 and has used power wheelchairs since early childhood. The “more” that consumers wanted, he explained, referred mainly to the power base’s ride quality.</p>
<p>Jay Brislin, MSPT, VP of Quantum Rehab, noting the functional and clinical aspects of the Edge 3, pointed out three key ways the base focuses on clients.</p>
<p>“Number one is ride comfort. People don’t want to be jarred left and right. Obviously, no one wants to feel the lumps and bumps of everyday life. So a major priority of ours was to smooth out the ride dramatically, to build a softer ride.</p>
<p>“Secondly, stability towards trunk control and towards hand control — towards reducing spasticity. Having cerebral palsy like Mark does makes him very prone to startle reflexes. Anytime one’s body is jostled around, spasms and tone can kick in. We have heard over and over again — whether it’s from someone with quadriplegia with spasticity to someone with CP with spasticity, to someone with muscular dystrophy who lacks muscle tone — being able to control stability over rougher terrain, obstacles and thresholds is a priority among consumers.</p>
<p>“And we want to make sure that people who are driving with specialty controls have the most control possible. Consumers have expressed that there’s nothing worse than driving on a bumpy sidewalk with, say, a head array and being jostled so that you don’t feel in control of your chair.”</p>
<h4>Suspension Damping</h4>
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The Edge 3 offers a driving speed of 4.5 mph with iLevel seat elevation engaged — useful when visibility and quickness are important.
Quantum’s Edge 3 Power Base: It’s All About the Ride
“The industry-first 4.5 mph speed is consumer driven,” Brislin noted. “Consumers love being in iLevel for safety reasons: crossing streets and parking lots, anytime visibility as a pedestrian is key. iLevel makes a huge difference in being seen. Consumers told us, ‘I’d like to be able to cross that street, I’d like to be able to cross that parking lot just a little bit faster.’ Fortunately, the new SRS suspension offers stability that allows us to travel 4.5 mph.
“Consumers don’t want to go faster just to go faster. It really is a functional feature.”
Edge 3 also has an upgraded battery option: the Interceptor, a hybrid gel battery that Brislin said offers about 20 percent greater battery range at a price comparable to that of a traditional gel battery.
The power base accepts Quantum’s range of seating, from Synergy/TRU-Balance 3 static seating (widths from 10″ to 22″), to TRU-Balance 3 power tilt, TRU-Balance 3 Tilt with iLevel (widths from 12″ to 22″) and TRU-Balance Flex Seating (widths from 15″ to 22″). A weight capacity of 300 lbs. makes the Edge 3 able to accommodate a full range of users, from kids up to larger adults.
Standard features include fender lights, a USB charger, and seven new colors, such as Blue Jean and Cherry Bomb, with corresponding colored wheel inserts. The features carry on the theme of a power base that’s consumer centered in every way.
“When it comes to the complex rehab segment, confidence in your mobility product is a big requirement,” Smith said. “People need to feel comfortable, feel secure, and feel in control of their power chairs. We’re confident — and I am, personally — that the Edge 3 makes noteworthy strides toward users’ increased confidence toward whatever their life pursuits may bring.”