BrailleNote GPS vs. Trekker 2.0

AccessWorld compared two orientation tools with GPS technology: VisuAide’s Trekker and Sendero Group’s GPS product that was running on this test on Pulse Data’s BrailleNote.

The GPS technology has created great navigation benefits for the blind and visually impaired the last few years. “One of the greatest benefits of using an accessible GPS system is the ability to explore your environment. Knowing information, such as which streets intersect and the name of the restaurant you are passing, can be extremely helpful. But it is important to remember, however, that GPS receivers have to have a direct line of sight with one or more of the 24 GPS satellites in orbit around the Earth to receive GPS data. The devices will not function indoors or when surrounded by tall buildings,” according to AccessWorld.

Both the Trekker 2.0 and BrailleNote GPS support Point of Interest (POI) features, such as locating libraries, gas stations, restaurants and tourist attractions. The reviewers tested both assistive technology devices and this resulted in the following conclusion:

Since the evaluation in summer 2003, the Trekker 2.0 is a more attractive product according to AccessWorld’s editors “because you can now adjust the speech rate and use the maps to plan and follow routes that you travel regularly or just once. Trekker’s drawbacks are the clumsy way you must enter any data on the keyboard, the fact that you have to navigate over and over through the menus (since Trekker exits the menus when you choose most options), and the fact that a person who is visually impaired can never be sure that the PDA is turned off and is not using up the battery. These drawbacks are all related to using an off-the-shelf PDA. The advantage of this approach is that the price can be kept relatively low.”

“The BrailleNote GPS system is a great tool to use for orienting yourself to a new environment or learning about the current environment. The Look Around feature and Explorer mode are useful additions to the product. The inaccuracy of points of interest is an issue, but it is an issue you can learn to account for in your daily travels.” The BrailleNote GPS version is available for $1,099 USD, $1,049 USD with 256 MB compact flash and $1,399 USD with 1 GB compact flash and the Trekker 2.0 is available for $1,595 USD.

Source: AccessWorld (link) American Foundation for the Blind