[gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
- From: "Steven Bingham" <steven.bingham1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:22:07 +0100
Hi all
I have just checked with the RNIB Online Shop and note that they no longer
stock the Mini Guide. However, there is a device called the Palmsonar
Obstacle Detector which sounds much the same and has a similar price
£312.00.
Full details at
www.palmsonar.com/231/prod.htm
I do not know if this means that the Mini Guide is no longer made.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Pearson" <carol.pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 10:29 PM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
Can you get them in the UK, Steve, and if so, any idea from whom and how
much?
--
Carol
carol.pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Sunday, June 15, 2008 7:29 PM (UK time), Steve at drum67-72@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
said:
> Nope, at least on the UltraCane the beams are not aimed at the
> ground. I don't think there is enough density in a snowflake to
> affect it.
>
> Steve
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Granados" <gsgranados@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 1:33 PM
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>
>
> Wouldn't the snow crystals defuse the beam?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brett" <brettsta21@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:19 PM
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> It would work in the snow, but you probably wouldn't want to use it
>> when it is snowing. I don't use mine when it's raining. It's a good
>> idea to try to keep moisture out of the unit.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Brett.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Koji Matsuda (Yahoo)" <kojim33jp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 1:05 PM
>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>>
>>
>>> Oh wow, the battery lasts that long? That is wonderful. I wish I
>>> could try
>>> it out. It sounds so neat. I like to walk fast and sometimes my
>>> cane can't
>>> keep up with me. A device like Miniguide might be helpful to me.
>>> Does it
>>> work in the snow?
>>>
>>>
>>> Koji
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brett
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:48 PM
>>> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I still would recommend the miniguide as I agree that a broken or
>>> bent cane
>>> is a problem with the Ultracane. The other advantage of the
>>> miniguide is that you can use it with out a cane, such as walking
>>> around in the office where you don't necessarily need your cane but
>>> want to avoid desks or chairs
>>>
>>> or tell if doors are open or closed. The other advantage of the
>>> miniguide is
>>>
>>> that you can scan in totally different directions to where your
>>> cane is pointing. For Example, you can scan at 90 degrees to your
>>> direction of travel if you are trying to locate or count doorways
>>> or light poles etc.
>>>
>>> I have had the miniguide for 9 months and haven't yet had a problem
>>> with the
>>>
>>> vibration unit and since the manual says that these units are
>>> commercially
>>> available, I would assume they wouldn't be too expensive as they
>>> aren't custom made. The Miniguide is also really well made, the
>>> Ultra cane says it's batteries last one to two weeks, but my 9
>>> months old miniguide is still
>>>
>>> on the same battery.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Brett.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "jason smith" <thisisjj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 1:55 PM
>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Karen,
>>>> I am glad this discussion of the miniguide has come up, as I am
>>>> currently
>>>> looking into possibly getting one. I have been debating between
>>>> looking at
>>>
>>>> getting the miniguide, or the ultracane. The ultracane uses the
>>>> same principles as the miniguide, but is twice the price I
>>>> believe. One advantage of the ultracane, is that you can keep your
>>>> other hand free, as
>>>> the vibrating information, is built into the handle of a standard
>>>> cane. As
>>>
>>>> someone who has broken two canes in one day before, through people
>>>> tripping over it in a crowd, I am cautious about spending so much
>>>> money, incase the same happens again. The miniguide therefore, may
>>>> be a better alternative. There are demonstration podcasts on both
>>>> the miniguide and ultracane on
>>>> www.blindcooltech.com if anyone is interested. A question though
>>>> please Karen. In the podcast on the miniguide, it is mentioned
>>>> that the vibration
>>>
>>>> unit will need to be replaced from time-to-time. In your
>>>> experience, how often is this and is it very costly?
>>>> thanks a lot and best wishes Jason
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Karen Bailey" <karenb74@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:09 AM
>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] e: Re: Mini Guide
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi, the Miniguide is very useful, and, I have used it while
>>>>> standing in line to tell when people move up and how far. Karen
>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Scott Granados" <gsgranados@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> Date sent: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:03:22 -0700
>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Mini Guide
>>>>>
>>>>>> Is it actually useful? Do you think it would be valuable in
>>>>>> real world settings? I'd thinking finding lines and managing
>>>>>> distance /
>>>>> standing in
>>>>>> line would be easier with a device like that.
>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Wendy Slominsky" <wendyslominsky@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:38 PM
>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Mini Guide
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> again, go to www.senderogroup.com
>>>>>
>>>>>>> There is a link for the mini guide there. It is small, about
>>>>> the size of a
>>>>>>> Milky way bar, but it doesn't melt in your hand. It has a strap
>>>>> so I have
>>>>>>> it hooked around the handle of my PK and I just grab it and turn
>>>>> it on
>>>>>>> when I want to use it. I can not describe the technology
>>>>>>> accurately, but it is a laser beam, I believe, that vibrates
>>>>>>> when it detects an object. As you get closer the vibration is
>>>>>>> stronger and more constant. You
>>>>> can set it
>>>>>>> for three different settings be pending on how close up you want
>>>>> it to try
>>>>>>> and detect objects. You hold it with the two round detectors
>>>>> one on top of
>>>>>>> the other so it covers a range of something that is an up and
>>>>> down
>>>>>>> obstacle such as a pole. With a thumb you can turn it on and
>>>>> off and allow
>>>>>>> it to hang unused again until you might want it for something
>>>>> else. I have
>>>>>>> played with it in stores and if you move a bit slowly and put it
>>>>> on the
>>>>>>> most sensitive setting you can actually walk around a store
>>>>> without
>>>>>>> walking into anything. you just try to avoid the areas where
>>>>> there is a
>>>>>>> strong vibration. Conversely, if you are looking to find
>>>>> something you
>>>>>>> walk closer and closer to the vibration. When you have a
>>>>>>> strong signal you know you are close and you can move the unit
>>>>>>> from side to side
>>>>> just a inch
>>>>>>> or so and that will target your approach very precisely.
>>>>>>> It takes about an hour or so to play with and get a feel for
>>>>>>> but after that it is very easy to use and takes no talent.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi, what is a mini guide? I never heard of it. Where do you
>>>>>>>> get one of these. Andy
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Karen
>>>>> Bailey
>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:23 PM
>>>>>>>> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] e: better mobility technology was Re:
>>>>>>>> e: Lack of Traffic Lights
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi, if anyone finds out about new mobility tech, I am always
>>>>>>>> interested. Contact me if you know anything about upcoming
>>>>>>>> technology. Karen and Harpo
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> From: "Scott Granados" <gsgranados@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>> Date sent: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:59:48 -0700
>>>>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] better mobility technology was Re: e:
>>>>>>>> Lack of Traffic Lights
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> That brings up a question. Is there a good resource for
>>>>>>>>> finding out the latest available in mobility technology? I'm
>>>>>>>>> wondering what's
>>>>>>>> out there or
>>>>>>>>> in the works. It just seems that there has to be a better
>>>>>>>>> way of navigating other than swinging a pole around or
>>>>>>>>> putting your trust in lower mammals. (especially for more
>>>>>>>>> distant range finding etc) Any pointers
>>>>>>>> would be
>>>>>>>>> appreciated. Anyone with experience using something other
>>>>>>>>> than a cane or dog who wishes to contact me off list as I'm
>>>>>>>>> sure this is off
>>>>>>>> topic would
>>>>>>>>> also be appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> From: "Karen Bailey" <karenb74@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>> To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:52 PM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] e: Lack of Traffic Lights
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi this is Karen and Harpo my guidedog. I found a solution
>>>>>>>>>> for not finding traffic light poles. I use the Miniguide to
>>>>>>>>>> find
>>>>>>>> traffic light
>>>>>>>>>> poles when there is no other way or point of interest. I
>>>>>>>>>> have used the Mowat sensor in the past for the same thing.
>>>>>>>>>> It finds things
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>> otherwise obvious to a blind person and sometimes scan in
>>>>>>>>>> front of me for construction can feel how high fences are,
>>>>>>>>>> and where, and other such not so obvious items like benches
>>>>>>>>>> in parks hard to find without sighted assist. This may not
>>>>>>>>>> help you, but I thought I'd mention it. Karen and Harpo
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Mr. Leslie Paul Peterson" <Les537@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>>>> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>>>> Date sent: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:39:06 -0500 (CDT)
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Lack of Traffic Lights
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> My teacher taught me GPS lessons today. My first time to
>>>>>>>>>>> learn how to destination and route. I am disappointed
>>>>>>>>>>> because GPS does not have the traffic lights location.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Route guide me and tell me turn 3 or 9 oclock but I can not
>>>>>>>>>>> go across the busy street without the traffic light. I
>>>>>>>>>>> MUST have the lights where I can walk across the streets.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> How could I command it? Could there make a new version?
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Leslie--
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------
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