Several years ago, I told my low vision ophthalmologist that I was having trouble with reading paper materials and that traditional magnifiers frequently hurt my eyes due to the glare and reflection from classroom lights on the ceiling. They asked me if I had ever tried using a video or electronic magnifier for reading printed materials, and then told me all about the Eschenbach SmartLux Digital video magnifier, which was their favorite tool to recommend to patients with low vision. After trying out a few other video magnifiers and reading their reviews, I decided that I liked the SmartLux Digital the best and we purchased it later that week. I’ve been using the device since then, and today I will be talking all about the Eschenbach SmartLux video magnifier and how I use it with low vision.
The SmartLux Digital is a type of portable video magnifier made by Eschenbach that uses a camera and a screen to enlarge text and images so that they are easier to see. The SmartLux Digital is fairly small in size, with a five-inch display and approximately eight-ounce weight, and can easily be stored in a backpack or purse for people who need to read text or enlarge images while on the go or in a variety of different environments.
There are several options for purchasing the Eschenbach SmartLux Digital, as well as options for receiving the device at a free or reduced cost:
The SmartLux Digital measures 6.5 inches in length, 3.5 inches in width, and 1.25 inches in height, and comes with a protective case for the device to be stored in when not in use. The device has a 5-inch LCD display that is hard-coated to prevent damage and has an additional layer of anti-glare film that makes it easier for users to read information in bright sunlight.
The SmartLux Digital has a battery life of approximately 2 hours and can be recharged with the included power cable. Make sure to charge the device prior to its first use.
There are a few different ways to hold the SmartLux Digital magnifier for materials:
The device can automatically sense what operation is in use, and the user does not have to select any options on the screen to switch between the various modes.
The SmartLux Digital has four buttons that are marked with tactile symbols so that they are easier to locate. These buttons include:
Display settings for the SmartLux Digital are automatically saved when the device is powered off, so users do not have to adjust settings every time they use the device.
There are several different contrast settings for the images, which can be activated by pressing the contrast button until the desired color settings are located. The contrast options include:
Users can also turn the LED lights on the bottom of the device on/off by holding the contrast button for three seconds.
Users can switch between magnification levels by pressing the magnification button, which displays the various magnification levels. The display brightness can also be adjusted by pressing and holding the magnification button down, and releasing the button when the desired brightness level is displayed
For contact and writing operation, the magnification levels are as follows:
For handheld or lanyard operation, the magnification levels are lower and measure at approximately the following values:
For users who want to look at a still image from the display, the photo button allows users to either temporarily freeze the screen to look at an image, or to save up to 20 images to the device gallery.
To temporarily freeze an image:
To save an image:
To access the device gallery:
By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com
Post updated July 2023; original post December 2016
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