CloverBook Pro - Full Review - Best Video Magnifier?

This is The Blind Life review of the CloverBook Pro!
CloverBook Pro, from SightCare, offers a large, 12.5-inch FHD screen with full-page text-to-speech scanning; all in a light, foldable, extremely portable unit, complete with an attractive protective carry case. CloverBook Pro is powerful but simple to use; with traditional (tactile) controls, like magnification and contrast knobs. It also has a touchscreen for people who prefer to use that.
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[@nearly-blindbrian8372]

that would have changed my life as a student.. Glad to see things like this are available to people now. As always, thanks Sam!

[@daiseyleightide7370]

Did you go to JSU?

[@nearly-blindbrian8372]

@@daiseyleightide7370 No, UCF

[@jaysmaldo8230]

This for sure would’ve been all the difference when I was a student I had to go through high school with my 1992 black and white Reading system device For about the same price this new technology is today I hope kids can have access to it and have an easy path to high school and college Thank you very much for sharing

[@jub8891]

a device like this would be useful for studying.. thank you for the review!

[@karenmac7990]

Great device with heaps of options. Thanks for a great video.

[@palmervision2766]

Palmer Vision loves this device! Lots of satisfied clients. Thanks Sam

[@Invisible_Hermit]

Hi Sam, this isn't my first comment on one of your videos, as I've been watching them for several years. Let me first say a huge THANK YOU for all that you do here! I will be 60 this year, and have been legally blind (or LFB, as I call it; you can guess what the F is for!) my entire life. As others have stated, this would have revolutionized my school experience, especially high school way back when! (Class of '82 here!) School for me was a complete nightmare. I couldn't see the chalkboard, even from the front row; most of my textbooks were impossible to read; and mimiographed handouts were a compete joke, and I think the smell had us all high! 🤣 Now, just imagine how a sweet little device like this could have completely made my life in school SO MUCH EASIER!!! Time machine time!!! That being said, I am truly grateful that such a thing now exists, so that visually impaired kids today don't have to go through the trauma that I experienced. NO EXCUSES, KIDS! I have never owned a CCTV before, as the cost was just beyond my budget. However, after watching your review and doing some homework, I purchased the Snow 12 yesterday, (much more affordable, and is two devices in one!) which should be great for all my needs, especially being someone who loves to read. I think our "illustrious" government here in the US needs to find some way to budget for one of these for every visually impaired kid in school. We see all kinds of wheelchair ramps, assistance for the hearing impaired, etc. Yet, there is so little out there in the public square (STILL) to assist those of us who don't see, or don't see well. This really needs to be something done on a global basis for kids everywhere! Thanks again, Sam, and many blessings to you and your lovely family. 🙏

[@keybubba]

How did the snow 12 work for you? Did you like it?

[@VisionForwardTechConnect]

That dual screen setup is mad! I love it haha

[@StanleyVB_20]

Great review. Replaceable (recyclable) batteries make lots of sense.

[@MissouriMatt54]

That is an amazing device. Thank you for sharing it with us. I grew up very fortunate to have a V-Tech CCTV in middle school, and also access to a Kurzweil Reading machine Model 2, at the local library.

[@theblindlife]

Thank you for your reply to the other comment that was talking about expensive devices. Sometimes I get tired of explaining that all the time!

[@ahmadalnobani]

@@theblindlife. Hi Sam, Thank you for the great content on KZbin. I have a question, and I am wondering whether you can help me. Do you know of any magnifier that I can stick at the lower end of my PC monitor and can be connected to it with an HDMI cable? So instead of having two monitors on my desk, I could use the same monitor for my PC as well as reading from the Magnifier. I would greatly appreciate your response.

[@deannabruce6192]

wow!!!! I love this. Thank you for sharing

[@bzobzo2359]

Looks awesome, I love the matt screen and the camera that could certainly help me to put on semi-decent make-up haha.

[@heidicook2395]

This is wonderful. Thanks Sam.

[@deaconwarren8610]

You prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

[@rylandreuben2250]

@Deacon Warren instablaster :)

[@theblindtrader7358]

I would use this every day awesome

[@hammad8894]

As a student this device is perfect for me Love form India

[@palmervision2766]

This is a great device for students and has been used by several this last semester in the state of Georgia and Alabama. If you have any questions let me know, Adam Palmer

[@dr.sakilgulampatel2071]

How can I buy from India

[@janchappe]

Hello sam my name is Jolie I have stargarts just like you.I am9 years old.THANK you for this video. And thank you for telling us abou the clover book this will help a lot!

[@michikon.704]

I am from Japan and I can’t understand English a lot. But I like your youtube, always helpful information. This is the so nice product, I like that.but we can’t purchase it in Japan yet. I wish some company sell it near future.

[@theblindlife]

Thank you so much, I would love to come visit your country in the future!

[@janamelodyappleby6905]

Hi Sam! How are you, your wife and daughter doing? Keeping well and safe? Oh my GOODNESS! I share your opinion 100%! This is amazing and definitely DEFINITELY one of the best I have ever seen ~ abd I have been a fan of yours for quite awhile AND subscribed to your channel for quite a while too! I hope you have a lovely weekend with your family and to keep safe!! (Smiley face emoji)

[@theblindlife]

Thanks!

[@staceyschultzburger563]

Very impressive device. Great review!

[@janchappe]

THANK YOU

[@tjdixon82]

Thanks Sam. For those in U.K. watching. VisionAid stock the clover book range. I believe pricing isn’t quite as scary as the US

[@theblindlife]

Thanks for that info!

[@Chinmoy348]

Wow what a fantastic device it is!.is there voice fit back for highvission?

[@mrsteresa1999]

I love it

[@tishaholliman7454]

Nice!!!!

[@FlorecitaFeliz]

If I had it when I studied, I would have done great.

[@CaliforniaUnearthed]

I have to say, the price is a little high but not horrible. It is do able if they do payments. I have been looking for something like this, since I have a library at home and do historical research at the local historical society. This would be a game changer for me for research.

[@LydiaWong-iy3hx]

Then I strongly recommend you the SNOW 12, it's perfect for reading on an affordable price☺

[@chandrasekharsurampudi3648]

Hey Sam that was a great Video review thanks but i always wanted to ask you a queston untle now you have done many gadget reviews anx personally Ehich brand desk top magnifier do you like and why?

[@danaguthrie6740]

Hi - can you hook up one displays to a chrome box so you can switch from computer to ccvt? thanks Dana

[@VisionForwardTechConnect]

Hey Sam, great video as usual. I was wondering about the live panning feature. How much are you able to pan? I assume you can't pan the width of an 8.5x11?

[@theblindlife]

Oh man, of course you would ask me a technical question after I’ve already packed it all up back in its box, LOL! It’s a digital pan so you do need to be zoomed in for it to work. Obviously, the more you zoom in the more it will pan. Not sure of its total panning distance though.

[@VisionForwardTechConnect]

@@theblindlife Haha no worries! I assume it's similar to the Visolux XL FHD pan, just wanted to check.

[@sandsollom65]

I have cloverbook pro and I like it a lot but I haven't had it long so I need to practise. I am an artist and this device is giving back some of what I have lost with my progressive condition. One thing I would like to do and don't know if it is possible, when I am looking at a picture, or a self image can I improbe the contrast. sharpen it up?

[@user-re1eo2ns8r]

Hi Sam, can you take a picture with the distance camera, freeze it, and change the color contrast in the screen? I’m thinking of being in the audience of a presentation and taking a picture of the screen then changing the magnification and contrast. Thx!

[@Sora5024]

Hi, first of all thanks for the video. I have low vision and thinking about getting one of the 12.5 video magnifiers with stand to read books. I have 5 inch one from a different brand but couldn't get used to it since need to move it all the time. Which 12.5 magnifier you reconmand the most? What about the build qualities of these devices. Should stick with one more than 5 years?. My boyfriend who uses 5inch magnifier has to buy new magnifier every 2 years. Maybe it is because of the unknown brand or the battery I dont know but I want it to last long time. Approximately how many years these devices last? I wish I would have one of these when I was a student maybe I could learn maths and geometry better 🤣 I am inbetween light version and snow 12 which one should I pick or if you recommand another one? Does these video magnifiers has changable batteries since the most seen problem of thwse devices are the batteries. Thank you very much for great videos :)

[@pauljohns8215]

when are you coming to Australia?

[@DukeSar77]

I watched this review and was super excited to get one of these now that I finally have the money. But I am pretty upset that the camera refresh rate creates so much lag when trying to write. :( I cried.

[@miltcharlton2645]

Magnification with USB webcam software? Does anyone here know of PC software for USB webcams that allows magnification, pan and tilt of magnified images? This is for low vision reading of print. Ipevo Visualizer does this but some features do not work with generic webcams. Thanks

[@jalilcomayog]

Hi. Sam, i would like to ask how to order heare at the Philippines?

[@lhamil64]

It looks like it was just a standard HDMI output for the second screen? So you could use any external display to get the same split screen features? Or even use the second display to connect to some other device like a laptop to take notes or something while magnifying on the other screen.

[@theblindlife]

Yes, seems so.

[@nancyfregalado1468]

Thank you great presentation! Is it possible to adjust the reading speed of the OCR? Second question can it read OCR from French or other languages. Thanks for your help!

[@theblindlife]

I’m afraid I no longer have the device so I can’t check on those for you. I would recommend reaching out to the distributor to get that information.

[@nana-be4uz]

The answer of both of your questions is yes.

[@sungcincinnati]

hi does it lag wien u write under?

[@deronsworld5384]

What do you think about on screen fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 13 coming soon and if you’re going to get one. Because I’m a big fan of the fingerprint scanner I’m using an iPhone 11 right now and I hate the Face ID. I’m totally blind

[@theblindlife]

I have an in screen fingerprint scanner on my Samsung galaxy S 10+ and it works pretty well, most of the time! If the New iPhone has one coming out, it Hass to be better than Face ID!

[@KnightsTime]

Great product. Do they have layaway? Kidding of course.

[@theblindlife]

They may, wouldn’t hurt to ask!

[@Phoenix411th]

Wish I had this in high school the 1 I had was really big It was as big as a playstation five And a case that came with it Was like a deployment bag So I wouldn't be able to take it from class to class And it took ten minutes to set up

[@amandamills4133]

how is it for riding under? This is something you also can't do with portable units. If it isn't great for that do you have any recommendations on one that is. Everybody talks about reading with them, but nobody ever discusses riding with them which can be just as important

[@theblindlife]

The little bit of writing that I tested worked very well.

[@philharmonicusa]

If you had to pick between this device and eSight 4, which is better?

[@theblindlife]

You should check out my eSight 4 video to see what I think about it. Those have never worked for me. So, I would say the clover book would be my choice.

[@VisionForwardTechConnect]

One more question: I assume the distance camera charges when you plug the main unit in, i.e. doesn't require separate charging?

[@codymitchell1282]

That's correct. The distance camera runs off of the magnifier's user replaceable battery so there is no need to charge it separately.

[@VisionForwardTechConnect]

@@codymitchell1282 Excellent!

[@theblindlife]

Cody’s doing my job for me, thanks!

[@ishyandmikkischannel8811]

This was provided in Sept 2022 to a 10 year old child because his school doesn't provide screen sharing for the visually impaired. The visually impaired student had already been using an Eschenbach Visionlux XL FHD provided by the parent since Christmas 2021. The parent had provided this because the school didn't provide the child with appropriately modified materials in either print or electronic format. So the child already had half a year's experience in using similar technology. So here are the Pro and Cons: 1. CloverBook Pro with 2nd monitor is comprehensive including the camera (the Eschenbach Visolux XL FHD doesnt) 2. The CloverBook Pro is about 3 times heavier than the Eschenbach Visolux XL FHD 3. The height of the CloverBook Pro means that book pages can be flipped without moving the device. This is in contrast to the Eschenbach. So that's a big advantage of the CloverBook. The Eschenbach does come with an optional stand, but using it is difficult plus introduces shadows on the book as the lighting is not designed for its use. 4. Both the Cloverbook Pro and the Eschenbach are touch screen with very similar functionality. 5. The Cloverbook Pro can do more due to the inbuilt stand and the attached camera. The Eschenbach is more portable. 6. The Cloverbook Pro's 2nd HDMI monitor is very lightweight and doesn't need an independent power lead to work. This is very helpful. However this monitor stopped working after only 3 to 4 use cases and is now being replaced. The CloverBook Pro will work with other HDMI monitors but you will have to carry another power cable. It remains to be seen if the 2nd monitor will work even after being replaced. Finally the 2 biggest cons are dependent on the user: A. The Cloverbook Pro is heavy. A visually impaired child, say 10 years old, moving from classroom to classroom with other necessary laptops and school bags will find this much heavier than the Eschenbach. The 10 year old could easily be lugging far more weight plus be strained to set up and pack up - while rushing from classroom to classroom. (In the UK there is no help for such children. Parents must fund the solution. So this additional functionality creates further demands and stresses on the child). B. The height of the CloverBook Pro is not adjustable. It cannot work for those under say 168cm or 5 foot 6 inches. In the case of the 10 year child provided the CloverBook by the parent, the child couldn't use the magnifier because of the lack of height adjustablr chairs at the school - and with the school not providing chair heights. After a few weeks the parent provided the child with 2 firm cushions to raise his height so he could see the magnifier. The school had claimed he could but it was demonstrated to them that it was impossible. So now the child lugs the CloverBook Pro, his laptop, the 2nd monitor, the various chargers and cables, and the 2 cushions from classroom to classroom. It would be easier with the Eschenbach but without screen sharing the camera on the CloverbookPro to view the teacher's whiteboard becomes necessary.

[@NiteFlame1003]

Would the distance camera do well for watching TV? Or can i use the HDMI connection capability to insert an external HDMI signal or is it just an output connector?

[@palmervision2766]

The device only allows for you to do an HDMI out and does not receive a signal from any other input but the power cable. Adam Palmer

[@palmervision2766]

Also I have several clients who use this device for watching television who have generally central vision

[@throughtheeyesofabby3118]

Hi, Just wondering, can you change the voice of the text to speech? Hope your doing well! Abby

[@theblindlife]

Hey Abby, I know you can change some aspects of the speech, like how fast it talks. Not sure if you can change from a female to a male voice or anything like that.

[@SwedishDisney]

Hey some! I really like your video as usual, but I have a request ..Can you please do a video Dedicated to tablets vs Android phones and weather there is a possibility to replace your phone with a tablet with LTE? I am thinking about that but I need some advice

[@theblindlife]

The tablet can do everything the phone can do except make phone calls over a cellular network. That being said, you could still make phone calls over Wi-Fi using a tablet. So the tablet would be essentially the same as a phone just larger

[@SwedishDisney]

@@theblindlife And I Know It Samsung you can even have tablets on lti which means that you can have cellular calls. I just meant if you could recommend it to VIP. A small pocket size tablet 8 inch ?

[@learntogroweducation9281]

Wow that's nice device I am also a visual impaired but this device are not available jn my place andi can't afford this also I wish j could have now

[@kellengreffe1824]

Is there a distributor for Canada,can you please find out. I have written to the company for the information and I have not received a response. Can you help me.

[@othinus]

Hey there Sam! How have you been? Have you tried any of the recent VR headsets for gaming(Oculus Quest 2, etc)? I was wondering if it's usable to us in the VIP community. I want to play VRCHAT specifically. It's a great and safe way to socialize and meet new people.

[@theblindlife]

No, I haven’t had the opportunity to try them, although I would love to! VR chat looks like so much fun, LOL

[@othinus]

@@theblindlife It would also be a great way to interact with friends who are far away. As if you're in the same place. Stay healthy and cheers from Philippines!

[@mozartstudio18]

Dang dude. Where was this when I was a kid? 😂

[@theblindlife]

LOL, I know!

[@isabellasattic3995]

This would be great for crafter's, knitters and art. My one is a dinosaur 🤣

[@samanthaorchard6174]

Can this do video with the distance camera?

[@theblindlife]

It is a video camera. It shows a live video on the screen of whatever you’re looking at. So, if a student were sitting in the back of the classroom, they could point it at the teacher in the front of the room and watch what they were doing. It does not record video if that’s what you were referring to.

[@santhivardhanraoj4140]

How much cost it is

[@ReneeSAJ]

Thanks for a very thorough review. Did I miss whether there was a bluetooth headset option? And/or a headphone jack?

[@theblindlife]

Great question! Bluetooth - no, headphone jack - yes.

[@fuadnasir2944]

It's so sad this tool didn't exist when I was at school. Make more sad when I know the price. How could everyone have a right to see if it's only for rich people.

[@denisouimet436]

were can i get it in canada

[@theblindlife]

I would contact the link in the description and see if they ship to Canada. Or at the very least, maybe they can tell you where to get it

[@withoutlimitsbudgets]

Products like these are absolutely essential and amazing but the shame of this is the price! When you calculate in at most of those on the blind community not all, but a lot live on SSI or SSDI, this price range is really astronomical! Factoring the cost of living, expenses and everything else, a lot of those in the blind community or visually impaired community cannot even afford a product such as this. I really wish that the electronic companies would go back and revamp what they do when it comes to the price point for assistive technology, because really it’s way too high honestly! Absolutely love the product wondering if it comes with any kind of tripod stand or anything of that nature that way it’s more hands-free than having to try to hold it and do things at the same time?

[@TheTechPianoPlayerKid]

Hey bro, I was just wondering if you do shoutouts on your channel. If so, what do you need to do in order to get one? If not, that’s OK. Also, I’m thinking of starting to sell stuff on my channel using teespring, but obviously I can’t connect that to my KZbin channel until I get the amount of subscribers needed, so I will just embed the link for the time being in the description. Do you have any ideas on what I could sell, I was thinking of selling coffee mugs or water bottles or keychains with braille on them or with a tactile image or logo or something like that.

[@theblindlife]

Not sure about shout outs! I’m pretty sure you can only upload an image to Teespring to put on two shirts and coffee mugs, etc. I don’t know how you would do a tactile image or braille. If you figure it out though, that would be cool

[@TheTechPianoPlayerKid]

@@theblindlife yeah, that’s what Teespring told me. However, they took my recommendation, and they may make that an option to have braille on stuff if wanted. I’m actually going to talk to someone tomorrow, and see if they have any ideas what I could sell to my subscribers if they want to buy. I’m thinking of maybe selling keychains or something. I was thinking of making handmade keychains, but not sure how I would do that. I might start selling stuff on Teespring, although I can’t link it to my channel yet, because I don’t have enough subscribers. I think my first video was like in 2015, and I’m kind of surprised that I haven’t reached 1000 subscribers yet, but I guess everyone has been there. LOL

[@geetagohil4430]

Looking for something tha is portable and enlarged a laptop acreen

[@_Lux1219]

Cool

[@terrysrevens9932]

the clover book pro is super cool thanx do you know of some way to get help with puchasing one it would super cool if i had all the cash to buy one im 60 years old and it would nice to be able to read my own mail once and awhile so if you can thank bud you have been a great help to me scine i found your chanel i found you through blind to bilonaires chanel

[@theblindlife]

You could definitely reach out to the company to see if they can help with that.

[@varadarajkannan3200]

Hallo I am varadaraj from Bangalore India. My daughter is by birth Low vision. She is doing MA English in final semester. She wants to become a teacher. I think this device will be helpful for her future career. May I know know what will be it's cost in Indian currency.

[@theblindlife]

Please click the link in the description of the video. It will take you to a website where the device is sold here in the US. You can send them an email to find out how you can get it in your area.

[@jjroe1518]

Would this also work for macular degeneration?

[@theblindlife]

Yes, absolutely. My vision impairment is a juvenile form of macular degeneration, so if you see something that works well for me, it will work well for Mac D also!

[@jjroe1518]

Thank you! I do volunteer work and often get asked about assistive technology. Keep up the excellent videos!

[@debrajohnson4919]

Nicest one I have ever seen.

[@jonathansmith6974]

Speaking of high contrast....... the dark device on the dark background is difficult to see.

[@theblindlife]

Yes, doing my best with my studio space. I made sure to put it on a white background for the majority of the video.

[@junnnaid]

Humanware needs to up it's game!! I hated their version.. slow and glitchy and battery life was terrible! Not to mention chunky heavy and too many parts

[@jhalmuri4385]

Too much high price. 😂

[@jaytrauger813]

And how does a person on disability afford these products

[@theblindlife]

There’s actually lots of options available. You can check out my video where I talk about why assistive technology is so expensive. In that video I give several options for affording it.

[@santhivardhanraoj4140]

How much cost it is

[@theblindlife]

Watch the whole video.