For the blind and visually impaired, navigation around unfamiliar areas can be a scary proposition. Talking GPS units can be a godsend in this situation, providing street by street navigation that can guide a blind or visually impaired pedestrian to their destination. The Trekker Breeze from Humanware was one of the best GPS systems on the market but was hampered by slow connection time to satellites and a problem losing it's signal in built up urban areas. 

Humanware have just released a solution to these problems in the Trekker Breeze+, an updated version of the Trekker Breeze that promises drastically reduced connection time to satellites and much better signal retainment in built up areas.It offers some other great features such as the ability to create your own landmarks, browse points of interest in your area and set routes to them, and even the ability to explore routes virtually before embarking on them.

The Trekker Breeze+ comes in at a great price point at $799 if you don't already own a Breeze, or $199 if you have a Breeze already and want to update it to the Breeze+ model. 

We think the Trekker Breeze+ is a great tool, but don't take our word for it! Check out the video demonstration below and see for yourself, then see it on our website here https://chicagolighthouse.3dcartstores.com/Trekker-Breeze-Plus_p_17.html

Humanware's Trekker Breeze has long been a useful tool for people who are blind or visually impaired to confidently navigate when out and about, providing a simple to use interface that can be manipulated one handed leaving a hand free to hold a white cane or dog guide. The Trekker did have a few problems though, such as very slow starting time, not telling you what side of the street things were on and sometimes inaccurate location finding when not in street view. Step up the New Trekker Breeze+ Humanware yesterday launched the next generation of Trekker Breeze addressing all of the issues that users had with the first generation. Humanware promise quicker start up, much better location finding when not in street view and better description of where things are. We haven't had hands on time with it yet (keep tuned for a video review when we get one!) but judging by Humanware's past successes we are fully confident they will deliver another great product, and really look forward to trying it out. Best of all is the price. A new Trekker Breeze+ will set you back $799, a great price itself, but even better if you already own a Trekker Breeze you can have yours modified to the new version for just $199! That kind of pricing is really forward thinking and consumer conscious, and we love it. Check out the press release from Humanware below and call us at 1-800-919-3375 with any questions!

HumanWare Launches the Trekker Breeze+

More Accurate for More Informed Travel HumanWare is excited to announce a new travel tool to add to the navigation toolbox. The Trekker Breeze+ is the next generation of HumanWare�s popular Trekker Breeze talking GPS. Building upon the success of the original Breeze and based on the feedback received from visually impaired travelers, the new improved Breeze+ is the most accurate, intuitive, and effective navigation aid designed for travelers who are visually impaired.

Developing strong orientation and mobility skills is essential for successful travel for individuals with a visual impairment. Effective skills with a white cane or dog guide enable a traveler who is visually impaired to successfully and safely navigate from work to home, home to school, or among different countries around the world.

� The integration of GPS into our guide dog training curriculum would not have been possible without the relationship we have built with HumanWare. We are excited about the new Breeze Plus because it delivers the features and upgrades our clients and instructors have been requesting. HumanWare proves once again it listens to the needs of our clients. The changes are another example of the commitment of both Leader Dogs for the Blind and HumanWare to provide meaningful products and services. We look forward to our continued collaborative relationship and the chance to improve travel of all who ask.� Says Rod Haneline, VP and Chief Programs & Services Officer at Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Based on popular user feedback, the Breeze+ uses the same effective design as the original Trekker Breeze while on the go. With well pronounced tactile buttons, all device functions can be operated using one hand, leaving the other hand free for your white cane or dog guide. It�s what�s inside that makes all the difference The Breeze+ uses the latest in GPS technology to provide you with the fastest, most accurate travel information when and where you need it. So what�s different about the Breeze+ compared to the original Trekker Breeze?

�   Significantly improved GPS acquisition time When frequently using this newly updated GPS technology, you can expect to have a GPS connection in as little as 10 seconds after the device boots. �   Greatly improved performance in urban canyon environments! The urban canyon environment often found in large cities has always been less accommodating to GPS usage. With the updated GPS technology in the Breeze+, you can expect a consistent GPS signal, regardless of your environment. �   Improved GPS accuracy With Breeze+, you can expect accuracy of landmarks to be significantly improved. For example, testers have reported that their landmarks have been announced less than 5 feet from the original location. �   Higher quality GPS signal Once Breeze+ acquires the satellite signal, you can expect to travel with a higher quality GPS signal. This means a more accurate detection of your location.

Travel with confidence with Breeze+ Here are just a few of the features existing Breeze users love: �   Traveling to a specific address or business? Breeze+ provides you specific walking or driving instructions as you travel. �   Wondering where you are? Use the �Where Am I Button�. This button tells you your current cardinal direction, next intersection, nearest address and current street. �   Curious about what you just passed? The What�s Around feature lets you know what interesting points of interest are around you. �   Worried about how you will get back home? Simply drop a landmark in front of your house and Breeze+ will walk you back to that exact spot whenever you want. �   Nervous about navigating in open areas such as a campus or park? Breeze+�s open area mode allows you to use landmarked locations to get from point A to B confidently.

Here at The Chicago Lighthouse we are big fans of Zoomax's products as they combine great features and great prices. We're glad to see the Butterfly, our latest acquisition from them, is no exception. This 3.5" portable electronic magnifier features 5 color modes, 1.5x to 15x magnification and a freeze frame mode. The thing that we really like though (and that gives it its name!) is the butterfly shaped stand on the rear of the unit. This stand puts the screen at an angle towards your eyes, making the device very ergonomically well designed and comfortable to use. 

Check out our video about the Butterfly then call us at 1-800-919-3375 for more information! 

The Connect 12 from Humanware is a fantastic new device combining the convenience of tablet technology with low vision features. Based on an Android tablet, the Connect 12 runs the Prodigi software meaning good quality near magnification, fast and accurate OCR and ease of use. An optional extra is a wireless distance camera which can be used to magnify the whiteboard, look out the window or whatever else you might want to see.

Once you have finished on the Prodigi side it is easy to exit to the Android side and use Android's built in accessibility to access the internet, send and receive emails, take pictures, read books and so much more. Fantastic for students or those wanting a really portable do-it-all device, check out the video below to see it in action!