Am I Dumb As A Post For Not Getting Excited Over SoundPost?

Last Updated on: 30th September 2014, 05:27 pm

I honestly don’t know what to think of the SoundPost system from Povidi. It kind of seems like a step backwards. Maybe it could be kind of useful in doors for locating an information counter, but other than that, I just don’t know.

Ok, here’s how it’s supposed to work. There are two parts of the system: a hand controler and a base station. Someone sticks a base station to something difficult to find, and then the blind person swings the hand controler to find it. It can detect it from 30 metres away.

First, I like that the batteries are easy to obtain. At least they don’t have strange batteries. And maybe it might be useful in places where the info counter is hard to find.

But in all other circumstances, why? I mean, if you’re outside, and you want something to help you find stuff, why not use a GPS? If you buy this hand-controler and a couple of base stations, you’ve laid out 500 bucks. A Trekker Breeze is about $900. You might as well save up and get one of those. Or if you have a cell phone that can do Wayfinder, why not do that? This method seems so limited compared to GPS.

And here’s another question. What if two businesses close to each other each install base stations. Is there anything to tell you which base station you’re targeting? What if I want the pet store, but it picks up the drugstore first so I end up there instead? With a GPS, it actually names what you’re heading for so you know.

And if you’re leaving base stations in outdoor locations, how well will they stand the weather? And if they’re out where other people can monkey with them, how long until they get monkeyed with? I don’t trust that a little electronic thingamabob will stay where it should.

I don’t mean to be critical of new technology. I just feel like this is going a bit back in time. If this came out in the 80’s or 90’s, I’d be jumping around with glee.

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