I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of the screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my nose. I have experimented with various locations, and it is plain that the sprayskirt deck is about as far away as I can place it and still use the screen detail. If I move it to just in front of the cockpit (not an ideal location, in any case), I can not make out detail on Blue Charts, and the like. What do others do about this? (Those under fifty won't understand the problem, I suspect!) I don't want to attach the unit to my sprayskirt because it may get in the way in a self rescue situation. Lanyarding it to my PFD means I have to stop paddling to grab it to look at the screen. I suppose a variation of those neck-based harmonica-holders like Bob Dylan used to use might work, but aside from the geek-factor, I really don't want something around my neck if I have to roll or dump out of the cockpit. Has anybody with a serious bifocal correction solved this? Thanks. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
What about putting some Velcro on the skirt and a wedge of foam on that. Then Velcro the GPS to the wedge. Now just lanyard the GPS to your PFD. In a self rescue the wedge is probably already gone from popping the skirt, if not just pull it off and stow under the front bungie - worst case write it off. If it does not work out you at least have some Velcro on the skirt - now just put some on your water bottle and tell everyone that was it's real purpose. Ken ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> -- "Old Eyes" Problem > I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of the > screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my nose. > > I have experimented with various locations, and it is plain that the > sprayskirt deck is about as far away as I can place it and still use the > screen detail. If I move it to just in front of the cockpit (not an ideal > location, in any case), I can not make out detail on Blue Charts, and the > like. > > What do others do about this? (Those under fifty won't understand the > problem, I suspect!) > > I don't want to attach the unit to my sprayskirt because it may get in the > way in a self rescue situation. Lanyarding it to my PFD means I have to stop > paddling to grab it to look at the screen. > > I suppose a variation of those neck-based harmonica-holders like Bob Dylan > used to use might work, but aside from the geek-factor, I really don't want > something around my neck if I have to roll or dump out of the cockpit. > > Has anybody with a serious bifocal correction solved this? > > Thanks. > > -- > Dave Kruger *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Kenneth McClelland" <benzx2_at_verizon.net> suggested: > What about putting some Velcro on the skirt and a wedge of foam on that. > Then Velcro the GPS to the wedge. Now just lanyard the GPS to your PFD. In > a > self rescue the wedge is probably already gone from popping the skirt, if > not just pull it off and stow under the front bungie - worst case write it > off. If it does not work out you at least have some Velcro on the skirt - > now just put some on your water bottle and tell everyone that was it's real > purpose This sounds pretty good to me -- except I think I'd lanyard the GPS through a grommetted hole in the wedge to a padeye on the foredeck of the kayak. That way I could move the whole thing out of the way for launching and landing. In a capsize, the Velcro would not impede release of the sprayskirt. And, I'd rather have the lanyard attached to the kayak instead of me -- simplifies reentry if I need to wet exit. This GPS (a Garmin Map60C) needs at least an ounce or two of flotation attached, anyway -- it sinks as is. Foam attached to it seems like good insurance. Thanks to Kenneth and everyone else for the ideas. Refinements, anyone? -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave: Like you I have the eyesight 'challenge' that comes with 'maturity', heh heh... and I see that you have a Garmin 60 which I am sure is a nice unit. I chose a Silva GPS some years ago because of the large alpha and numerical display. I thought this feature was a real plus. The Silva was designed to be read in adverse conditions; ie, the data display was easily the largest I had seen on a handheld GPS. Perhaps some of the newer Garmins, Magellans etc have a similar large display now; but at the time, there was no comparison. Some of those smaller Garmins seem to be made only for ideal conditions in ideal light,and for those with ideal close-up eyesight. Cheers, PeterR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Well, I haven't solved the prob, but I'm under 50, and would certainly like to find something that would let me look at my GPS without stopping paddling :-) Thx Rich www.wordandwater.us *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have presbyopia (old eyes; need for bifocals) and I also hate to paddle in prescription glasses! Contact lenses seemed like they would be a good solution, since they can be obtained with bifocal or progressive corrections. That was not to be, however, because I also have a slight astigmatism, worse in one eye than the other. The solution, after some trial and error, was a "monovision" configuration. The following two sentences are taken from a website that explains the concept: "With monovision, you wear one contact lens with one power to correct distance vision and the other contact lens with one power to correct near vision. The distance vision lens is usually worn in your dominant eye. While monovision may appear to be an unusual choice, most people actually accommodate well to it, and eventually don't even notice that each eye is responsible for a different part of their vision". That's generally the case with me. Although my acuity with the lenses isn't as good as it is with my glasses, it's certainly good enough for paddling (I can see distances well enough -- with some loss of acuity, though -- and can read a chart or use my GPS without having to deal with glasses). While I indended, originally, to wear the lenses only for paddling, I now wear them most days. While we're on the subject of GPS usage: my GPS -- a Garmin GSMap76 -- sporadically loses contact with the satellites when I lay it flat on the deck. I've had better performance after I attached it to a minicel wedge which keeps it propped up at about a 60 degree angle. Much easier to see, too! Bob V Dave Kruger wrote: > I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of > the screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my > nose. > <snip> > What do others do about this? (Those under fifty won't understand the > problem, I suspect!) > <snip> > Has anybody with a serious bifocal correction solved this? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 28 Mar 2005 at 11:39, Dave Kruger wrote: > I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of > the screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my > nose. If you wear sunglasses regularly, then try stick-on bifocal lenses. They are made by NeoOptix and can be attached and removed from sunglasses, dive masks, etc. Hard to find locally, but I understand they're easier to find in the US. <http://www.velotique.com/Eyewear%20Ryders.htm> - note that this is a Canadian web site with C$ prices. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This eye discussion is right up my alley! After having near perfect vision I am losing it from both directions but mostly I'm going near-sited (I don't even know how to spell it!). For sea kayaking it's not as big a deal as whitewater. As the doctor told me to wear glasses that is what I've been trying but they fog up, of course. They are all bent and scratched now! Someone suggested the, what are they, floppy style contacts? Andree > On 28 Mar 2005 at 11:39, Dave Kruger wrote: > > > I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of > > the screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my > > nose. Andree Hurley KIX: http://www.onwatersports.com/ Store Update: http://www.viewit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>This eye discussion is right up my alley! Mine, too. For the past two months, I've been experimenting with a therapy called Ortho-K. I sleep in corrective hard lenses at night and wear no glasses nor contact lenses in the daytime. This makes it great for paddling. The treatment can work for people who are mildly nearsighted. My slight to moderate astigmatism, though, is proving harder to correct, so the vision isn't as sharp as what I'd get with glasses. Still, I'm hoping to stick with it, as I love not having to wear corrective lenses (contacts or glasses) while paddling. There is apparently big variance in what doctors charge for Ortho-K therapy. If anyone explores this, my advice is to call around and ask about fees. Margot -- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have seen a number of people with GPSs, mobile phones and all sorts of other things velcroed to their spray decks no problem. You could attach it to your PFD on the front of your shoulder in such a way that you can read it on the move if you were keen - with a lanyard to ensure it doesn't go walkies. Velcro would probably do the job. My Etrex comes with a clip for mounting it onto bike handlebars which is very secure and quick to put on and off. Perhaps you could modify such a bracket for such a use. Or look at bifocal sunglasses? Richard. Dave Kruger wrote: > I have the "old eyes" problem, which prevents me from making use of > the screen detail on my GPS unless it is within about 20 inches of my > nose. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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