Andy, I'll say off the bat that I don't own sendero or any other gps system yet. But I do own a cell phone equipped with speech software. There are many applications for cell phones to act as GPS units. This, of course, doesn't allow braille access, not without purchasing a display, but the cell phone option is maybe worth looking in to.
The thing with Sendero and the other adapted gps systems is that you are paying for maps of, at least, the entire united states. Will you use all of that? You are also paying a premium price for the gps receiver, which can be purchased, if you're watchful, for much cheaper. The cost to get your maps on a flash card also seems a bit high. The technology, the maps, the concept of GPS is not, as I understand it, any different when you get it in an adapted flavor, it's the access mode. And since they aren't going to sell tons of them, and since they're trying to make a living at it, and since they are aware that there are often organizations and agencies who will fork out the money, the cost is high. Is it worth it? If you travel a lot on your own in unfamiliar areas, or if you travel with a sighted person in unfamiliar areas and would like to be the navigator, then you might find it nice. Truthfully, I would have probably bought it by now, but I haven't found a need that is greater than the $1500. If I could buy the software for maybe half of that, they'd get me to part with my money much more easily. It seems, however, that the cost of access software is rising. $999 used to be the limit. Not any more. I still think that the talking cell phone is going to be the ticket. Rusty ____________________ Skype: rustyperez Yahoo and AIM: reliroo Check out my blog at http://rusty-perez.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Baracco, Andrew W Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:58 AM To: Braillenote List Subject: RE: [Braillenote] FW: GPS Hi Gail, Well, whether or not a GPS system is worth the money is a personal decision. I would say that you certainly could live without it, but you could live without a television set as well. Someone once told me that you don't even need a bed. If you do a lot of traveling, especially in unfamiliar areas, you might benefit from the information that such a system can provide. Also, if you are just one of those folks who always likes to know exactly where you are, you might find that kind of information to be valuable. Some may see it as just another expensive toy. However, it is one of those things that you may find that once you have it, you will find ways to incorporate it into your life. When it comes down to it, it is really up to you to decide if it is something that you want to spend your hard earned money on. I have a friend who says that he has more money than God, and he has one, along with a bar code reader, color identifier, and every other gadget that's out there. Andy ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
