[Electronics-Talk] Mini guide

Mon Apr 24 19:48:40 UTC 2017

Hi Tracy,

I was recently without a Guide Dog for more than a year, and during that
time I covered a lot of ground with a cane.  I got a buzz clip as soon as it
came available.  The best feature of the buzz clip is that it is hands free.
In my neighborhood, for some reason, people often park their cars and trucks
across the sidewalk.  The end of my cane would go under a truck, and by the
time I realized that there was an obstruction I would smack into it.  The
buzz clip, of course, warned me about the obstruction.  It also detected low
tree branches and the like.  I wish that the buzz clip would vibrate with a
little more force so that it would really grab my attention.

The advantage of the mini guide is that, once it detects an obstruction, one
can easily wave the guide back and forth or up and down to get a better idea
of what is there.  I didn't like holding the mini guide all of the time
because, when used with a cane, both hands were occupied.  

The mini guide is still helpful when, for example, going to the strip mall.
It helps me determine whether my Guide Dog is still working between cars in
the parking lot or is nearly up to the row of businesses.  Other than that,
I don't use either device when working my Guide Dog; he can do his job
better if I just trust him and don't second guess him.

It would be an improvement, from my point of view, if the buzz clip and the
mini guide both had a little more range.

Yours,

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:39 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Mini guide

Hi Mark.
I'd be interested to hear if you've done any comparison of the 2 devices.  I
have the BuzzClip, but don't know how it compares to the Mini Guide.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mark McCracken via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 2:02 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
Cc: Mark McCracken
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Mini guide

Hi Jenny,

I have a Mini Guide that I bought in 2006, and a Buzz Clip that I bought
last year when they first came available in the USA.

They are both here on the shelf, unused, since I got a new Guide Dog back in
February.  I'm not interested in selling them, but would be willing to let
you try them out for a week at no cost.  I would only ask that you ship them
back to me in Oklahoma at the end of the week.  

Please write off list if you are interested.

H T H

Mark 

markmccracken at cox.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jenny Keller via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 7:45 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jenny Keller <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Mini guide

Hi,

Does anybody have any information of the actual company or representative
that I could either have come out and let me play with it, or well that's
it. I'm not paying for it if I can't play with it.

Jenny

> On Mar 30, 2017, at 1:41 AM, Brett Boyer via Electronics-Talk
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> It can be a useful tool for doorways, or pathways.
> finding openings or even using in long lines of people where you don't 
> want to be breathing down there neck.
> I've only used It a few times myself.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of cheez via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 5:39 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: cheez <cheez at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Mini guide
> 
> I've used a Mini Guide before.  The instructions recommend one only 
> use it in familiar areas.  Especially if you aren't that good of a 
> cane
user.
> 
> I found it alright.  But it really didn't help me much.  I walk too 
> fast for the device.  My cane would hit an obstacle a couple of steps 
> before the guide detected it.
> So I abandon using it.
> 
> So my advice is to make sure you can return it if you purchase it.  
> That way you can see if it's for you.
> 
> Vince
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jenny Keller via Electronics-Talk" 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Jenny Keller" <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 10:49 AM
> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Mini guide
> 
> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>> Was wondering if any of you have tried them in a guide. Someone has 
>> told me that it is amazing of course using a cane with it.
>> 
>> They have suggested that I get one though I have never seen one or 
>> put my hand on one. So, since I can't seem to get any kind of way to 
>> get it here or even near me to find out about it what should I do.
>> Or, is it worth giving it A chance and go ahead and buying it and
learning from my friend.
> 
>> Who, as in Australia :-)
>> 
>> Tell me what you guys think of it and what I should do. I live near 
>> Chicago and still can't find anybody who has one for me to mess with.
>> Do you maybe have any idea of a wrap or someone who could maybe bring 
>> it to me so that I can play with it?
>> 
>> Thanks
>> 
>> 
>> Jenny
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> t
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