7 Best Low Vision and Blindness Products for Veterans
The Blinded Veterans Association recently gathered for a luncheon and invited Scott Krug, President of New England Low Vision & Blindness to join them as a special guest. At the event, Scott announced the 7 best low vision and blindness products for veterans. See below for additional information on each of the products on that list.
Attendees of the Blinded Veterans Association luncheon.
Attendees of the Blinded Veterans Association luncheon.
Be sure to visit our current Top 10 Low Vision Aids For Veterans
Our full suite of low vision and blindness products and training services are designed to help visually impaired Veteran’s gain independence and lead a fuller, more satisfying life. <Click here to see the most up-to-date product suggestions for Veterans.>
The 7 Best Low Vision and Blindness Products for Veterans:
Desktop Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) for Federal Agencies servicing Visually Impaired Veterans
Closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) help visually impaired veterans to read text, look at images, and enables them to gain independence and lead a fuller, more satisfying life.
1. Merlin Elite
It is very similar to the Merlin which approximately 90% of veterans already have, however, the Merlin Elite talks. The Merlin Elite, in addition to providing an exceptional 1080p Ultra HD picture quality and having expanded viewable field reducing x/y table movement, it can also convert text into speech. Ask the VA about seeing this upgraded form of the o’reliable Merlin.
Why is this low vision product good for Veterans?
- Highest quality HD camera offered by manufacturer. Colors are extraordinarily vibrant and super-sharp image is better than standard VA-Merlin 19″ CCTV camera.
- Simple, simple CCTV operation — Great product even for Veterans who are cognitively low functioning.
- Very easy to operate and very simple product transition for Veterans already using a VA-Merlin 19″, but want improved HD image quality and wider field of view — Same simple controls are same as VA-Merlin 19”.
- Field of view is 8.5”; which is 3.0” more than standard VA-Merlin 19” CCTV; Veterans see much more of their document, reducing x/y table movement
- Expandable features can be activated for users wanting to learn more:
- iPad connectivity; very easy to connect iDevices, for increasing accessibility viewing e-mail, internet, Skype, Facebook, FaceTime, etc.
- Integrated OCR ‘text-to-speech’ system inside Merlin Elite, to more easily read volume text in books, magazines, newsletters, etc.
- Merlin Elite 24” HD Monitor can also used as Computer Monitor for PC; VGA toggle
- Merlin Elite is both simple to operate, and yet expandable for those wanting to do more.
Portable Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) for Federal Agencies servicing Visually Impaired Veterans
Our portable closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) allow visually impaired veterans to look at images and read text while on the go. These portable CCTVs are lightweight, battery powered and can be used and enjoyed anywhere.
2. Amigo HD
For over 8 years, the Amigo has been the most popular hand-held battery-operated portable electronic magnifier for veterans. With the New Amigo HD, now veterans are able to see a much sharper image with twice as much viewable field than the Amigo they may already have. Plus the New Amigo HD also has distance viewing “in a pinch”, for seeing placards and signs while on the go at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, and much more. Ask the VA about seeing the New Amigo HD today!
Why is this low vision product good for Veterans?
- Easy to operate, portable CCTV.
- Portable 6.5” screen CCTV
- 4+ hours of rechargeable battery operation
- Distance viewing (in a pinch)
- Crystal clear images with vibrant colors
- Very easy to operate
The Pebble HD has also been one of the most popular portable hand-held electronic magnifiers for veterans. Now, the Pebble HD is even easier to use, plus users do not have to change batteries, just re-charge them! The New Pebble HD has a Lithium-Ion battery, much like an iPhone, where users are not allowed to change batteries, which is a good thing. Now, when not using the Pebble HD, users simply plug it in to re-charge, so that when they want to use it, it is fully charged and ready to go. Plus, the New Pebble Stand makes it much easier for users to read newspapers, magazines and letters. Ask the VA about seeing this New Pebble HD with Stand today!
Why is this low vision product good for Veterans?
- Fully featured Pebble HD for those wanting more options.
- Talking Clock
- Picture Freeze
- Picture Save, up to 200 images
- Able to port saved images
- Multiple Languages
- Menu adjustment capabilities for customized usage
- Super-sharp HD image
- Virtually no call backs to VA office for troubleshooting
- Power on and operate — very simple…very basic
4. Mini CCTV – Acrobat HD Mini
Need a portable desktop CCTV that is battery operated? Now you can try the New Acrobat Mini HD Ultra. It weighs only 12 lbs, and has a 6-hour rechargeable battery. It is so cute. Plus it also has a twistable camera head for both distance viewing (more easily watching TV), and self-viewing (trimming facial hair, grooming, etc.) This is a very unique product. Ask the VA about seeing this New Acrobat Mini HD Ultra today!
Why is this low vision product good for Veterans?
- Small & Cute — Looks great in any setting, visually appealing product size
- Great for small rooms, nursing homes, hospitals, mobile homes, etc.
- 6-Hour Battery, does not need to be tethered to wall outlet.
- Lightweight Only 12 lbs, easy to carry within residence, and when traveling.
- 8 1/2” field of view; 3” more than VA-Merlin 19″
5. The entire family of Acrobat’s – with wide field of view!
Acrobat Long Arm HD Ultra
Acrobat HD Ultra 20″, 22″ & 24″
Our 3-in-1 CCTVs (closed-circuit televisions) are incredibly simple to use and easy to operate. 3-in-1 cameras enable you to more easily:
See Distances — TV Viewing, Faces of loved ones, Situational awareness, seeing outside window
See Up-Close Focus — Newspapers, Mail, Manage Finances
Use for Self-Viewing — Make-Up, Shaving or Hygiene maintenance
Have you ever wondered if there was a magnifier that would allow you to see the entire newspaper? Well the New Acrobat family of magnifiers might be your answer. The USA today is 11.5” wide, the WSJ and NYT are both 12.5” wide. The New Acrobat 27” Ultra HD can view up to 13.5”, so you can see the whole paper width on screen. Why is this important? Now, when you magnify the newspaper on your column, the magnified column will likely fit onto the screen, reducing left-to-right motion, reducing fatigue, increasing reading speed and overall enjoyment. Ask the VA about seeing the New Acrobat HD Ultra family today!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to use the iPad or iPhone? Now you can! Ask the VA about their iPad and iPhone options, including training!
Our low vision and blindness experts partner with the federal government to enable visually impaired veterans to engage with computers and the information age by assessing their needs, setting up computer systems with adaptive peripherals and then training these visually impaired veterans how to use the systems.
7. DaVinci PRO
This is the most exciting new product to come to the VA in years! It is the cousin of DaVinci, called DaVinci PRO. It has only 1 primary button to operate, and it is designed simply so users with no technology experience can start immediately. Need expanded options? No problem, just turn them on and activate whenever you wish. DaVinci PRO is also a good product for those who have Brain Injury. It has Full-Page Text-To-Speech providing access to most any printed page. It also has a Twistable Camera Head for Self-Viewing and Distance Viewing, a top of the line HD Ultra camera for Super-Sharp image quality, and a very large working space for both reading and writing. It is simply amazing. Ask the VA about seeing the New DaVinci PRO today!
Why is this low-vision product good for Veterans?
- Highest quality 3-in-1 HD camera offered by manufacturer — Crisp vibrant colors — Super-sharp image.
- Easy to Operate; basic 3 CCTV controls are same as VA-Merlin 19”
- Built in Lighting; very unique for twistable arm product; resulting in consistent very sharp image quality
- 9.75” field of view; 4.25” more than VA-Merlin 19”; users see much more of their document, reducing x/y table movement
- 18” of working space under camera; more easily write checks, view cereal boxes, work with hands, crafts/hobbies, woodworking
- Expandable features can be activated for users wanting to learn more:
- iPad connectivity; very easy to connect iDevices, for increasing accessibility viewing e-mail, internet, Skype, Facebook, FaceTime, etc.
- Integrated OCR ‘text-to-speech’ system inside DaVinci, to more easily read volume text in books, magazines, newsletters, etc.
- DaVinci 24” HD Monitor can also used as Computer Monitor for PC; VGA toggle
