Power Base
The defining feature of the Quantum Edge 3 Stretto Powerchair is its narrow base - at just 52 cm, it ties with Quickie's Q300 M Mini for the narrowest outdoor capable powerchair on the market. Combined with the ultra-manoeuvrable mid-wheel drive that allows the Stretto to turn on the spot, this makes it the ideal choice for getting around indoors - able to navigate tight turns and narrow corridors with ease.
Outdoor performance on the Edge Stretto remains strong, with Smooth Ride Suspension cushioning your ride, and powerful motors capable of up to 6 mph. A few small changes have been made to the Edge 3 base to cut down the width, with the castor wheels being 6 inches rather than 8, and both tyres and suspension springs being a little smaller. However, our test drives have shown the ride to be virtually the same as the Edge 3, and it retains the same high-capacity 62 Ah batteries for a long range.
TB Flex seating
Two seating systems are available - the more basic and lower cost TB Flex seat (first picture), as seen on Quantum's Q4 and Aspen is the first. This is an entry-level prescriptive seating system with more limited options, although it is ideal for those without advanced seating requirements. Powered tilt and powered recline (albeit not lie-flat) are both available on the TB Flex seat.
Tru-Balance 3 seating
The same fully-prescriptive Tru-Balance 3 seating system (second picture) as seen on the regular Edge 3 is also on the Stretto, and is what most people choose to go for. The headline feature is the iLevel seat raiser, which allows you to drive at a walking pace of 3.5 mph with the seat fully elevated by 12 inches. As the name suggests, this allows you to drive at eye level - in contrast to most other powerchairs with powered lift, which are limited to crawling along at slow speeds. Being at eye level enhances social interactions, even when on the go.
A full range of powered seating options are available, including 175° of shear-reduced recline - allowing you to lie flat when combined with powered elevating leg rests - few powered wheelchairs offer this level of recline. 50º of powered seat tilt is also available to aid in pressure relief.
The seating system is entirely configurable, allowing your Edge 3 Stretto's seat to be set up to provide a precise fit to your size, comfort and clinical needs. Seat widths and depths of 12 - 20 inches are available, also allowing the Edge to cater to the smaller dimensions of paediatric users. We would note that the larger seat sizes can overhang the base, losing most of the benefit of the narrower base, so the Stretto variant is best suited to slimmer or average sized people. The highly modular nature allows the seating to be modified to accommodate your changing needs, and third-party components such as pressure cushions and postural supports can easily be fitted.
Controls
Control options range from the basic NE+ system that comes as standard to the advanced Q-Logic 3 expandable control system - which is our recommendation if you want to get the most out of your Stretto. Q-Logic includes the option for a high-definition LCD screen on your joystick, as well as Bluetooth to interact with and control your environment. Further options include switch boxes for one-touch access to seating functions, as well as attendant controls and special controls for those that cannot use a regular joystick. A USB charger is built-in to keep your smartphone or other personal electronics topped up.
Style
The Quantum range is renowned for its stylish looks, with the Stretto being no exception. The bold, contemporary styling includes the options for ultra-bright LED fender lights and your choice of 20 colour options. This allows you to customise your Edge to match your style - from Lemon Crush through Green Machine to our favourite "Sugar Plum" as seen in the photos and on our demo models.
Our Verdict
The Edge 3 Stretto is a really impressive powerchair, packed full of features in an incredibly narrow base. The chief reason to get it is obviously its slender size, which makes it great if you have really restricted spaces to get around that other powerchairs cannot manage. If your usage is outdoor only, then the normal Edge 3 will provide slightly better handling and stability with its larger wheels.
The chief competitor is the Quickie Q300 M Mini (or Q300 M Mini Teens / Q300 M Mini Kids for teenagers and children respectively), which features a similarly narrow base as well as popular Sedeo seating. We would recommend trying out both the Edge 3 Stretto and Q300 M Mini to find out which works best for you, and we are able to demonstrate both models.