Seeing Eye GPS

Category

Description of App

The Seeing Eye, the pioneer in guide dogs, and Sendero Group, the pioneers of accessible GPS, have teamed up to create The Seeing Eye GPS™. Almost 20 years of user feedback and feature requests are behind the design of all Sendero GPS products. The accessible features in The Seeing Eye GPS™ are only the beginning of what is yet to come as users help in evolving this first fully accessible GPS product for the iPhone. The Seeing Eye GPS™ is a fully accessible turn-by-turn GPS iPhone app with all the normal navigation features plus features unique to blind users. Unique to The Seeing Eye GPS™ 
  • Instead of multiple layers of menus, the three important navigation elements are on the lower portion of every screen: Route, POIs and Location.
  • At intersections, the cross street and its orientation are announced
  • Intersections are described (e.g. four-way) with the clock face orientation of the streets.
  • There are three choices for POI data (Navteq, Foursquare, and OSM).
  • Directions are configured appropriately for Pedestrian and Vehicle routes, including heads-up announcements for approaching turns, turn now, continue straight and upcoming turns. 
  • If one wanders off the route, it's automatically recalculated and updated turn information is announced.
  • Point your phone in a given direction to hear what is nearby with the LookAround Wand.
  • Nearby Points of interest and intersections are automatically announced.
Requires: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad 2 WiFi + 3G, iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular. iOS 5.0 or later.

Version

2.5

Free or Paid

Free

Apple Watch Support

No

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

10.2

Accessibility Comments

This app works great!!!

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

Other Comments

I am extremely happy with the app, and while the price is slightly high, it's much cheaper than stand alone GPS solutions for the blind, and I couldn't be happier!

Developer's Twitter Username

@SenderoGPS

Recommendations

2 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Chris Harrington 7 years 11 months ago

Options

Comments

By alex wallis on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 16:49

Hi all, Sendero group just tweeted about a podcast on seeing eye gps that is on a different site to applevis, I don't think it is on applevis anyway. for those interested it is at http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/seeing-eye-gps/ I haven't listened to it yet, but it sounds like it is quite a thorough demonstration given that it is 80 minutes long.

By Scott Davert on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Mike said they are working on developing the app for the UK, but he wouldn't give a final release date on this. Apparently, they're still trying to work out deals for the maps there.
Version 1.1 is now available and contains many bug fixes: "What's New in Version 1.1 1. You can now select 3 conditions for automatically hearing intersections and POIs announced, based on 15 MPH or less, 40 MPH or less or announced no matter the speed. The default is set for intersections at 40 MPH and for POIs at 15 MPH. You can also turn off both of these Lookaround items. 2. When a route is active, the two most important pieces of information are the distance and direction of the next turn and the distance and direction to the final destination. This information is better organized and is now at the top of both the Location screen and the Route screen. You have the option to shake the phone to get these announcements as well. The Shake feature has been improved so it won't activate as easily when not being held in the hand. 3. An Auto Repeat function helps to ensure that you hear important information automatically. This applies to the next turn and destination information. As you get closer to your destination, the turning announcements automatically repeat more frequently based on the same parameters as the Getting Warmer function. This is every 15 seconds under 500 feet, every 30 seconds from 500 to 1,000 feet, every minute from 1,000 feet to 5 miles and every 5 minutes beyond 5 miles. The destination information is also repeated under 1,000 feet. An On/Off selection is available under the Settings Routing menu for auto repeat. 4. A vibration has been added to indicate turn now, and arrived at destination. There is a Vibration On/Off selection on the Settings Routing screen. 5. The POI Lookaround announcements are now tied to your POI content source. The default is Foursquare, which used to apply only to searches. If the default Foursquare POI content is chosen, this will apply to both POI searches and to the Lookaround POIs you hear automatically announced. A maximum of 3 Foursquare categories can be manually selected for POI searches. The default is to have the All Categories button selected. Navteq POI categories are a bit different from Foursquare and have not been changed. 6. The POI search distance has been expanded from 50 miles to 200 miles. You will be prompted to search further if no matching POIs are found within 50 miles and every 20 additional miles thereafter. In less populated areas, the search may go up to 200 miles without prompting. 7. Improvements have been made in the handling of turning announcements when the network is lost. The next turn and destination as well as the ETA will update even when there is no phone service. It will not recalculate if you go off-route but if you stay on the route, the information is nicely updated. 8. OpenStreetMaps, OSM, are now an option for Location Information and creating of Routes. 9. Here are some small but helpful changes. Some wording changes have been made to improve clarity and brevity. The Subscription button now identifies the email account name. Distances to the route History items are now relative to your current location and not just where you first created the route. The items in the Settings Routing menu have been reordered. There is a link to the updated version 1.1 Seeing Eye GPS manual from inside the program. You can find it at http://senderogroup.com/support/supportseeingeye.htm There is no phone support for Sendero phone apps, however, you are welcome to send suggestions or questions to iPhone@SenderoGroup.com"

By Scott Davert on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

In reply to by Michael Hansen

Several users are reporting that v. 1.1 is actually still 1.0, and that none of the changes listed are working. Apparently, the release notes are there, but the old 1.0 version of the software. Sendero said they are releasing a new update to Apple now and are trying to jump through the hoops more quickly to get this one live. It'll be version 1.1.1.

By alex wallis on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 16:49

Sendero have just tweeted the new version of the app is now available. One thing I think is quite unfair to potential international customers is that they have said they will reset subscriptions of all those who bought the initial 1.0 release. I know that sendero have every right to do this but it discriminates against potential international customers who would have bought the app if it had been available to them and actually favours US customers, as I presume international customers in for example the UK won't get this sort of offer once it is available in the UK app store as the product will be more mature.

By AnonyMouse on Monday, October 21, 2013 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 1.2

- Resolved iOS 7 issues
- Fixed VoiceOver issues when entering an address using dictation
- Removed duplicate buttons for route details, show map, and an extra back button
- Improved performance of accented characters in street names and POIs
- Improved route following announcements
- Reduced the triggering distance of Pedestrian approaching turn and turn now announcements, which means you will be notified when to turn, closer to the actual turn.
- Added destination information to bottom left corner of route screen.
- Corrected a VoiceOver issue with reading Route ETA’s
- Moved the POI call button after route creation options
- Improved Shake functionality so a shake will not register if phone is upside-down in your pocket for example.
- Added Nearest POI to the Location screen.
- Improved POI searches when search term that ends with an s
- Improved POI LookAround, more POIs should be announced and also more relevant POIs that are closer will be announced.
- Fixed issue where intersection description occasionally would be incorrect when not moving.
- Expanded street abbreviations
- Added support for handling pedestrian roundabouts.
- Added LookAround POIs and Intersections to Map View announcements
- Removed duplicate announcements for Route and LookAround events while VoiceOver is still talking.
- Removed ability to search for OSM POIs due to a problem with the OSM POI service.
- Changed the “Other” button for route creation options to a “More” button.

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's New in Version 1.3 There are 17 notable changes in Version 1.3 • Added the ability to run in the background or with the screen locked for iOS 7. If you are running an older version of iOS 6 only the sound effects will play and the phone will vibrate at turns and at your destination but no speech output. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. • Added an option under settings to turn on or off background operation. • Added ability to have music playing in the background and still receive lookaround notifications of intersections, POIs and route announcements. • Added a new repeat button on route screen, that will repeat the last route instruction spoken. • Added Monthly subscription option. • A new “Drip” sound effect that will repeat every 30 seconds for notification of poor GPS accuracy. • Reduced server calls per second which results in the app being more responsive, less data usage, and possibly battery improvements. • Getting Warmer Route does not need a cell data connection. • Lookaround POI details: You now hear the heading and distance to Lookaround POI announcements. • Improved intersection announcements • Priority speaking of route events that will interrupt what is currently speaking to notify you of a turn or when you arrived at your destination. • After creating a route the system will now tell you which way to turn initially so you start following your route in the correct direction. • Improved address lookup when conflicts arose from city field did not match the postal code entered. • Improved Low Vision features: Yellow Automatic Events Text Box with large fonts for route announcements and lookaround POI and intersection events. In iOS 7 turning on the system settings accessibility bold text option will enable bolded text in the app. • Translated the app into French with support for accented characters of street and POI names. If your phone is set to French the UI and all announcements will also be in French. • Removed Multi-Modal route option due to issues with following these routes. • Support for iOS 6.0 and greater • Number of other bug fixes and improvements under the hood.

By alex wallis on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 16:49

it seems as though non us resedents are still not really being considered. i know sendero keep saying its under development but we keep hearing that and nothing. they won't even give status updates for the international version, i think they are putting most effort into updating the us version of the app without really considering us in the Uk.
Alex, It is important to consider that we don't know anything other than that (1) there is no international version of Seeing Eye GPS as of yet, and that (2) there is an international version in the works. We don't know what all goes into the development of GPS apps--let alone international GPS apps. If you remember from last July when Mike May gave an interview on the AppleVis Extra, he said that there were a lot of issues surrounding the development of the international version of the app. He gave no timetable for when the international version would be released. Personally, I think it is a bit unfair to claim that Sendero isn't giving international users much consideration when we really have no idea what development is taking place and what challenges are involved.
What I'd like to know is why this app has a one-month subscription option that doesn't work. If it is still under development, the smarter thing to do would be to leave it out until it works as it should.

By charles on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 16:49

What error message did you receive? Have you let Sendero know about it? If so, what has been their reply? I like the 1 month option if it works, because people won't have to buy a year's worth of service and then find out that, for some reason or other, they don't like it. I also find it a bit wrong for them to offer a free app that you can do nothing with until you buy a subscription. I would think that a better way to do it would be to charge a 1 month subscription for the app and specify that this is what you are purchasing. Then, if you like it, you can use the other purchasing options found within the app.

For anyone curious, Sendero has announced via their Twitter page that the price for a one-month subscription is $9.99. As for why the app is "free", this is an app store limitation and not specific to Seeing Eye GPS.
Just tried to get the Seeing Eye GPS which stated FREE (Feb. 18th 2014) but then in order to USE the FREE app., you have to pay a considerable amount of money for it. If you live on a low fixed Disability Check income and have no one else to help you out financially.....it is not feasible to purchase it. Most blind people live on Disability. So this was of no help to me. Seems that The Seeing Eye would be more empathetic and want to be more supportive of it's Blind community. Guess Not! Free should be Free with no strings attached. What a joke! This is rather deceptive as under the heading of..." FREE or PAID" it clearly states FREE. Doesn't state that JUST the download is free.

By Tree on Friday, February 21, 2014 - 16:49

I understand that you can not afford this app and I agree that compared to other mainstream gps apps it is a little pricy. however, I do not appreciate your statement that, "most blind people live on disability," I do not believe that this stamens is true. I know many blind people who are productive hard working successful members of society. What is more even if there is a substantial amount of blind people receiving disability aid this is no reason to expect charity. There was a time that society did not offer us the opportunities to be productive that we have now and that we could expect a handout. Times have changed and are continuing to change and I for one do not want a handout or charity. You are perfectly within your rights to believe that this app is to expensive, but please don't make the entire blind community out to be needy charity cases. Maybe you should try less expensive apps such as blind square and even the free apple maps app that is already on your phone.

By KE7ZUM on Friday, February 21, 2014 - 16:49

I agree 100 percent. Plus you can do the monthly subscription for $10. That is not much if you ask me. And i fyou don't like it you can cancel. And seeing eye did not decide to charge, it was the map services that dictate the price not seeing eye according to their faq.

Tc.

By Michael Hansen on Friday, February 21, 2014 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Dusty, As has already been stated in comment #9 above (http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/seeing-eye-gps#comment-14462), the reason Seeing Eye GPS is "Free" is because Apple does not have a system in place to handle in-app subscriptions at the time of download. A pay-to-download app would further be complicated by the fact that there are multiple price options available. Furthermore...it should be noted that the reason the app is subscription-based is because Sendero is charged annually for the use of the map data. So, if Sendero is being charged for the map data (and I would imagine it isn't cheap), it is only reasonable to expect that the company would pass that cost onto the users of the app as the users are the ones benefitting from the data.

By KE7ZUM on Friday, February 21, 2014 - 16:49

That's true. and I agree. i don't use the app myself, but I'm willing to give it a try once now that they have the monthly subscription I heard some canidian users use it and it's not as good as the us, but hopefully that will improve in time. too bad they cannot integrate the maps of waze in that it willsend map location and data to the servers and they make the correct map edits and send them down to us.

Tc

By alex wallis on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 16:49

Hi, bit of a long shot but thought I would ask, does anyone know if they are testing yet in the UK? I know they advertised for testers last year but I didn't get a reply to my application so obviously didn't get accepted. just wondering if testing has started etc, guessing that people who are testing are probably under NDA, which is understandable but it would be nice to know just yes or no if testing is going on in the UK yet. I do think communication from the developers is terrible though, I know developing a product for the UK and other countries takes time but the app has been out for quite a while now with as far as I know limited at best engagement from the developers with users. As far as I can see developers have added the monthly subscription option and also held a pole for popular features and that's about it no regular news updates from them in the meantime etc. Also it seems to me quite pointless they have a twitter feed as I have asked them questions on twitter several times and never had a reply, and the last time I asked a question was literally seconds after they posted a tweet.

By Michael Hansen on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Version 1.4 is now available in the App Store. Interestingly, the navigation data source has been changed to TomTom.

"What's New in Version 1.4 There are 10 notable changes in Version 1.4 along with a number of other enhancements made under the hood.

Enhancements: • Map and POI content provider changed. • Location Screen: cleanup when ma data was missing. • User interface cleanup for low-vision users. • Reduced search radius for Look-Around Vehicle POIs from 5 miles to 1 mile. • When user goes off-route in addition to the sound effect, "recalculating" will be announced. • When off-rout with no cellular coverage previously you received no warning. Now you will be notified that you may be off-route • Improved messages spoken when you don't have an internet connection and are following a route. • Improved search results when searching for a specific name of a POI.

Bugs Fixed: • Entering the App with no cell connection will cause routes not to work correctly once a network connection is regained."

By Kerby on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 16:49

Is there a way to speed up the speech rate of Seeing Eye Gps' voice? If not, it would be a nice feature to have in the future.

By AnonyMouse on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 1.5

Added an additional Map provider, that can be changed under Settings / General.

By Michael Hansen on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Google Maps was added as a map provider in version 1.5. While using TomTom as my map provider, I noted that the app said my current location was in the upper digits of the address number range on my block. After changing the map provider to Google Maps, Seeing Eye GPS accurately reported my location--right down to the exact address...which is at the very lower range of the numbering for my block. Whether Google Maps will bring a marked increase in accuracy for locations other than my home address I am not yet sure.

Sad that they did not add apple maps since it is the default map. Hope that they use another app beside Fourthsquare. It is not consistent and most of the info is not correct. My home address has another building name. For all of that they need to do a better job for $60 a year.

By Brooke on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

I'll be interested to hear more experiences about whether the accuracy at different addresses has improved. It's the reason I didn't renew for another year; no matter what address I was at, this app always had me several houses down, but other apps would get it right each time.

By alex wallis on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

I have found that with RNIB navigator the app places me several houses from my actual address, but blind square actually gets my address correct.
RNIB navigator is the UK version of this app.

By charles on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

Remember that any GPS app can be inaccurate. If your setting is for an accuracy to within 50 feet, I don't expect 50 foot accuracy. And if this app says, "Accuracy: Within 16 feet", it could be 66 feet off and still be within it's accuracy range.

I do think that the addition of Google maps may be an improvement, but agree with another poster who suggested the use of Apple Maps, which is the built-in map source of iDevices. I have used Apple Maps with no other GPS app running in conjunction, and found that it works pretty wel. The addition of this map source, along with the existing features of this app designed specifically for blind travelers would only be a plus.

By Chelsea on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 16:49

Hi,

I admit I am having a bit of a quandary whether to go with Blind Square or Seeing Eye for my area. However, I wanted to chime in on the recent maps discussion.

Apple uses TomTom for its maps. So because TomTom is already a Seeing Eye provider, wouldn't that imply that Apple maps is covered already?

Secondly, I forgot how to do this, but you can set your home location based on the signal of your WiFi router. That might improve accuracy for those looking to plan a route back home.

Chelsea

By Faerie on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 16:49

recently I tried this app on the month subscription. however on using it, I found that the dirrections it was giving were extremely laggy. For example, it was telling me to turn when I really should have turned five minutes ago. more over, I have not found it on several occations to take me to the right place. I was at my house, and it was telling me to turn around and turn right on a different road that I was no where near. I really, really, really want to like this app, and am hoping it is some error I am making in the operation of the app. I love the dirrections and how easy it is to find places, but as of now I can't rely on it to get me anywhere. does anyone have any thoughts?

By alex wallis on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:49

I hope they offer this in the UK, though sendero don't seem to be updating this app or RNIB navigator that much.

By Fleurppel on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:49

My question, and I'm surprised nobody has asked yet, do you need to be a veteran to purchas the subscription free version? If so, how do you go about showing your veteran status in the appstore?

By alex wallis on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:49

I wouldn't think so, I mean how would such a policy be enforced?
the reason for the naming on this version is simply because they are the organisation who sendero has worked with to bring this version to market, like seeing eye gps, or rnib navigator.

I don't think it would be all that impossible to do the test for approval, surely vets have a registration number from the army or something to that effect. It doesn't really matter if the app is still purchasable though, it's an interesting policy. It's still expensive though so never mind. You're right about the RNIB app, they do this a lot though as a charity, start projects and never really bother carrying them on. We forget, they only help you if you are over 75 and can't do anything for yourself, Really Not Interested In the Blind.

By alex wallis on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:49

The RNIB has only lent its name and funding to the UK version of the app, all the support and development is still done buy sendero, seeing eye gps and navigator are basically the same app accept with a few words changed hear and there so that rotory becomes round about, and I am not sure if we have different map and POI providers in the US and UK, but I don't think we can blame rnib for lack of updates.
Regarding the veterans app, I just don't know who would enforce the policy, I mean you couldn't expect apple to enforce it and how would it be handled if it was done on some kind of registration system I don't think it would be workable.
Anyway we don't have access to it in the UK so as you say it doesn't matter for us directly.

I thought for some reason that the RNIB did some assistance and user testing for the seeing eye app. My fault, mistaken there. I didn't really buy all the hype anyway, I think if you wanted to use something like that, the standalone things are probably better. I'm thinking the breeze or whatever it was called, I', useless at mobility anyway so those apps aren't really any use to me, though I have looked at a few.

By Fleurppel on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:49

For our VA's it is often the case that the phone's are set up for the veterans before instruction begins. In that case, it would be a feasible policy with enforceability. On the other hand, it wouldn't make sense, since this kind of co-op helps raise awareness for the organization.

By Catherine on Sunday, December 21, 2014 - 16:49

I just moved to a new area and have enjoyed using this for going to new places. However, I would not rely on it in a city or part of town that you have no familiarity with. I have noticed some inaccuracy about addresses (telling me my house was across the street from where it actually was) and some delay in telling me when to turn. Others have also mentioned these issues. So while it is helpful and makes me more confident as I travel to a new place, it's not at all fool-proof, and if you have a hunch that it's not quite right about something, listen to your gut.

By AnonyMouse on Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 1.5.3

Added Google POIs (Google Places). Other voiceover improvements.

By AnonyMouse on Monday, March 21, 2016 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 2.1.1

Integrated iOS 9 optimization, now the app loads in half the time.
· Updated the Google Map SDK.
· Added indoor beacons to the POI sources for indoor orientation through Boni’s LoudSteps SDK.
· Added Magic tap gesture to repeat the last spoken route instruction when a route is loaded.
· Added a Repeat button to the route loaded, location and visual map screen when a route is loaded.
· Route instructions are numbered.
· Current route instruction is highlighted in the route details.
· Completely redesigned the visual user interface for low vision users, adding various text and background color themes.
· Replaced the menu buttons with menu tabs.
· Increased text font size.
· Removed the flashing yellow text for app announcements.
· Increased size of Next Turn symbol on route navigation screen.
· Added the ability to select orientation announcement preferences between clock-face & right/left, clock-face, or right/left.

By Holger Fiallo on Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 16:49

Is free or not?

By Michael Hansen on Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hi Holger,

No, Seeing Eye GPS is not free. It's "Free" to download, but it requires an in-app subscription to activate and use.

By Jake on Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 16:49

I already have BlindSquare. Even though they've offered a free trial, after trying it for a while, I don't see why I'd want to subscribe. It doesn't offer anything of value, at least for me, that BlindSquare doesn't and I only had to pay once for that.

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - 16:49

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

What's New in Version 2.5

1. Fixed bugs introduced with iOS 10, including background mode functionality.
2. Ability to receive position from Blindsquare and create a route.
3. Ability to create route to addresses in your Contacts database.
4. Simplified the process of adding a User POI with the following changes:

a) Added a Record User POI gesture, one-finger double tap and hold on the location screen to go directly to the Add User POI screen.
b) Automatically default to the ‘User’ category so that users do not have to do the extra step of selecting a category if they are not going to share user POIs.
c) Create a free-text field for tags so that the user can type their own tags and add further information about the user POI.

5. Added a shortcut gesture, perform a one finger double tap and hold on the POI tab, to go directly to nearest POI screen (only available in VoiceOver is on).
6. Revamp nearest POI search to be more consistent and relative to user’s immediate location.
7. Increased the number of POI's in announced in the LookAround wand.
8. Added a Submenu screen on the location screen to announce less essential information such as altitude, GPS accuracy and speed.
9. Added an accuracy filter for Side of Street indication in routes. Now if the POI has a questionable location, such as in the middle of the street, the app will not announce the side of the street.
10. User Interface improvements include:

a) Streamlined User Interface to reduce duplicate announcements.
b) Fixed the voice over cursor issue.
c) Fixed low vision contrast issues, border color to all buttons.
d) Removed irrelevant POI categories, “points_of_interest” and “street_address.”
e) Added all 4 route types on poi description screen.

By Michelle Foulger on Sunday, January 21, 2018 - 16:49

First, is this application compatible with iPhone 6? The website does not indicate this. Second Can you landmark a specific location, for example, if you are looking for one apartment in a large complex, can you landmark it so that Seeing Eye will direct you to that specific apartment or building?

By alex wallis on Monday, May 21, 2018 - 16:49

Hi all, I have a question about different versions of the seeing eye gps app that exist on the appstore,
sendero group have made this app, plus the rnib navigator app for UK users which are essentially the same app accept with different branding.
recently a friend made me aware of another app that sendero group has made on the appstore, this is called seeing eye gps xt it costs £199 in the UK, but the description for it looks identical to rnib navigator and the seeing eye gps app itself, is anyone familiar with the differences between this app and the normal seeing eye gps app and rnib navigator if any?
I know its an expensive app, but if there are no differences this app version could be better value for money for us than forking out for a yearly subscription, they certainly need to explain what or who this seeing eye gps xt app is aimed at and why the different versions.

The app that has a price shown is the same as the one that is offered for a monthly or yearly subscription price, but it is a lifetime subscription. I used to be supportive of the Sendero Group's app until I found Nearby Explorer. In my opinion, it is a better app at a lower price.

By alex wallis on Monday, May 21, 2018 - 16:49

thanks for that information charles, are you sure about this being a lifetime subscription? I mean have you heard this direct from sendero? the reason I ask is that I did wonder if this might be an app trying to impersonate seeing eye gps, as I found an app doing this a few years ago to knfb reader and it took them a while to sort the issue out after I reported it to the knfb reader developers.
I think it is very disingenuous to not make it clear on both apps that this one off subscription exists, as lets face it, short term yes its cheaper to pay for a subscription, but lets say you subscribe for two or 3 years you will quickly end up paying them far more than if you just buy the app outright. I don't think nearby explorer is available in the UK yet is it? why do you prefer nearby explorer? I do like the fact that rnib navigator which I use in the UK offers road layout descriptions and describes where things are on the clockface. I certainly won't be renewing my rnib navigator subscription after finding this app. I did a search and I have found nearby explorer online but there fully featured nearby explorer app which they reference in the description doesn't appear to be available in the UK.

By Holger Fiallo on Monday, May 21, 2018 - 16:49

Yes it is. I saw this in their web page. That is lot of money.

By alex wallis on Monday, May 21, 2018 - 16:49

its a lot of money yes, but if you think about it long term it makes more sense to buy the app outright than say keep paying for monthly or yearly subscriptions. My point is that I didn't know this app was available, I have had I think its 2 or 3 years worth of rnib navigator subscriptions so it would have been better value for me to buy the app outright.
OK I get maybe if someone doesn't use the app that much it might be better for them to buy the odd month of use here and there, but the yearly subscriptions are not good value especially if you roll over from year to year, I don't use navigator that often, but I got the year subscription just for convenience so when I do need it its available. also, given that they offer this seeing eye gps xt app as a lifetime subscription, I don't see why the rnib navigator apps and the ordinary seeing eye gps app can't offer a lifetime subscription app on there inapp purchase screens, or at least say if you plan to be a longterm user then you should consider buying the seeing eye gps xt app. Its almost like they want to hide this other option of making a one off payment to buy the app.