[nagdu] Basics of GPS

Sun Feb 5 16:28:48 UTC 2012

Hello:
Personally I prefer the Breeze.
The Kapten does not have a built in speaker and the speaker it comes with is 
not that great.  It does not seem to do well in identifying where you are 
when traveling in a car or other vehicle.  The Kapten is smaller though and 
does have voice recognition that the Breeze does not.  The Kapten also 
identifies the side of the street you are on.  The bad thing about this is 
if there is a street on the other side of the street that intersects the 
Kapten will not identify it.

HTH,
JD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "A. J. LaPointe" <alapointe89 at comcast.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Basics of GPS

> Hi, how does the Captain compare to the Breeze...  Does the Captain have
> some better qualities?  Andy and Shubert
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
> Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 9:37 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Basics of GPS
>
>
> HI Julie,
>
> Sorry I didn't mention this in the original report but the Kapten Plus 
> does
> have an external speaker with a microphone as well as the headset. You can
> use either one. I found the headset microphone worked better but both are
> surprisingly good in my experience at filtering out background noise. I've
> used them on buses with lots of other people talking and bus noise, on 
> busy
> streets and in quiet areas. The Kapten Plus does not have its own internal
> speaker so in order to use it you must connect, using wires at the moment,
> either the headset or speaker. I find this incredibly cumbersome at times
> but the unit can fit in pocket and does have a clip though the clip is
> rather flimsy.
>
> As for the dog reacting to the GPS, it's funny how different dogs react.
> This is why when you first begin to use one, you want to really know the
> commands for it well before taking it out on the street. Most dogs do 
> ignore
> the GPS but I've heard a few who won't step off the porch until the person
> turns it on, or like Lisa's dog, will nudge it to get to go for walks, and
> yes, even react to the noises some GPs units make when you get to your
> destination, wagging and speeding up. They don't generally respond to any 
> of
> the commands though.
>
> The Kapten Plus commands can be a bit obscure too so nothing like a 
> guiding
> or other working command for the dog.
>
> My dog was more interested in me shaking the I Phone for the Sendero app
> than anything else I'd ever done with a GPS device.
>
> Jenine Stanley
> jeninems at wowway.com
> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J.
> Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 8:10 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Basics of GPS
>
> Jenine,
>
> This is awesome!  It's like Consumer Reports for blind folks GPS!
>
> Two questions about the Captain Plus...you mentioned that you need to
> interact with the product with voice commands using a headset, does
> background noise interfere with the ability of the unit to understand what
> you are saying?  Example I had an alarm clock that you could talk to, 
> every
> time I had the bedroom windows open and the neighbor's dog
> would bark, the stupid alarm would start talking.   Next question...does
> the headset interfere with your ability to hear things around you, like
> traffic, or people walking crazy dogs or the like?
>
> Okay, one more question, do you find that your guide gets confused when 
> you
> are talking to the GPS?  I'm thinking Monty would probably completely 
> ignore
> this new insanity, or he might pause momentarily and then add it to his 
> list
> of reasons why humans are nutters!
>
> Thanks so much!
> Julie
>
>
> On 2/4/2012 5:47 PM, Jenine Stanley wrote:
>> Here's just a little about GPs devices. GDf plans to have some
>> material about choosing a GPS device and working with it and your
>> guide on our web site later this spring, but this is a taste of what will
> be there.
>>
>> What is GPS technology?
>>
>> GPS, Global Positioning System technology is a way to pinpoint your
>> position using triangulation between at least 3 satellites and a 
>> receiver.
>>
>> How accurate is GPS technology?
>>
>> Civilian GPS technology is accurate to around 10 to 15 feet. When
>> using a GPS device, imagine yourself standing in the middle of a 15 foot
> circle.
>> Accuracy can be effected by weather, stormy or excess electrical
>> activity in the weather for example, tall buildings or large
>> reflective surfaces like bodies of water, and the strength of the
>> receiver versus other interference such as high capacity power lines.
>>
>> Does GPS work indoors?
>>
>> No. You must be able to see the sky in order for your GPS receiver to
> work.
>> Some buildings with large windows, skylights  or atriums may allow you
>> to get a GPS signal but it will be less reliable due to the potential
>> reflection off the glass or other materials. GPS may also not work in
>> some vehicles with protective coating on the windows such as trains or
>> some cars with UV window treatments.
>>
>> What makes GPS products for blind people so special?
>>
>> One feature really stands out in the GPS products specifically
>> designed for use by blind people. Intersection description is a
>> method, using algorithms, that describes the layout of intersections as
> you approach them on foot.
>> This description is not generally found in standard GPS products that
>> simply give the street name. Knowing how an intersection is laid out
>> or when you are passing a cross street on the other side of the street
>> from you that doesn't go all the way through can be extremely helpful
>> in navigating your way around.
>>
>> You can use the intersection description feature when walking or
>> simply have the device announce the street name as you approach it.
>> This is handy when in a vehicle such as a taxi or bus. Most blindness
>> GPS products can be set to which ever announcement type you like then
>> left to work without you doing anything else. The devices can also be
>> set to announce what's around you such as stores, restaurants, public
>> buildings, bus stops, etc. while you walk. They also have a host of other
> features.
>>
>> What are the major GPS products out there now for blind people?
>>
>> There are two major stand-alone devices for GPS navigation and several
>> options for using additional devices with a GPS receiver.
>>
>> The Trekker Breeze is a stand-alone device made by Humanware. It is
>> about the size of a large TV remote and has 9 buttons on its front. It
>> was originally designed for people who did not want a complex device
>> for GPS navigation.
>>
>> Humanware produced the original Trekker device using a mainstream PDA
>> which is no longer available. That device had around 36 buttons on it
>> and had the ability to browse routes when not in the specific area.
>> The Breeze does not have this ability but does allow users to put in
>> addresses for later navigation.
>>
>> Unfortunately, the maps used by the Trekker Breeze are only updated
>> approximately every 12 to 18 months by Humanware. If your area doesn't
>> change much, this is not a large factor but if you travel or live in a
>> dynamic area, points of interest along your way may be reported
> incorrectly.
>>
>>
>> The Kapten Plus is produced by Kapsys in France. I do not know who the
>> current US dealer is. Leader Dogs used to sell the device and provide
>> training but I'm not certain they do this any longer.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus is about the size of a credit card and about as thick
>> as a small package of gum. It has 9 buttons on the front as well but
>> they are significantly smaller than those on the Trekker Breeze. The
>> Kapten Plus is controlled through a combination of voice input using a
>> headset and microphone, and the 9 buttons. It also has an MP3 player
>> and FM radio. Both of these will work while using the GPS functions.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus does not announce cross streets when in vehicles that
>> are moving at more than 10 mph. It also will not announce points of
>> interest as you pass them but will tell you about them if you ask it.
>>
>> I have used both stand-alone devices in Manhattan, on the streets and
>> the buses and they both worked fairly well at keeping track of my
>> position. If I was walking near a tall building or one with a highly
>> reflective front, they might report me one street off but generally they
> were accurate.
>>
>> Sendero Group produces GPS software for a variety of platforms. This
>> software requires a device such as a braille note taker, the Braille
>> Note or Braille Sense, or a smart phone such as the HTC Ozone. The
>> Sendero software is the engine for the Mobile Geo GPS program for
>> smart phones on both the windows and simian platforms. This software
>> does not require a data plan for your phone, but does take up
>> considerable space so it is preferable to install it on an SD card rather
> than the phone itself.
>>
>> To use the Sendero software, you will also need a GPS receiver. This
>> is a small device that is paired via bluetooth connection with your
>> notetaker or phone.
>>
>> The Sendero maps are updated regularly, at least once per year.
>>
>>
>> In order to use the program on your notetaker, you will need to
>> install it and be able to give it commands, so the notetaker will be
>> exposed to some weather conditions at times.
>>
>> What about apps for the I-Phone and Android?
>>
>> I can't speak to any apps for the Android phones but would welcome any
>> information about them.
>>
>> there are a number of apps for the I-Phone that provide differing
>> levels of GPS information but currently none provide the same level as
>> the Trekker Breeze, Kapten Plus or Sendero products on notetakers or
>> phones. The apps do not provide intersection description, nor do they
>> announce upcoming street names. If anyone finds an app that does
>> announce upcoming street names, please let me know.
>>
>> That doesn't mean phone apps aren't useful. I personally like Ariadne
>> GPS, an app for the I-phone that gives address and street name,
>> announces street changes as you travel in a vehicle and can show you
>> what's around and plan routes.
>>
>> Some other phone apps that people like include:
>>
>> Navigan, which has been updated recently to restore some of its
>> accessibility.
>> Sendero Look Around, an app that, when you shake your phone at an
>> intersection, will give you that intersection's description and what's
>> around you. It does not follow you though if you move on and you must
>> shake the phone at each intersection to receive more details.
>>
>> Where to is an app that can give you directions to nearby points of
>> interest.
>>
>> My Way and My Way Lite are both produced by the Swiss Association for
>> the Blind and are based on the Lodestone navigation system. In this
>> system users set their own markers as they go and streets and points
>> of interest are not announced. I've just begun to work with this app
>> so don't know too much about it yet but it has promise.
>>
>> Kapten NAm is the Kapten North American version. This app is a
>> commercial product with a $7 per month fee to use the data/maps and
>> does not have any of the blindness features the stand-alone Kapten device
> has.
>>
>> GPS Drive is similar to Navigan in how it works and is primarily
>> designed for use in vehicles but it can give you walking directions to
>> points of interest or addresses as well.
>>
>> Maps is a native I-Phone app that can give directions to nearby points
>> of interest as well as serving as the base for several of the other
>> GPS apps mentioned above. These maps are updated regularly in real
>> time. Prices on the apps listed above vary from $1.99 to $60.00.
>>
>> Why does it seem like the GPS devices used by sighted people are more
>> accurate than the ones for blind people?
>>
>> The devices used by sighted people, such as Tom-Tom, On-Star, Garman
>> and others have one additional feature that enhances the GPS, human
>> vision. A person can see the GPS display telling him that the place he
>> wants to find is approaching on the left. Remember that 15 foot circle
>> we stand in when using GPS information? Human vision has a much
>> greater circle to span. The address might be 50 feet away and Voila!
>> The sighted person sees it and goes to it while the blind person must
>> still rely on the GPS instructions to get closer.
>>
>> Both systems use the same satellites and same receiver technology to
>> gain the information. Honest.<grin>
>>
>> What other skills do I need to work with GPs technology?
>>
>> GPS technology alone does not replace the use of a cane or guide dog.
>> It also requires that you have some understanding of street layouts
>> and be able to keep track of what side of the street you are on and the
> address system.
>>
>> GPS technology assumes you are a car and places you in the middle of
>> the street to navigate. On some larger roads, there may be two or more
>> GPS positions for that road. GPS doesn't know if you are walking on
>> the left or right side of the street.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus device does state that it has this feature but I've
>> only found it accurate about 50% of the time.
>>
>> When we taught GPS tecnology at GDF, we had a saying for people when
>> it comes to trust: ""Gut, Dog, Trekker."
>>
>> This means that first you should trust your instincts and O&M skills.
>> Next trust your cane or dog. Finally, use the information from your
>> GPS device and plug that in to what you already know about your
> environment.
>>
>> That's just a brief look at GPS. As I said, we hope to have much more
>> info later this spring.
>>
>> Currently I have a Trekker Breeze and a Kapten Plus, at least 7 apps
>> on my I-Phone and have used Mobile Geo in the past but on a very slow
>> phone so it really wasn't a good test. Personally, I prefer the
>> Trekker Breeze, though its maps are outdated. It's easy to use, gives
>> me all of the info I want, intersection description when walking,
>> cross street identification in vehicles and a nice clear voice. I'm
>> still hoping for that I-phone app that will equal the original
>> Humanware Trekker software. That imho was probably the best and easiest 
>> to
> use product I've worked with.
>> Jenine Stanley FSO-PA
>> U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 18-06 Columbus, OH
>> cga.jenine at wowway.com
>>
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>>
>>
>>
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