Test Driving Before We Buy
By Doug Rose

Just because you are visually impaired doesn't mean you won't need to do some test driving. Of course, it won't be a vehicle you need to test, but a new talking or braille product. Some of you no doubt know exactly what I am talking about.

This past year I either had some devices that failed and needed replacing, or I wanted to test out a new product. What I thought would be a quick process of ordering a replacement product turned out to be anything but quick and easy. Here is what I faced:

I bought the talking device years ago, and needed to know exactly what was the brand and model, was it still being sold, who sells it, and at what price? Is there a new model and, if so, does it really work better than what I am replacing? All these questions were legitimate ones before I made an informed purchase. I didn't realize in the "Information Age" that making a decision would feel so complicated. What I found is that even though I have access to more information than ever before, what I really needed prior to buying a product was to test drive it.

Test driving is sometimes an option if you are able to visit a facility that has the products you are interested in, it is demonstrated at a convention you are able to attend, or your friend has the model you can test, or it is a large ticket item a vendor will demonstrate in your home. Unfortunately, these options are not always available. Then you are left to purchase from home without any test driving. Luckily I am able to research options over the Internet. If you don't have this ability, finding and purchasing becomes another challenge. In my case, I discovered key concepts I needed to use while doing my online test driving.

Because different companies give the same product different names, I had to drill down to the product description to know if I was comparing apples to apples. Sometimes the product description or customer reviews were either too vague or sounded like marketing hype. Given this preamble, below are my findings for some common household talking and braille tools.

Today with the use of smart phones and smart speakers, people have the option to set a timer by voice. But what if someone needs an accessible timer without having a smart device? There are timers with tactile markings.

There appear to be two talking timers being sold. The model listed more often in our specialty device catalogs is the one I find to be less accessible, and of lesser quality. You will find it listed as "Talking Timer Clock". It has many features that sound intriguing, but I find it lacks a very important option: to hear what is currently on the display. While it is truly a talking device with buttons and speaking functions, it is amazing how it could miss such a crucial option. I would caution people about selling or recommending this talking timer.

I find the talking kitchen timer from LS&S Products to be an accessible timer. I confidently recommend, and vision rehab teachers agree:
LS&S Talking Kitchen Timer: Call (800) 468-4789. It has a talk button which allows you to hear at any time what is on the display. There are only four buttons which are nicely raised, and the on/off button is larger. The voice is clear and at an adequate volume, and the construction feels solid. It is powered by two triple A batteries. It sells for about $15. Compared to the popular "Talking Timer Clock," you won't get a button for seconds, you won't get a clock, or different sounds for the alarm, but you will get an all-important Talk button so you know what is on the display.

For years when we wanted a talking cooking thermometer, there was only one available, but those days are over. Now there are several. One of these is the Kizen Instapen Pro thermometer. This is a better quality device for less cost than the former talking food device. Kizen Instapen Pro Digital Meat Thermometer $25 at kizen.net or $17.95 at Amazon.

Several features make it a better quality device than the former talking thermometer. It is rated waterproof, and the probe is designed to be folded away for safe keeping when not in use. Think of the temperature probe as though it were a blade on a pocket knife. When you want to take a temperature, pull the probe out of its storage position. This will turn the thermometer on. There are three raised buttons on the face of the unit, which nicely fits under my thumb when holding the device. The talk button is strategically placed in the center of the three button configuration and is a bit larger than the other two buttons. One button you press to back light the display. I am told the displayed numbers are about three quarter inch in height, black numbers on a gray background. The other smaller button is used to switch the thermometer between Celsius and Fahrenheit readings. The voice announces in a reasonably pitched female voice with adequate volume. It is easy to change the button type battery, and it comes with a spare battery. There are three ways to store the thermometer: using the supplied Velcro dots, the internal magnet, or hole for hanging on a hook. I sent a suggestion to Kizen that their included documentation be available in accessible formats.

For years there has been the Cobolt Speechmaster -Talking Tape Measure. I received many good hours of use from this device. But it recently developed a short in the wires connecting the 9 volt battery. I considered purchasing another Cobolt talking tape measure replacement, but discovered there is another option available: the Caretec Tape King talking tape measure. It costs about $170 which is about $50 more than the Cobolt device, but I find it worth the cost.

It performs all the functions of the Cobolt tape measure plus more. It has an audible level, and clinometer to speak the degrees of an angle. You can change the volume of the speech and hear the battery level. The battery connection was always my concern on the Cobolt model. The Tape King takes two triple A batteries. If you don't need the extra features of the Tape King, then the Cobolt Talking Tape measure will save you $50. CareTec says they have a deaf-blind version of the Tape King that vibrates. CareTec lists a talking battery charger and battery tester. I have not used either of these products, but would like to hear from anyone who has used them.

I purchased the Tape King through Blind Mice Mega Mall:
Blind Mice Mega Mall Tape King Talking tape measure
Call (713) 893-7277

I have tried two different sets of plastic measuring spoons and measuring cups with braille. I find the set that has four spoons and 4 cups has superior braille labeling. The other set has more gradation of amounts (nine spoons and nine cups) but the braille is poorly embossed and spaced. A person would be better off notching the handles than relying on the braille labels.

The ones I found with superior braille I got through Amazon via the Braille Superstore. You will find them described as: Braille Measuring Spoons, Set of four Plastic Spoons with Raised Print and Braille, Braille Measuring Cups Set of four Plastic Scoops With Raised Print and Braille. The set that has poor quality braille is sometimes referred to as Pourfect Braille Measuring Cup and Spoon, 9-piece set. So if you want good legible braille and don't need the other five amounts of measuring, the four piece set is your choice.
Braille Super Store www.braillebookstore.com
Call (800) 987-1231

Finally, for those of us placing braille labels on cans and jars, we can use the older technique of embossing index cards and attaching them with a rubber band, or now we have the option of purchasing Candoable braille/print labels. Fortunately, you can test drive this product before purchasing. Lisa Dalton owner of Candoable offers a sample for your review. Once I received my sample I had enough information to purchase. They have worked well for me. They look like a plastic bracelet with braille on the outside and engraved print on the inside, and slip over a can or jar. You can pick from the list of already created labels, or specify a custom label. You can specify Grade 1 or Grade 2 braille. You can order online or talk directly to the owner Lisa Dalton. I find she provides excellent customer service.
Candoable candoable.co/?
Call (855) 226-3641

Hopefully my shopping journey can be of assistance to you even though it cannot replace the hands on experience. Currently I am evaluating how to select a talking clinical thermometer.

{Editor's note: Doug Rose can be reached at:
McKinleyville Low vision Support Group (The bumpers)
dougrose@suddenlink.net