On 11/19/2014 12:31 PM, amdx wrote:>> A digital camera (to be used as a magnifying glass) tends to require the >> user >> to *view* the subject of interest (e.g., you can't just reach behind your >> computer *under* your desk and take a snapshot to see which way the network >> jack is oriented) to know that it is in focus and at the desired level of >> magnification. Nor can most of them focus at half an inch (none of mine >> can -- the optics just "hunt" forever!). > > I think you missed, it zooms.Not sure what you mean by that. The magnifying glass zooms but *after* the fact -- like taking a photo and *then* zooming in on portions of it. Cameras can zoom *while* framing the shot -- but, you need to see whats *in* the shot via viewfinder, etc.> I think it's cool, but I won't buy first generation. I'll wait until > it's under $100, maybe next year!It's already at least second generation (mine is an earlier model). I doubt it will *ever* be under $100 simply because of the market that it is targeting. Pray you never need "specialized kit" -- the prices alone will give you a coronary and the limitations of that kit will leave you *really* wishing you'd spent your career working on things like that, instead! ("Sheesh! There has GOT to be a better way to do this!!") When you discover that you've got essentially *no* choice in the matter (and things are headed downhill from here!)... :<
D'uh... (low vision product)
Started by ●November 19, 2014
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On 11/19/2014 5:22 AM, David Brown wrote:> On 19/11/14 10:44, rickman wrote: >> On 11/19/2014 4:19 AM, Don Y wrote: >>> >>> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... >>> >>> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> > I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be >>> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications >>> of technology -- even if it seems like overkill! >>> >>> (controls could use some more thought, but...) >> >> My gosh, at $600 I'll rush out and buy two! >> >> What does this do that most cell phones won't? >> > > More to the point, what does it do /usefully/ that a magnifying glass > won't do?This has a variable magnification. It would be nice if the magnification were continuously variable like you can do with some optical devices or can easily do with a cell phone. If it were under $100 I can see it selling well, but at $600 it will only be bought by a very few. I have wanted to get a similar device that is just the camera head using the PC as a display. But I haven't found one I am sure works well enough to buy. -- Rick
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On 11/19/2014 6:14 AM, Jan Panteltje wrote:> On a sunny day (Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:34:46 +0000) it happened Paul E Bennett > <Paul_E.Bennett@topmail.co.uk> wrote in <cd3a26Feh5U2@mid.individual.net>: > >> Don Y wrote: >> >>> >>> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... >>> >>> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> >>> >>> I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be >>> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications of >>> technology -- even if it seems like overkill! >>> >>> (controls could use some more thought, but...) >> >> As I already use my mobile phone for such tasks (and it has also been useful >> for getting at the really awkwardly positioned labels on installed >> equipment) there is little incentive for me to purchase one. >> >> >> Regards >> >> Paul E. Bennett IEng MIET >> Systems Engineer > > It is false advertizing too, it calls itself HD, but the spec says: > Resolution: 480 x 272 > here you can only use the word HD if it is at least 1920x1080 or something.Even if it were HD at 1920x1080, the screen is only 4 inches (10 cm)! Who can resolve 1920 pixels in a 4 inch screen?> My Canon camera can do all that and more for a fraction of those 600 dollars. > > My android can do it and translate the photographed labels. > > And google ebay for 'electronic magnifier' > better prices...Yeah, someone is trying to pick some low hanging fruit. A product like this is all about the marketing. -- Rick
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 02:19:48 -0700, Don Y <this@is.not.me.com> wrote:> > Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... > ><https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> > > I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be > far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications of > technology -- even if it seems like overkill! > > (controls could use some more thought, but...)Gee, Don, if all you wanted was a high-tech magnifier for under $200 (my guess), how about a RaspberryPi with a camera, cellphone lens, and an LCD panel: <http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/11/how-to-create-a-raspberry-pi-video-capture-unit-part-1/> <http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2013/07/macro-photography-with-the-raspberry-pi-camera-module>/ <http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2013/06/cheap-interchangeable-lenses-for-the-raspberry-pi-camera-module/> When I saw this writeup my first thought was, "I wonder whether I could use that approach to make a cheeeep Mantis-alike?" ( "I'm thinking. ... I'm _thinking_!" -- Jack Benny ) Frank McKenney -- For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. -- Hannah Arendt -- Frank McKenney, McKenney Associates Richmond, Virginia / (804) 320-4887 Munged E-mail: frank uscore mckenney aatt mindspring ddoott com
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On 11/19/2014 11:51 AM, Don Y wrote:> On 11/19/2014 3:34 AM, Paul E Bennett wrote: >> Don Y wrote: >> >>> >>> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... >>> >>> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> >>> >>> >>> I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be >>> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications of >>> technology -- even if it seems like overkill! >>> >>> (controls could use some more thought, but...) >> >> As I already use my mobile phone for such tasks (and it has also been >> useful >> for getting at the really awkwardly positioned labels on installed >> equipment) there is little incentive for me to purchase one. > > I wouldn't suggest *anyone* purchase one -- even if suffering from low > vision problems! Most assistive technology is *incredibly* overpriced; > $750 four-function calculators, $15,000 laptops; $5,000 power chairs; > etc. > > I've often wondered why the pricing -- a consequence of "subsidies"? > Or, a true reflection of the cost of doing business? (special needs > customers tend to need more hand-holding, more paperwork, etc.).Subsidies? Subsidies would make it cheaper, not more expensive. You seem to think the price depends on the cost. Cost and price are two different things separated by profit. Sell to a small, targeted market where the supply is low and you can price it as you see fit. -- Rick
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
Hi Frank, On 11/19/2014 2:00 PM, Frnak McKenney wrote:> On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 02:19:48 -0700, Don Y <this@is.not.me.com> wrote: >> >> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... >> >> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> >> >> I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be >> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications of >> technology -- even if it seems like overkill! >> >> (controls could use some more thought, but...) > > Gee, Don, if all you wanted was a high-tech magnifier for under $200 (my > guess), how about a RaspberryPi with a camera, cellphone lens, and an LCD > panel:I wasn't "in the market". I have a steroscope, here, that I use for close-up work. And, an inspection camera on a gooseneck (tied to my PC) -- which I can also position at one of the eyepieces for the stereoscope. This was headed for the trash (it's "mostly plastic") so I rescued it and invested $5 in some NiMH cells. My first thought was to use it to view the backs of my workstations. All are on the floor, under my work tables, with their back ends pretty close to the wall -- so, almost impossible to *see* behind them to see the connectors (moving them is problematic due to all the cables mated to them -- many not having useful service loops). I figure I could crawl under the table, point the "magnifier" at the rear of the machine in question, snap a photo and then pull it out to see what's there -- without having to worry about focusing, zooming to get the required detail, etc. [I always have trouble taking close-in *photos*... things are never in focus, too bright or too dark, etc.] As it's got a "lanyard" attached to it, I could just hang it under one of the tables on a hook -- much like the small maglite that's hanging, network tap tester, etc. Things like using it in place of the stereoscope (which has a relatively large circle of confusion/shallow depth of field)> When I saw this writeup my first thought was, "I wonder whether I could > use that approach to make a cheeeep Mantis-alike?" > > ( "I'm thinking. ... I'm _thinking_!" -- Jack Benny )Go for it! :>
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On 11/19/2014 2:11 PM, Don Y wrote:> On 11/19/2014 12:31 PM, amdx wrote:>> I think you missed, it zooms. > > Not sure what you mean by that. The magnifying glass zooms but *after* > the fact -- like taking a photo and *then* zooming in on portions of it. >Oh, never mind. It should be made to zoom with a lens. I thought that was the + and - near the handle.> Cameras can zoom *while* framing the shot -- but, you need to see whats > *in* the shot via viewfinder, etc. > >> I think it's cool, but I won't buy first generation. I'll wait until >> it's under $100, maybe next year! > > It's already at least second generation (mine is an earlier model). > I doubt it will *ever* be under $100 simply because of the market > that it is targeting. >It's less than, a camera phone with a handle. Should be able to get the price down.> Pray you never need "specialized kit" -- the prices alone will give > you a coronaryYa, I worked with some video equipment for visually impaired in the 70's and saw other specialized equipment. I couldn't believe the prices then. Mikek --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
David Brown wrote:> On 19/11/14 10:44, rickman wrote: > > On 11/19/2014 4:19 AM, Don Y wrote: > >> > >> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... > >> > >> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be > >> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications > >> of technology -- even if it seems like overkill! > >> > >> (controls could use some more thought, but...) > > > > My gosh, at $600 I'll rush out and buy two! > > > > What does this do that most cell phones won't? > > > > More to the point, what does it do /usefully/ that a magnifying glass > won't do?One neat thing that a smart device magnifier app can do is a freeze image. w..
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
rickman wrote:> On 11/19/2014 5:22 AM, David Brown wrote: > > On 19/11/14 10:44, rickman wrote: > >> On 11/19/2014 4:19 AM, Don Y wrote: > >>> > >>> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... > >>> > >>> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > > I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be > >>> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications > >>> of technology -- even if it seems like overkill! > >>> > >>> (controls could use some more thought, but...) > >> > >> My gosh, at $600 I'll rush out and buy two! > >> > >> What does this do that most cell phones won't? > >> > > > > More to the point, what does it do /usefully/ that a magnifying glass > > won't do? > > This has a variable magnification. It would be nice if the > magnification were continuously variable like you can do with some > optical devices or can easily do with a cell phone. > > If it were under $100 I can see it selling well, but at $600 it will > only be bought by a very few. > > I have wanted to get a similar device that is just the camera head using > the PC as a display. But I haven't found one I am sure works well > enough to buy.A $100 tablet with 5Mpixel camera is getting common. I was in a shop a few days ago that had a $60 nameless android tablet 1024 by 768 display with a 2Mpixel camera. w..
Reply by ●November 19, 20142014-11-19
On 11/19/2014 3:02 PM, rickman wrote:> On 11/19/2014 11:51 AM, Don Y wrote: >> On 11/19/2014 3:34 AM, Paul E Bennett wrote: >>> Don Y wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Sheesh! This has got to be one of the most *obvious* ideas... >>>> >>>> <https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-line/pebble-hd-hand-held-portable-electronic-magnifier.html> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I picked up an older version of same, recently, and suspect it won't be >>>> far from my work table henceforth! Good to see simple applications of >>>> technology -- even if it seems like overkill! >>>> >>>> (controls could use some more thought, but...) >>> >>> As I already use my mobile phone for such tasks (and it has also been >>> useful >>> for getting at the really awkwardly positioned labels on installed >>> equipment) there is little incentive for me to purchase one. >> >> I wouldn't suggest *anyone* purchase one -- even if suffering from low >> vision problems! Most assistive technology is *incredibly* overpriced; >> $750 four-function calculators, $15,000 laptops; $5,000 power chairs; >> etc. >> >> I've often wondered why the pricing -- a consequence of "subsidies"? >> Or, a true reflection of the cost of doing business? (special needs >> customers tend to need more hand-holding, more paperwork, etc.). > > Subsidies? Subsidies would make it cheaper, not more expensive.I need to think about that, ever since they started Obamacare subsides, my insurance premium has gone up. On the other hand, I'm paying $7,752 for my family's policy. The subsidized Obamacare policy, very equivalent to my $7,752 policy costs $13,800. Ok, my thinking is done, clearly subsidies make things more expensive. However the taxpayers want* to pay part for me, $7,440 so I only need to pay $6,360 for the Obamacare policy. I could save $1,392 this year if I bought the Obamacare policy. I don't know how long that can last. * want-- bet you didn't know you wanted to subsidize me. A fellow taxpayer earning a good living, putting 30 to 40 thousand dollars into investments every year. And you stupid Americans "want" to do that for me. Consider yourselves Gruberized :-) --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
