mastering a technique and being “in-tune” with it. It’s pretty “smart”, but it’s not called PsychicDrive for a raeson. Practice in a safe environment before you go out into the wild. Practice on slopes, bumps, curves and tight spaces.
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Chris Pulley
Jun 24, 2014
Great product and great customer service. They have bent over backwards to fix any bug, but this product is great.
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K Macleod
Feb 11, 2015
It is great - so easy to go from manual to electric by adding a couple pieces (battery & Wheel). Love the new independence I have: can walk the puppy now, love having hands free and not having wrist, shoulder pain. THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE!! Be careful, especially with tippy chairs. CONS: Having a battery issue after having it less than 5 months and it's not covered. Boo! Expensive repair but not out of my pocket but still doesn't seem right.
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Tom G
Sep 24, 2014
The smart drive has changed my life. I have MD which has begun to effect my arm strength, I do however still have great hand strength. The smart drive has kept me from moving into a full on power chair which I was dreading.
Advantages: Very easy to use, does require initial pushing to move it forward but once engaged it takes over. Hills are effortless. Over carpet is where it really makes life easy. Very east to travel with, great battery life. Excellent product.
Disadvantages: You have to pay attention when in use.
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