You Can Take It With You: A Review of Three Portable CCTVs
By Farrenkopf, Carol; Access World, Vol. 5, No. 4Publication Date: July 2004
Article evaluates three portable closed circuit televisions (CCTV): (1) the Traveller, from the Tieman Group and Optelec, (2) the Olympia, from Telesensory Corporation, and (3) the Pico, also from Telesensory. All three CCTVs were tested by a variety of users with low vision in a variety of locations. The devices were evaluated in terms of five characteristics: (1) physical description, (2) documentation, (3) setup, (4) reading, and (5) writing. The authors contend that the Traveller has the potential to be a widely used portable magnification device, yet it has limited use as a reading and writing assistive device. Individuals who would like to find a portable, easily set up device for short reading and writing tasks could find the Traveller to be useful. The Olympia is described as a highly versatile portable reading and writing device that is easy to set up and use in a variety of environments. Some practice is necessary to fully understand how the magnification settings work. The device was found to be especially useful for people who know their eye conditions will worsen over time, since it can continue to meet their needs as the need for larger print becomes an increasing necessity. The Pico was reviewed the most favorably of the three CCTVs. The authors describe the device as a compact, lightweight handheld CCTV that gives people with low vision virtually immediate access to printed materials. The Pico can be used for reading and writing tasks with such ease that it levels the playing field for people with low vision. The only limitation is that it magnifies only to five times. Recommendations for improvements to all three CCTVs are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: OLYMPIA (MODEL MV2X)
OPTELEC TRAVELLER
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050405
