Ash Technologies Ltd.

B5, M7 Business Park
Naas, County Kildare Ireland
Telephone: +353.45.8822.12.
Fax: +353.45.8822.14.
Web: http://www.ashtech.ie.
Email: hugh@ashtech.ie.

Products manufactured by Ash Technologies Ltd. (listed alphabetically)

1. ANDROMEDA

   Andromeda is a portable video magnifier designed for use in reading by individuals with low vision. This video magnifier has a large reading table and a TFT (thin film transistor) flat screen. It magnifies documents three to fifty times with continuous zoom and an overview mode for easy orientation. It has three focus modes (full auto-focus, push-to-focus, and manual focus) and a selection of display modes, including full color, enhanced (high contrast) black on white and white on black modes, and built-in and user-programmable semi-color modes. Line markers enable easier reading. The refresh rate of the TFT screen is 0 Herz, with no flicker. This video magnifier supports an external computer VGA video display and PAL/NTSC video inputs. It is ergonomically designed for comfortable reading, with a low-profile reading table and a tiltable monitor. POWER: Uses 100-240 volts alternating current (AC). DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 20.9 x 16.9 x 21.2 inches when set up and 7.5 x 16.5 x 17.7 inches when collapsed. The reading table surface is 13.4 inches long x 15.6 inches wide. The flat screen display measures 15 inches diagonally.

2. CRYSTAL

   The Crystal is a handheld video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It is designed to resemble a traditional handheld illuminated optical magnifier in shape, dimensions, and weight. The Crystal has an AMOLED screen with 3 levels of magnification: 3x, 4.5x and 6x. Viewing modes include true color, black on white, white on black, and semi-color (the default is yellow on black). There is a freeze frame function. The camera is positioned centrally under the display, with LED lighting which can be switched off. POWER: Uses rechargeable batteries, which last approximately 4 hours in negative mode and approximately 3 hours in full color mode. Recharging time is 2.5 hours. The unit switches itself off automatically after 8 minutes of non-use . DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 7.5 x 2.5 x 1.1 inches. The display is 3.4 inches wide. WEIGHT: 5.7 ounces.

3. ECLIPSE

   Eclipse is a desktop video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. This desktop CCTV has a high-resolution color liquid crystal display (LCD) flat-panel monitor with user-adjustable tilt-angle viewing. The unit collapses to a compact size for transport. Features include auto focus and electronic zoom magnification from three to 50 times in full color, black-and-white, white-on-black, or foreground/background color displays. It has a moveable x/y table, a forward-mounted camera, and tactile touch button controls located on the front panel. OPTIONS: Hardsided fiberglass roller-wheel case. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 20.9 x 16.9 x 21.2 inches. Collapsed dimensions are 7.4 x 16.1 x 17.7 inches. The display measures 15 inches diagonally. The reading table surface (LxW) is 13.4 x 15.6 inches. WEIGHT: 20 pounds. WARRANTY: Two-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

4. LIBERTY COLOR

   The Liberty Color is a portable video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It consists of a mouse-camera unit and a flat screen display unit with a high contrast thin-film transistor (TFT) display. The display's angle can be adjusted to enable the user to achieve an ergonomic reading position. Images can be displayed in full color photo mode, enhanced black/white or white/black mode, or in a user-programmable semi-color mode with a choice of foreground and background colors. Due to the use of TFT technology, there is no picture tube related flicker. Images can be viewed in an overview mode, which enables easy orientation, and a "text-stretch" mode, which produces more readable text. Magnification on the flat screen display ranges from five to ten times in 3:4 mode, six to 12 times in text-stretch mode, and one to five times in overview mode. When the camera unit is connected to a 17-inch VGA monitor, magnification ranges from 12.5 to 25 times (one to ten times in overview mode). This video magnifier has an integral tilt handle and carrying case. POWER: Uses nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery with low battery warning for over two hours of mobile use, or alternating current (AC) adapter. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): Display unit is 16 x 5 x 22.5 centimeters; mouse-camera unit is 56 x 110 x 50 millimeters. TFT display measures 7 inches (15 centimeters) diagonally. WEIGHT: Display is 1.4 kilograms; mouse-camera is 85 grams.

5. LIBERTY PLUS

   The Liberty Plus is a portable video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It has a high contrast, glare-free TFT (thin-film transistor) Active Matrix flat screen display and an ergonomic mouse camera with a zoom lens for continuous magnification from eight to 16 times. The camera has a digital zoom feature providing an additional two or four times enlargement of the magnification level. Images can be viewed in positive (black on white), negative (white on black), and photo display modes. Other image enhancement features include adjustable brightness and contrast, and ten text/background color options. The screen has a low flicker image without reflections, and is on an adjustable tilt-angle viewing stand. The camera also has a VGA video-out port for connection to a 14-, 17-, or 21-inch computer monitor. This video magnifier comes with a hardsided briefcase-style carrying case. POWER: Uses rechargeable lithium-ion (NiMH) battery for up to three hours of portable use, or plug-in power adapter. The unit has a low battery warning light. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): Monitor unit, 12.5 x 8.75 x 2.25 inches; camera unit, 4.25 x 2 x 2 1/8 inches. The flat screen display measures 10.4 inches diagonally. WEIGHT: Monitor unit, 5.9 pounds; camera unit, 4 ounces.

6. LIBERTY SOLO

   The Liberty Solo is a video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It consists of a mouse camera unit and a large color TFT (thin film transistor) flat screen display. The screen is tiltable to allow the user to choose an ergonomic reading position. Text can be viewed in high contrast reading modes and user-programmable semi-color modes. The camera has an overview mode that allows the user to look at text, photos, and graphics from a distance or even at his or her own face. The flat screen display has a second video input port for another camera, such as one focused on a blackboard or Ash Technologies' Prisma (see separate entry). The camera also has VGA output for connecting to a computer monitor. A handwriting stand is included that facilitates handwriting, and also enables reading in smaller magnifications. A soft backpack or hard carrying case are included. POWER: Uses user-replaceable batteries. DIMENSION: TFT screen is 12 inches.

7. PRISMA

   Prisma is a portable video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. This video magnifier can be attached to most standard television monitors using the television set's video input feature or a Video RF Modulator box from Radio Shack. This video magnifier has a variable magnification range of four to 35 times when connected to a 14-inch monitor, and six to 53 times when connected to a 20-inch monitor. This portable magnifier can be used at home, school, work, and other locations. Its digital camera is highly sensitive to ambient light, providing a high contrast image in most settings. To accommodate low light environments, this video magnifier features discrete assistive white lights that enhance image contrast without creating glare or reflections. Users can choose to view the magnified image as white letters on a black background, or black letters on a white background. This video magnifier is designed with an ergonomic and modern appearance. It comes with a hardsided briefcase for carrying. OPTIONS: PC monitor or TV monitor model. DIMENSIONS: 2.5 inches in height. WEIGHT: 3 pounds.

8. PRISMA VISION

   Prisma Vision is a portable video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. This desktop-style magnifier has a color TFT (thin-film transistor) flat screen display. It magnifies documents from two to 17 times, and allows desktop-style reading and writing. Users can choose to view images in full color, positive mode (black letters on a white background), negative mode (white letters on a black background), or user-selected text and background colors. A tilt stand allows the user to set a comfortable reading angle and distance for the display panel. Images can also be viewed by connecting to a 14-, 17-, or 21-inch VGA monitor. Other features include non-glare white LED lights and a VGA computer monitor connector. A hardsided briefcase is included for transport and storage. POWER: Uses internal rechargeable battery or alternating current (AC) power adapter. OPTIONS: TV accessory kit to allow the device to be directly connected to most television monitors. DIMENSIONS: Flat panel display is 7.1 inches. WEIGHT: 7.5 pounds. WARRANTY: One-year limited parts and labor warranty.

9. QUICKLOOK CLASSIC

   Quicklook Classic is a handheld video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. This electronic magnifier has a built-in color TFT (thin-film transistor) liquid crystal display (LCD), with magnification ranging from 2 to 5.5 times original size. Images can be viewed in full color, black and white, or reverse black and white, with four contrast levels to enhance the image. The magnifier can be turned on by tilting the camera module. It comes with a neck strap and a protective leatherette carrying case with a belt clip. POWER: Uses built-in lithium ion rechargeable battery for one hour and 15 minutes of continuous use. A Mains charger is included with charge time of two to three hours. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1.1 x 6.5 x 3.7 inches, with 4-inch TFT display. WEIGHT: 10 ounces. WARRANTY: One year limited warranty on parts and labor.

10. QUICKLOOK FOCUS

    The Quicklook Focus is a handheld video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. Its pushbutton autofocus electronic lens automatically adjusts to focus on objects from arm’s length to up close. The user can also select manual focus. The magnification goes from 3X to 18X in nine steps. A flip-out camera can be focused on the user's hand while writing or signing forms. The display is a high brightness LCD with a 16:9 ratio. Display modes include full color and high contrast reading modes with 56 color options. Illumination can be turned off to let the user read mobile phone or other displays. The freeze function can capture images for closer examination or for carrying to another location. There is an on-screen menu. POWER: Uses rechargeable battery with 4 to 7 hour run time and 3 hour charge time. DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 6.7 x 3.7 x 1.1 inches. The display is 4.3 inches wide. WEIGHT 8.4 ounces.

11. QUICKLOOK ZOOM

    The Quicklook Zoom is a handheld video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It has a 16:9 aspect, TFT liquid crystal display screen with 3x to 18x digital magnification, 6 brightness levels for image enhancement, freeze frame, and flip camera writing mode. The Quicklook Zoom offers display options that include color, black and white,and reverse image, with multiple semi-color text and background choices. The unit has a rubberized grip for holding. A case is included. POWER: Uses Custom single cell lithium ion battery with 4 to 7 hour run time and 3 hour recharge time. There is a battery status indicator and a battery saver automatic power off feature. DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 6.5 x 3.75 x 1 inches. The display is 4.3 inches wide. WEIGHT: 8.8 ounces. WARRANTY: Two year limited warranty; one year warranty on battery.

12. TVI COLOUR

    The TVi Colour is a closed circuit television (CCTV) video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. It can be used to magnify text or photos. It consists of a control box and a small TV camera in an ergonomic, handheld "mouse." The camera incorporates a zoom lens which allows the level of magnification to be altered without refocussing. The magnified image is displayed on a standard television in high contrast black-on-white or white-on-black for text, or in full-color photo mode for photographs. The mouse has rollers which facilitate easy scanning of text, allowing difficult-to-read items such as medicine bottles or cooking instructions on food containers to be magnified easily. An exposure control helps to enhance poor quality text. An overview mode can be used for orientation or for tasks such as looking at one's own face. All functions can be controlled from the mouse. OPTIONS: A handwriting stand is available. DIMENSIONS: Control box is 1.4 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches; camera unit is 2.2 x 4.3 x 2 inches. WEIGHT: Total device (control unit plus damera unit), 1 pound 3 ounces; camera unit alone, 4 ounces.

See Ash Technologies Ltd. products that are no longer available.