Jameson7
New Member
UK Quad
Posts: 41
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled
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Post by Jameson7 on Jun 25, 2020 10:40:13 GMT -5
I have the SmartDrive and honestly don’t recommend it. It has left me high and dry in the worst situations like being halfway up a steep ramp that I can’t wheel myself up, getting stuck mid crosswalk, and it malfunctioned and slammed me into my desk. The company said it was connectivity issues with the watch part so I’ve replaced that twice, but in areas with a lot of wireless activity, it will shut down (malls and such) and will turn off after a couple seconds use while using it in a “good” setting. It has been a giant pain in the ass. A problem the reps never mention is when the small wheels wear down. They go pretty fast and can damage the whole unit if it’s dragging (you might not notice it dragging before it’s too late). The wheels seem decent and I’ve heard good things, but the weight wouldn’t make them possible for me. I have friends who adore their power assist wheels. My chair is difficult to grip (more than usual, lately) and my therapists think I may be having an episode/flare. They told me about some grip modifications for the rims and I might look into a few of them soon. The different grip options might help give you some more power behind your push too . Who you go through for the chair should know about those or an OT if you’re still in contact with one. I think some people have posted about modifications on social media/YouTube. Hope you get the chair that you want and one that works for you! I've known somebody who was propelled in to the road due to a malfunction on his SmartDrive. i know the first generation had issues. There's an adaption you can get which is a joystick and motor which conects to a normal manuel chair, maybe look in to that and have an option when you knowyou're going to be in hilly terrain.
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jordy
New Member
Posts: 39
Dev Status: Disabled
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by jordy on Jun 25, 2020 14:28:29 GMT -5
I have the SmartDrive and honestly don’t recommend it. It has left me high and dry in the worst situations like being halfway up a steep ramp that I can’t wheel myself up, getting stuck mid crosswalk, and it malfunctioned and slammed me into my desk. The company said it was connectivity issues with the watch part so I’ve replaced that twice, but in areas with a lot of wireless activity, it will shut down (malls and such) and will turn off after a couple seconds use while using it in a “good” setting. It has been a giant pain in the ass. A problem the reps never mention is when the small wheels wear down. They go pretty fast and can damage the whole unit if it’s dragging (you might not notice it dragging before it’s too late). The wheels seem decent and I’ve heard good things, but the weight wouldn’t make them possible for me. I have friends who adore their power assist wheels. My chair is difficult to grip (more than usual, lately) and my therapists think I may be having an episode/flare. They told me about some grip modifications for the rims and I might look into a few of them soon. The different grip options might help give you some more power behind your push too . Who you go through for the chair should know about those or an OT if you’re still in contact with one. I think some people have posted about modifications on social media/YouTube. Hope you get the chair that you want and one that works for you! I've known somebody who was propelled in to the road due to a malfunction on his SmartDrive. i know the first generation had issues. There's an adaption you can get which is a joystick and motor which conects to a normal manuel chair, maybe look in to that and have an option when you knowyou're going to be in hilly terrain. there’s a group on FB for SmartDrive users and it’s wild reading some of the issues people have with it. Ending up in the road is definitely not a good thing! I think I’ve seen that adaption... my main concern for power assists are the weight. My SmartDrive is heavy for me to lift, but I can still haul it out of the car. I hope they continue to work on improving the SmartDrive because it has a lot of potential.
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unitoquad
New Member
Posts: 18
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by unitoquad on Jul 6, 2020 13:45:27 GMT -5
During my initial rehabilitation after my SCI, and my OT took my powerchair that had a sweet tilting mechanism away I was quite upset... Luckily that next day my PT had me try a manual chair for the first time. After spending ten minutes pushing, only going like 40 feet on flat tile, getting my IV stuck and unstuck, I ended up enjoying the process (probably because I felt less disabled). Used that manual primarily from there on out. Even ended up in the para wheelchair "class" on wheelies and overcoming obstacles (I can take 4 inch curbs comfortably, 6+ inches are a bit intimidating). I'll admit after a decade of pushing though I'm starting to foresee the consequences of the repetitive movement. After a long stroll a couple days ago I noticed my left elbow was suffering (tennis elbow). Shoulders and upper back have been suffering for a few years already. OP, I'd recommend it if you're looking to gain a bit more independence. With proper equipment (gloves and coated hand-rims) less strain will be required to get around. Haven't suffered from wrist or palm pain yet. Long distance might not be feasible at first but you'll build up strength the more you use it. Take short breaks to let your muscles cool down and get a quick weight shift in. Carpet can be a hassle if that's what your floor is where you're living, but can be a great workout early on (I do grass occasionally, just to test my limits). I'll admit I have strong enough triceps and proper technique that I can successfully do a floor to chair transfer if I do fall out (although, most the time strangers end up helping me before I get in place). All in all I haven't touched a powerchair in years because I'm so well adjusted to my manual, but it wouldn't of happened had my OT pushed for my powerchair to have a tilt assist. I use these gloves and go through a pair about every year: Currently, using a TiLite Aero-T chair. I do have a SmartDrive but haven't used it since my watch strap broke. Definitely would recommend getting one if insurance will cover it, otherwise I'd wait because like others have mentioned there are some issues with the hardware and software.
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quadversation
Junior Member
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Posts: 55
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
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Post by quadversation on Jul 6, 2020 14:33:57 GMT -5
I have the SmartDrive and honestly don’t recommend it. It has left me high and dry in the worst situations like being halfway up a steep ramp that I can’t wheel myself up, getting stuck mid crosswalk, and it malfunctioned and slammed me into my desk. The company said it was connectivity issues with the watch part so I’ve replaced that twice, but in areas with a lot of wireless activity, it will shut down (malls and such) and will turn off after a couple seconds use while using it in a “good” setting. It has been a giant pain in the ass. A problem the reps never mention is when the small wheels wear down. They go pretty fast and can damage the whole unit if it’s dragging (you might not notice it dragging before it’s too late). The wheels seem decent and I’ve heard good things, but the weight wouldn’t make them possible for me. I have friends who adore their power assist wheels. My chair is difficult to grip (more than usual, lately) and my therapists think I may be having an episode/flare. They told me about some grip modifications for the rims and I might look into a few of them soon. The different grip options might help give you some more power behind your push too . Who you go through for the chair should know about those or an OT if you’re still in contact with one. I think some people have posted about modifications on social media/YouTube. Hope you get the chair that you want and one that works for you! Jordy you should check out rib grips if you need a little extra stick on your pushrima. And just so you know, the Alber Twion wheels I have weigh 13lbs each, which is comparable to the weight of the Smart Drive. So if you can lift the Smart Drive on and off the bracket you could probably manage these. However, I can appreciate that putting a 13lb wheel on a rigid frame while leaning out of a car may be drastically different than laying the Smart Drive onto a bracket. Best of luck!
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unitoquad
New Member
Posts: 18
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by unitoquad on Jul 6, 2020 14:35:29 GMT -5
Can you give me a link to the gives you have in the pic I have just ordered a wheelchair and this will be my first time in a wheelchair and I am not sure what gloves to buy for when I am using my wheelchair I believe this is where you can order them: adi.stealthproducts.com/gloves/Haven't had to buy any in a few years and their site has changed since then (I bought 4 pairs). Although I'm down to my last pair and should buy some more.
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quadversation
Junior Member
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Posts: 55
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
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Post by quadversation on Jul 6, 2020 14:36:39 GMT -5
I have the SmartDrive and honestly don’t recommend it. It has left me high and dry in the worst situations like being halfway up a steep ramp that I can’t wheel myself up, getting stuck mid crosswalk, and it malfunctioned and slammed me into my desk. The company said it was connectivity issues with the watch part so I’ve replaced that twice, but in areas with a lot of wireless activity, it will shut down (malls and such) and will turn off after a couple seconds use while using it in a “good” setting. It has been a giant pain in the ass. A problem the reps never mention is when the small wheels wear down. They go pretty fast and can damage the whole unit if it’s dragging (you might not notice it dragging before it’s too late). The wheels seem decent and I’ve heard good things, but the weight wouldn’t make them possible for me. I have friends who adore their power assist wheels. My chair is difficult to grip (more than usual, lately) and my therapists think I may be having an episode/flare. They told me about some grip modifications for the rims and I might look into a few of them soon. The different grip options might help give you some more power behind your push too . Who you go through for the chair should know about those or an OT if you’re still in contact with one. I think some people have posted about modifications on social media/YouTube. Hope you get the chair that you want and one that works for you! I've known somebody who was propelled in to the road due to a malfunction on his SmartDrive. i know the first generation had issues. There's an adaption you can get which is a joystick and motor which conects to a normal manuel chair, maybe look in to that and have an option when you knowyou're going to be in hilly terrain. www.spinergy.com/about-zx-1
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KingRichard
Full Member
Posts: 200
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by KingRichard on Jul 6, 2020 14:39:56 GMT -5
Can you give me a link to the gives you have in the pic I have just ordered a wheelchair and this will be my first time in a wheelchair and I am not sure what gloves to buy for when I am using my wheelchair I believe this is where you can order them: adi.stealthproducts.com/gloves/Haven't had to buy any in a few years and their site has changed since then (I bought 4 pairs). Although I'm down to my last pair and should buy some more. Cool thanks I have never really needed to use gloves do to using a mobility scooter to get me too places but it is on it's last legs so I am going to see how well I can do on a wheelchair
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2020 12:13:01 GMT -5
I've had a bunch of different manual chairs over the years. Right now im using a tilite that until I broke my footrest (and replaced it with a freaking bungie cord) I had set up with the free wheel attachment. That was sick. Especially during the early months of Quarantine in NYC. I would go to the top of Morningside Heights and boogey down the hill, swerving like I was on a mono ski, weaving in between cars (drivers looking at me like "who is this asshold") and looking at the peaches (a Stranglers reference for all my punk fans out here).
I love using a manual chair, and despite many people in my life and many, many strangers asking me "why don't you get a motorized wheelchair" I have zero interest. My main considerations are the following: 1) staying fit. Hard for all of us, harder for some of us. I can't really imagine leading the sort of life I was able to lead in high school, college and grad school in a motorized chair. NO DISRESPECT to my brothers/sisters/ trans/nonbinary folk in motorized chairs, just this worked for me. 2) Gotta be able to get it in the trunk or back/front seat of a car. Preferably something I can take apart myself for uber situations and maybe one day driving (though I have a "ill never learn to drive" city kid mindset that is hard to shake. 3) Can't be heavy. How else will a beautiful date be able to haul it up to her apartment when its a 3rd floor walk up? 4) Gotta be able to buy replacement parts from bike shops. This is cause under capitalism, our insurance sucks so much that everything takes soooo long and I like to be able to patch a tire or replace a tube on the go. 5) Solid frame bb, its so much better, lighter, easier and less shit to get broken. Gotta remember that golden rule, if it can break/get rusty/wear down it WILL and you won't be able to replace it. This is why I stripped everything off - brakes, anti tippers, all that shit besides side guards so that I basically only have to clean the cushion and wipe off dirt, salt water and etc. when needed. 6) Air tires preferred over solid. 7) I'm pretty fit, and have a decent amount of mobility also Im incredibly stubborn. That all makes me pretty mobile. You may have a different situation. Will you need someone to push you at times? If so you'll wanna make sure you have handles and etc. 8) GET IT FIT TO YOUR BODY, measure measure measure. This can avoid so much physical discomfort.
Also, as for your hands I'm sure there are really good gloves you should wear. I've never liked gloves for like internalized self-hatred reasons re: disability/visibility of disability. The plus side is now my hands are incredibly strong and tbh, kinda sexy.
Yeah, ill probably need rotator cuff surgery one day, and when im writing a lot my fingers and hands get sore but what're you gonna do when you're a writer and a wheeler?
I've been drooling over some set ups and accessories available on eBay for way more than I got. What I really need isn't just a Dev to hang with on the side, but like a sugar momma dev who will buy me all the cool wheelchair shit I want in exchange for idk leg pics or rly good head. but that's probably too much to ask for!
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livinlife
New Member
Posts: 23
Gender: Male
Relationship Status: It's complicated
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Post by livinlife on Jul 14, 2020 23:52:33 GMT -5
For what it is worth, I’ve been in a chair for 26 years. I’m a C5-C6 quad. I’ve used a manual chair the entire time. With exception to the two weeks I used an electric chair because my therapists insisted I would need one at college. After two weeks, I parked it in the shed and never used it again. I’m not fast, and inclined are difficult. But I’ve managed to get everywhere I need for 2.5 decades. I would venture to say that I have stayed healthier in doing so. My circulation is better, I’ve had very minimal pressure sores and when I add 2 to 4 miles per day a few days a week, I physically feel better.
Motorized chairs are certainly necessary for many people, but I’ve met people who used them unnecessarily and they became somewhat lazy because of them. Ultimately, they struggled with several health issues that I believe could have been avoided if they were more active in a manual chair.
These are just my opinions and observations, but I’m quite happy with my decision to stick with a manual chair,I think the long term benefits have been many.
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