FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact: Brad Davis
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com
Sales: info@FreedomScientific.com

Freedom Scientific Announces New Low Vision Magnifiers

TOPAZ Line Gets New Look and Breakthrough Capabilities

(St. Petersburg, Florida – March 15, 2011) – Freedom Scientific, the world leader in assistive technology products for the blind and those with low vision, today announced a complete update of its popular TOPAZ® line of video magnifiers. The new TOPAZ and TOPAZ XL desktop video magnifiers make for easy reading of a wide variety of printed material, including numbers in the phone book, labels on prescription bottles, tiny printed contracts, bills, and much more. Widescreen 20-inch, 22-inch, and 24-inch models fit more magnified text on the screen than ever before. A large illuminated working area, wider field of view, and deeper range of focus make sewing, painting, repairing items, and other non-reading activities easier as well. The products feature a modern design with easy-to-learn controls, and the TOPAZ XL models provide productivity features heretofore unavailable to low vision computer users.

Other video magnifiers can share their monitor with a PC to save desk space, but the TOPAZ XL goes beyond that. With Freedom Scientific’s optional GEM™ software, low vision users can bring the magnified image to their PC, control the TOPAZ XL from the keyboard, and work in multiple split screen views so that they see their magnified document and their application at the same time. Users can quickly capture multiple images, review them with a single keystroke, and select which ones to save.

“There are more than 10 million Americans with low vision and over 100 million worldwide,” said Dr. Lee Hamilton, President of Freedom Scientific. “These numbers are growing as the population ages. Products like these help people maintain their independence and privacy by reading their own mail, handling their own finances, and doing things for themselves. These new TOPAZ products complement our other low vision products and are particularly gratifying, because they go beyond reading to support pursuits like crafts and hobbies and provide a new level of productivity for low vision computer users.”

 Man using the new TOPAZ to magnify a magazine page

The sleek design of the new TOPAZ fits in any modern home or work environment
Side view of the new TOPAZ, showing the raised monitor

The monitor raises and lowers and swivels 180 degrees side to side

Pricing and Availability

The new TOPAZ models range in price from $1995 to $3695, depending on monitor size and feature set.
For complete specifications and pricing details, visit www.FreedomScientific.com or contact Freedom Scientific at 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000. The products will begin shipping in April 2011.

Freedom Scientific offers a broad range of technology solutions for those with low vision, including:

  • MAGic® screen magnification software
  • RUBY® and SAPPHIRE® handheld video magnifiers
  • ONYX® portable distance, document, and self view cameras
  • PEARL® OCR camera with OpenBook® and the SARA™ and SARA CE scanning and reading appliances for both blind and low vision users.

About Freedom Scientific

Freedom Scientific is the leading worldwide provider of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. The Company sells its products worldwide and has offices in Florida and Switzerland. The Company’s products have been translated into 24 languages and are available in 55 countries. Freedom also has a line of software products for those with learning disabilities.

Freedom Scientific®, TOPAZ® GEM™, MAGic®, RUBY®, SAPPHIRE®, ONYX®, PEARL®, OpenBook®, and SARA™ are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.