I just had my eval today, this was the suggested addition to a lighter manual without losing the functionality of my electric wheels. This really helped me, thank you so much. I’m looking forward to having so many options to choose from for independence!!!
Hey! Congrats! and 3 cheers for your independence! hip hip hooray! I'm glad to hear and I hope you enjoy your new power-assist. Take care of your shoulders because they take care of you :) and you're right -- so many options to choose from for our independence ---Oda
Just a note on your wish list. I have the original which has an external battery, which is very heavy and is mounted under the chair; you can really feel the added weight of the battery, this kept me from using it. Having the unit all in one allows for simple and quick removal and install and I suspect you don't feel the weight that much because it is setting on the ground.
Hey Brian -- appreciate your insight! I 100% agree that the convenience is hard to pass, even considering the downsides. As I have used it more and more it's definitely more convenient to be able to pop the unit on/off without having to worry about transfering out of my chair and removing the battery. And I do agree that the reduction in weight is noticeable minus the battery and less noticeable with just the unit dragging. Like everything in life --- there are upsides and downsides. I look forward to future iterations of the SmartDrive. -- Oda
I agree with you about the watch. I hate it. I had my chair tech come and put the buttons on and they are so much better. By the time my 'smart' watch started working, my friends and family were a block ahead of me.
lol. when the watch works, it's absolutely awesome and futuristic! but, like you, I found the setup and use-case to be quite problematic and thus why I switched to the buttons. Much more reliable-- and now I'm lovin' it. --- Oda
The smart drive doesn't attach to the wheels, it attaches to the frame of the wheelchair at the base beneath my seat. Google "Smart Drive mx2" and click on "images" to see more closeups. Thanks for watching! -- Oda
Have you tried the older watch / bracelet that came with the smartdrive? From my understanding some techs were able to give that instead if the Smart Watch was causing issues
I just got a new TiLite with the SmartDrive and so far the most annoying thing is the battery life (or lack thereof). I'd live to go 7 or 8 miles on a single charge but I get like....maybe 3? It's also hellaciously heavy to take off and put back on, too.
Hiya Casey, I AGREE! The Battery life leaves A LOT to be desired. I really much prefer the older battery style, which allowed you to have a huge battery that slings under your seat. I rarely ran out with that battery. But with this new one, I often have to pick and c hoose where I use it or else I risk running out while out and about. I don't find it too heavy and I find it fairly easy to put on with a bit of practice. But, yah, that battery life though! C'mon Permobil, I hope they give us a way to add an external battery if we wanted more power. - Oda
Hey Takeyla, yes you can use this without the push buttons but then you'll have to use the smartwatch -- those are the 2 methods of controlling the smartdrive unit; smart watch with hand gestures, or the buttons. -- Oda
I also had problems with the watch disconnecting, but not particularly on hills, it was at random times. I had a lot of issues with the watch, which is why I prefer using the buttons. -- Oda
I've heard of people doing that with e-scotters, but they aren't specifically built for wheelchairs, so I would recommend staying safe and using something that is specifically built and tested for and with wheelchairs. Thanks for watching!
I don't get it. The first watch was plastic with zero dust, water, or impact protection. Counterfeit FitBit watches were better quality. The the current watch is a smartwatch with Google's Operating System that just happens to let you install the Smartdrive software. It's way over complicated with the unnecessary Google apps, messaging, live weather, updates, multi-layered menus, etc. It feels like the Smartdrive control software was just thrown in. And, even in power saving mode, the watch doesn't last all day. For such great engineering and design of the drive, I dont get why they can't get the watch controller right. For 7k, a dedicated wrist controller with decent build quality, durability, and only the functions it needs is not that much to expect. I wonder if the wrist controller selection was an engineering decision or selected by the suits upstairs. Otherwise, the Smartdrive is very helpful and the engineering that went into it is amazing. I'm sure people who would otherwise not be able or want to venture out are now able to enjoy the mobility it offers. *There's one important thing about the MX2 mode that takes a little getting used to. Holding the wheel rims to slow down and stop is a natural, reflexive way to control a manual chair. However, if you need to slow in a hurry and you grab the rims, the Smartdrive will "fight" you by speeding up when it senses you are trying to slow down. It will eventually disengage as it detects a hard or long deceleration. So, you must get used to anticipating when you need to disengage drive mode.
Thanks a lot for your valuable input! I'm glad there's more competition these days with units like Smoove One, Yomper, etc. Hopefully it'll get Permobil to start listening to customers and improving the SmartDrive in these very obvious ways! I personally hate the watch and controller and just use the touch-buttons.
hi Anshuman, please visit Permobil's website, which is the maker of Smart Drive. I don't think there is a dealer in India, but perhaps you will be able to ask them to ship it to you permobil.ca/
I just had my eval today, this was the suggested addition to a lighter manual without losing the functionality of my electric wheels. This really helped me, thank you so much. I’m looking forward to having so many options to choose from for independence!!!
Hey! Congrats! and 3 cheers for your independence! hip hip hooray! I'm glad to hear and I hope you enjoy your new power-assist. Take care of your shoulders because they take care of you :) and you're right -- so many options to choose from for our independence
---Oda
Just a note on your wish list. I have the original which has an external battery, which is very heavy and is mounted under the chair; you can really feel the added weight of the battery, this kept me from using it. Having the unit all in one allows for simple and quick removal and install and I suspect you don't feel the weight that much because it is setting on the ground.
Hey Brian -- appreciate your insight! I 100% agree that the convenience is hard to pass, even considering the downsides. As I have used it more and more it's definitely more convenient to be able to pop the unit on/off without having to worry about transfering out of my chair and removing the battery. And I do agree that the reduction in weight is noticeable minus the battery and less noticeable with just the unit dragging. Like everything in life --- there are upsides and downsides. I look forward to future iterations of the SmartDrive.
-- Oda
I love mine❤
I agree with you about the watch. I hate it. I had my chair tech come and put the buttons on and they are so much better. By the time my 'smart' watch started working, my friends and family were a block ahead of me.
lol. when the watch works, it's absolutely awesome and futuristic! but, like you, I found the setup and use-case to be quite problematic and thus why I switched to the buttons. Much more reliable-- and now I'm lovin' it.
--- Oda
How are you able to get it to attach to both wheels like that?
The smart drive doesn't attach to the wheels, it attaches to the frame of the wheelchair at the base beneath my seat. Google "Smart Drive mx2" and click on "images" to see more closeups. Thanks for watching! -- Oda
Have you tried the older watch / bracelet that came with the smartdrive? From my understanding some techs were able to give that instead if the Smart Watch was causing issues
yeah I tried the older watch/bracelet, too. I didn't like it as much as the newer version.
-- Oda
Thank you sir.
no -- thank YOU!
- Oda
I just got a new TiLite with the SmartDrive and so far the most annoying thing is the battery life (or lack thereof). I'd live to go 7 or 8 miles on a single charge but I get like....maybe 3?
It's also hellaciously heavy to take off and put back on, too.
Hiya Casey,
I AGREE! The Battery life leaves A LOT to be desired. I really much prefer the older battery style, which allowed you to have a huge battery that slings under your seat. I rarely ran out with that battery. But with this new one, I often have to pick and c hoose where I use it or else I risk running out while out and about.
I don't find it too heavy and I find it fairly easy to put on with a bit of practice. But, yah, that battery life though! C'mon Permobil, I hope they give us a way to add an external battery if we wanted more power.
- Oda
Can I use this without the push buttons? Mine broke off n I haven’t tried to use it since
Hey Takeyla, yes you can use this without the push buttons but then you'll have to use the smartwatch -- those are the 2 methods of controlling the smartdrive unit; smart watch with hand gestures, or the buttons.
-- Oda
I’m having problems with the watch disconnecting from the main unit. This happens alot, particularly on hills. Anyone else having problems?
I also had problems with the watch disconnecting, but not particularly on hills, it was at random times. I had a lot of issues with the watch, which is why I prefer using the buttons.
-- Oda
I attach an e scooter to my wheelchair cheap as chips simple to use great off road with rear drive. Off the scooter.
I've heard of people doing that with e-scotters, but they aren't specifically built for wheelchairs, so I would recommend staying safe and using something that is specifically built and tested for and with wheelchairs. Thanks for watching!
I don't get it. The first watch was plastic with zero dust, water, or impact protection. Counterfeit FitBit watches were better quality.
The the current watch is a smartwatch with Google's Operating System that just happens to let you install the Smartdrive software. It's way over complicated with the unnecessary Google apps, messaging, live weather, updates, multi-layered menus, etc. It feels like the Smartdrive control software was just thrown in. And, even in power saving mode, the watch doesn't last all day.
For such great engineering and design of the drive, I dont get why they can't get the watch controller right. For 7k, a dedicated wrist controller with decent build quality, durability, and only the functions it needs is not that much to expect. I wonder if the wrist controller selection was an engineering decision or selected by the suits upstairs.
Otherwise, the Smartdrive is very helpful and the engineering that went into it is amazing. I'm sure people who would otherwise not be able or want to venture out are now able to enjoy the mobility it offers.
*There's one important thing about the MX2 mode that takes a little getting used to. Holding the wheel rims to slow down and stop is a natural, reflexive way to control a manual chair. However, if you need to slow in a hurry and you grab the rims, the Smartdrive will "fight" you by speeding up when it senses you are trying to slow down. It will eventually disengage as it detects a hard or long deceleration. So, you must get used to anticipating when you need to disengage drive mode.
Thanks a lot for your valuable input! I'm glad there's more competition these days with units like Smoove One, Yomper, etc. Hopefully it'll get Permobil to start listening to customers and improving the SmartDrive in these very obvious ways! I personally hate the watch and controller and just use the touch-buttons.
Can I get this in India....please help out... I need it badly
hi Anshuman, please visit Permobil's website, which is the maker of Smart Drive. I don't think there is a dealer in India, but perhaps you will be able to ask them to ship it to you permobil.ca/
@@CortreeTV thank you
Hi there, there is no way I think I can get this in India...I am ok if I can get the old one model also...if you could help me out getting the same
Just fyi, samsung galaxy watch 6 or newer work great. also apple watch.
Yup, you're right! I don't have a smartwatch but want to get one just for that compatibility.
- Oda
I also have a smart drive
how are you liking it? still using it?
@@CortreeTV I don't go outside so I ďont really use it.And that thing is heavy for me to put on without core bal