[optacon-l] Re: R1D vs Optacon 2
- From: Rebecca Blaevoet <amrywoddyddiauheulog@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:42:53 -0400
No charles, you certainly did not miss anything! Ver thorough
explanation. What kinds of software would you run on an Optacon using Linux?
Rebecca Blaevoet
Please have a look at our sites
valleys-wordworks.com and
tactilevisiongraphics.com
and like them on Facebook
On 23/10/2014 1:11 AM, C. Pond wrote:
> Here is my 0.2 cents worth. I use both the optacon R1D (this is Not the
> optacon R1C; the two are different iterations, with the R1D being superior
> to the R1D) and the Optacon 2 for good reasons, as I think Maureen on the
> list uses both R1D and optacon 2.
>
> The optacon R1D has 144 pins in its tactile display, while the optacon 2 has
> 100 pins, and both tactile displays cover the same area--that is they are
> the same size. This implies that for some applications the greater detail
> of the R1D's display seems better for somet applications, especially where
> picky details are apparent and for certainly unnecessarily fancy fonts with
> lines and twirls, certainly with very tiny letters and characters, evenwith
> the zoom of the lense set on smallest. Special magnification lenses are
> floating
> throughout the optacon subculture lens to greatly magnify crazily small
> characters.
> these magnification lenses are treated as any normal lens, being detachable
> from the retina.
>
> Readers also report that their fingers become less fatigued using the
> optacon 2 and its 100 pin display. The 144 pin display is about the only
> thing the invaluable R1D has over the optacon 2, and also one can use the
> R1D from its case, and this is not so for the otpacon 2, a minor yet over
> looked and annoying detail by the designers of the optacon 2.
>
> The optacon2 has a detachable cable for the damera so it can be replaced
> easily if one has an extra (and we know how our camera cables do to take a
> beating).
>
> In addition to inverse and normal reading, there is a third setting on the
> optacon 2 which makes it just great for reading any kind of computer screen
> or electronic display. IN addition to this setting, one can press the
> "battery test" button at the back of the optacon 2 however many times is
> necessary to smooth out the ripple often felt in computer and electronics
> displays. Works great! Computer screens with just about anything on them
> amidst their busy visual world feel smooth and nice, almost slinky to read.
> I have not been even remotely able to achieve such success and results in
> reading computer screens of any sort or electronic display with an optacon
> R1D and its
> specialized computer lens. The special lens for the optacon R1C and R1D
> isolate light from the screen and provide a glare shield, but I still
> achieve imcomparably better results with the optacon 2 and its admittedly
> inferior tactile display with is more coarse resolution. I have not needed
> any specialized lens for the optacon 2.
>
> Although the optacon 2's battery is an oddball cube, it is detachable
> andeasily replaceable with a charged one when the cube runs down. The
> optacon R1D's battery is soldered into the circuit, and a technician is
> needed to replace the optacon R1D's battery, and once in a while calibrate
> its power adapter/charger. TSI supplied batteries and power packs which did
> not deliver enough currrent for a good optacon 2 reading session. So, I had
> a chunky but same-size physically battery made here-done here which delivers
> more current, so it can actually power the optacon 2 adequately enough.
> Also, I use a(12-Volt) switch mode power supply with a very low ripple
> voltage (likely 5mV or below) which can source 1500Ma, which is more than
> enough to power the optacon 2 and give me a nice, crisp and fresh tactile
> image.
>
> The soldered-in battery is recharged by the optacon R1D's power supply. The
> optacon 2's battery requires a separate charger.
>
> The display of the optacon 2 is amost in the middle of its upper
> surface,which means that one can use either left or right hands in reading.
> The optacon R1D allows for only the left hand to read, and the right hand to
> manipulate the camera.
>
> Although the ergonomics of both optacon R1D and optacon 2 models are
> different from each other, overall I think the layout and design of the
> optacon R1D(the human form factor) is superior to that of the optacon 2, in
> spite of
> some advantages of the optacon 2. The way the battery is a clunky cube
> infront of the camera when in use (not overly a problem); the fact that the
> optacon 2 cannot be used in its case; charger and power adapter are
> separate.
>
> So, if you find the optacon useful and can climb the steep sensory or
> cognitive learning curve, grab one of each model: an R1D and an optacon 2.
> (A model R1D is different from the older optacon R1C by the way, and I
> think reading results are better with the R1D compared to the R1C). So have
> both R1D and optacon 2 at your ever probing hand ready for instant action.
>
> For reading round things like pill bottles and cans (and recently these
> supplements in their round bottles to try and kill this illness before it
> kills me, or at least buy some time before I take that spet into eternity
> which we all must take), I can use the optacon 2, and the image (feels more
> crisp and readily responds); however, the display of the optacon R1D gives
> more details and finer and really noticeable resolution when it comes to
> trying to interpret and to resolve very small characters on the labels
> without a magnifications lense written of above, especially when an non-sans
> serif font is used, which is 99.99% of the time. I place the bottle or jar
> betwen my knees or several fingers on a solid surface, and role the cylinder
> along as I read with which ever optacon. Remember the gigantic visual eye
> candy on these bottles, and that print might be embedded into these designs,
> so one must be skillful with the camera's movement and stead-handed. Using
> any optacon os like flying a helicopter with its focused multitasking all
> co-ordinated by the trained and experienced brain.
>
> Oh yes. The optacon 2 has a serial port, whereas the optacon R1X (C or D)
> does not. Software does esist to run the optacon on a DOS machine, but as
> far as I know, none has been written to run the optacon 2 on a Windows or
> Mac. I'm sur the proper USB-to-Serial converter cable with the right chip
> set can be found, and the interface manual for the optacon 2's serial port
> does exist. This might mean nothing for what you need it, but it's out
> there.
>
> Have I missed anything?
>
> Charles back from his church retreat with an overloaded to-do list.
>
>
> Strangely, I have the parts here to build at least 8 R1D optaccons, ut my
> health condition simply no longer allows me to do what I used to take for
> granted. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Praise the Name of the
> Lord, for he knows our weaknesses, and he cares of us. I know exactly what
> to do and how to run tests for boards, the standard TSI tests (they have
> test point built into the optacons), and individual component tests. Also,
> a built-up store of experience helps. However, I can no longer hold the
> soldering pencil still, the solder and the copper braid. I had offered my
> stash of parts to Dave Godfrey in merry old' England, but because if inport
> charges and such it would have been a costly venture. So, I might contac
> Richard Oehm and sent the old lot--two boxes--to him. In one case, for
> example, it looks like either a 47V or 48V zener diode is shot, or its
> current limiting resistor, and this is easy as doing up a botton to test and
> to replace. However, I can no longer solder and desolder, so I can do no
> nuts and bolts testing. The Power-Timing Board (if I am corrrect) blew all
> 24 chips embedded in the invaluable tactile displays. These dksplays can
> indeed be rebuilt with Much patience, and if the engineers charged cost per
> hour, or at a prescribed rate, it would be a costly repair job, and yet
> several more optacons would be in circulatio.
>
> I had people here who did soldering and esoldering for e, and I looked over
> their shoulder and did the bench testing, but I can no longer guarangee the
> slipping quality of their work, and therefore my results as well (No doubt
> they will squawk at reading this and dismiss as Chuckie being ultrafixated
> on details, but so be it. If they don't liek what they see in the
> proverbail mirror, no need to smahs the mirror; take an honset look at their
> work and simply consider it and if necessary brush on the bbasics again.
> These folks wer excellent in their tine, and they could be again.)
> Meanwhile, that leaves us with very few optacon maintainers through the
> entire earth.
>
> My vote is to try and get both and R1D moeel )not an R1C if you can have the
> choice), and an optacon 2. They both have their place. I believe Maureen,
> Hogg, a zealous supporter of optacon technolgies (and she also like the girl
> gi=uide Hawaian macaroons they sell) uses several pairs of both the R1D and
> the optacon 2; one at hoe an the other pair at work An excelltnt
> arrangment.
>
> Charles just back from his church trip and still recovering.
> -----
> Original Message-----
> From: Sarah Clark
> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 11:35 AM
> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [optacon-l] R1D vs Optacon 2
>
> Hello everyone,
> We have finally decided to purchase an optacon, and are trying to determine
> which model to get. My husband has used one in the past, but I never have,
> and he doesn't think he ever used one of the later models.
>
> We like the idea of the Optacon 2 because of the ability to use it on
> computer screens and other LCD displays. Is the R1D able to read any of
> these displays? (In addition to computers, I'm thinking of electronics, such
> as displays on microwaves, stereos, etc.
>
> Also, I have read that the R1D has more image arrays, 144 vs 100 I believe.
> But I am unsure as to what this actually means, and how it would impact the
> experience. For instance, does this mean larger images, more detailed, more
> of the image appearing at one time, etc? Is it easier to recognize letters
> with the r1D? Or if I have never had exposure to either, would I not really
> notice the difference?
>
> Also, what kinds of items can you read with the optacon? I realize it can be
> used to read printed documents, but what about things that are not flat,
> such as cans, pill bottles, remotes with buttons, etc.
>
> I would greatly appreciate any input anyone may have. And in case it is
> helpful, I lost my vision as a young adult, so I already know all the
> alphanumeric characters, so won't have that big learning curve to overcome.
>
> Thanks,
> Sarah
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To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
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