Hand-held GPS for NYC streets

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www.Queensbridge.us - 14 May 2009 18:30 GMT

I am legally blind and find walking in unfamiliar areas a problem.
I usually can not read the street name signs.
Of course once I am in elevator I usually have problems finding the
floor buttons.

I recently played with someone's Garmin Nuvi GPS and I would find it
useful in navigating as I can see maps closeup on it.

What I am wondering about is, do others use a hand-held GPS for
walking?

Anyone have recommendations for other brands and models?

Please reply in the NG, thanks

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Dan Abel - 14 May 2009 19:52 GMT

In article
<f33eddb6-1a38-46ca-9207-fcd2dac8ff75@q2g2000vbr.googlegroups.com>,

> I am legally blind and find walking in unfamiliar areas a problem.
> I usually can not read the street name signs.

I know that they are used for wilderness hiking, treasure hunts
(walking) and by bicyclists.

I don't know about models and have never used one.

I would be concerned about NYC since the signals are very directional.
They need "line of sight" communication. Big buildings would block
signals, and reflected signals would be worse than useless, since the
unit would think the signal was coming from where the reflection was,
rather than the actual satellite.

Signature

Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
dabel@sonic.net

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Neil Brooks - 15 May 2009 01:54 GMT

On May 14, 11:30 am, "www.Queensbridge.us" <NOTva...@Queensbridge.us>
wrote:

> I am legally blind and find walking in unfamiliar areas a problem.
> I usually can not read the street name signs.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Please reply in the NG, thanks

Are you aware of Trekker and Maestro?

Here's a link to a page where they are described ... as GPS-based
navigational devices being used by blind pedestrians:

http://www.pdatoday.com/more/A2865_0_1_0_M/

And another one:

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/products/blindness/talking_gps

Good luck!

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Salmon Egg - 15 May 2009 06:10 GMT

In article
<361ccaa9-48ad-45d4-b0ce-423b37c6601b@g31g2000pra.googlegroups.com>,

> On May 14, 11:30 am, "www.Queensbridge.us" <NOTva...@Queensbridge.us>
> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> >
> > Please reply in the NG, thanks

I have no doubt such a device can be useful. Make sure, however, that
this device will work in the "canyons" of Downtown New York City or
cities with skyscrapers. Oner time I was in the tall tree area of
Yosemite and my handheld GPS was totally useless.

If possible, consider getting a version of the talking GPS used in cars
for navigation that gives directions of when and how to turn. Such a
device may have its own problems.

Bill

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Most people go to college to get their missing high school education.

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www.Queensbridge.us - 17 May 2009 21:28 GMT

> In article
> <361ccaa9-48ad-45d4-b0ce-423b37c66...@g31g2000pra.googlegroups.com>,
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> --
> Most people go to college to get their missing high school education.

I just realized that I know a couple of NYC blind people, I should ask
them what they use.
Also I should visit the Lighhouse store [Bloomingdales for the Blind]

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www.Queensbridge.us - 17 May 2009 21:26 GMT

> On May 14, 11:30 am, "www.Queensbridge.us" <NOTva...@Queensbridge.us>
> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Good luck!

that second one seems ideally suited, and will read more about it.
But I could usually see the Nuvi Garmin screen

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