Navigon and TomTom both do and are both accessible. That said:
People continue having a very bad misconception about GPS. First, GPS uses a
database. The database has coordinates for streets and intersections, but
unless mild turns and swerves are properly plotted with coordinates in the
database, the app will draw a straight line. Maps are always being updated, and
commercial apps do not charge, or charge very little for these updates. And, if
you pay the slight charge, your database will be updated every quarter. If not,
your database will be updated annually. Contrast this with the blindness
specific GPS products where you get an annual update for a cost which is higher
than the total purchase price of any of these apps, and that is an annual
expense.
Also, in most cases, the actual GPS coordinates for each address are not in the
database. Instead, the database has the starting address, the ending address,
and the number of addresses in the block. Therefore, the announcement activates
when you are a percentage distance down the block that represents where your
address would be if all addresses are equal distance from each other. In other
words, if there are 10 addresses on the block and you are going to the fifth
address, the system will alert when you are half way down the block. However,
if any address takes up more than 10% of the distance, you will not find the
correct address just by using the GPS system - and this is the same whether you
are using a blindness specific system or a normal system.
Then, there is the accuracy factor. At its best, GPS can be accurate to 5
metres (15 feet). Therefore, given that the front of an address can easily be
shorter than this distance, all GPS systems will only get you close to your
desired destination. You need good orientation and mobility skills to find the
actual location. And, if accuracy is more toward average, the area is within 10
metres (30 feet). Oh, and this means you are anywhere within that circle, not
at the centre of it.
GPS accuracy is effected by any obsticles that may block the signal (such as
buildings, trees, or even clouds and other weather conditions. On an extremely
overcast day last year, my GPS was unable to give me accuracy any better than
500 metres (about 1600 feet). It kept placing me in different towns, and I was
standing still watching the display change. It was quite fascinating.
I would not trust GPS to get me to my exact destination anymore than I would
trust a cane to alert me of any obstacles that are higher than my lower
abdomen. So, does this mean I would not use a cane if something happens to my
guide dog? Now that would be silly. I just keep in mind the limitations of the
cane, and do not expect it to do more than it is capable of doing.
David Chittenden, MSc, MRCAA
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +64 21 2288 288
Sent from my iPhone
On 09/08/2012, at 13:37, "Michelle McQuigge" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Thank you for this clarification. I've found myself underwhelmed with
Ariadne, especially considering all the hype. I found the map feature to be
unreliable at best. I have very sound orientation when I'm on familiar
ground, and when I've put the app through its paces, the map it presents me
with doesn't always align with what I know to be there. Still, I do love the
concept of an interactive map and have faith the accuracy will improve in
time. In the meantime, though, I am watching this thread with interest.
Which of the many apps currently under discussion *do* provide turn-by-turn
navigation, will alert you when you reach a specific destination etc? I
gather Navigon handles many of these functions?
Many thanks,
Michelle
I have very sound orientation generally, and the street names it reads out
when I'm testing it in familiar territory have been approximate at best, at
least in my limited experience. I do love the idea of an interactive map,
however
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Andy Baracco
Sent: August 8, 2012 9:10 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Talking gps?
Ariadne is good, but it is only an orientation ap. You can't create routes
and you can't get turn by turn directions.
Andy
-----Original Message-----
From: Jordan Gallacher
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 11:57 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Talking gps?
Ariande is good. Navigone is crap. I tried it when going to an appointment
in New Orleans, and it did not see the medical establishment. Oschner is
really big, and it has expanded to several other locations in the state as
well. I would avoid Navigone at all costs. Motion X GPS Drive is great
even though there is a subscription fee, which really is not bad for the use
I get out of it.
Jordan
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Rob Harris
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 10:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Talking gps?
Lots of apps of this for your iPhone, Ariadne or Navigon being the first
choices.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Ellen Sanchez" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 3:05 PM
Subject: RE: bone conducting headphones
Hi if I may ask are there any talking gps devices for blind other than the
trecker that are a cheaper price as I am looking for one thanks.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Ron Pelletier
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 9:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: bone conducting headphones
Hi,
I have the After Shokz which I find great. They are rechargeable and the
battery lasts a long time. You recharge them in a USB port. I use them
with my Trekker as well as my IPhone. You can get a model with microphone
and one without and there is only $10 difference in price.
They are not blue tooth and, right now, I don't know of any that are.
HTH
Ron
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Musiclady
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 7:38 AM
To: Viphone Email list
Subject: bone conducting headphones
I seem te recall some one had some of these? What were they like?
Which ones did you have, and do they use bluetoth.
Thanks.
Steph
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