[gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
- From: "Andrew J. LaPointe" <alapointe89@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:05 -0400
Hi, now that I have found out about the mini guide, are there other things
like this that seems to enhance the blind person's life so much that I don't
know about? I am very excited about getting one of these items and would
like to demonstrate it after I get to use it for awhile. I am on a local
Commission that is televised each month and conduct periodical demos so that
the community mayy be aware of these items for the blind and benefit from
them. Andy.
-----Original Message-----
From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Brett
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 6:48 AM
To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
Hi,
I have used both and the miniguide is streets ahead in my opinion. I
trialled the moat sensor and gave it back because it wasn't useful. I found
that the beam was to skinny so you had to constantly scan and it was hit an
miss if it would locate poles or not. If you were scanning in the wrong
direction at the wrong time you could easily miss it. It's max range was
only three meters and the battery only lasted around two weeks.
The mini-guide has a range of up to 8 meters, although in reality it's
probably around 5 or 6, slightly better than the 4 meter range. At longer
distances, it's beam gets broader than the moat sensors, so you don't have
to scan as much with it. I just keep it by my side and when something comes
in to range and doesn't disappear as I get closer, only then do I start
scanning for it's exact location.
Of course this is only my personal opinion and others may differ, but I
sware by the mini-guide and didn't find the Moat sensor useful at all.
Cheers,
Brett.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Koji Matsuda (Yahoo)" <kojim33jp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 10:03 AM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: Mini Guide
>I was talking to a friend of mine who never used Miniguide, but she said
> that it sounded similar to mowat sensor. I never saw that one either, but
> she said that the device was more useful indoor and not much so outdoor.
> Did anyone use mowat sensor? Any major differences?
>
> Koji
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brett
> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 2:20 AM
> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 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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>
>
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