Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Ceramic tip with constant contact? (self.Blind)
submitted by Fredchasing475
Does anyone here use a ceramic tip with constant contact technique? I found a couple of threads here where several people commented on how great those tips are for avoiding cracks (counterintuitively). But I couldn’t tell if they were talking about two point touch or constant contact. Although with all the comments about how durable the tips are I’m thinking that couldn’t be from using them with constant contact?
potato_rock_bandit 8 points 1y ago
All of the urban dwellers in my visually impaired peer support group, all of them use a ceramic rolling tip with constant constact. For them, it provides excellent tactile feedback, lasts forever, and is well suited to their asphalt and concrete surroundings.
I live in a rural area, and the mobility consultants set me up with a hard resin disc on the tip I roll from side to side in the same direction the disc naturally rolls. I'm sorry, it's hard for me to describe, the descriptions I got didn't make sense until I started using it.. The disc is large enough in diameter that it can handle uneven, firm surfaces all right, but I haven't figured out how to use it on gravel paths yet.
I don't know anyone who uses two point touch, maybe it's for people who need a very light cane? IIRC my rolling resin disc tip, and the rolling ceramic tip, are somewhat heavy but still manageable. There's a versatile tip out of Australia called the Omni Tip I think? My mobility trainer has used it but finds it's heavier than my current tip, and he hasn't worked with anyone who finds it beneficial compared to the free tips from the CNI B, especially seeing as it's pricey. It is fantastic for using while skateboarding, rollerblading, etc, tho, I've seen some videos of Sam from The Blind Life trying it out in a skate park and rollerblading down hi street. :)
I live in a rural area, and the mobility consultants set me up with a hard resin disc on the tip I roll from side to side in the same direction the disc naturally rolls. I'm sorry, it's hard for me to describe, the descriptions I got didn't make sense until I started using it.. The disc is large enough in diameter that it can handle uneven, firm surfaces all right, but I haven't figured out how to use it on gravel paths yet.
I don't know anyone who uses two point touch, maybe it's for people who need a very light cane? IIRC my rolling resin disc tip, and the rolling ceramic tip, are somewhat heavy but still manageable. There's a versatile tip out of Australia called the Omni Tip I think? My mobility trainer has used it but finds it's heavier than my current tip, and he hasn't worked with anyone who finds it beneficial compared to the free tips from the CNI B, especially seeing as it's pricey. It is fantastic for using while skateboarding, rollerblading, etc, tho, I've seen some videos of Sam from The Blind Life trying it out in a skate park and rollerblading down hi street. :)
letspaintthesky 5 points 1y ago
As an Australian, I considered the omnisense tip, but a) the price. I thought Roller Balls were expensive at $17-18 a pop, b) every review ever says how heavy and noisy it is, and c) I get enough crap caught in the roller ball tip without all those extra crevasses for dog poop and chewing gum, etc.
potato_rock_bandit 3 points 1y ago
The noise part is something that would stress me out, I forgot about that part. It's nice that the tip is top rack dishwasher safe, but that would not help with things like hair that wrapped around. I really admire and appreciate developers of accessibility options. I don't have need for such a sophisticated type of tip, but it's nice iths there. to make a difference for others.
Fredchasing475 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for all the thoughts. My interest in the ceramic tip is because almost all the pavement for miles around is just awful. Just trying to find a tip that’ll survive it without getting caught all the time. Wore out a rolling ball tip in less than a month.
That video of the Omnisense tip and the guy skateboarding was really interesting. I don’t see paying $50 US for a tip, but I did email them out of interest just to find out how much it actually weighs. I think the comments below about what about hair getting wound up in it make good points. For all the other dirt, wow if I used my dishwasher to clean a tip that’s been out in an urban environment, I never would use the dishwasher for dishes again
That video of the Omnisense tip and the guy skateboarding was really interesting. I don’t see paying $50 US for a tip, but I did email them out of interest just to find out how much it actually weighs. I think the comments below about what about hair getting wound up in it make good points. For all the other dirt, wow if I used my dishwasher to clean a tip that’s been out in an urban environment, I never would use the dishwasher for dishes again
potato_rock_bandit 5 points 1y ago
Ugh I typed a big thing and then clicked the wrong button and lost it all. Maybe this time it will be briefer and clearer? :)
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Most of the urban can users in my peer support hroup use a round, rolling ceramic tip with constant contact. It provides excellent haptic feedback while not getting caught up in seams and cracks on walkways. They\[re realy surable too, one of the group facilitaors mentioned how there's no damage to the tip yet even though it gets a lot of use.
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I live in a more rural area and was provided a disc shaped resin tip that I sweep in front of me from side to side as usual. I walk on packed paths with grass and roots and stuff, as well as on asphalt and concrete when I go into town, my tip is a good all purpose fit that way. Also constant contact, I don't know what case uses there are for two point touch. My resin tip is holding up well, too. It's very hard material.
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There's also a new tip from Australia, the Omni Tip? It's heavier than my resin disc, and also heavier than the ceramic rolling tip, but it's amazing for moving fast across smooth, hard sufaces. Sam at The Blind Life demod the Omni Tip at a skate park, while rollerblading, and in the day to day. I asked my mobility trainer about it, he said it's a nice tip but heavy, and very expensive compared to the free tips I'm eligible for from the CNIB.
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Most of the urban can users in my peer support hroup use a round, rolling ceramic tip with constant contact. It provides excellent haptic feedback while not getting caught up in seams and cracks on walkways. They\[re realy surable too, one of the group facilitaors mentioned how there's no damage to the tip yet even though it gets a lot of use.
​
I live in a more rural area and was provided a disc shaped resin tip that I sweep in front of me from side to side as usual. I walk on packed paths with grass and roots and stuff, as well as on asphalt and concrete when I go into town, my tip is a good all purpose fit that way. Also constant contact, I don't know what case uses there are for two point touch. My resin tip is holding up well, too. It's very hard material.
​
There's also a new tip from Australia, the Omni Tip? It's heavier than my resin disc, and also heavier than the ceramic rolling tip, but it's amazing for moving fast across smooth, hard sufaces. Sam at The Blind Life demod the Omni Tip at a skate park, while rollerblading, and in the day to day. I asked my mobility trainer about it, he said it's a nice tip but heavy, and very expensive compared to the free tips I'm eligible for from the CNIB.
Coloratura1987 4 points 1y ago
According to AmbuTech's website, you can use ceramic tips with either the two-point touch or constant contact techniques. Personally, unless I'm walking through out g snow or ice, I use two-point touch, as it helps me walk faster.
SoapyRiley 3 points 1y ago
I do. I got one based on a recommendation from someone here and it’s so light that you can lightly drag it across surfaces. I feel it doesn’t get caught any more than a marshmallow roller and is much more durable.
NewSignificance1287 2 points 1y ago
I use a Flex Tip from Ambutech which I really like. It's wide enough that it doesn't get caught in sidewalk cracks or get stuck in storm dranes. Yes I've had this happen. It's not fun being stuck in the middle of a street trying to get it out.
PrincessDie123 2 points 1y ago
Not sure but I would like to ask a follow up, does anyone know if a ceramic rolling tip can fit a Revolution graphite cane? I currently use a vinyl rolling marshmallow tip and I go through them so fast.
Fredchasing475 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I was unaware that there such a thing as a rolling ceramic tip. Where do you get them? If you mean just a regular ambutech ceramic tip, here’s a link to an adapter to make any ambutech to work on a Revolution cane. https://adaptations.org/products/ct450?_pos=1&_sid=5891f99e9&_ss=r
PrincessDie123 2 points 1y ago
Idk I thought someone said there was a rolling one in the comments. Thank you for the link!
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
I use both or neither but you can use it with that one for sure.
DHamlinMusic 2 points 1y ago
I do not own one, but have asked this same question before, was told that they can indeed be used for that.
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