[nagdu] guide dogs and gps

[Jenine Stanley]

Rebecca, 

When using any GPS device you have to understand that you are walking in a
30 foot circle of coverage. Sometimes it's better than that but when
navigating to specific locations, you will be able to get close then your
own O&M skills will get you the rest of the way there. This happens because
the GPS data used by civilians is realistically only accurate up to about 10
feet or so. That's true for all GPS devices, commercial and specialized. 

I also wanted to elaborate on Cheryl's note about GDF and GPS. Say that 5
times fast. <grin> 

Currently our GPS training is on hold. We were going to start it again in
April of this year but then the Kapten Plus was introduced and we needed
time to test it. As I'm the one doing the testing, I can say that I'm almost
finished and we will be deciding where to go next soon. We have taught GPS
use in one form or another since 2006 using the Trekker original device, the
Trekker Breeze and now investigating the Kapten Plus. 

One thing I can say is that when you first use any GPS device, be very
careful to know how to use it before just venturing out with your dog. It
can be very easy to get caught up in the buttons and commands of the device
while your dog is sniffing, distracted or even doing a diagonal street
crossing. We recommend going on routes or in areas that you know well first
so you can compare the info given by the GPS to what you know about the
area. 

Hope that helps. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Rebecca Ilniski
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2011 10:49 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dogs and gps

hi Peggy.  That's awesome.  Does the kaptan have a vehicle mode like if 
you were on a bus and needed to know your stop?  Also when you go to a 
specific address, does it tell you that you've reached your destination 
ahead of time or when you get to the door?  Definitely know to keep 
attention to my dog at all times.  I know with the trekker breeze it 
tells you ahead of time that you are at your destination and you have to 
wander about 30 feet or so in order to find the door to the place.
-- 
Rebecca and Zeb
email: rilniski at gmail.com
twitter: zebs_mom
my facebook: www.facebook.com/rebeccai5
Zeb's facebook: www.facebook.com/zeb.ilniski

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