[Blindtlk] AmbuTech graphite folding canes with roller tips

Sun Jun 14 21:02:11 UTC 2015

Those of you who use telescopic canes, how do you keep them from retracting when you encounter elevation changes such as stairs or even if the cane bumps something? I've always turned the sections tight but still find it unsafe. This is when they give me the most trouble so I tend to stay away from them.
Alyssa

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 14, 2015, at 3:31 PM, Brice Smith via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Christine, the Ambutech two-piece telescopic cane is very sturdy. You
> simply extend the second section to the required length and then
> tighten or loosen the section. This is nice because you can lock it
> anywhere from 36 to 69 inches, depending on what you need at the time.
> It won't fit in a pocket because it doesn't retract below 36 inches,
> though this is still much less than a fully extended cane -- it easily
> fits in a car and won't stick out in public.
> 
> It's kind of expensive though, which is why I also love the NFB
> collapsible as Judy has mentioned.
> 
>> On 6/14/15, Szostak, Christine via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>  two quick questions on the telescoping canes from AmbuTech:
>> 
>> 1)  Do they feel sturdy. As someone noted earlier, my experience too with
>> the slim-line cane is that it is really wobbly, and one of the reasons I
>> stayed away from the telescoping, is that I was made to believe they are
>> somewhat the same in firmness. I know they are not slim line canes.
>> 
>> 2)  In order to retract (not sure if that is the commonly used term)) the
>> telescoping cane, do you have to bang it on the floor? That is what I have
>> heard   and as someone teaching at the college level, I really do not want
>> to be banging my cane in class simply to close it in front of my students:).
>> Not real professional in my opinion:).
>> Have a nice rest of the weekend everyone!
>> Chris
>> 
>> Dr. Christine M. Szostak
>> Assistant Professor of Psychology
>> Department of Social Sciences
>> Shorter University
>> Rome, Georgia
>> szostak.1 at osu.edu
>> cszostak at shorter.edu
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
>> via blindtlk
>> Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2015 4:02 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Cc: Judy Jones
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] AmbuTech graphite folding canes with roller tips
>> 
>> THe ambutech canes are what they are.  I would definitely stick with the
>> carbon fiber if you want light weight.  I, too, have on occasionally gon to
>> my folding cane, but have not stayed with it for long.
>> 
>> Back in the 70s I used the Rainshine tips with a fiberglass telescopic cane,
>> but I always carried an extra, as those canes could break, but have not had
>> that happen with the carbon fiber.
>> 
>> I love the fact that I can fit my 5-section telescopic cane in my purse.
>> When at work, it hangs on a hook hidden underneath my desk.
>> 
>> I'm one, though, who loves using a cane, probably as I learned when I was a
>> middle-schooler all those years ago, and it opened up a world of
>> self-independence for me.
>> 
>> I remember my instructor saying that some day the cane would feel as natural
>> as an extension to my arm.  I didn't believe her then, but I do now.
>> 
>> Judy
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Brice Smith via blindtlk
>> Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2015 1:23 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Cc: Brice Smith
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] AmbuTech graphite folding canes with roller tips
>> 
>> I'm a cane snob. Why? I have a love/hate relationship with them – they're
>> absolutely necessary but incredibly annoying. Let's not kid
>> ourselves: walking around with a five-foot stick can be an inconvenience. If
>> I'm going to use one daily, then, I'm going to choose the best. I recommend
>> the NFB collapsible or Ambutech two-piece telescopic. I've tried plenty of
>> canes and here's my experience:
>> 
>> Despite the name, Ambutech's "lightweight" graphite canes are heavier than
>> NFB's telescoping or folding canes. Please don't let the marketing materials
>> fool you – if you are used to a carbon fiber cane with a metal or ceramic
>> tip, the switch to an "ultralight" Ambutech graphite with a roller tip will
>> be difficult, especially when you add the heavier [rolling] tip. The weight
>> of the tip makes all the difference. Graphite folding canes with a ceramic
>> or metal tip aren’t bad.
>> 
>> The Ambutech roller tip gives excellent physical auditory feedback, much
>> more than a roller on a Revolution Advantage cane. However, I find the
>> roller's ability to handle rough terrain somewhat overstated.
>> There's a patch of rough cobblestone outside my office, and the roller gets
>> stuck and jabs me in the gut more often than a metal or ceramic tip. Perhaps
>> because of its weight, the NFB/Chris Park cane almost seems to ... "skip" or
>> "dance" over rough surfaces more than a heavy, rolling tip. Metal glide and
>> ceramic tips aren’t perfect and will get stuck occasionally, but don’t fall
>> into the trap of believing that something that rolls will solve all your
>> sticking problems.
>> 
>> The Ambutech slim line cane is awful. It feels unbelievably flimsy, and I
>> would never use it. Even the company tells you on the website that it's
>> meant as an identification or light-duty cane, and the packaging clearly
>> reiterates this. Avoid.
>> 
>> Ambutech's telescopic two-piece cane is excellent. It's incredibly
>> lightweight, sturdy and available with all Ambutech’s standard tips, which
>> means that you can switch between a roller and a metal tip at your will.
>> 
>> Personally, I find it impossible to switch back to a heavier cane after
>> using a lightweight model. No matter how much I try and use a sturdy, solid,
>> heavier cane, I always end up resorting back to something lighter in the
>> end. The carbon fiber canes have irrevocably spoiled me. That's
>> disappointing, because I really like the build and construction of
>> Ambutech's folding canes. I just wish they were a little bit lighter.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 6/13/15, Arielle Silverman via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi all.
>>> The cane tip discussion reminded me that I have been thinking about
>>> trying one of the AmbuTech folding canes but want to get some
>>> feedback. I love my lightweight NFB straight cane and could never use
>>> an aluminum cane again, but I've been repeatedly disappointed by NFB's
>>> telescoping and folding cane options, and sometimes it's just way more
>>> convenient to use a folding cane. I'm also thinking about trying a
>>> rolling tip because I think NFB tips sometimes get stuck in sidewalk
>>> cracks and such. I also hate having to change my NFB tip monthly and I
>>> was intrigued to read that roller tips only have to be changed once a
>>> year.
>>> So here are my questions. (1) Does AmbuTech have a lightweight cane
>>> option similar to the NFB's fiberglass or carbon fiber canes? Would
>>> graphite be the best choice if I want something light? And (2) are you
>>> happy with the roller tips and as a longtime NFB cane user, do you
>>> think I would have any trouble adjusting to a roller tip? Or is there
>>> a better tip option?
>>> Thanks, Arielle
>>> 
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