[NAGDU] Using an accessible GPS while working your guide dog

[Buddy Brannan]

Whichever GPS apps you use, I can't recommend a pair of the Aftershokz headphones highly enough. Yes, they're a bit expensive, but you really won't regret it. 

I'm on my third pair. First pair was the original, and I mean original, wired model, still works fine. My second pair was the first generation Bluez (bluetooth model). The power switch died just out of the two-year warranty. I just bought the Trekz Titanium, which are very nice and lightweight. $129 buys them, $99 for the Bluez2. 

The chief advantage to these is they use bone conduction. The audio transducers rest on your cheekbones right in front of your ears. Thus, you get your GPS, or music, or whatever, and your ears are still open for environmental sounds. The company designed them for athletes, runners or cyclists specifically, and didn't even consider blind folks, but once they got wind of how useful they are to us, they've been pretty well on board. 

FWIW, I like and use (or have used) Seeing Eye GPS and blindsquare both. Seeing Eye GPS is nice because it puts turn by turn navigation and wayfinding announcements and lookaround in one app. If you use Blindsquare, I'd recommend in conjunction with something else. The other GPS app I use is Navigon. It's chief advantage is that it has offline maps available, so you still have turn by turn directions even if your phone loses Internet connectivity due to poor cell coverage. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Apr 13, 2016, at 8:10 PM, Carmella Broome via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone, I know aspects of this topic have been talked about on this list before, but I can't find anything recent and I have several questions. I  am interested in accessible GPS I Phone apps and incorporating their use into  my travels with my guide dog. I've heard about  Blind Square and  The Seeing Eye GPS app.   Are there others any of you use and like? Suggestions on preference and why would be much appreciated. Also, experiences using a GPS app while  out walking with/traveling with  your dog  would be great, as well.  I can't find many articles talking about people's first person experiences with such apps and that's what I'm interested in. I want using the apps to enhance my travels with my dog and to help  if I become disoriented on a route or so I can explore  more confidently.  I don't want using such an app to distract me from info my dog is  giving me or from my focus on her  and our work together.  Are any of the guide dog schools   incorporating  GPS app use into training or   giving suggestions to  graduates about using one while working a guide dog? Any thoughts  or experiences  are welcomed and appreciated as I believe very strongly in that knowledge is power idea.  I live in the US and  do not have useable vision. Thanks in advance.      
> 
> Carmella Broome and 3 year old yellow lab Brooklyn
> 
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