by Jackie Cairns
There are now two talking detectors on the market that will announce the color of your clothing, food and many other items. This review describes each device and attempts to make a fair comparison of both from a totally blind person's perspective. The ColorTest 150
The ColorTest 150 is a small pocket-size device that is rectangular in shape and fits quite comfortably in the hand. On the front are two round buttons, quite distinguishable from each other because one is slightly indented. At one end is a sensor that must be firmly pressed against the item you wish to examine. The sensor will translate the data it sees into speech, which then tells you what color it has just detected. To use the ColorTest, simply press the sensor end of the device against an object, and hold down the left of the two buttons on the front of the unit for a couple of seconds.
When you release the button, the ColorTest's excellent female speech will tell you the color of that object. If you want further information such as brightness and saturation of the color, you must press the right button of the two within a few seconds of testing the object. If you don't do this quickly enough, the unit will automatically shut off, and you will need to start the procedure all over again. When determining the color of an object, it is best to lay the item down on a flat surface so that when you use the detector, its sensor is properly shielded from any light. This will give you a better chance to receive an accurate reading from the ColorTest.
The right button of the two on the ColorTest will also tell you the battery status of your unit because it comes with a rechargeable cell. Simply press the right button twice in quick succession to hear a reading of the current battery status. The charger socket is located on the left-hand side of the unit, and although the ColorTest will not be damaged by leaving it to charge indefinitely, a lengthy charging period will reduce the life of the cell.
The ColorTest 150 comes in a small pouch with print instructions that I found very easy to scan. The instructions also contain a color chart. This comprises six rows of three squares, each of which can be located with your fingers because each is separated by borders of dots. The rows of squares on the chart are divided into sections of bright, strong, and dark colors. If you place the ColorTest firmly in the middle of each square and press the left button on the unit, you can calibrate the ColorTest.
The device also acts as a light probe, a very useful way of determining whether the light has been left on, or the position of a window in the room. To use the light probe section of the device, simply press the left button and hold it down, waving the unit around at the same time. You should hear a buzzing sound which will rise in tone if it detects light, and lower in tone if there is little or none. If used carefully and with some perseverance, the light probe can detect whether your paper has type or writing on it, very useful if you drop a sheet on the floor and need to know which side is right-side-up.
This device is quite a complex beast, perhaps one reason why it is so expensive for a user of modest means. In fact, I would compare it to a scientific calculator, such are the complexities of the unit. Not only does the ColorTest have the ability to tell you the color of a garment or other object, it tries to measure the brightness, hue and saturation of the color. This might be very significant to people who have had sight, and are familiar with different shades of green, blue, purple, red etc. The device emits several types of tone, which can be determined once used frequently to indicate shades of color measured. But if you're someone who simply wants to know the color of your jumper, or whether your socks match, then the sophistication and price of this unit are frankly prohibitive. Cobolt Colour Detector
Cobolt Systems recently released its talking color detector. It is a rectangular device, and is slightly larger than the ColorTest described above. On the front of the unit is a speaker grill and battery compartment which houses a PP3 cell. If you run your fingers along the right side of the detector, you will find a switch. If this is pressed down, the unit is turned off. Slide it up one notch, and the volume of the device is at its maximum. Push the switch another notch up, and the volume decreases. By pushing the switch up again once more you can make the speech even quieter.
On the top of the unit is a removable white cap. There is an indentation at the rear of the cap where you position your fingers when gently applying pressure to pull it off the color detector. If the unit is switched on, and you remove the cap, you will hear the male voice of the unit say "white." The white cap is designed not only to protect the unit's sensor, but also to calibrate it for giving a good color reading.
To use the detector, switch on the unit and remove the white cap. Now hold the unit against the color you wish to determine. Wait for a few seconds and you should hear the voice tell you what it has seen. The detector will repeat the color it has found until you turn off the device, or find something else to examine.
It is important to stress that you must try to cover the whole of the sensor if possible when detecting colors. The sensor area is surrounded by a rubberized edge to help you line up an object with the color detector. The device comes with large print and taped instructions that are very comprehensive. It is extremely straightforward and uncomplicated to use, and does not require a knowledge of rocket science to operate.
The Cobolt Colour Detector also contains a light probe. With the cap removed and your unit switched on, simply wave the sensor in the direction of a window or light bulb, and it will give intermittent beeps to indicate that it has detected light. It will not, however, vary in pitch or intensity as you get nearer to the source of light, but stops beeping when there is no light to be seen. Comparisons
The ColorTest and Cobolt device have been designed to do the same job, but are quite different animals at achieving their goals. The ColorTest is a very sophisticated device and does need some patience to determine the color of clothing, food or liquid. The Cobolt unit is ideal for anyone who wants to get an idea of the color of something quickly and with no fuss. It is also a good deal cheaper on the pocket too, priced at 49.99 pounds (which is equivalent to about $80). I have used both devices to determine a range of colors in all shapes and sizes. The ColorTest has a smaller sensor, and lends itself better to tiny items, such as phone plugs and buttons. The Cobolt Colour Detector has a wider sensor area, and is excellent for reporting the color of clothing and larger items. The Cobolt device is also fitted with an earphone jack, a very useful addition for those who might want to attach the unit to an external speaker for increased volume output, or wish to use the separate earpiece supplied for private listening. Both products also have excellent quality English speech fitted in them.
There is clearly a market for both devices, depending on what you want to use them for. If you are technically minded and have perhaps had sight in the past, the ColorTest 150 is worth the outlay for its complicated range of features. But if you just want to find out the color of something you wish to wear, or check out a roll of wallpaper in B&Q, then the Cobolt device will suffice nicely at a fraction of the price of its rival. Contact Details
The ColorTest 150 is priced at $450 and can be purchased from a number of vendors in the United States, or from Vis- Ability DK, http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Vis_Ability/homepage.htm .
The Cobolt Colour Detector is priced at 49.99 pounds (approximately $80) and may be purchased from Cobolt Systems, www.cobolt.co.uk. Shipping to people who are blind or visually impaired is free of charge. The web site is user-friendly, and one can hear a demo of the unit's speech. Telephone: 01493- 700172.