Hi all, hope its OK as a new user to jump in with a specific question. Have been reading a lot of very helpful posts and reviews of the Puma 40 here, but have a precise question. Does anyone who uses an Invacare Puma 40 know whether it normally skids on very steep slopes?
I have just booked a second test drive instead of going ahead with an order, as I want to make sure that something that will cost me this much really is the right piece of equipment. This will be my first power chair.
I live in a house with an idiotically steep driveway with some potholes in it. I need a chair with lift so that when I'm at the top of the classroom I can rise to standing height (or above when the students are unruly, would be even better). Something with a long battery life so I can head out to work early in the morning, and stay out for general meetings/politics/pub until the small hours of the next morning. It must be able to go on public transport easily, both buses and underground. Going in a car doesn't matter as I don't drive. Handling a limited amount of rough terrain is also essential as there is a park slap bang in the middle of the campus I teach on, and part of the idea of getting a chair is generally just so I'm not so housebound anymore. I'll be using it out and about and at work only, and pottering around at home on my zimmerframe/sticks for as long as I can.
The salesperson strongly recommended a Puma 40 as the only chair in the price range that can do all that, other than the Jive M which he and everyone else warned me off. However, on the day I test drove it it was pelting down with very heavy rain, and it skidded badly on every attempt to bring it down my incredibly steep driveway, which the sales guy said it absolutely would not do. So I've asked to try it again under more normal weather conditions before committing. Anyone who uses/has used this chair, would be great to hear if anyone else has found issues with it not managing steep slopes.
Thanks