# New Braille Writers

Category: accessible Devices

## Post 1 by Jeff (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Saturday, 13-Nov-2010 23:31:51

Anyone see the new braille writers Purkens makes? They are a piece of junk I was testing one out for my Mom she is a vition teacher, and it broke. They are cheep made out of plastic, and the built in eraser put a hole through the paper. The sad thing Purkens isn't making the regular ones anymore. Life was all ready hard enough but now give us braille writers that suck. Also the meddle ones may be heavy, but they work great.

## Post 2 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 2:28:55

Yeah, and from what I've been told, most of those Braillers are not actually made in the US anymore. Now most are made in South Africa and India. Growl.

## Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 11:44:37

Great. More fucking outsourcing, even from Perkins! Well, scratch that one off my list. I actually have a braillewriter that's well over ten-years-old and it works beautifully. This is not the kind with the large roller handles either, but the one before that, which is really heavy. But so long as it works, I'll use it. I actually saw a New Hall once and wow! I want one! lol Anyway, I think there are a few more companies making braillewriters today. Maybe they're better than Perkins. Has anyone tried them?

## Post 4 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 11:59:01

My Brailler is probably 20 years old, and still works great. I have a friend who repairs them, so he makes sure mine stays in good working condition. It shows when something can be years and years old, and still work wonderfully. Heck, I've even seen him repair some of the original Braillers from the 1950's, and they still work just fine. That's more than you'd see from any product today.

## Post 5 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 12:17:10

I know. And then people ask me why I buy old things? Maybe, I don't want to have to buy the same thing in another two or three, maybe five years.

## Post 6 by AgateRain (Believe it or not, everything on me and about me is real!) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 13:42:40

You know, I like the old braille blazers, but the eraser is a piece of crap on the new ones. I don't use it...

## Post 7 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 18:14:33

The new Perkins brailler is lighter, easier to carry, and less expensive than the old, but, basically the same tried-and-true design, with minor tweeks. It feels a bit less durable than the original, but, time will tell how it holds up. I have an original that is about as old as I. A clean-up and lube-job should make good as new.

## Post 8 by synthesizer101 (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 14-Nov-2010 23:55:41

I have one that's 12 years old, and it's only used in emergencies! I hate it!

## Post 9 by Jesse (Hmm!) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 10:17:27

Mine still works, and it's gotta be 20 years old. It's one from just when they started making the part under the keyboard a solid tray.

## Post 10 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 13:08:21

Wow! Maybe mine is older than I thought! I checked and the part under my keyboard is not a solid tray. It has what looks like a handle on each side, basically a hole where you can put your hand..

## Post 11 by Jesse (Hmm!) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 16:13:18

Yeah! Yours is definitely older, because the ones with the solid trays came out in 1985. If you got yours from a state agency, it may have been an older one they recycled, and you just ended up getting to keep. Either way, those old ones were the best.

## Post 12 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 17:40:51

mine is prob years old as well but it still though slowly works.

## Post 13 by synthesizer101 (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 18:37:50

Mine's that kind too.

## Post 14 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 21:29:02

If you knew the serial number on yours, Eleni, I could find out exactly when it was made.

## Post 15 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 21:48:27

I could have someone look for me.

## Post 16 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 22:03:14

I've got one of them old crusty kind, it's dinger is broke, and it likes to get stuck but it works.
My original I threw away when I was 23 or so, because the chain went caput and stuff.
It lived through a lot: We were a lot of kids and it got drop-kicked at least once, only to roll over and start working again.

## Post 17 by SexySquirrel (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Monday, 15-Nov-2010 22:07:10

My husband and I have the old perkins and like it.
It only had to be serviced after our apartment fire.

## Post 18 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 31-Mar-2011 0:41:26

i still had the brailler from perkins since i was little and it works great

## Post 19 by roxtar (move over school!) on Tuesday, 05-Apr-2011 3:42:18

I miss my brailler.
I'd really like to get a new one, but it's too expensive to buy one and not really need it.

## Post 20 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Monday, 25-Apr-2011 0:37:58

I'm not even sure if I even know how to use abrailler anymore. Its been years since i've had one. Every once and a while I think it would be cool but to much money and its so much easier just having everything on my computer.

## Post 21 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 25-Apr-2011 7:42:00

I have 1 braille writer that is 50 years old. Has been cleaned a couple of times by Perkins and still works great. I had my employer from the hospital where I worked buy me one too about 20 years ago. that works great too. Has been cleaned once. Will Perkins still clean up and repair the old ones? I sure hope so. The new ones sound like they are junk. Thanks for the info. that's what is good about these information boards. I always learn something from them.

## Post 22 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Monday, 25-Apr-2011 11:21:04

I got mine back in 1978, and though it could use a bit of an overhall, it's still quite good.

## Post 23 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Monday, 25-Apr-2011 15:39:25

A new brailler will set you back less than will these new note takers. If in the market, I'd look for a "classic"; as if anyone would part with one; lol. Perkins will still maintain the old ones, not sure for how long, though. I think they also sell a repair kit? Maybe I'll buy the kit and clean up Old Louis myself.

## Post 24 by DevilishAnthony (Just go on and agree with me. You know you want to.) on Monday, 25-Apr-2011 17:43:55

If I remember correctly, I think I read that they have some of the classic braillers on the A T guys site. you might want to check it out.

## Post 25 by KT (Veteran Zoner) on Wednesday, 18-May-2011 16:17:54

I have a perkins brailer given to me by my local authority, not seen the new ones, but you can't beat the old ones. don't use it often but it is handy to have around. sadly, they don't make things these days that are built to last.

## Post 26 by mat the musician (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Thursday, 19-May-2011 6:13:22

I know people who worked at Perkins, and a couple of years ago when they were designing it, they called me in, gave me a prototype, and asked what I wanted. I said a paper tray, and an erase button. I didn't expect they would make it so plasticky, and make the margins less, and mute the bell, and make it out of plastic. Ugh. I have a rolling handled one and it works great.

## Post 27 by rail racer (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 02-Dec-2011 20:46:27

I don't even have a brailler at all. And from what was sed about the new ones, I don't think I'll be buying one. I also want a braille printer as well. And the Dynamo lablers are absolutely garbage.

## Post 28 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 02-Dec-2011 22:30:50

I lost mine in a move, but want another. I just use a slate now, but the machine is faster. Noisy, but great. I read also on the AT Guys website they have used one for 250, so am thinking about ordering up. I have a friend that lives close that has one, so when I get in the mood to compose long braille letters I just get that one.

## Post 29 by rail racer (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 02-Dec-2011 23:51:49

Wich one is it that you are looking into? What model is it?

## Post 30 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Saturday, 03-Dec-2011 0:14:01

Hey Matt, you got your paper tray and erase button; you should be proud; lol. That button is a handy thing. How long the new machines will last remains to be seen. Here's hoping I'm wrong, and the new braillers out-last the old.

## Post 31 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Saturday, 03-Dec-2011 8:57:59

I haven't used a brailler (or braille of any kind in about five years.
I had one of the original perkins from the time I was a freshman in college until it's demise in an apartment fire about three years ago. Boy the stories that brailler could have told.
Bob

## Post 32 by basket (knowledge is power) on Sunday, 04-Dec-2011 15:27:39

I got my perkins about 7 years ago and it works great even though one of the rubber feet on the damn thing broke and now it doesn't stay balanced when I braille.

## Post 33 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Saturday, 10-Dec-2011 18:54:25

I haven't used mine in about five years. Braille actually hurts y fingers these days. Well I suppose it doesn't actually hurt but the feel like they're gonna go numb if I read for two long. And then there's the fact that I remember stuff better if I hear it.

## Post 34 by LittleSneezer (The Zone-BBS is my prison, but I like it here.) on Sunday, 11-Dec-2011 11:14:50

I've had my brailler for as long as I can remember. I use my BrailleNote for most things these days, but the brailler still works great. I like to use it for labels, as it's easier to use and more reliable than the braille Dymo labeler.

## Post 35 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Wednesday, 21-Dec-2011 0:04:38

Ah yes, the Dymo labeler. I remember it well.

## Post 36 by Kahawa (Newborn Zoner) on Tuesday, 01-May-2012 20:18:15

I threw away (yes threw away) my brailler a couple years ago on the grounds that I used it only once a year. However, I decided it would be good to have one around just in case so I bought one on ebay for $160 though most available on eBay seem to be going for about $250.

## Post 37 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 01-May-2012 21:37:25

Was that an old or new model that you threw away? If it was an older one, that was awfully selfish. Someone else most likely could have used it. You probably could have even sold it on something like Blind Bargains or the Blind Post and gotten a fair bit of cash for it. But if it was one of these new pieces of crap I don't blame you. Good riddance, I say.

## Post 38 by Kahawa (Newborn Zoner) on Tuesday, 01-May-2012 23:17:17

Yes, it was totally selfish of me and not something I'd do again. It was in fact the older model, and could have really helped someone.

## Post 39 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 02-May-2012 9:42:56

Perkins used to offer a workshop or class on how to service and repair braillers. I thought about taking it because I love doing that sort of stuff. I didn't figure it would be worth the financial investment though as I assumed most people were going tech these days. Now I wish I would have after reading all these posts.
I love my old school brailler circa 1988. It needs a good servicing but other than that, it's gunna outlast me, I'm quite certain.
I'm sure the new ones are easier for kids to carry around in school these days but like any of them are actually using real braillers. Man, the bruzes I used to have on my legs from banging my perkins into them while walking. Between that and lugging around those really old school talking book record players, I was one strong kid. lol
I'dll pass on the new foreign-made plastic crap, thanks.

## Post 40 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Wednesday, 02-May-2012 11:26:35

The brailler is an exception to my "if I haven't used it in a year, get rid of it" rule, wheree getting rid may not mean trashing. The new, plastic braillers may out-last me, as I know my old one will, even though, by all appearances, the new ones feel cheap.

## Post 41 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 03-May-2012 8:40:39

It would be a real shame if people stopped learning braille altogether. yes there are a lot of OCR aps now days that can read your menu for you, and there are a lot of ATM machines with more every day coming out that can talk. However, the little things will always require something that you might take for granted. For example, bathroom signs for women or men in public areas. Also, elevator buttons. I have not seen a talking elevator quite yet in my time, after all!
Even without those little things, there are some things that you can learn better when reading them. Spelling, for instance, which has become increasingly horrible in both blind and sighted alike as technology increases. Some people say they learn better by ear, and that may be true. However, I've seen very few instances where someone was actually able to learn to spell when listening to say, a book via audio, rather than actually reading it in print or braille.
All of that to say this. I have seen a few people on this topic who say that they are throwing away their braillers, which in my opinion were the best devices ever made, because those people don't need them anymore. They have all of the latest and best pieces of technology. I have to argue, being a user of braillers all my life, yes to even this day, that you'll never learn as good using technology, as you might when you actually do your own reading and writing.

## Post 42 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 03-May-2012 9:00:21

Besides, when the grid goes down, and some day it probably will, you'll all be screwed when you can't charge your electronics. I use my computer for pretty much everything but I also have braille copies of all of our important information, recipes, etc. Braille opened up the world for me and I pray that it doesn't die.
I wish I had a braille display because I know my spelling has gotten much worse since leaving school and not having my fingers in books more often.

## Post 43 by LittleSneezer (The Zone-BBS is my prison, but I like it here.) on Thursday, 03-May-2012 20:54:24

I definitely believe that braille should be emphasized much more in schools than it currently is. As another poster said, it is impossible to learn spelling, formatting, etc. via audio. And what about math and science, and all of the graphics that go along with them? An increase in available technology is no excuse for not teaching braille; braillers are very durable, as many of us have said, and braille displays are becoming more affordable.

## Post 44 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Friday, 04-May-2012 10:27:12

Agreed re: the best way to learn spelling and grammar is by reading and writing, in our case, braille. Nobody would expect sighted kids to live without being able to write with pen and paper. So, learn your braille, even if it's just enough to read lables and play cards, it's better than nothing.

## Post 45 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 04-May-2012 22:31:49

Ooo, that reminds me. I need to order a new deck of cards. lol

## Post 46 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Friday, 04-May-2012 23:53:53

Actually, there's more of a push to provide IPads and computers in schools, so it might not be too out of line to assume that one day such devices will replace a pen and paper for the sighted, either.

## Post 47 by LittleSneezer (The Zone-BBS is my prison, but I like it here.) on Saturday, 05-May-2012 0:35:48

Then the schools should provide blind students with braille displays so they can read the screens of the iPads, as their sighted peers do.

## Post 48 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Sunday, 06-May-2012 1:38:25

But the IPad can talk. That, in the minds of these school officials, should be enough.

## Post 49 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 07-May-2012 10:12:08

Even though the iPad can talk, blind people will never be nearly as fast at using it as most sighted people will unless they use things like bluetooth keyboards or something like the freedom scientific focus braille display.
Furthermore, it won't make braille unimportant for other things that I stated in my previous post such as reading brailled signs for bathrooms, menus in restaurants (if available) or elevator buttons. Not unless you're going to take an extra 10 minutes OCRing everything with your iPhone.

## Post 50 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Saturday, 12-May-2012 17:34:47

I'm not arguing that. I'm just pointing out the way most school officials think.