18 Jan
Blog

How to Get More Value Out of Your Vision Insurance Plan

Health insurance is a very important part of staying healthy. You get affordable access to the health care you need to keep yourself and your family in good shape. While there are many types of health insurance, vision insurance is one of the most important to have and use.

Our eyes are incredibly important to us as they affect almost everything we do. When you have vision problems, your life becomes much more difficult and uncomfortable. If you need visual aids such as contacts and glasses, this insurance can help cover the cost.

But how can you ensure that you are getting the most out of your vision insurance? This is exactly why this article should help you. Read on for some valuable tips on how to get the most out of your eyesight insurance.

Choose the right plan for your needs

The first way to ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from your plan is to make sure you choose the right one. If you'd like to see what's available, click here to review your vision insurance options. You need to choose one that will work for not only you but your family as well.

In order to properly determine the right plan for you, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should check the cost, the coverage of the plan, the providers on the network, and the insurer itself. If you are given a plan that only covers things you never use, you just won't get much value out of your insurance.

Get proper preventive care

If you don't take advantage of your insurance plan, it won't offer you much value at all. Therefore, make sure you take adequate precautions. You should get regular eye exams to make sure your eyes are in tip-top shape.

Even if you think your eyes are fine, many vision problems can occur with no symptoms, so only a full examination can tell the true health of your eyes. How often you should have your eyes checked can vary. The crowd will generally be more common if you need glasses or have a family history of eye problems.

Don't hesitate to see an ophthalmologist in addition to your exam if you have any problems with your eyes. You pay for your insurance. So, by keeping them forever appropriate, you can ensure that you are getting decent value.

Use your network

Eye_Checkup

Make sure you are using your network to get the most benefit from your vision insurance plans. Different insurance companies and plans work with a different network of providers so not everyone can offer you the same discounted rates. If you want the lowest cost and highest value, contact a doctor who is on the network. There is also generally less paperwork when working with a provider who is on the network.

For example, if you need to buy contacts and glasses, you should do so through a network provider for the best coverage and cheapest options. Frames and lenses are also often offered for sale. So be sure to watch out for these sales for even more savings.

In summary, we hope this article has helped you get the most out of your vision insurance.

24 Jun
Blog

Lockly Vision Review: The Swiss Army Knife of Smart Locks

"The Lockly Vision combines a lot of innovative functions in one intelligent lock."

  • Fingerprint sensor

  • Voice commands

  • Digital and real key options

  • Extra secure keyboard

  • Good battery life

  • Difficult to install

  • No night vision

  • Grainy Camera Footage

The Lockly vision currently offers more features than any other Smart Lock on the market. At $ 400, it's a little bit more than we are used to from an intelligent lock, but it offers so many great features that it can be worth it if you want quality and versatility. Here is everything I learned trying out this lock at home.

Lock options galore

Many smart locks have only a few functions for locking and unlocking. The Lockly Vision has six. Regardless of your smart lock style, you've covered this lock. You can lock or unlock it using the app, a PIN number on the keyboard, a key, your fingerprint, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, or digital keys that you can share with others through the app.

The problem with other locks that have a keyboard is that your fingers will eventually stain the numbers you use for your PIN, making it a little bit easier for a thief to find out your code. I think it's pretty awesome that the vision mixes the numbers on the keyboard so that the numbers are in a different area each time you tap the pad. No other lock on the market does this. There are also three numbers per key. Even if someone looks over your shoulder while entering your PIN, they cannot find out. As a precaution, the lock switches to safe mode after three successive failed attempts and the camera records videos of whoever is standing at the door. The correct code must be entered twice, or a fingerprint must be used to exit Safe Mode.

Lockly Vision fingerprint sensorLockly

Another outstanding feature is the fingerprint sensor. This sensor can perform a 3D scan and store up to 99 different fingerprints. The 3D design prevents potential crooks from holding an image of your fingerprint for the scan. The sensor can actually tell the difference between a finger and an image. I loved that it quickly scanned and unlocked the door with just one touch.

The digital keys can be adjusted so that they only work for a certain time. Even better, these keys work when the lock is not connected to the internet. This is very useful if your home's internet service is faulty. Of course, if you don't trust digital keys, you can always use real ones. The keyhole has a small cover when not in use, which gives the whole device an elegant look.

Doorbell camera comfort

Unlike most other intelligent locks, the Vision has an integrated doorbell camera that offers another level of security. You can go to the app, tap the camera and see who is at your door. While viewing the livestream, you can start a video recording, call for help, or operate the lock. You can also hear the person at your door and speak to them using the two-way audio function. I found the sound loud and clear.

For $ 400 I expected more from the camera. The pictures, both in HD mode and normal mode, weren't fantastic when compared to a special video doorbell like the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, but they were still decent. The footage was a bit pixelated. However, there wasn't much curvature or "fisheye" distortion around the edges of the picture, so that was nice.

Lockly Vision doorbell camera on app

Another problem I had with the camera is that there is no night vision. Basically you have to leave the light on your veranda switched on, otherwise it cannot “see” anyone or anything in front of your door. When the light on the porch was on, the black and white material was grainy, but I could still see what I was seeing. This is not uncommon for smart lock / doorbell camera combinations. Another combo lock, the Gate All-In-One, has no night vision, for example. However, like the Arlo video doorbell, a stand-alone doorbell camera of the top class usually has night vision.

The field of vision is also limited. While you can see the faces of the visitors, you cannot see if there is a package on your porch. In contrast to many doorbell cameras, it also does not have recognition functions that can draw your attention to a person, an animal or a package on your veranda. In addition, you cannot adjust the area where the camera records.

Long installation

The only thing that really annoyed me about the vision was the installation. I have to admit, I had to grit my teeth and just swear a little in the end.

There are 52 steps before you can get this lock working.

Most Smart Locks have the installation guide in the app, but not this. You need to download the separate BILT app and then search for the vision lock to get the installation instructions. The quick start guide that came with the lock provides basic instructions, but they're not particularly good.

Lockly Vision installation partsAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

There are also 52 steps before you can get this lock working. If you don't have much patience (like me), the installation of this lock will frustrate you. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish for a level-headed person or a little longer if you are an impatient person like me.

Why are there so many steps to installing the vision? In addition to the actual lock, the Vision also requires a door sensor attached to the door frame and a connected Vision Connect hub. You need the hub for the camera and voice command functions to work. I would mention that the time it takes to install the lock here is just as long / long as installing a separate door lock and a video doorbell.

Battery life

My biggest problem with smart locks is when the batteries are empty. Who really wants to maintain their door lock frequently? I was happy to learn that the vision can last up to 1 year with a set of fresh AA batteries. I really hoped there would be a rechargeable battery, but smart locks don't usually have this option, so I can't be too upset. After about a week of using the lock, the battery level is still 100% according to the app. This is comforting to know, as video streaming usually discharges the battery, but we're still excited to see how it works after a month.

Our opinion

The Lockly vision seems to have it all. It offers countless automation options, a camera, two-way audio, a keyboard, a key option and even a fingerprint sensor. While most of the features were fantastic, I was a little disappointed with the camera. It was just not very clear and the lack of night vision worried me. Overall, however, I think that anyone who buys the vision will be very happy with it. It's an innovative Smart Lock in almost every way, and even if the camera isn't the best, it's still a nice addition to a fantastic Smart Lock.

Is there a better alternative?

When it comes to Smart Lock functions, no. On the other hand, great doorbell cameras like the Ring Video Doorbell 2 or the Arlo Video Doorbell in combination with a cheaper Smart Lock like August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or the Nest X Yale Lock can be a good option if you are concerned about that Camera.

Will it take?

The Lockly Vision is very robust and works at temperatures from -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So it seems that it lasts a very long time. There is also a limited 5-year warranty on mechanics and finish, and a 2-year warranty on electronics.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you can afford the price, this is a fantastic smart lock if you can live with mediocre camera quality.

Editor's recommendations




21 Feb
Blog

Vision Drills for Better Performance in Physical Movement

Everything you have ever experienced will be experienced, all exercises or personal bests that you have ever performed have started and ended in your brain.

All the movements, skills, thoughts and everything that makes you special are contained in this 3 pound organ,

  • How does your brain know what to do at a certain time?
  • How does your brain collect information?
  • And how does it decide what to do with the information collected?
  • More importantly, how does your brain collect information and what does it do to your training, performance, or recovery?

You bet your ass does!

This is not a neurological lecture, but before we look at the importance of how your brain collects information and how it can be improved, we need to understand in a very basic way how the brain works.

Brain Basics

Your brain uses sensory inputs to collect information, These sensors receive input, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) send these signals to the brain, which then essentially decides on the action and then generates a motor output that is relevant to the decision.

At a very simple level, it is.

The brain has three ways to collect information or input:

  1. Exteroception: surveillance of the outside world
  2. Intercept: body awareness and feelings
  3. Proprioception: awareness of the body and limbs in the room

These inputs are then integrated together to create and update the map of the brain of everything. Of you, the world around you and how you move through it. The brain updates past experiences, senses, and prediction processes to make decisions that dictate the body's actions.

Now that we've largely understood how the brain does things, we need to find out why it does them.

The answer is simple: survival.

The goal of your brain is to keep you alive, Point. Do not keep alive in ten years, but today.

How it does it is through prediction. Our brain masters pattern recognition. Every second of every day, the 120 billion neurons in the brain process information based on past experiences to predict the results of actions. This is your brain that uses pattern recognition to decide actions.

The inputs your brain uses to move around the world have a hierarchy:

  1. Visually
  2. vestibular
  3. proprioceptive

If these sensory inputs match (i.e. there is clear information from all three systems and good integration into the brain), you can work well with your brain and perform when it matters. No matter whether CrossFit, Powerlifting or just lifting something off the floor.

If there is a mismatch, we run into problems, If there is bad information that informs the brain maps and pattern recognition skills, I fear that they will try to limit the likelihood of death – usually by creating pain to attract attention or inhibit movement.

In this article, I will focus on exercises to improve your visual system, as 70-90% of all sensory inputs are visual.

The role of seeing

There are two classifications of human vision::

  1. Looking stabilization: A fundamental element of all other eye movements and enables us to see objects and interpret the visual scene to create perception.
  2. Shift view: This allows us to focus on a moving target. Think the ball is racing towards your face on the field.

There can be any number of things that affect these two patterns and interfere with your visual system, which in turn can dramatically affect your performance without you even knowing it.

The key to training your visual system for performance is training your eye muscles to function properly. Finally, poor muscle function leads to problems with gaze shifting and gaze stabilization.

We'll cover one drill for stabilization and one for shifting. In my video you will find a demonstration of the individual exercises.

I recommend that you record the practice and watch it again to see how you do it, This way you can adjust accordingly.

Drill 1: eye stabilization

  1. Put yourself in a neutral position.
  2. Hold a target (pen) at arm's length directly in front of you. Stare at the target for 30 seconds.
  3. You need to focus on the goal because an inability to stabilize your eyes usually means very small, quick movements of your eyes away from the goal and then back to the goal.
  4. When looking back, try to notice excessive facial tension, eyelid flutter, excessive blinking, or tears in the eyes while trying to focus on the target.
  5. Once you've done this assessment in a neutral position, do the same test in each of the other four positions. Above, right, left and below.
  6. Pay special attention, as it is very likely that you will find one or more positions in which to struggle with your eye stabilization.
  7. It is important that the goal remains in focus at all times. If it becomes blurred, reduce the distance to the neutral conductor, keep it pressed.
  8. Do this exercise three times through each position.

Exercise 2: shifting eyes

Stand in a neutral position and hold a pen in front of you in a neutral position.

Try to smoothly follow the pen as you move it from the neutral position to one of the following eight positions and then back to the neutral position:

  1. Above
  2. Low
  3. Right
  4. Left
  5. High and right
  6. Above and left
  7. Down and to the right
  8. Below and left

You should repeat this test three times at each of the eight positions, You will look for two things when you look at the drillback:

  • Excessive swaying of the body.
  • Poorly coordinated eye movement. This is usually seen as some kind of ratcheting or jumping movement that prevents them from following the target smoothly.

Each of these can indicate poor visual motor control.

Make your vision clear

The goal of these exercises is to make your eyes work properly so that the information your brain receives is as clear as possible, This way, your brain is not afraid of being able to move fully in all available ranges of motion.

Remember, if the brain can predict, you can perform.

references::

1. Gaymard, B. & Pierrot-Deseilligny, C. (1999). Saccade neurology and smooth tracking. Current opinion in neurology.

2. Hughes, A.E. (2018). Dissociation between perception and smooth tracking of eye movements when assessing the speed of moving Gabor targets. Journal of Vision.

3. Ingster-Moati, I., Vaivre-Douret, L., Bui Quoc, E., Albuisson, E., Dufier, J.L. & Golse, B. (2009). Vertical and horizontal eye movements in children: a neurological development study. European Journal of Pediatric Neurology.

4. Krauzlis, R.J., Goffart, L. & Hafed, Z.M. (2017). Neural control of fixation and fixative eye movements. Royal Society B Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences.

16 Feb
Blog

Vision Drills for Better Performance in Physical Movement

Everything you have ever experienced will be experienced, all exercises or personal bests that you have ever performed have started and ended in your brain.

All the movements, skills, thoughts and everything that makes you special are contained in this 3 pound organ,

  • How does your brain know what to do at a certain time?
  • How does your brain collect information?
  • And how does it decide what to do with the information collected?
  • More importantly, does the way your brain collects information and what it does with it affect your training, performance, or recovery?

You bet your ass does!

This is not a neurological lecture, but before we look at the importance of how your brain collects information and how it can be improved, we need to understand in a very basic way how the brain works.

Brain Basics

Your brain uses sensory inputs to collect information, These sensors receive input, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) send these signals to the brain, which then essentially decides on the action and then generates a motor output that is relevant to the decision.

At a very simple level, it is.

The brain has three ways to collect information or input:

  1. Exteroception: surveillance of the outside world
  2. Intercept: body awareness and feelings
  3. Proprioception: awareness of the body and limbs in the room

These inputs are then integrated together to create and update the map of the brain of everything. Of you, the world around you and how you move through it. The brain updates past experiences, senses, and prediction processes to make decisions that dictate the body's actions.

Now that we've largely understood how the brain does things, we need to find out why it does them.

The answer is simple: survival.

The goal of your brain is to keep you alive, Point. Do not keep alive in ten years, but today.

How it does it is through prediction. Our brain masters pattern recognition. Every second of every day, the 120 billion neurons in the brain process information based on past experiences to predict the results of actions. This is your brain that uses pattern recognition to decide actions.

The inputs your brain uses to move around the world have a hierarchy:

  1. Visually
  2. vestibular
  3. proprioceptive

If these sensory inputs match (i.e. there is clear information from all three systems and good integration into the brain), you can work well with your brain and perform when it matters. No matter whether CrossFit, Powerlifting or just lifting something off the floor.

If there is a mismatch, we run into problems, If there is bad information that informs the brain maps and pattern recognition skills, I fear that they will try to limit the likelihood of death – usually by creating pain to attract attention or inhibit movement.

In this article, I will focus on exercises to improve your visual system since 70-90% of all sensory inputs are visual.

The role of seeing

There are two classifications of human vision::

  1. Looking stabilization: A basic element of all other eye movements and allows us to see objects and interpret the visual scene to create perception.
  2. Shift view: This allows us to focus on a moving target. Think the ball is racing towards your face on the field.

There can be any number of things that affect these two patterns and interfere with your visual system, which in turn can dramatically affect your performance without you even knowing it.

The key to training your visual system for performance is training your eye muscles to function properly. Finally, poor muscle function leads to problems with gaze shifting and gaze stabilization.

We'll cover one drill for stabilization and one for shifting. In my video you will find a demonstration of the individual exercises.

I recommend that you record the practice and watch it again to see how you do it, This way you can adjust accordingly.

Drill 1: eye stabilization

  1. Put yourself in a neutral position.
  2. Hold a target (pen) at arm's length directly in front of you. Stare at the target for 30 seconds.
  3. You need to focus on the target, as an inability to stabilize your eyes usually means very small, rapid movements of the eyes away from the target and then back to the target.
  4. When looking back, try to notice excessive facial tension, eyelid flutter, excessive blinking, or tears in the eyes while trying to focus on the target.
  5. Once you've done this assessment in a neutral position, do the same test in each of the other four positions. Above, right, left and below.
  6. Pay special attention, as it is very likely that you will find one or more positions in which to struggle with your eye stabilization.
  7. It is important that the goal remains in focus at all times. If it becomes blurred, reduce the distance to the neutral conductor, keep it pressed.
  8. Do this exercise three times through each position.

Exercise 2: shifting eyes

Stand in a neutral position and hold a pen in front of you in a neutral position.

Try to smoothly follow the pen as you move it from the neutral position to one of the following eight positions and then back to the neutral position:

  1. Above
  2. Low
  3. Right
  4. Left
  5. High and right
  6. Above and left
  7. Down and to the right
  8. Below and left

You should repeat this test three times at each of the eight positions, You will look for two things when you look at the drillback:

  • Excessive swaying of the body.
  • Poorly coordinated eye movement. This is usually seen as some kind of ratcheting or jumping movement that prevents them from following the target smoothly.

Each of these can indicate poor visual motor control.

Make your vision clear

The goal of these exercises is to make your eyes work properly so that the information your brain receives is as clear as possible, This way, your brain is not afraid of being able to move fully in all available ranges of motion.

Remember, if the brain can predict, you can perform.

references::

1. Gaymard, B. & Pierrot-Deseilligny, C. (1999). Saccade neurology and smooth tracking. Current opinion in neurology.

2. Hughes, A.E. (2018). Dissociation between perception and smooth tracking of eye movements when assessing the speed of moving Gabor targets. Journal of Vision.

3. Ingster-Moati, I., Vaivre-Douret, L., Bui Quoc, E., Albuisson, E., Dufier, J.L. & Golse, B. (2009). Vertical and horizontal eye movements in children: a neurological development study. European Journal of Pediatric Neurology.

4. Krauzlis, R.J., Goffart, L. & Hafed, Z.M. (2017). Neural control of fixation and fixative eye movements. Royal Society B Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences.