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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