A cool new accessory from Quantum is its wheelchair backup camera, which is currently only available on the Q-Logic 3 control system. The camera, mounted to the base of a headrest post, gives a 170-degree rearview via a screen attached to the front of the armrest. It has infrared capability for use at night. I can see where this would be a helpful tool to prevent backing up over pets, infants and toddlers, or an object that could break or pose a danger.

Whether you are picking your first power chair or a replacement for one that has run its course, it can be daunting to decide on the right blend of comfort, function and style. For a primer on selecting the right power chair, I turned to Dr. Dan Caliendo, 80, who is in his 29th year as a T10 complete para. He became a full-time power chair user 12 years ago when his “worn-out shoulders” told him it was time to move to power. He started rolling in an Invacare FDX and moved to a Permobil F5 after six years. He recently completed a search for his third power chair. Here’s how he did it.

Making a List and Checking It Twice

“I started by making a list of must ‘must haves’ followed by ‘preferences,” says Caliendo. While these differ from person to person, for Caliendo, tilt and recline were musts, followed closely by a seat elevator. He needs the tilt and recline for pressure relief and comfort, and he relies on the elevator to make transfers and shopping easier. Also on the list is the ability to cruise through the gravel driveway and varied terrain on his farm, the ability to mount Ride Design custom seating for his crooked body and pelvis and compatibility with his EZ Loc for driving.

“As far as my preference list, it was short,” says Caliendo. “I wanted the tightest turning radius possible.” Other people may prioritize top speed and maximum distance on a charge or the narrowest possible base to fit through more bathroom doors or whatever best serves their needs.

Search Manufacturer Websites for Information

Next, Caliendo searched each major powerchair company’s website and jotted down the specifics and options that he wanted. He studied the main information about specific models of chairs and then gleaned additional details from the order form on the manufacturer sites that included one. He entered all the information he collected into an Excel spreadsheet for easy visualization and comparison and proceeded to hone his search down to five chairs: three mid-wheel-drive models and two front-wheel-drive models.

Do Demos on Your Terms

Caliendo’s next step was coordinating demos of the chairs he wanted to try. Although he got his chair through the VA, it took phone calls from a local DME dealer and several manufacturer sales reps to arrange demos, which he insisted take place at his house. “I learned the hard way, on my first power chair, that it is important to demo the chair in and around your home (if possible) as it is a lot different than the smooth floors and wide doorways of a rehab hospital,” says Caliendo.

Although he was excited about the prospect of the tighter turning radius on the mid-wheel drive chairs, all three models he demoed got stuck in his gravel driveway. Hence he whittled his list to the two front-wheel-drive chairs: the Quantum 4 Front and Invacare Aviva FX. He arranged a home demo for the Aviva FX through his Invacare rep but couldn’t find a Quantum to try out near his Andover, Kansas, home. Luckily, he liked the Aviva FX. “It performed well on all surfaces and met all the checks on my ‘must have’ list, so I ordered it,” he says.