Since our start in assistive technology, Zoomax has remained attentive to the voices of the users. In recent months, the Snow Pad has been growing in popularity with students. We’ve recently received enthusiastic feedback about the Snow Pad from students and those who support them—parents, teachers, and more, inspiring us to keep improving and innovating.
Here are the true experiences from two students using Snow Pad. Their stories may help families and schools trying to find the right visual aid for students.
What Does Snow Pad Feel Like for Students with Low Vision
Snow Pad Through Laura’s Eyes
Laura is the mother of a visually impaired student. Her child has optic nerve atrophy caused by a genetic mutation, resulting in low vision.
“My daughter still has some vision, so she’s able to attend school with sighted classmates. However, low vision has brought challenges to her learning. I’ve been looking for a visual aid for my child’s study.”
Her daughter tried several handheld visual aids, but eventually realized they didn’t quite meet all of her needs:
“She needs a bigger screen, so it’s easier for her to read, and a magnifier with clearer image even when things are far away.”
A handheld magnifier is better suited for reading closely. When her daughter looks at the whiteboard through the device, slight hand movement makes the camera difficult to maintain focus. In addition, it’s tiring to hold a magnifier for the whole class.
The feedback was deeply satisfying:
“My daughter loves the device. Whether for near or distance viewing, the image is crystal clear. Using the camera on the stand, she can clearly see both the slides and notes on the whiteboard. She uses near view mode to take notes, do homework, and draw.”
Laura even sent us her daughter’s paintings.
“She has always loved drawing. She says Snow Pad helps her trace fine details as well as see the full picture. She simply zooms in and out or pans the image on the connected tablet. It offers sharp image quality and a quick response. The Snow Pad also has a sharing function, and my daughter often shares her paintings with friends.”
Now, Laura’s daughter uses the Snow Pad every day, eagerly sharing what she’s learned in class and her latest drawings. Seeing child’s enthusiasm fills Laura with comfort and joy. Thanks to assistive technology, the child has sparked a deeper curiosity about the world and a stronger desire to share her discoveries.
Jack’s Journey with Snow Pad
Jack is a high school freshman with low vision. He has been using magnifier since elementary school. Now, with his school implementing a class rotation system, he found it inconvenient to carry a heavy magnifier between classrooms.
“My old device was heavy, and it was tiring to move it when changing classrooms.”
After hearing about this situation, his teacher recommended the ZOOMAX Snow Pad, a portable digital magnifier for visually impaired student. She introduced the Snow Pad’s split screen function, which allows near and distance viewing simultaneously. Even better, she noted, it’s a lot lighter than his old device, so carrying it from class to class would be much easier.
“Snow Pad is really much lighter than my old one. The tablet can be securely attached to the stand using a magnetic sheet. I can carry the whole device without detaching the tablet. I just fold the stand in a second and walk to the next class. It’s super convenient.”
Jack also shared his impressions about the Snow Pad:
“A visual aid with a tablet and app is both fun and easy to use, especially for our generation who grew up with tech. Switching between functions is smooth.”
After using Snow Pad for nearly a semester, Jack’s final report card showed outstanding improvement, with several A grades:
“Having a lightweight portable magnifier really saves my energy for studying. Better yet, Snow Pad’s magnification and user-friendly functions have genuinely helped me in class and with assignments.”
Why is ZOOMAX Snow Pad So Popular Among Students
1. Split-Screen Function
Snow Pad’s split-screen function makes it an ideal classroom companion. It supports both left-right and top-bottom splits, helping students view near and distant at the same time. For example, users can watch the blackboard on one side while reading a textbook or taking notes on the other. And they can also switch the near and distance screens around and resize each section any way they want.
2. Crystal-Clear Image Quality
Equipped with a 7x Full HD optical zoom camera, Snow Pad provides sharper images than ordinary digital zoom lenses. Its low-power processor chip and high-efficiency image processing unit ensure smooth, high-definition viewing from distance, so that students can follow lessons in real time.
3. Truly all‑in‑one design
Snow Pad features an all-in-one design: the distance viewing camera is directly part of the stand, which does not require installation and saves users’ time. And the tablet magnetically attaches to the tray. When folding the stand, there’s no need to remove the tablet. A built-in handle makes it easy to carry. Weighing just 5.29 lbs (without the tablet), it’s one of the lightest portable digital magnifier in its category.
4. Dedicated App for Users
Snow Pad comes with its own magnifier application, which integrates functions such as Color Mode, Camera Mode Switch, Split Screen, and OCR/Text-to-Speech etc. The app runs fast and smoothly, and can be continuously updated to offer new functions. Students can easily master the controls and quickly adapt it to their daily learning routines.
Conclusion
An effective portable digital magnifier can make learning much easier and more enjoyable for students with low vision. Its overall quality depends on various factors, such as having a split‑screen mode tailored for classroom use, rapid autofocus that helps keep pace with lessons, and a stylish design that allows children to feel confident and comfortable using it in public. When students can see well, they can learn more comfortably, stay motivated, and do better in their studies.
Zoomax will continuously support the growth of students with low vision, listening closely to how they use our products, and refining our designs along the way. If you are a member of the low vision community, and have a story to tell, we warmly invite you to share it with us.
