Thanks for this. I’m looking to get my first electronic magnifier and this is so helpful compared to just reading the technical specs on the website. 😅
My pleasure! The Ruby is a bit of an older device so if you can get a good deal on it, that’s great. If you need a more current recommendation, I would look at the Luna six. Has all the same functions as the ruby plus Extras and a newer camera and screen.
Thank you for the info on this. I have been legally blind all my life and never new stuff like this existed. I can't tell you how many manifers I've been through in my 71 years of life.
thank you again for all the information you give. I'm still looking for a good app for my phone to magnify things like medications can clothing colors and things and also navigational. haven't found anything that works for me as of yet. so I do enjoy seeing what you have to say about products seeing that I am dealing with low vision in the last couple years thank you again.
I know the feeling hang in there. going through the same here. although the new phone helps. just way sooner then I'd have liked it to. have been needed to be baught.
+Dave Hodges yes Dave we need to be trained but where I'm at there is very limited training. so I have to do my own research. and hope to start a support group so thank you for the encouragement. You hang in there too. Thank you for the encouragement again.
If you have an iphone there is an app called Digit-Eyes that my boss really loves. It reads QR codes. And you can create your own QR codes and print them on labels then read them with your phone. For instance, you could create your own QR code labels for medicines and stick them onto the medicine bottles. Or print codes onto clothing labels that you can iron onto your clothing and scan with your phone. There are also talking medicine bottles that you can get. We have them at the local Council of the Blind affiliation that I work at.
I use the magnifier plus hd app and it has a light I can use in dark rooms and its free for android , I can zoom really big with it , has a focus button , it seems very similar to those cctv
Thanks for the review. Outside of the angled stand, I did not hear any features that do not exist on most hand held cctv. Does it have an atomatic focus, synthesized voice to read print captured in a camera shot, like some hand helds offer? Reminds me when NFB purchased Kurzweil and was charging the deep pockets highly affluent blind customers only $3000 for the Kurzweil 3000 cctv handheld. Would love for you to do any technology that helps a blind user use a QR reader on their smart phone to read the QR symbol on bus stops (which required one to visually center the grid n the phone screen to "read" the QR symbol to know 1) bus stop ID, 2) the buses that stop there and 3), auditory feedback of the wta of the buses. All convenient for a sighted person but not so conveint for the blind, who have to rely heavily on mass trans.
Sam I need one thing that no one doing reviews on it ever seem to get around to, not even their own people that work for them, seem to show how to do this. How do I retain or record the frozen snap shouts to the on board memory so I can recall them later? I've seen people mention that it can be done but no one shows me how HELP?
Hey Sam, I love your videos. I just wanted to ask you how can I search for funding for visual aid technology? I have low vision and don't have the money to afford it!! Thank you for everything!
Yes but not very easily. If you have the stand popped out and the Ruby sitting on a desk, there is a little room back there to squeeze your hand for writing. Keep in mind though that this is only going to be for writing something short and quick. You're not going to use this to write an essay or anything like that.
@@theblindlife Thank you for the good advice and recommendation. I really appreciate it though. Can you share how do you normally cope with writing task?
I am legally blind since 1999 and have received division of blind services in the past /school/vocational rehabilitation program. I am really having trouble reading my paperwork and phone for banking. I have reapplied for services and have a low vision Doctor appointment in October. What ideas do you have for my banking and paperwork in the interim. I have a ZoomMax CCTV and 14X Magnifier handheld. My phone is iPhone 7 Plus. Thanks, Linden Menzel
Hey there, sorry to hear you’re having issues. It’s hard to say what might work for you without knowing all the details regarding your vision impairment. One thing I would recommend is trying to do as much as you can on line. Definitely work with your vocal rehab counselor or possibly a low vision center near you. It’s not as easy as saying use this, and this. It’s something that someone will need to sit down with you and work out a plan and find what works the best for you personally.
hello Sam. nice video!! i have Ruby's&HD portable digital magnifier which is pretty much similar to this one with the difference being of the screen size. I have problem with the brightness level of the screen of the device. Can you help me n reducing the brightness level of the device?
There may be a contrast button on the device which will darken or brighten the contrast of the screen. Or you could change the color scheme to the black background with white text, negative scheme.
I have an Android. I can't find anything that works. that will understand what I am trying to say. without messing it up. my new Android won't allow me to put apps on it . now it says I have no memory even with an SD card. I'm just plain frustrated. just having a hard time adjusting. again thanks for your help. sorry for venting.
I'm very sorry to hear about your frustrations with android. In the language and input settings section you'll find the text to speech settings. In there you can find to and train the text to speech engine so it can recognize you better. As far as the lack of storage space causing you to not be able to install apps, that's very frustrating I know, I've had it happened to me before as well. Number one thing to try is the leading unused applications as well as cleaning outs photos videos and music that you don't want anymore. All of this will free up space but I don't think it's going to solve your problem. I believe your issue is the cache storage. What usually happens is when an application or file of some sort is either deleted or moved to your memory card it leaves some information in the cache partition. Once you clear the cash for these applications you will no longer get that message. If you are able to install one more app, there are several that will easily clear the cash for you. If that's not possible, you can clear the cash of a few apps manually to free up enough space to download the app. To manually clear the cash go to the settings, then apps or application manager, then click on the downloaded apps tab at the top. In this list, click on an app. Somewhere in there you'll see an option labeled cache storage which you'll be able to click to clear it. You can go through and clear all the apps this way or clear just enough to be able to download one of the apps that will clear all the cash for you.I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing! If you have any problems or need more help just let me know!
I hear the camera itself angles and it can even pick up images at a distance so it has beyond a cctv function (think street signs when walking, the menu at Taco Bell, etc). Is this true?
+mshark45 hey Zack, I actually don’t do Facebook very often so a better way to get a hold of me would be through email. You can email me at the Blind life sam@gmail.com
how can u not read a menu? I am legally blind and have been since birth. My mother and sister are also legally blind in fact. I assume that is a phone next to you? yea, I faithfully use my galaxy note 9 and have no prob. honestly, since android 4.2 update the magnification gestures i have had no issues reading menus at restaurants. fast food is one thing. ppl do look at me very strange. many of these products suck. my phone can compete with any product out there ive seen. sorry. even humanware's connect 12 still barely beats my phone. samsung is about to release a 108mp camera. that doesnt suck in low light.... wait for it, a 10x optical zoom with 100x hybrid zoom. and its not 3000 dollars. and , i can also get it insured. I already carry a phone what the heck do i want to carry something else for that cant even do as well. matter fact, moto had a great deal with the shadier shield display. u could not break that phone. i had no worries taking it and using it as a magnifier in all situation. ochem lab included. or what do u do for water with any of these? again phone works just fine. i feel every single one of the products is taking advantage of us or cant live up to standards and norms of today. i can take my x1 yoga (lenovo's flagship laptop) 2000 dollars and a really decent wireless cam and smash the crap out ur 3000 dollar connect 12. my laptop is faster lighter more flexible tougher bigger screen.... oh wait 2k res 500 nits brightness it can get wet. yes i used my laptop in chem and bio labs. I still have a 1000 dollars for a camers. my school lent me the connect 12. there is noooo way i would ever buy this. 4 hr charge time. 1hr for me. thx for anyone who read this.
ya ruby sucks dude. that thing was like 600 dollars at the time. it still could not compete with most flagship phones. it was way bigger. had lcd display. oled was the standard even then. or super amoled stuff. that ruby prob had like an 8 mp camera. i think sony had a 23mp out with way better f rating (low light). you could get the moto turbo 2 then with an unbreakable display better camera better battery smaller thinner almost same size screen amoled display 2k res water resistant. it was 750 new or 650 for 32gb model i think. like why buy this? how can you buy this unless someone else is buying it for you? what i am saying is most of the time DARS or some other company provides these things. or some lighthouse in some town pushes this stuff and passes it through. this is all garbage and a cash grab because what else can you do about it. well, stop buying and or endorsing this. AR will come soon enough with either Apple or Favebook. no need to spend 10000 dollars on it now because it's for blind people. the same tech will present itself in a year or two for less than 600. but sure keep buying this stuff and feed into it and theyll keeep over charging. i am and always have been a hella fan of glass magnifiers, thats what i had growing up and tbh there is still the good old monocular. i can watch birds in trees with those things and i cant see large text on a sign 3 feet away. 300$ awsome monocular never need to charge it either or worry about it getting wet. lol and i say nah to your crappy auto focus features.
ya lol your note 4. you already had something better. i can see the handle but like that made selfie sticks back in 2010? im sure someone can clamp a device to a phone. still with that handle you cant reach the screen. so you have to hold it perfectly still cause you cant focus. that ruby was made so you can sign things on a table. again no thought was point into the angle or having an adjustable stand. im lost?
I just got one of these from the VA hospital and I love it already!!
Thanks…it is the best magnifier…your description was 100 % right on…
I love love love my ruby! Helps me alot with my college classes!
Thanks for this. I’m looking to get my first electronic magnifier and this is so helpful compared to just reading the technical specs on the website. 😅
My pleasure! The Ruby is a bit of an older device so if you can get a good deal on it, that’s great. If you need a more current recommendation, I would look at the Luna six. Has all the same functions as the ruby plus Extras and a newer camera and screen.
Thank you for the info on this. I have been legally blind all my life and never new stuff like this existed. I can't tell you how many manifers I've been through in my 71 years of life.
Your channel is the best! It has helped me so much. Thank you!
I’m so glad!
I really like the nice big battery indicator. Thanks for another great video.
The Ruby HD magnifier would help me out a lot also. It is nice to have
I personally love mine! Take it everywhere!
thank you again for all the information you give. I'm still looking for a good app for my phone to magnify things like medications can clothing colors and things and also navigational. haven't found anything that works for me as of yet. so I do enjoy seeing what you have to say about products seeing that I am dealing with low vision in the last couple years thank you again.
I know the feeling hang in there. going through the same here. although the new phone helps. just way sooner then I'd have liked it to. have been needed to be baught.
+Dave Hodges yes Dave we need to be trained but where I'm at there is very limited training. so I have to do my own research. and hope to start a support group so thank you for the encouragement. You hang in there too. Thank you for the encouragement again.
If you have an iphone there is an app called Digit-Eyes that my boss really loves. It reads QR codes. And you can create your own QR codes and print them on labels then read them with your phone. For instance, you could create your own QR code labels for medicines and stick them onto the medicine bottles. Or print codes onto clothing labels that you can iron onto your clothing and scan with your phone.
There are also talking medicine bottles that you can get. We have them at the local Council of the Blind affiliation that I work at.
I use the magnifier plus hd app and it has a light I can use in dark rooms and its free for android , I can zoom really big with it , has a focus button , it seems very similar to those cctv
I would also recommend the android app WeZoom. It’s another great magnifier application.
Really neat, thanks for this!
I have a blue focus 14 braille display from Freedom Scientific
Cool
i enjoy mine! It helps when shopping and with medicine bottles
Ruby XL HD is the best magnifier out there.
If you have a Pebble - please upgrade to this! It is night and day difference!
I have the Ruby. It's great.
Gos bless people who disign this device and the organisagions.
Thanks for the review. Outside of the angled stand, I did not hear any features that do not exist on most hand held cctv. Does it have an atomatic focus, synthesized voice to read print captured in a camera shot, like some hand helds offer? Reminds me when NFB purchased Kurzweil and was charging the deep pockets highly affluent blind customers only $3000 for the Kurzweil 3000 cctv handheld.
Would love for you to do any technology that helps a blind user use a QR reader on their smart phone to read the QR symbol on bus stops (which required one to visually center the grid n the phone screen to "read" the QR symbol to know 1) bus stop ID, 2) the buses that stop there and 3), auditory feedback of the wta of the buses. All convenient for a sighted person but not so conveint for the blind, who have to rely heavily on mass trans.
The Ruby doesn't have an OCR feature. As far as the QR code reader, i'll see what I can do!
My boss really likes an app for iPhone that is called Digit-Eyes. It's a QR reader that reads the information back out loud. I think it's about $10.
Thank you for the info. Have a great week!
How much the Selling Price of that Device?
Have a Distributor in the Philippines?
Sam I need one thing that no one doing reviews on it ever seem to get around to, not even their own people that work for them, seem to show how to do this. How do I retain or record the frozen snap shouts to the on board memory so I can recall them later? I've seen people mention that it can be done but no one shows me how HELP?
Hey Sam, I love your videos. I just wanted to ask you how can I search for funding for visual aid technology? I have low vision and don't have the money to afford it!! Thank you for everything!
You should check out my video, why is assistivetechnology so expensive. I talk about lots of different options for getting what you need.
Thanks for the review. In your opinion, is Ruby can be used for writing?
Yes but not very easily. If you have the stand popped out and the Ruby sitting on a desk, there is a little room back there to squeeze your hand for writing. Keep in mind though that this is only going to be for writing something short and quick. You're not going to use this to write an essay or anything like that.
@@theblindlife Thank you for the good advice and recommendation. I really appreciate it though. Can you share how do you normally cope with writing task?
I am legally blind since 1999 and have received division of blind services in the past /school/vocational rehabilitation program. I am really having trouble reading my paperwork and phone for banking. I have reapplied for services and have a low vision Doctor appointment in October. What ideas do you have for my banking and paperwork in the interim. I have a ZoomMax CCTV and 14X Magnifier handheld. My phone is iPhone 7 Plus.
Thanks,
Linden Menzel
Hey there, sorry to hear you’re having issues. It’s hard to say what might work for you without knowing all the details regarding your vision impairment. One thing I would recommend is trying to do as much as you can on line. Definitely work with your vocal rehab counselor or possibly a low vision center near you. It’s not as easy as saying use this, and this. It’s something that someone will need to sit down with you and work out a plan and find what works the best for you personally.
Thanks for your help and advice
Have you tried any of the human ware magnifiers if so please could you do a review
I do have some videos coming out soon of new digital magnifiers.
hello Sam. nice video!! i have Ruby's&HD portable digital magnifier which is pretty much similar to this one with the difference being of the screen size. I have problem with the brightness level of the screen of the device. Can you help me n reducing the brightness level of the device?
There may be a contrast button on the device which will darken or brighten the contrast of the screen. Or you could change the color scheme to the black background with white text, negative scheme.
I have an Android. I can't find anything that works. that will understand what I am trying to say. without messing it up. my new Android won't allow me to put apps on it . now it says I have no memory even with an SD card. I'm just plain frustrated. just having a hard time adjusting. again thanks for your help. sorry for venting.
I'm very sorry to hear about your frustrations with android. In the language and input settings section you'll find the text to speech settings. In there you can find to and train the text to speech engine so it can recognize you better. As far as the lack of storage space causing you to not be able to install apps, that's very frustrating I know, I've had it happened to me before as well. Number one thing to try is the leading unused applications as well as cleaning outs photos videos and music that you don't want anymore. All of this will free up space but I don't think it's going to solve your problem. I believe your issue is the cache storage. What usually happens is when an application or file of some sort is either deleted or moved to your memory card it leaves some information in the cache partition. Once you clear the cash for these applications you will no longer get that message. If you are able to install one more app, there are several that will easily clear the cash for you. If that's not possible, you can clear the cash of a few apps manually to free up enough space to download the app. To manually clear the cash go to the settings, then apps or application manager, then click on the downloaded apps tab at the top. In this list, click on an app. Somewhere in there you'll see an option labeled cache storage which you'll be able to click to clear it. You can go through and clear all the apps this way or clear just enough to be able to download one of the apps that will clear all the cash for you.I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing! If you have any problems or need more help just let me know!
I hear the camera itself angles and it can even pick up images at a distance so it has beyond a cctv function (think street signs when walking, the menu at Taco Bell, etc). Is this true?
mmm Taco Bell, oh sorry! The camera does angle when the stand is open but unfortunately it wont focus on objects or text at a distance.
+The Blind Spot
Thanks! I'm glad I didn't preorder one then! Haha although it still is pretty amazing!
sam how do i friend you on fb? i would like to talk to you. i have 20 to 30 vision with rp
zach
+mshark45 hey Zack, I actually don’t do Facebook very often so a better way to get a hold of me would be through email. You can email me at the Blind life sam@gmail.com
The Blind Life
okay sam will do
thanks for the reply
how can u not read a menu? I am legally blind and have been since birth. My mother and sister are also legally blind in fact. I assume that is a phone next to you? yea, I faithfully use my galaxy note 9 and have no prob. honestly, since android 4.2 update the magnification gestures i have had no issues reading menus at restaurants. fast food is one thing. ppl do look at me very strange. many of these products suck. my phone can compete with any product out there ive seen. sorry. even humanware's connect 12 still barely beats my phone. samsung is about to release a 108mp camera. that doesnt suck in low light.... wait for it, a 10x optical zoom with 100x hybrid zoom. and its not 3000 dollars. and , i can also get it insured. I already carry a phone what the heck do i want to carry something else for that cant even do as well. matter fact, moto had a great deal with the shadier shield display. u could not break that phone. i had no worries taking it and using it as a magnifier in all situation. ochem lab included. or what do u do for water with any of these? again phone works just fine. i feel every single one of the products is taking advantage of us or cant live up to standards and norms of today. i can take my x1 yoga (lenovo's flagship laptop) 2000 dollars and a really decent wireless cam and smash the crap out ur 3000 dollar connect 12. my laptop is faster lighter more flexible tougher bigger screen.... oh wait 2k res 500 nits brightness it can get wet. yes i used my laptop in chem and bio labs. I still have a 1000 dollars for a camers. my school lent me the connect 12. there is noooo way i would ever buy this. 4 hr charge time. 1hr for me. thx for anyone who read this.
ya ruby sucks dude. that thing was like 600 dollars at the time. it still could not compete with most flagship phones. it was way bigger. had lcd display. oled was the standard even then. or super amoled stuff. that ruby prob had like an 8 mp camera. i think sony had a 23mp out with way better f rating (low light). you could get the moto turbo 2 then with an unbreakable display better camera better battery smaller thinner almost same size screen amoled display 2k res water resistant. it was 750 new or 650 for 32gb model i think. like why buy this? how can you buy this unless someone else is buying it for you? what i am saying is most of the time DARS or some other company provides these things. or some lighthouse in some town pushes this stuff and passes it through. this is all garbage and a cash grab because what else can you do about it. well, stop buying and or endorsing this. AR will come soon enough with either Apple or Favebook. no need to spend 10000 dollars on it now because it's for blind people. the same tech will present itself in a year or two for less than 600. but sure keep buying this stuff and feed into it and theyll keeep over charging. i am and always have been a hella fan of glass magnifiers, thats what i had growing up and tbh there is still the good old monocular. i can watch birds in trees with those things and i cant see large text on a sign 3 feet away. 300$ awsome monocular never need to charge it either or worry about it getting wet. lol and i say nah to your crappy auto focus features.
ya lol your note 4. you already had something better. i can see the handle but like that made selfie sticks back in 2010? im sure someone can clamp a device to a phone. still with that handle you cant reach the screen. so you have to hold it perfectly still cause you cant focus. that ruby was made so you can sign things on a table. again no thought was point into the angle or having an adjustable stand. im lost?