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Lets talk Cane Tips! (self.Blind)
submitted by letspaintthesky
Howdy there.
I have a series of questions for my fellow cane users (current or previous, if you used to use a cane and now have a guide dog).
What are the cane tips you've tried, and what was your experience with them? Which do you like best, and why?
Also, do you have local cane tips that you think might only be used where you are? Where are you?
My experience so far is limited to a supaball roller tip (red, if that matters). I like it, but it is quite heavy, and stuff (hair, mostly) does end up caught in the rotating part, requiring me to clean it out.
I have ordered a rural ball (non rotating) and a pear tip (also non rotating), as I have a habit of using two point touch when I can, which, you know, isn't great with a racquet ball on the end of your cane. It seems as though these aren't commonly used anywhere other than Australia because out of all the cane tip videos on Youtube, only Australian channels seem to reference them at all.
I know we also lay claim to the Omnisense cane tip, but reviews aren't stellar, and at $59.95 AUD, it would literally cost less to buy either a Bevria cane, 5 rural ball tips, 4 pear tips, or 3 supaball tips, with change to spare.
Edit: I said a 'serious' of questions. I meant to say 'series' haha
I have a series of questions for my fellow cane users (current or previous, if you used to use a cane and now have a guide dog).
What are the cane tips you've tried, and what was your experience with them? Which do you like best, and why?
Also, do you have local cane tips that you think might only be used where you are? Where are you?
My experience so far is limited to a supaball roller tip (red, if that matters). I like it, but it is quite heavy, and stuff (hair, mostly) does end up caught in the rotating part, requiring me to clean it out.
I have ordered a rural ball (non rotating) and a pear tip (also non rotating), as I have a habit of using two point touch when I can, which, you know, isn't great with a racquet ball on the end of your cane. It seems as though these aren't commonly used anywhere other than Australia because out of all the cane tip videos on Youtube, only Australian channels seem to reference them at all.
I know we also lay claim to the Omnisense cane tip, but reviews aren't stellar, and at $59.95 AUD, it would literally cost less to buy either a Bevria cane, 5 rural ball tips, 4 pear tips, or 3 supaball tips, with change to spare.
Edit: I said a 'serious' of questions. I meant to say 'series' haha
Mamamagpie 8 points 1y ago
I don’t know those brands/tips at all. I’m in the USA and I’ve only been using a cane since October. I had the glide tip that comes with the free cane from the National Federation for the blind (wore through that quickly), and I MacGyvered an Ambutech rolling ball onto it, wore it down to the core and got a new tip.
I had my 1st O&M at the beginning of the month. They gave me an Ambutech folding cane with a rolling ball. It is already worn down a bit. I need to get the high mileage version.
I walk between 2 to 5 miles a day.
I had my 1st O&M at the beginning of the month. They gave me an Ambutech folding cane with a rolling ball. It is already worn down a bit. I need to get the high mileage version.
I walk between 2 to 5 miles a day.
DHamlinMusic 4 points 1y ago
Similar situation for me, so I have not worn out any tips as of yet. I have the free non-folding white cane from the NFB with the fixed metal tip that I only got as my state's commission for the blind, I'm in New Jersey, was shut down for the first 6 months after I lost my sight in 2020 as they were deemed not essential. Once they were able to do anything I have been given at this point three separate folding ambatech canes with rolling tips, yes I said three as the first two had a manufacturing defect and the elastic was too loose and could not be tightened enough to keep the cane from coming apart rather easily.
I have used both the rolling ball and rolling marshmallow tips for the ambatec, I mainly use the rolling ball as my areas sidewalks tend to be inconsistent and the marshmallow was getting stuck constantly. To the person who's comment I am replying to, check with your commission for the blind before buying a high mileage tip as my states commission orders the canes with the high mileage tips, and the replacement tips they can provide you with will also be high mileage so that may be the same in your state.I have a new cane coming in the next week or two that my fiance ordered me for my birthday which is at the beginning of February, it's another ambatech graphite folding mobility cane but with blue highlights and bottom shaft with the matching high mileage rollerball, I am considering ordering a ceramic tip as well as someone posted in this sub a few Days ago comparing the standard and slimline ambatech canes and mentioned that they'd found the ceramic tip to be usable for constant contact just as readily as the roller ball tips.
Edit: not sure why it's got a weird apparent extra line space midway through that second paragraph, sorry about that I'm bad at editing my posts and can't fix it.
I have used both the rolling ball and rolling marshmallow tips for the ambatec, I mainly use the rolling ball as my areas sidewalks tend to be inconsistent and the marshmallow was getting stuck constantly. To the person who's comment I am replying to, check with your commission for the blind before buying a high mileage tip as my states commission orders the canes with the high mileage tips, and the replacement tips they can provide you with will also be high mileage so that may be the same in your state.I have a new cane coming in the next week or two that my fiance ordered me for my birthday which is at the beginning of February, it's another ambatech graphite folding mobility cane but with blue highlights and bottom shaft with the matching high mileage rollerball, I am considering ordering a ceramic tip as well as someone posted in this sub a few Days ago comparing the standard and slimline ambatech canes and mentioned that they'd found the ceramic tip to be usable for constant contact just as readily as the roller ball tips.
Edit: not sure why it's got a weird apparent extra line space midway through that second paragraph, sorry about that I'm bad at editing my posts and can't fix it.
Mamamagpie 4 points 1y ago
I’m in New Jersey too, and I have my 2nd O&M session next week. So I’ll ask then. She will get to see my not so round ball…
DHamlinMusic 3 points 1y ago
What do you know I've got a session next week as well, please tell me you're not also in Camden county cuz that would be strange.
Mamamagpie 2 points 1y ago
Hudson
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
letspaintthesky [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Bevria canes are just another brand. Here, they're the standard 'free cane' given by guide dog and blind associations. I got my cane in November. It's my first and already pretty bashed up :L
The glide tip....hmm, that's the metal one like the bottom of a chair or table, right? What was that like to use?
Edit: the supaball is just a rolling ball-shaped tip. It's the standard tip they give you for free with your first cane.
The glide tip....hmm, that's the metal one like the bottom of a chair or table, right? What was that like to use?
Edit: the supaball is just a rolling ball-shaped tip. It's the standard tip they give you for free with your first cane.
River-Song-1986 5 points 1y ago
I like the high mileage tips myself.
Tarnagona 5 points 1y ago
I’m a rolling marshmallow kind of person. I find it doesn’t usually get stuck (unless I’m in really rough terrain), and I like the rolliness, as I generally use constant contact. And I can get replacement tips easily.
I feel like the little metal tip, like the pencil tip is prone to getting stuck in things. I haven’t tried the bigger rolling ball tip because of how awkward it looks, and how much it would stick out when the cane is folded up.
The ceramic tip looks promising, but by the time I’d read about it, I’d already ordered a new cane, and I’m not paying the $25 shipping cost just to order one cane tip from Ambutech (as I’m not sure if anyone else sells them). Maybe I’ll order one once I’ve worn through my spare marshmallows (though, as I’ve been out less in the pandemic, my cane tip has already lasted twice as long).
I feel like the little metal tip, like the pencil tip is prone to getting stuck in things. I haven’t tried the bigger rolling ball tip because of how awkward it looks, and how much it would stick out when the cane is folded up.
The ceramic tip looks promising, but by the time I’d read about it, I’d already ordered a new cane, and I’m not paying the $25 shipping cost just to order one cane tip from Ambutech (as I’m not sure if anyone else sells them). Maybe I’ll order one once I’ve worn through my spare marshmallows (though, as I’ve been out less in the pandemic, my cane tip has already lasted twice as long).
DHamlinMusic 6 points 1y ago
The rolling ball tips don't stick out too much unless you're talking about the jumbo tips which I am not entirely sure what those are for, I think hiking but why? The ball when the cane is folded is about the same diameter as the rest of the folded up cane is.
letspaintthesky [OP] 2 points 1y ago
As far as I know, the ceramic tips are an ambutech exclusive.
SeptemberJoy 3 points 1y ago
Also Australian, now have guide dog. I prefer the Ambutech marshmallow tip. Easy to roll, not bulky but big enough to not catch on things. Also easy enough to swap being two point touch and rolling. I liked it enough to order privately and deal with shipping costs as this was prior to our schools offering it.
I've never been a fan of the supaball - found it cumbersome and it slowed me down. Given I'd also swap between techniques frequently the static tips were never a good fit for me. I also got one (can't remember which) stuck in both the tram tracks and the groove on the elevator. Back when I first got my cane the smaller rolling ball was standard and while that was better than other options it wasn't quite right for me.
I've never been a fan of the supaball - found it cumbersome and it slowed me down. Given I'd also swap between techniques frequently the static tips were never a good fit for me. I also got one (can't remember which) stuck in both the tram tracks and the groove on the elevator. Back when I first got my cane the smaller rolling ball was standard and while that was better than other options it wasn't quite right for me.
letspaintthesky [OP] 4 points 1y ago
>I also got one (can't remember which) stuck in both the tram tracks and the groove on the elevator.
o.O Because jamming yourself in the guts isn't bad enough, you can now also get stuck in elevator doors and in the path of oncoming trams. Jesus Christ.
o.O Because jamming yourself in the guts isn't bad enough, you can now also get stuck in elevator doors and in the path of oncoming trams. Jesus Christ.
SeptemberJoy 2 points 1y ago
At least I haven't got the guide dog stuck... yet.
letspaintthesky [OP] 3 points 1y ago
>At least I haven't got the guide dog stuck... yet.
\*Guide dog looks into camera\* See, this is why I'M in charge. These humans don't know anything. Here's how I ended up in this situation.
\*Guide dog looks into camera\* See, this is why I'M in charge. These humans don't know anything. Here's how I ended up in this situation.
SeptemberJoy 3 points 1y ago
That was my second guide 100%. Current boy is a clueless sweetheart who walked himself into a bin last week...
Marconius 3 points 1y ago
I've been using white canes since going blind in 2014. I'm in the bay area in California and did my O&M through the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco. I started off with a roller tip, then transitioned to an NFB metal tip as I got more confident and skilled with my cane use. Now NFB metal tips are all I use. I like the tactile and audible feedback I get from them, they don't get stuck as often as other tips I've tried, and they last a decently long time. Replacing them is easy, and most cane brands have a metal tip adapter that you just slip on to the end section of the cane so you aren't only limited to NFB canes to use the tips. I have metal tips on my Revolution and Ambutech canes.
Samanthia_Farthing 3 points 1y ago
I haven’t tried a lot of different tips because I am primarily a guide dog user. However, whenever I can’t bring him somewhere, I mainly use either a marshmallow tip or a pencil tip because I use two point touch . I always carry an ambutech slimline cane with me as a backup, and I keep a pencil tip on it just to keep everything as small as possible. I have also used a rolling ball for very uneven terrain in the past like gravel and I liked using it a lot, but it is quite a bit heavier than what I’m used to. I also saw the posts about the ceramic tip, and I think I may try that one the next time I need a replacement.
krzysz00 3 points 1y ago
I generally use a ceramic tip on my Ambutech folding cane. I've got some other ones but haven't really experimented.
Trick-Regret-493 3 points 1y ago
I use rolling ball hiking but rolling marshmallow for the daily driver.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
I have a bunch of them. I like the glide disc, myself. It’s the lightest and I like the light weight canes anyway and all of them use the glide tips.
moonpegasus19 2 points 1y ago
Glide tips are the worst, and rolling ball is my favorite. I have some sensory things that make me have a very unpleasant time if the cane gets stuck too much, or I get too much feedback, but the paradox is that constant contact is my favorite technique. So ambutech is better over those nfb canes for me.
Master-Abalone-3146 2 points 1y ago
Not a tip, but am I the only one who's been rocking the same cane for around 5 or 6 years? I don't know anything about it accept for the fact that it's an Ambutech and the fact that it works. It's duckt-taped together, and everything on it is pealing off at this point. It also won't fold anymore because the elastic is too weak to hold it together. Now that I'm writing this down it kinda sounds bad. I need to get a new one.
Tarnagona 1 points 1y ago
My new cane arrived today to replace my old cane which is at least five years old. It's not quite in as bad a shape as yours is, but it's getting there. I decided it was time for a replacement when I was having trouble with two-point touch a couple weeks ago (the tapping was jiggling the pieces loose), although I'd been thinking it was time for a new one for a while.
The previous cane to that one, I'd completely worn the elastic out, and tried to replace it myself (almost successfully, the elastic cord I found was a little too thick so it doesn't quite snap together properly). I didn't want to get to that point again. This time, at least I have a half-decent spare.
The previous cane to that one, I'd completely worn the elastic out, and tried to replace it myself (almost successfully, the elastic cord I found was a little too thick so it doesn't quite snap together properly). I didn't want to get to that point again. This time, at least I have a half-decent spare.
mehgcap 2 points 1y ago
I've used most of the popular U.S. tips. I use a dog now, so don't rely on a cane as much these last several years, but up until then I used a cane every day.
Marshmallow: a good all-arance tip for two point touch or indoor constant contact or diagonal use.
Roller marshmallow: just like the marshmallow, but better for constant contact or diagonal. Mine tended to freeze up with grit eventually, but until then, they were good.
Metal glide: I hate these. A disk of metal is great for smooth floors and that's about it.
Pencil: great for getting stuck in cracks, grass, carpeting, and empty air. I hate there, too.
Ceramic: my favorite by a mile. Better sound feedback, great tactile feedback, a rubber ring to prevent it clattering as you tap steps while going up, lasts a long time, good for most surfaces and techniques. If you can afford to try this tip, do yourself a favor and do it.
TL;DR: ceramic tips are my favorite. Of the other options, I'd choose marshmallow or rolling marshmallow, though the latter can stop rolling relatively soon depending on the environment.
Marshmallow: a good all-arance tip for two point touch or indoor constant contact or diagonal use.
Roller marshmallow: just like the marshmallow, but better for constant contact or diagonal. Mine tended to freeze up with grit eventually, but until then, they were good.
Metal glide: I hate these. A disk of metal is great for smooth floors and that's about it.
Pencil: great for getting stuck in cracks, grass, carpeting, and empty air. I hate there, too.
Ceramic: my favorite by a mile. Better sound feedback, great tactile feedback, a rubber ring to prevent it clattering as you tap steps while going up, lasts a long time, good for most surfaces and techniques. If you can afford to try this tip, do yourself a favor and do it.
TL;DR: ceramic tips are my favorite. Of the other options, I'd choose marshmallow or rolling marshmallow, though the latter can stop rolling relatively soon depending on the environment.
Vicki7789 2 points 1y ago
I got myself a few different tips to try. I was a roller marshmallow girl up until trying them all out, now I have a few new favourites.
Roller ball - love this for out and about, the pavements in my part of the UK aren’t the best and my little marshmallow would get stuck a fair bit. Only downside is it’s heavy, particularly when I’ve tried it on my slimline cane. I got a couple of roller marshmallows in case I didn’t like the new tips so I may put one of those on the slimline.
Metal glide - I love this one too as I can switch between techniques. In a familiar area or when I’m primarily indoors, this on either of my canes is a dream to use. Gets stuck a fair bit though as others have sad.
Weirdly I didn’t like the non rolling marshmallow, I’m not 100 percent sure why.
I really want a ceramic tip but the name puts me off - don’t they break easily?
Roller ball - love this for out and about, the pavements in my part of the UK aren’t the best and my little marshmallow would get stuck a fair bit. Only downside is it’s heavy, particularly when I’ve tried it on my slimline cane. I got a couple of roller marshmallows in case I didn’t like the new tips so I may put one of those on the slimline.
Metal glide - I love this one too as I can switch between techniques. In a familiar area or when I’m primarily indoors, this on either of my canes is a dream to use. Gets stuck a fair bit though as others have sad.
Weirdly I didn’t like the non rolling marshmallow, I’m not 100 percent sure why.
I really want a ceramic tip but the name puts me off - don’t they break easily?
mehgcap 2 points 1y ago
No, the ceramic tip is very durable. It wears, as they all do, but I've not had one shatter.
Unknown_Leader_3 2 points 1y ago
My favorite was always the metal disc thingy, um, my mind is blank on what it’s called. But now, depending on the situation, I really like either a high mileage roller ball tip on my aluminum cane or now, the marshmallow tip on my carbon fiber cane. The roller ball one is great for uneven sidewalks and doesn’t get caught in things. The marshmallow tip is light and I like the type of feedback I get from it. The metal disc kind was nice because it was very straightforward about feedback and very quick.
phillstaf 2 points 1y ago
I've had 3 tip types
A pencil tip which I was not a fan of
A high mileage marshmallow tip that was great but, limited me to 2 point contact
And my current tip, marshmallow roller tips, which are really nice as they last for quite a bit, and with constant contact wear much more evenly, but does not limit me from using 2 point contact where it's more convenient do to terrain.
A pencil tip which I was not a fan of
A high mileage marshmallow tip that was great but, limited me to 2 point contact
And my current tip, marshmallow roller tips, which are really nice as they last for quite a bit, and with constant contact wear much more evenly, but does not limit me from using 2 point contact where it's more convenient do to terrain.
codeplaysleep 2 points 1y ago
The ceramic tip is my favorite. It's versatile, durable, lightweight, and doesn't add a lot of bulk to my cane when folded. It's not perfect. It's small enough that sometimes it still gets caught, but for my needs, it's a good all-purpose tip.
The rolling marshmallow is probably my 2nd favorite tip. I haven't tried the roller ball, because it seems even bigger and heavier and I find the 'mallow to be more than enough of that already.
I wanted to love the metal glide tip, but I found that it just got caught on things too easily.
The rolling marshmallow is probably my 2nd favorite tip. I haven't tried the roller ball, because it seems even bigger and heavier and I find the 'mallow to be more than enough of that already.
I wanted to love the metal glide tip, but I found that it just got caught on things too easily.
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