Power Base
Permobil have long been known for their expertise in front-wheel drive powerchairs, and the Permobil F3 Corpus Powerchair is their most compact model in the F-series family, making it great for getting around restricted spaces.
Fully independently adjustable ComfortRide suspension provides superior vibration reduction, ride comfort and drive performance for the widest variety of driving scenarios. The suspension helps to maintain your position in the seat, ensuring your support and comfort aren't compromised. Uniquely, Permobil's powerchairs do not "lock out" the suspension when powered seating functions are in use - allowing you a consistently comfortable ride.
The F3 features powerful high-efficiency 6 mph motors, and can be upgraded to large 70 Ah batteries for an outstanding 20 mile range. With its optimised weight distribution, the F3 offers enhanced base stability, responsiveness and obstacle climbing ability.
A gyro module (ESP) comes as standard, which maintains straight-line driving on uneven or sloping surfaces without the need for constant corrections to your course, making for a more relaxing driving experience. This is particularly useful for those with special controls.
Seating
As with all Permobil powerchairs, the F3 features the Corpus seating system, which is completely customisable to meet your comfort, support and function needs. The seat can be set up to your exact size, with a vast array of cushions and backrests (including third-party ones) available to provide the ultimate comfort for you. Roho air cushions and backrests are a popular upgrade for those that require higher levels of pressure relief, and positioning options such as headrests, lateral supports, hip guides and more can be fitted. The end result is a seat tailor-made precisely for you, and which can be adjusted going forward to account for any changes in your needs.
The Corpus seating system offers a choice of powered seating options above and beyond what is found on equivalent models. The power seating functions are completely customisable, with three memory positions available as standard for optimal pressure relief and relaxation. The power recline goes back to a full 180° - most powerchairs of this level don't recline anywhere close to flat, and even those with "lie-flat" recline tend to go to around 175° at most. Bio-mechanical anti-shear and a close pivot point reduces friction and ensures your positioning accessories (such as the headrest) support you consistently all the way back. The power tilt is an impressive 50° for optimum pressure relief - when tilt, recline and power elevating leg rests are combined they are an ideal treatment for oedema, raising your legs above the heart.
The Active Height seat riser lets you remain active whilst elevated up to 12 inches. You can drive at 3.2 mph whilst fully elevated - and with full suspension - ensuring you never sacrifice comfort for function. The riser lets you meet people eye to eye, reducing the need to look up all the time. It also includes 3.5 inches of rearward shift when elevating, to reduce the footprint of the chair, and help you get closer to tasks.
Active Reach is a feature unique to Permobil chairs - it's not found on seating systems from other manufacturers such as Invacare or Sunrise Medical. A combination of anterior (forward) tilt and the seat riser, it gives you the ultimate advantage in accessing your environment, putting the world within your reach. With this, you can reach beyond obstructions, into high cabinets, or even just assist with forward transfers. The F3 features 30° of anterior tilt - more than the Permobil mid-wheel drive models, which are restricted to just 20°.
Controls
The R-Net control system comes as standard, and we recommend upgrading to the high-definition LCD joystick with a high quality display screen for clear control of your powerchair, as well as memorising your favourite seating positions. This highly customisable control system can be individually programmed by our specialists to match your requirements, with personalised drive profiles and seating functions.
Permobil powerchairs are the ideal base for those with special control requirements, with numerous options available - such as chin or head controls, or switch boxes for quick access to seat functions. Bluetooth and Infrared allow you to digitally interact with your environment, whether that be operating your TV, linking with a tablet or controlling remote doors and lights.
Appearance
Permobil are renowned for their sleek and stylish powerchairs, and the F3 is a great example of this. With a clean matt black appearance, your choice of accent colours, plus two upholstery finishes, you can personalise your chair to ensure it turns heads. It's no surprise that other manufacturers are starting to style their chairs in a similar way to Permobil - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
Both the F3 and the Corpus seating system have a clean design, with adjustments, actuators and cabling hidden discreetly away. Notably, Permobil provide photos of the rear view of their powerchairs - some other manufacturers don't as they're cluttered with cables and bolts!
Our Verdict
Permobil products have a reputation for being expensive, and the F3 does cost more than Quantum's 4Front and Quickie's Q700 F - however, it offers so much more, particularly with regards to what the seating system can achieve.
We cannot recommend the Corpus system highly enough - its versatility allows it to always provide you with the comfort and fit you require. Beyond that, it has powered seating options that are only found on the competitors' top-level (and significantly more expensive) products. Even then, the Corpus seat offers features like the Active Reach anterior tilt that aren't available elsewhere.
The F3 Corpus is a performance powerchair with outstanding seating, and excels both outdoors and around the house. If your focus is on outdoor performance, we would recommend trying the "bigger brother" F5 Corpus - but for an unrivalled blend of all-round excellence, the F3 is the chair to pick.