Good Afternoon, List Members,
I just replaced my Voice Sense BT with the newest model which also
contains Sense Nav. Sense Nav is my reason for doing this. I used
Sendero GPS products near the beginning of the product's history on a
Voice Note QT some eight or nine years ago and was horribly
overwhelmed with keystrokes to have it operate, hearing it and
managing with a very spirited guide dog at the time. I then tried
Trekker, which, when I could get my unit to work properly was fine.
Without boring you with the details of that, let's just say that it
did not work reliably for me. So, I have come back to the Sendero
Product because of its longevity of success and because the Voice
Sense unit is small enough to be carried easily.
I should tell you that I have about a 70% hearing loss on my left side
and a weakened left leg which requires me to not only travel with my
guide dog, but to use a walking balance cane besides. Yes, you got it!
We are a bit of an old lady mess here, but fortunately, we are still
alive and kicking and making the best of things.
I now have an easier to use guide dog with whom I want to do more
walking, but we live in an area where streets wind around and
sometimes change directions and can get one with hearing foibles very
confused. Then, I begin to drive my guide dog and myself nuts.
I want my GPS system, among other things, to simply help me explore
and keep on track as I move through my neighborhood. I pretty much
want to set things up to announce streets and intersections as we come
to them, perhaps points of interest, but I need not to have to do too
much keying as I walk if possible.
I am thinking of using Look Around features with root creation to get
started and am wondering if those of you with more experience could
advise me as to whether this is a correct approach or not. Any of your
suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Most of you, I am sure, are
power users. I just want to keep on track as I explore and know where
I am so that I can sensibly get myself back for starters.
Also, do any of you know of a better carrying case besides the one
that routinely comes with the Voice Sense? I fear that I am going to
need the unit closer to my good ear in order to hear it on the street
unless I can find a small speaker which I can connect easily to place
on my collar near my good ear.
Good Lord! I sound like a decrepit old thing here. I am only 60 years
old, but had an accident years ago which complicated my travel. I have
continued to travel, but just want to make things better so I will do
more just because we are blessed so that we can.
Again, any advice or thoughts any of you might offer will be greatly
appreciated. Tell me about things that have worked for you as you
started. What to you find works best, etc.? How can you set things up
so your hands can be free for(in my case) using a walking cane,
working guide dogs and so on?
Thank you for any thoughts you are willing to share.
Sincerely,
Dianne B. Phelps with Guide Dog, Hibiscus,
Napa, California
