Category: accessible Devices
Okay experienced community.
What do you all say is the best 32 braille display to buy?
I’m only talking display, not a note taker, or whatever.
This device should be best for computer/iPhone use.
So, educate me.
Whatever the common of us can afford? Seriously though, I've only used a Brailliant BI 40 with my Iphone. It seems to work pretty well
I'm using a Briliant Bi for my computer. the one with the 40 cells. it's pretty cool. still working on learning it more but I'd say it's the best display I've had. Got it from Vr councelor so it works very great!
The orbit reader 20 will be released soon from APH with a sub $500 price tag so just google for it. Still kinda pricy for someone on SSI but comparatively much cheaper. It will sport bluetooth, 20 cells and a bt keyboard. It will be user serviceable. For use with a computer, my personal preference, if you can find a nice one, is an ALVA satellite 44. They are unsupported by Optelec, but I am friends with the owner of the only service center for these displays. I recommend this display because the cells are high quality and the units are well constructed. They are also cheap. After bargaining, I was able to get, what is essentially a brand new Alva Satellite 584 pro. Yes, still in the box with original documentation and original power supply. You can pick one of these up for no more than $400. I've got one for sale actually it was just serviced. No bluetooth but as I use android unfortunately braille support let alone bluetooth headphone support is plain spotty. So that's not useful to me unless I'm using IOS then perhaps I'd consider it but having an extra device on me to read seems like a hassle to have on me so I just use speech but talkback is just weird acting. Enough about that though.
I also have a Brailliant and love it! :)
Since you waited this long, I would seriously just consider waiting for the orbit if I were you. Word on the grapevine is it's supposed to be released around abouts October or some such time. Additional rumors suggest that they're working on a 40-cell version, but that will probably take at least another year to be released if not longer. It does not have the 32 cells you're looking for, but those 32-celled braille displays are considerably more expensive. So, perhaps you can tell us how much you're willing and/or able to spend on a braille display so that we can offer you a more educated guess.
hmm, I've never used an aph one but I've felt a 28 cell one. it was a focus. it was pretty cool. but pretty confusing to use.
I'm getting the A P H one, when it comes out. Here in our state, 2 counties have a program that works with us. I can't wait, because the Synthe speech gives me headaches.
I'm sick of the headaches, so have to get it soon.
God Bless,
Sarah Can't Wait To Braille!
I'll pay the price.
So far 32 displays are costing 2500 for the ones suggtested here. That is okay.
I didn't see how an extra 8 cells was worth 400 dollars, so ecucate me on that?
Tell me more about the Orbits?
Okay people.
First, I appreciate your posting for me.
I like the Hims Inc brailliant 32, but I have questions.
Why are we not liking the braille Edge 40?
The thing I like about it, is it has the data card slot. That means you don’t need to be tied to your iPhone, or computer for reading.
It has some other features too, but I’m not interested in these.
It is 2795 so a bit cheaper, and has 2 years warrantee.
So, tell me, what is the reason it hasn’t been suggested?
I see I had some type O's.
Laughing.
Okay good and kind people.
I did a search and learned all about the Orbits.
It is absolutely sound advice to wait on it, because it sounds like just the thing.
It is small, so easy to take with, but has just enough cells, so reading, say a book would be reasonable.
I’m a braille person, so I like the braille type keyboard.
It is functional too.
So, thank you that brought it to my attention.
If it is as good as it sounds, it is sold.
Now, as I research this, my mind is boggled by the choices of these things.
Another that seems good and is at the same price level as the pack is the VarioConnect 32 Cells.
Any opinions on that one?
the Vario is pretty cool! :)
They claim it feels much like reading on paper Sia, would you say that is true?
hmm, yeh, kinda. My friend Mia has it.
Ooh, I like the sound of that Orbit Reader 20! And it's affordable. I don't often go looking for this info, because I really don't want to see new devices that I am tempted to buy, or dream about buying, and can't.
I already snapped up the Iphone SE, on impulse, after reading about it here! LOL I need to stop reading these boards.
Yes, The HIMS Braille Edge 40 is an excellent choice, IMO. Takes SD cards, works as a stand-alone reader/notetaker, or connects with Iphone or computer. 40 cells is comfortable for extensive reading, books, and long documents; 20 wouldn't be as efficient, in my opinion. This machine has amazingly long battery life.
Seems I need two of these.
One for when I'm just gone, and one at home.
I do like the SD capability on the couple models that have it.
Yes, reading about this stuff makes you need it.
It is the reason I'm searching for a braille display.
I'm a bit scared to buy a used model, because repairs seem expensive, and I can't be sure how the unit was cared for.
If I'm paying over a grand for anything, I need some protection on my dollar.
Smile.
Yeah, I'd be wary about used Braille displays, too, unless you can see and test it before buying. I just don't trust that other people are careful to protect their cells properly! It costs quite a lot to have them repaired, so safer just to save up and buy a new device.
For that reason is why I gravitate towards the now older Alva Satellite models. A cleaning and servicing is $250, and these displays are very inexpensive but very high quality that's why a lot of people still hang onto them. I know the owner of the only service center here in Oregon that repairs them and he is very reasonable. I just bought a brand new, yes brand new, in the box with documentation and power supply Alva Satellite 584 Pro for $299. Just have to know what you're looking for, and with amazon you get a 30 day money back guarantee. I don't need bluetooth this laptop doesn't have it anyway and I like to travel light so I don't care about having a display with me unless it's the orbit reader.. Alva 84's and 44's can be had fairly easily if you dig the webs for them and do not, under any conditions, buy anything on Ebay. I'd like to get my hands on a VarioUltra, but that's a pipe dream. Anything less than 40 cells I think is confining yourself too much. For me, price doesn't dictate what is ultimately most usable I just shake my head at that point.
I'll give these a look see.
I do like Bluetooth. All my computers and my iPhone have it.
I'll also be switching to the iPhone 7, so want to make sure whatever I get will be compatible for it.
Again, I really appreciate all your suggestions and information.
It has been really helpful to me.
As a random sidenote regarding the orbits as well, they are also supposed to have an SD card reader. So, if that's one of your selling points, I'd say that it's another fulfilled wish. They wanted to release something which you can pretty much use to read a book with and not need to hook it up to any other device. Now, it is still possible to hook it up to other devices via Bluetooth or USB and yes, your iPhone would be one of those devices, but it can function alone as a book reader based on all of the things that I've heard about it.
Yes, I read about it, and it seems solid.
I'm almost tempted to pre order it, but I think I'll wait for the release.
I saw on the website were it could be pre ordered, but I didn't check in to it further to learn how.
The SD card slot would be a great feature on the go. No need to use battery power on two devices, especially my iPhone if I'm going to be away for a power source for a length of time.
Maybe I take a long flight or something.
Sure, I've got ways to power the phone, but you understand.
Here is some news to contribute to this thread. A company called Tactisplay Corp, www.tactisplay.com has developed and is now selling a 100 cell, low cost Braille display. it is 4 lines of 25 cells each. It specifically states it works with jaws, and at around $2000 this is a very viable option for expanded reading capabilities. Here is the link
http://www.tactisplay.com/product/tactis100
Here is a larger version 40 cells across by 25 lines, good for high res content and equations
http://www.tactisplay.com/product/tactisplay-table
Also, more interestingly, they also sell a tactile graphics display as well for around $7,000. I understand this is expensive, but having a price tag of 7 grand on something like this perhaps is a little more understandable than a single line of braille cells, plus the technology has advanced quite a bit. Check out the tactile display here. They actually do custom orders because they built the gtd based on your specs so that's really sweet.
http://www.tactisplay.com/product/service/custom-made-gtd
This last display is exactly what I need to do my job. But, likely they won't buy it for me.
Hi Wayners. The other thing to consider may be where you have to send your
display for repairs/servicing. Will the Hims displays be repaired in North
America or will they need a trip to Korea? If the latter, will the dealer loan you a
display? You know with Humanware and I suspect the Orbit that they'll be
repairable in North America. I'd agree with others on here that the Vario from
Baum will be a high quality display in terms of build. Now off to check out the
multiline display mentioned ...
Thank you both for the extra information.
100 cells is really over kill for me, and I guess I should put a limit on the price.
7 G's I'll not pay. 3 will be my tops.
I did think about service, and Vario is serviced in Austin TX, so no problem with that.
I'm thinking I'll need whatever extended warrantees the offer on these units as well due to the high cost of repairs it seems.
I don't understand why the cost are so expensive for repairs. These are just electronic devices, but maybe due to them being specific the company's charge what the market will pay.
On the one unit $250 for service and cleaning sounds like a correct amount, but on other boards, I've noted people having to pay almost half of what the unit cost new.
Of course, I didn't know the extent of the damage, but it still seemed overly expensive.
When you consider that the 100 cells are over 4 individual lines and not just one big continuous line, it makes more sense. But, 7 grand for something that is far more complex to assemble like the graphics display they have than a regular Braille display is slightly more justifiable. Understand the method of the sharks and workarounds will be easier to spot.
One of us, perhaps myself should start a website showing blind folks how to take apart these displays and give a verbal and physical walkthrough for those of us who are great with electronics to repair our own equipment rather than sending it off for months and months. Why hasn't anyone made a how to series on at least one of these displays, the only site I found was this. And as with most information, it's old and out of date.
http://www.mymorninglight.org/blind/
If you're willing to wait a year or so for a cheaper alternative tactal display to help with your graphing and charting needs, orbit is apparently planning to come out with one of those, too. Using technology similar to the cheaper method of braille technology which they researched and developed. A year is a rough estimation, though. It could perhaps take even longer. According to an interview I heard though, they're shooting for a year.
I like my musty old books, so I'm not looking to replace these with a display.
I'm looking to be able to see more of what I hear online, and in text messages.
I like seeing writing styles, and the way people express themselves.
When not here, I tend to write more expressive, because it can be visually seen so understood.
I have noticed more magazines getting away from proper standards in writing.
The last article I was reading yesterday has the person written much as he talks.
He says things like "I'mma and yo, and jjust other expressions that don't exactly translate in the speech unless you stop and make it spell them out.
I also want faster access to some minterials that can be downloaded, but haven't been put on paper yet.
So, sure reading 4 lines of braille would be nice, but 7 G's for it isn't wworth it to pay for me.
I could buy a 32 cell, plus an 18 cell display and still have beer money left over.
Laughing.
Thanks again for all this input, it has really helped me.
As was stated on the blind bargains podcast in this week's episode, reading something like a book or other forms of text with a single line of 20 or however many cells is a very easily doable thing. I happen to agree with that, for the most part. Even indentations and the like are very well presented on these single-line displays. The issue comes when you have to read things like charts, spreadsheets, tables and the like. For these kinds of things, you will need more of a multi-line display for sure.
Actually if you take a look at the press release, the 4 line display is only $2,000, the $7,000 price tag was for the graphics display. I understand other companies like orbit may be planning to come out with someone like this, but a job doesn't wait for this, and besides, if something is already available that can help me do my job, then that is the best viable option currently at this point, assuming waiting is not an option. Like Larry at Vision Cue said nicely, they've been talking about this for years yet no one seems to deliver. So it's nice they're talking about it, but Tactisplay has beaten them to the finish line.
Stay away from the focus 40 blue. I have been through 3 in 4 years for different mechanical issues. Going to soon check in to getting a new one.
If you are stuck on a 32 cell model, which is the length I also prefer, your only choice within that price range is the Brailliant. I think the Edge is a nicer display, and personally, I like that keyboard better, but that's going to all boil down to personal preference. The VarioUltra 20 is cool if you can handle 20 cells, but the battery life on that device leaves a bit to be desired.
With regard to the soon to be released Orbit Reader, I've been reading about a December release. The prototypes I've seen of this display show that the refresh rate is a bit slow, even more so when connected to an external device like an iPhone or computer. I'm not sure I'd used the Orbit Reader as a device to connect to my iPhone unless I had no other choice. That said, what I saw was a prototype, so it's possible the final version will address that issue.
Yeah, if you can aford a small and big display, that would make sense. It's kind of like the sighted equivalent of wanting a laptop/tablet for home use, but a much smaller screen for portable use, only it's more expensive in this case. haha.
I have a Braille Edge 40. While I do love the feel of the keyboard and the cells, and the device in general, I am not a fan. The unit crashes often. I've had it in the shop 3 or 4 times at $150 a pop. When used as a notetaker, it has crashed on me more times than I care to count, thus losing my work.
I do enjoy using it when I'm working on my Mac or in IOS but I dislike using it with Jaws and Bluetooth on my laptop. It just seems clunky and a PITA to get connected.
Perhaps I just got a dudd but either way, I'm looking forward to the APH one, especially if it has a notetaker built in. I like the ability to just turn on a device and start writing a note. I need to get better at using my Edge with IOS but with the Bluetooth connectivity issues I've been having with IOS, I just don't have time to jack with it. I hate trying to look competent and then having to bumble around with adaptive technology that doesn't work smoothly.
Rant over.
I havd a friend who has the Vario Ultra and absolutely loves it. I think she's got a 40 cell. If I'm not mistaken, it can be connected to 2 different devices at the same time. That's pretty cool.
Thanks to the last posters.
@Scott:
I believe I heard of that issue regarding the orbit reader mentioned as well, and I also heard that it was fixed by the time convention season rolled around. Or maybe it was mentioned in convention season and they said that it would be fixed by the time the unit went into production. One way or the other. I'd have to go back through the blind bargains podcasts to know for sure, because I don't remember.
I would hope the device comes with a return policy, so that not be such an issue if so?
I have both a 32 brilliant and hims 40. So far my brilliant is my preferred device. Also, hims is slow to update the edge brail device. We were to get an update some time last month, so far nothing at this time. Yes, its true, brail edge does recet a lot when in notetaker mode, its happen to me while in a huddle at my last job. If asked I would say check out a brilliant from humanware, relible, small and nice to the touch when reading.
an update, the hims braille edge 40 has got an update recently appears to work well with jaws. The nav keys work now and hims finally assigned fuctions to the fuctions keys on my hims edge 40.
Thanks again for the post.
I've got a Focus 40 Blue and a Focus 14 Blue. I use the 40 a lot. The 14 just sits here for the most part.
That little tiny keyboard on the 14 is hell to type on.
I went on the HIMS website and only saw an update for the Braille Edge 40 that was released in November of 2014. I was hoping for something more recent.
One thing I have noticed is that since I switched to a 4 gb sd card from the 32 gb that it says it can support, I haven't had problems with it crashing. I'm not sure if or why that would matter but I figured I'd share that here.
I have been testing an orbit reader20 prototype for the past 7 or so months. Its an excellent display although the prototype does have its issues but hey its just a prototype. And by the way aph has released the price for the orbit reader20, it will be $449 and it will be available soon... and i can also tell you the braille feels like elevator door or hotel room door signage quality braille, the dots do not give when you press on them at all. Its a very high quality dust and fluid resistant display for $449. and its got a basic noteTaker and book reader and connects to pcs and macs and all mobile devices.
For the argument between brilliant and braille edge, i'll lean towards the edge. like Scott said, the braille and keyboard is better, or at least it is more natural than the Brilliant. I will not consider focus blue range, with all the problem it has, and when I tried it, I just, can't make myself to like it. Why reparing the braille display is so expensive? because, there are too few technictian that can do it, and also, replacing the braille cell itself is expensive business. for the price of Orbit, and the promise of what it can do, i'll suggest for you to wait for it, unless you really in desperet need for it. if you have $2500 to spare, you can buy 5 of those, and still got enough money left for you to get some good round of drinks. Also, with 5 braille display, you can have one in each room of your house, and one in each of your bags.
I am not in a hurry, so waiting on the Orbit, to see what it will be.
I do expect because it is cheaper, it will have some limitations somehow, but for the purpose I want it for, I think it will due.
I've been on focuses for a while, I pulled this one in front of me off of a
packmate. no real issues with it! I dropped it ones, it still works. the old style
wheels can be a problem but I do like the focus 40 blue that's the newer one. I
am open to trying the others though. The only major issues with the 40 I've had
is problems with the bluetooth chip so I hardwire it, and it works fine.