[gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: e: Re: Mini Guide

  • From: "Scott Granados" <gsgranados@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:17:39 -0700

It's probably a little motor spinning a wheel thingy (that's a technical term). ;) Been a while since I've cracked open a cell phone but I remember there's a small unit that just vibrates. You could probably just grab an old phone and unsolder the broken device and replace it with a spare. I'm sure there's a good line of jokes that could be had concerning vibrators and their sourcing / uses but I'll leave that for another list. ;)
----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Bingham" <steven.bingham1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:09 AM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: e: Re: e: Re: Mini Guide



I have been using my Mini Guide for over two years and have not had to
replace the vibration unit. I think it is one of those things they have put 
in the manual to save anyone sending it back to the manufacturers I do not
think it is a serious problem. The manual indicates that it is a unit that
is in regular use in mobile phones so it should not be too expensive -
although I do not have a clue what the price would be.

Steve
----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Bailey" <karenb74@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:58 AM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] e: Re: e: Re: Mini Guide


Unfortunately, I cannot answer this question as I just got my
miniguide in November.  So far so good.  I had modifications done
on an old Mowat sensor, but that's different.  I should ask about
this, first time I have heard that.  Too bad, but everything
wears you know, must get maintenance.  I think may be so because
if you use a lot in the city then you would have to maintain it.
I had an experience with my x still think we should have sent
back to the company but we had no cash.  He got into a cab, with
a laser cane, and the driver slammed the door on the cane
breaking it.  We ended up just chucking it because of no cash.  A
shame with such an expensive device.  If you find the answer
about how much it is to replace the vibration unit, let me know.
Karen and Harpo


----- Original Message -----
From: "jason smith" <thisisjj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date sent: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:55:22 +1000
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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