The MonoMouse family

Jane Macnaughton reports on the expanding range of video magnifiers

Last year, I reported on the usefulness of the MonoMouse from Bierley (optician, July 22, 2005).

Not only was it, in my view, remarkable in terms of affordability, meaning that a good electronic magnifier system was available to the visually impaired, even those with limited means, but it is also very simple to install and use. Technophobes need have no fear.

Conversely, I also noted that, at the time, there was no image reversal function as with most other electronic systems. At the time, I had been told by the supplier, Bierley, that this was in development along with a USB connector version and a colour version. I am pleased to report that these developments are now available.

Image reversal

There are now six MonoMouse products. The original MonoMouse had one slight drawback in that without image reversal, the product would be of limited use to a large number of users who benefit from image.

By reversing the contrast from black on white, to white on black, there is a reduction in light scatter within the eye which will improve performance in those patients who have media opacities or who are photosensitive. However, after feedback, the Bierley team is to be commended in the swift introduction of the MonoMouse RM so soon after the introduction of the original.

As with the original, the unit simply plugs into a television and the image sent through the hand piece may be viewed via the video channel (which is usually the default channel whenever a Scart connected appliance is active). The unit is activated with a big blue button (Figure 1), but the RM has a second button which allows the user to change from a standard to a reverse contrast or an enhanced image. Keeping the control buttons to a minimum makes it very user friendly.

The ColourMouse is as easy to use as expected and provides a good quality colour image on screen. It is also now available with a reverse contrast facility (ColourMouse RM) and, for those who require a colour target (a classic example might be for topographical map interpretation) this is a useful device indeed.

Although the more expensive of the two, the ColourMouse RM has the small second button (easily seen by a visually impaired person) which switches the image into image reversal mode (white on black). So the benefits of colour and image reversal can be enjoyed in a single device.

Portability and Easy set up

The USB device allows an image to be shown on a laptop or desktop. Laptop projection gives an extra element of portability as, in theory, a user could carry the system around in a laptop bag to a library, for example.

The unit is, as with most modern USB devices, very easy to install. The installation disc is easy to follow, although I have to admit that at times I was not absolutely clear what I was adjusting. The whole set up took exactly five minutes and would not, I feel, present any difficulties for an inexperienced PC user.

When the software is activated, a pop-up window is launched and the image captured is within that window. The pop-up window gave me a very clear, crisp image.

The window can be resized easily and resizing will alter the magnification. It can be miniaturised like any other window so that it can be left running all the time other applications are running. I liked the fact that you can run this while using other applications on your laptop or desktop and I could see how a visually impaired person undertaking office work would find this flexibility useful.

I ran the unit on my Vaio laptop which, with an 11.5in screen, gave me a maximum magnification I estimated at nine times. My larger desktop gave a slightly bigger magnification. As with any TV or computer-based unit, the screen size and resolution is a limiting factor.

Importantly, there does not seem to be any significant blur when you move the mouse across the page, something that has been a problem with some projector systems. The mouse is the same design as those used in all products and is very comfortable to use.

The large blue button on the centre of the mouse, which is distinctive on all Bierley products, clearly separates it from my usual mouse which needed to be kept running at the same time. Sometimes these simple confusions appear trivial but may be a constant source of frustration to the visually impaired patient.

It is so easy to use that I feel it may be a useful extra tool for children with vision difficulties.

A zoom capability would make it easier to resize the image rather than actually resizing the pop-up window, as resizing the pop-up window can cause distortion of the image unless realigned diagonally. If not, the image becomes vertically or horizontally stretched. As yet, neither of the USB units has reverse contrast capability, but I am confident this will be just a matter of time.

* Jane Macnaughton is a visiting lecturer at City University, London and the proprietor of Clearview Training