My wife lost her key to our RAV4 and after many inquiries has not found it yet. Getting a new key is rather pricey.
To avoid a repeat I decided to buy some tracking devices. Based on some reviews, I chose TrackR over Tile.
The results so far have been mixed. My main question is why do so many manufacturers make their product hard to use. There is a large amount of literature about human interface design.
After having one round-about success with one TrackR and a bust with a second, I wrote the following review on the Best Buy website. I also left some comments on the TrackR website but have yet to hear back from them.
My comment is also posted at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/trackr-bravo-tracking-device-set-silver/5404500.p?skuId=5404500&cmp=RMX&reviewid=115333799&campaignid=rvwapp20161714#tabbed-customerreviews
I found the iPhone App somewhat unresponsive and confusing to use. For example, it was several minutes before the app would respond the first time I opened it. Then buttons didn't seem to work until I had maneuvered over the screens a bit.
The main screen is not intuitive. It is divided into three overlapping parts: A summary of four items, a display with a map for where the the device is located (or the iPhone), and a summary of devices. The selection of the overlapping parts is a stack fo three lines to go between the first and second part and three vertical dots to go between the second and third parts. Why not double arrows?
The second TrackR I installed worked OK, but it would not respond after it left the house and returned. Bluetooth settings don't recognize it inches away.
Also, the iPhone settings give tkr as the name of all TrackR devices installed.
Back to the workbench to get this straightened out, hopefully in a day or two,
Showing posts with label difficult to use. Show all posts
Showing posts with label difficult to use. Show all posts
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Unsafe safety features
Sometimes in the name of safety, designers can create unsafe conditions.
I was reminded of this again in dealing with one of my pet peeves, gas cans that are not easy to use.
I've written about this issue before in "Misguided safety measures" and "Tired of pouring gas on your shoes?"
I thought that I had found a better solution with No-Spill gas cans from Denny's Lawn and Garden. Instead of a stopper within the cap, they had a push-button to control the flow out the spout.
In general, the No-Spill cans work as advertised. Apparently earlier models still dripped through the seal between the spout and the can. I don't recall having that problem.
However, like all the "safety" cans, they can be very frustrating when filling them.
First, it is a real pain to get the spout off, especially in cold weather while wearing gloves. The ratchet lock is very difficult to release and can take both thumbs to release. Last weekend I used a tack puller to get enough leverage to push the lock in.
Second, once the can is full, it takes many efforts to get the spout back on. It goes on crooked more easily than it goes on straight. I find this disconcerting and curious. The threads are rather coarse and one would think the spout should go on with the first attempt.
Frustrations like this lead to carelessness. Carelessness can lead to improper use. Improper use can lead to unsafe conditions, creating conditions that "safety" designs were supposed to eliminate.
I still haven't found a gas can design that is better than the 5-liter steel "Jerry can" I bought in Sweden over thirty years ago. I only stopped using it because I couldn't replace the cork seal. I still have it in a shed at our cabin. I can't remember all the details of the design, but the spout was held on with a lever that locked on each side. Pull up and you could take the spout off. Push down and you locked the spout in place.
I was reminded of this again in dealing with one of my pet peeves, gas cans that are not easy to use.
I've written about this issue before in "Misguided safety measures" and "Tired of pouring gas on your shoes?"
I thought that I had found a better solution with No-Spill gas cans from Denny's Lawn and Garden. Instead of a stopper within the cap, they had a push-button to control the flow out the spout.
In general, the No-Spill cans work as advertised. Apparently earlier models still dripped through the seal between the spout and the can. I don't recall having that problem.
However, like all the "safety" cans, they can be very frustrating when filling them.
First, it is a real pain to get the spout off, especially in cold weather while wearing gloves. The ratchet lock is very difficult to release and can take both thumbs to release. Last weekend I used a tack puller to get enough leverage to push the lock in.
Second, once the can is full, it takes many efforts to get the spout back on. It goes on crooked more easily than it goes on straight. I find this disconcerting and curious. The threads are rather coarse and one would think the spout should go on with the first attempt.
Frustrations like this lead to carelessness. Carelessness can lead to improper use. Improper use can lead to unsafe conditions, creating conditions that "safety" designs were supposed to eliminate.
I still haven't found a gas can design that is better than the 5-liter steel "Jerry can" I bought in Sweden over thirty years ago. I only stopped using it because I couldn't replace the cork seal. I still have it in a shed at our cabin. I can't remember all the details of the design, but the spout was held on with a lever that locked on each side. Pull up and you could take the spout off. Push down and you locked the spout in place.
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