Comments
I've had my id mate for about a year now, and wouldn't want to live without it. I take it to the grocery store with me. If I buy a product that might be in question, I scan to see if it recognizes the bar code. If not, right there on the spot, I record it. A few weeks ago, for example, I bought some canned turnip greens that it didn't have in the data base, and if you're wondering, yes, I do live in the south. That's not to say that
people in other parts of the country don't eat turnip greens.
When it comes to the id mate, I don't share the "it's better than nothing" attitude. I think it's great. From what I've seen, it's far superior in doing the job for which it was intended, than the money readers and "color
identifiers". Based on the ones I've seen, I wouldn't spend my money on any of those products. On the other hand, I feel the money I spent for my id
mate was a great investment. Like others on the list, I'm totally blind and
live alone. The dogs and kitty aren't much help when it comes to
identifying cans, that is, other than dog or cat food! Having been blind all my life, and being a rehab teacher, I can make braille labels with the best of them, but the id mate is such a convenience, and a time saver. Now that I have one, I wouldn't want to be without it. It takes much less time for me to scan for a bar code than it does for me to either make, or search for a previously made braille label, which could fall off, or accidentally get placed on the wrong can or box, for example. I think the id mate is
awesome!!!
By: Jeanie
To begin with, I loved the Omni ID Mate. I've bbeen a user now for over a year and it's made a big difference in my life and my independence. I use it for many things in my everyday living, and not just for food. With the preprinted bar code labels that are shipped with the unit, you can do so much more, from labeling books and cd's to identifying your mail. I have a scanner that I use to scan and read my mail as it comes in and then, depending upon whether it is something importnat that I need to keep or not, I just put one of the preprinted bar codes on the outside envelope and recorde a message as to what is contained within the envelope. That way, if and when I go back to find it or sort through my mail, I have it right there in front of me and I don't have to find somebody sighted to come over and go through it with me so it's great in that respect. there are data base upgrades that are done about every six months to a year and the cost is around $50 US. Not sure what the Australian exchange for that would be. I've found the support to be very satisfactory and there is also a list serv you may subscribe to for free where you can post concerns and ask questions. If you like, I can send you the information for the list serv.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. If you need or want more information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Take care.
By: Jeff.
Hi,
Now that I have a bit of time I will address your questions about my use of the ID Mate.
How the ID Mate Omni has helped me is in many ways. I am a blind vendor in the Business Enterprise Program in new York. We run newsstands and cafeterias on government property. I deal with hundreds of products and different flavors of products that the package feels the same, such as Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and all the flavored sodas that come in the same package. Snicker bars and Milky Way bars feel the same to the touch, but the box thy come in are different. But when determining which is which when filling a vending machine it was difficult. Scanning the bar codes takes away all the little tricks we would have to develop when figuring out one product from another. I also have stick on bar codes in my vending machines which has recorded instructions on the codes used for setting prices and getting error messages from the machines taking away the need to memorize everything or having a Braille list in the machine.
I have an older version of the ID mate at home which I use to identify products in cans from the pantry eliminating the guess work of opening can products and getting the wrong thing. Also CD's and DVD's have bar codes and the ID Mate helps me identify those too.
I'll bring my unit from work when I'm going to grocery shop and just get a few things. I can navigate the store and get what I want fairly easily. If I'm doing extensive shopping, it's faster to do it with an assistant.
I've answered what I use it for with how it helps me.
when someone says it's as easy as pie they've never made a pie, but to take a metaphor that's how easy it is to learn to use the ID Mate. Operations are simple and learning to scan bar codes takes practice, but gets easier over time once someone gets use to where a bar code might be on a product.
As far as support the people at Envision America are the best. I had an AC adaptor that didn't work and they sent me the replacement before receiving the defective one. They have an email list and are very responsive to the customers.
The database from what I've seen gets released about every 6 months and has hundreds of thousands of new products added. They also have a form online and will collect information from users through email. There are different cost for the database depending on what media a user will want it on, but all are affordable at $50 or less.
I have extremely low vision and my girlfriend is totally blind. We both get the same amount of use out of it. I know a friend who uses a magnifier who wants to get one because he can't always depend on his useable vision. One point I might make is it might be easier for someone to scan if they can see the bar code on the product but that's about the only difference.
BY: Charlie |
Comments
I work as a computer instructor/ tech trainer. One day I accidentally brought a can of beer to work. Since I now have the omni, I won't be doing that any more. "darn".
Some barcodes are very extensive. They even have cooking instructions for preparing the food items
Last week I wanted to cook some frozen fish. No one was around. I scanned the box of fish. It told me not only what the kind of fish I had but how long to cook it ant at what temperature to set the oven. Not all barcodes have all the information but if they do its incredible. The Omni's scanning is very aggressive. It scans very quickly and finds the barcodes in seconds.
It is very easy to use and to learn. It has very extensive online built in help. I was up and running in minutes. The CD contains great documentation and great narration. There is a section for power users as well.
There is wonderful support. They don't have online registration but if you phone them they will fill out a registration card for you. If you have any questions, they can answer them.
From personal experience, I have never had any problems with my omni. If there are any problems with the device, I hear They are resolved quickly.
The updates come twice annually. They cost $50.00 US dollars.
Working in the adaptive field, I can say the device is great for blind and low vision users.
If persons needing the omni have a goal to use the device in an working environment as a venting stand operator or work in environments they need to identify products they are funded by state agencies but the councilors need to have a plan for their clients in order to perches the omni for them. If there is a good plan, the omni sometimes will be obtained for the client.
To conclude, It is a wonderful device. I wish every person who is blind or low vision could have one if they have a need. As technology moves forward, the cost is slowly coming down for the omni.
One more observation I would like to address.
Envision america really needs to address the process of updating the Omni's data base online. To date , customers either have a CD with the new version of the data base sent to them through the mail/post, or the user needs to send their card to have the company update its data base. If the process were done online it would be a vast improvement. I have been a user for around four years now and so far, I have seen no improvement in updating online. If you are not good with file management techniques, it is difficult to update the database.
BY: Randy USA
My wife and I are both blind. We do not live with a sighted person. We've had the ID Mate for a couple of months now. It has been a total godsend for us, as it is automatically able to identify most grocery products. In some areas, it could stand to be a bit more high tech and offer some neat features, but I'm hoping Envision America is listening and working to provide additional functionality in the next generation of the product.
By: Darrell, USA |
