Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Which is better OrCam or Seeing AI? (self.Blind)
submitted by NoClops
I currently use Seeing AI to scan/read paper documents and printed text. Since first hearing about OrCam, I’ve been curious whether or not it would make going through mail etc. Easier. I find using the app is a bit clunky and time consuming and would love a smoother/quicker option.
If you use OrCam MyEyes or another similar device, what are your thoghts comparing it to apps?
If you use OrCam MyEyes or another similar device, what are your thoghts comparing it to apps?
Unlikely-Database-27 3 points 1y ago
I used orcam a few years ago, someone brought one and demoed it to me, but I found it to be kind of crap. Well actually mostly crap if you don't have any vision at all such as in my case. Seeingai however works wonders. Amazing every time I've used it. Its not 100 percent accurate in all cases, however, but neither is seeing with your eyes. You'll always have to guess in most cases no matter what. Pour lighting, bad handwriting, etc, the list goes on. I quite like it.
Tldr: seeingai is better, far better, than orcam.
Tldr: seeingai is better, far better, than orcam.
NoClops [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks. (: How long did you spend demoing? Was there much of a learning curve to using it?
JudgeSavings 3 points 1y ago
this is something i also would like to know
friend_of_raptors 2 points 1y ago
Anyone using Seeing AI interested in talking to a reporter for a story about its feature that claims to assess people's emotions? From what I understand it tells you if someone is happy, for example, if they're smiling when you take their photo.
email me if you're interested! Kkaye at protocol dot com
email me if you're interested! Kkaye at protocol dot com
BrailleKnights 2 points 1y ago
Seeing AI requires you to select the context of what you are attempting to do, while Orcam will contextually figure out what the situation is.
If you are thinking that Orcam determining the context for you doesn’t sound good, you can specify using voice commands or hand gestures. Saying “Hey Orcam what’s in from my of me” will tell you there is a person or chairs. It makes things easy, the learning curve is determining how to get what you want, but it’s not tough.
Envision has glasses out now too. They link to their app and allow you to select what you want to do (like Seeing AI). The benefit of Envision is that they can make changes and updates via the app. The downside is that they need internet connectivity or data on your cell phone (for now). Orcam requires no internet connectivity.
Both are good, Orcam is easier to use and there’s less to setup.
Please let me know if you need me to clarify any of that, as it may be a bit of a word jumble, haha.
If you are thinking that Orcam determining the context for you doesn’t sound good, you can specify using voice commands or hand gestures. Saying “Hey Orcam what’s in from my of me” will tell you there is a person or chairs. It makes things easy, the learning curve is determining how to get what you want, but it’s not tough.
Envision has glasses out now too. They link to their app and allow you to select what you want to do (like Seeing AI). The benefit of Envision is that they can make changes and updates via the app. The downside is that they need internet connectivity or data on your cell phone (for now). Orcam requires no internet connectivity.
Both are good, Orcam is easier to use and there’s less to setup.
Please let me know if you need me to clarify any of that, as it may be a bit of a word jumble, haha.
NoClops [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I use Seeing AI regularly, and I find it to be super time consuming and not always that reliable. I hadn’t heard of Envision until reading a (possibly your) review/comparison of the two on this sub.
I’d mostly be using the device around the house for mail, product/barcode recognition, and money organization. I anticipate that I would probably only use it out and about for restaurant menus and if I need to sort bills right then and there. I’m trying to figure out if the cost is worth it for the amount of use I anticipate; if it’s that much more convenient/user friendly than the apps; and if it’s the best device of those out there.
I was a little confused by what you said about the varying ways OrCam can read.
I’d mostly be using the device around the house for mail, product/barcode recognition, and money organization. I anticipate that I would probably only use it out and about for restaurant menus and if I need to sort bills right then and there. I’m trying to figure out if the cost is worth it for the amount of use I anticipate; if it’s that much more convenient/user friendly than the apps; and if it’s the best device of those out there.
I was a little confused by what you said about the varying ways OrCam can read.
BrailleKnights 2 points 1y ago
Sorry if that part was unclear. What I meant was you can activate Orcam in 3 different ways.
1. Tap the side of the unit to take a picture and the Orcam will figure out what you’re looking at.
2. Hans gestures allow you to point and activate reading or colour identification.
3. Voice commands allow you to specify what you want it to do. Saying “Hey Orcam, what’s in front of me?” Will get it to figure out what’s there.
I find the barcode scanner on Seeing AI better, as it has a sonar to let you know if the barcode is close. Orcam requires you to hold the object up, but gives no audio feedback on where the barcode is.
Orcam is definitely more convenient, but it’s expensive. I personally prefer Seeing AI, but I use my phone for everything anyway. I work at an Assisstive Technology centre in Canada and most of the people buying Orcam have been seniors that don’t want to use a cell phone and the Orcam is simple. You should definitely try it for yourself though, as we’re all different and have different needs.
1. Tap the side of the unit to take a picture and the Orcam will figure out what you’re looking at.
2. Hans gestures allow you to point and activate reading or colour identification.
3. Voice commands allow you to specify what you want it to do. Saying “Hey Orcam, what’s in front of me?” Will get it to figure out what’s there.
I find the barcode scanner on Seeing AI better, as it has a sonar to let you know if the barcode is close. Orcam requires you to hold the object up, but gives no audio feedback on where the barcode is.
Orcam is definitely more convenient, but it’s expensive. I personally prefer Seeing AI, but I use my phone for everything anyway. I work at an Assisstive Technology centre in Canada and most of the people buying Orcam have been seniors that don’t want to use a cell phone and the Orcam is simple. You should definitely try it for yourself though, as we’re all different and have different needs.
NoClops [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Or = orcam
AI = seeing AI
Thanks, this is all helpful! The barcode thing makes a lot of sense. As for AI vs. Or, for documents, if you have experience with both, can you speak to which is more convenient with regards to the specifics of the process?
AI, have to get the doc in the viewing window. I like that AI directs in order to help (I.e. bottom left corner not visible) Do I need to be this specific with OR, as the time it takes to get the doc positioned right is part of my frustration.
Which one processes more quickly? I often feel impatient sitting for what seems like a whole minute waiting for the scan to come through on AI. In my experience with other apps (KNFB reader, just one example) it seems like this wait time is unavoidable. having a quicker process time could possibly make/break me on a decision to switch devices.
How’s the money reading abilities with OR. I also get frustrated with the time it takes using AI. Is it possible with OR to hold a stack of money and count through it like a typical sighted person would? ((If you know what that process is.)
I don’t remember if OR has a short text function, but if so, how’s that? I don’t think AI’s feature is that useful, but it could always be a convenient plus.
I think those were all my specifics. Thanks for taking the time to answer!!!!
ETA: nope, I remembered another one. how long have you been using OR? If I’ma spend thousands on a device, I want it to be useful for years. I don’t want to need to get a new version in a year or two, and I don’t want its battery to lose charging ability after a year of regular use.
AI = seeing AI
Thanks, this is all helpful! The barcode thing makes a lot of sense. As for AI vs. Or, for documents, if you have experience with both, can you speak to which is more convenient with regards to the specifics of the process?
AI, have to get the doc in the viewing window. I like that AI directs in order to help (I.e. bottom left corner not visible) Do I need to be this specific with OR, as the time it takes to get the doc positioned right is part of my frustration.
Which one processes more quickly? I often feel impatient sitting for what seems like a whole minute waiting for the scan to come through on AI. In my experience with other apps (KNFB reader, just one example) it seems like this wait time is unavoidable. having a quicker process time could possibly make/break me on a decision to switch devices.
How’s the money reading abilities with OR. I also get frustrated with the time it takes using AI. Is it possible with OR to hold a stack of money and count through it like a typical sighted person would? ((If you know what that process is.)
I don’t remember if OR has a short text function, but if so, how’s that? I don’t think AI’s feature is that useful, but it could always be a convenient plus.
I think those were all my specifics. Thanks for taking the time to answer!!!!
ETA: nope, I remembered another one. how long have you been using OR? If I’ma spend thousands on a device, I want it to be useful for years. I don’t want to need to get a new version in a year or two, and I don’t want its battery to lose charging ability after a year of regular use.
BrailleKnights 1 points 1y ago
You’ve definitely nailed it with all devices taking time to process content. Orcam can be directed by your finger to a location to read something specific, but it can’t read as it goes like Seeing AI. When I’m showing Clients Orcam many will tap it to take a picture and then tap it again a second later when it hasn’t started yet. I’d say it’s slightly quicker than Seeing AI.
Orcam can be updated, if there’s an update they will make sure you have access to it. Their customer support is great and I believe they genuinely care (unlike some other companies).
In terms of it being outdated, no technology can last past 3 to 5 years without being surpassed nowadays, but if you want one then it will last as long as you need in terms of quality and unlike an iPhone it won’t get updated to be outdated.
This last part is my personal opinion and not backed by any specific facts I can point to. So please take this last paragraph with a huge fistful of salt.
From the trends of Accessibility being baked into technology by larger manufacturers, I believe we’ll see something similar built into a mainstream product in the next 5 years. The Envision Glasses I mentioned are using Google Glasses as their hardware, so it makes sense to me that as a wearable is developed by these companies it will interstate Accessible features. That being said, it will still be some time before we have it in our hands or before that Accessibility is fully interstates, so a product like the Orcam is a great tool in the meantime.
Orcam can be updated, if there’s an update they will make sure you have access to it. Their customer support is great and I believe they genuinely care (unlike some other companies).
In terms of it being outdated, no technology can last past 3 to 5 years without being surpassed nowadays, but if you want one then it will last as long as you need in terms of quality and unlike an iPhone it won’t get updated to be outdated.
This last part is my personal opinion and not backed by any specific facts I can point to. So please take this last paragraph with a huge fistful of salt.
From the trends of Accessibility being baked into technology by larger manufacturers, I believe we’ll see something similar built into a mainstream product in the next 5 years. The Envision Glasses I mentioned are using Google Glasses as their hardware, so it makes sense to me that as a wearable is developed by these companies it will interstate Accessible features. That being said, it will still be some time before we have it in our hands or before that Accessibility is fully interstates, so a product like the Orcam is a great tool in the meantime.
NoClops [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Gotcha. They provided a training session, in person or ?
TwoSunsRise 2 points 1y ago
My husband has used apps and now has Orcam. He loves his orcam and has used it to read the mail. It's easier because it's easier to capture the page. He's almost totally blind so getting the whole page in the camera viewfinder in an app was almost impossible. It also spoke in gibberish a lot.
NoClops [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Did he purchase it through somewhere like Lighthouse or through OrCam’s website?
TwoSunsRise 1 points 1y ago
We purchased through Orcam directly. Services are kind of pointless since getting anything done takes months. With covid, almost no services were being offered so we got on the payment plan and bought the device ourselves. I will say they have really great tech support and you usually have the same person you can call for help which is great since you get to know them.
NoClops [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks. I’ve got a nasty taste in my mouth with the company right now. I started to fill out the information to purchase one last night so I could at least see the pricing… I had three calls and one text from them today. I never asked them to reach out to me. Did they pester you after you bought it?
TwoSunsRise 1 points 1y ago
I'm trying to remember but I don't think so. It was more of us pestering them. We asked for a training session and for other help when we were first learning it.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Not a fan, I think the orcam is better if you have some vision.
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