[access-uk] Re: Braille notetakers
- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:19:10 -0000
Hi David
Well each to their own, it certainly meets all my needs. The OnHand version
is also very nifty and compact with the same features. I haven't yet seen
the U2 version, so that will be something to investigate some day. I know
quite a few Apex users and they like their device, so it is subjective, yes.
Kind Regards,
Jackie Cairns
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
David Weston
Sent: 15 March 2012 12:31
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Braille notetakers
Hi Jackie,
I have had my Braille Sense plus for quite a few years and I think that it
is the best, and I agree with you.
David Weston.
On 15 Mar 2012, at 12:02, Jackie Cairns wrote:
> Hi Steve
>
> Why would there be sour grapes as a matter of interest? Sight and
> Sound now sell the BrailleSense range after taking it over from Force
> Ten, so I am recommending it.
>
> You may feel the Pac Mate is a good product, and I agree it is subjective.
> But when we know Freedom aren't doing any more to it, what is the
> point in buying something that offers what it does for a similar price to
the others?
> 64MB of memory, no WiFi and Bluetooth, no dedicated SD card slot, no
> interchangeable battery, the unit having to go to America for up to a
> month for fixes, and that's without it's crashes on the dreaded
> Windows Mobile platform. Yes its good points are the separate
> display, and a very nice qwerty keyboard. But it is bulky, clunky and
> just past its sell-by date now. That's my opinion, try for yourselves,
it's no odds to me.
>
> I have said many times that it is Freedom Scientific I don't like
> personally, not the UK dealers who sell their products. But even I
> use JAWS and Open Book, so I don't see any grapes going off here.
>
>
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Jackie Cairns
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Steve Hyde-Dryden
> Sent: 15 March 2012 11:44
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Braille notetakers
>
> Jackie, this is a very subjective area. As someone who works with an
> organisation who has absolutely no ties to specific products, I would
> never categorically advise someone against something until they'd
> actually had a opportunity to look at and play with the particular
> product. I feel there is some sour grapes here and on the subject of
> differences between the Apex and the Braille sense, they are on
> different operating systems so there is a world of difference.
>
> Actually, the Pacmate is still a good product and especially so for
> someone who is a current jaws user. Differences in the mobile
> platform don't necessitate a great learning curve.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Jackie Cairns
> Sent: 15 March 2012 08:37
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Braille notetakers
>
> Hi Mary
>
> Please, whatever you do, don't go for a Pac Mate. Support for it is
> dwindling, contrary to what is said by the dealers here. It has no
> built-in Bluetooth or WiFi, and I wouldn't even use it as a doorstop!
>
> Your best bet is either the BrailleSense - which is what I use - or
> the Apex. Sight and Sound have just taken over the BrailleSense from
> Force Ten, and they claim to be able to support it and know how to
> train someone using it. Humanware, on the other hand, sell the Apex,
> and do have people working there who competently read Braille and are able
to support it fully.
>
> There isn't a pile of difference between the two note-takers I
> recommend. I went for the BrailleSense for its very nice, quiet
> keyboard which is lovely for writing Braille on. It comes with
> built-in BlueTooth and WiFi, as does Apex, they are both 32 cell, and
> both have 8GB onboard storage with the capacity to facilitate up to
> 32GB SD cards. There is also the BrailleSense OnHand, which is an 18
> cell baby to the 32 cell model, but the keys are a bit smaller.
>
> Both the Sense and Apex families come in qwerty flavours, but I can't
> comment on them as I haven't used either in that format.
>
> I am giving an honest view Mary, so if someone wants to take offence,
> it's up to them. But as a long time, experienced Braillist, I know
> what I am talking about here.
>
> There is also the Esys note-taker from EuroBraille, but while these
> are very nice, small and compact in either 12 or 40 cell, I wouldn't
recommend them.
> They have their own little note pad, but the keys are tiny, and you
> don't have the flexibility for the money that you do on the Sense or
> Apex families.
>
> But I implore you, don't go near Pac Mate, it's a heap and outdated now.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Jackie Cairns
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Mary Tottle
> Sent: 14 March 2012 13:15
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Braille notetakers
>
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking about buying a Braille notetaker as I would like to read
> and write more in this form. I know very little about the various
> ones available so could someone please advise. I am tempted by the
> Pac Mate Omni, does this have the latest firmware on the market? Does
> this have the largest storage capacity? What other things would I
> need to consider? Is there good support for the product here in the UK?
>
> Any help much appreciated.
>
> Regards
>
> Mary
>
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