[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 15:44:37 UTC 2013

hi,

exactly, which one  is better for knowing what stores are close or what 
street you are close to?
Bryan Schulz

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher Chaltain" <chaltain at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

>I don't think there's a consensus on the best GPS app. I'd suggest giving 
>the built in Maps app, Google Maps and MapQuest a try. They're all free. 
>Navigon, which is not free, also gets mentioned quite a bit. It allows you 
>to download and store maps on your phone, so if you're worried about data 
>costs, this is a good option.
>
> There are also half a dozen apps or more that give you additional 
> information, such as points of interest around you, nearby cross streets, 
> information on public transportation and so on. Maybe you could provide a 
> better idea of what you're looking for or take a look at applevis.com for 
> more information on navigation apps and reviews and opinions by blind 
> users.
>
> On 04/11/2013 09:37 AM, Osman Koroma wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> Whats the best GPS app to use?
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 11, 2013, at 10:32, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I don't think anybody's map information includes information such as
>>> if there's a sidewalk.  This problem is compounded by a lack of
>>> information about contruction zones, etc.
>>>
>>> Apps such as Google Maps will give you pedestrian routes to a 
>>> destination.
>>> It is then up to us, as it is with a sighted pedestrian, to be aware
>>> of the route and any barriers pedestrians face while getting there.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 08:51:32AM -0400, Gerald Levy wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The problem with all these GPS apps and devices is that they are 
>>>> designed to
>>>> simply give you directions for the shortest route between two points, 
>>>> not
>>>> necessarily the safest route.  If these devices were truly designed 
>>>> with
>>>> blind pedestrians in mind, their primary route  suggestion, regardless 
>>>> of
>>>> length, should include only streets with sidewals or walkways that are
>>>> isolated from traffic.    If no such route is available, then they 
>>>> should
>>>> alert you to this fact.  When you use Google Maps to get directions 
>>>> between
>>>> two points, the walking directions include a warning, if appropriate, 
>>>> that
>>>> some parts of the trip may involve walking on highways or other areas 
>>>> that
>>>> might be hazardous.  GPS devices designed for the blind should do the 
>>>> same.
>>>> After all, when you work with an O&M instructor, he will usually 
>>>> recommend
>>>> the safest route between two points even if it means walking out of 
>>>> your way
>>>> to get to your destination.
>>>>
>>>> Gerald
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracy Carcione" 
>>>> <carcione at access.net>
>>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:16 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Occasionally, I have asked Sendero GPS to create a pedestrian route,
>>>>> hoping it would give me a non-highway way to get somewhere, and it has
>>>>> told me to walk on the highway.  NOT!
>>>>> Tracy
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kaye" <kayezimpher at comcast.net>
>>>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 5:01 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I am from Atlanta, and while that is no Manhattan, I know many blind
>>>>>> people who successfully use various gps apps on their Iphones. I have
>>>>>> only heard of one time that the gps advised a person to turn on to 
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> highway, even though the app was in pedestrian mode. That might not 
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> ended well if he had not know where he was going.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: David Andrews
>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:37 PM
>>>>>> To: Tracy Carcione ; Discussion of accessible electronics and 
>>>>>> appliances
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have used Street Talk on a Pac Mate, in the distant past, and in
>>>>>> Philadelphia, I had the same problems with tall buildings.\
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dave
>>>>>>
>>>>>> At 10:49 AM 4/10/2013, you wrote:
>>>>>>> I work in midtown Manhattan.  I have Sendero GPS, running on a
>>>>>>> Braillenote PK.  I find it pretty unreliable in New York City,
>>>>>>> probably because of the many tall buildings.  It frequently says I'm 
>>>>>>> 2
>>>>>>> blocks away from where I know I am, and heading in a different
>>>>>>> direction than I'm heading.  My question is, does this happen with 
>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>> GPS in big cities, or is it because the GPS is running on a PK, not
>>>>>>> the most powerful system in the world? Would, say, IPhone GPS be 
>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>> reliable in the big city?
>>>>>>> I am only interested in the big city aspect.  At home, in north
>>>>>>> Jersey, the Sendero and PK work reasonably well.
>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>> Tracy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>
> -- 
> Christopher (CJ)
> chaltain at Gmail
>
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