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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