[Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics BrailleLabeler

Thu Dec 31 13:55:09 UTC 2015

Many years ago my Mother bought me a Perkins brailler it's a 1970 model 
that has had repair and upgrades.  For labeling on tape a purchase of 
the Perkins dymo tape attachment costing about $30 I think solves the 
tape labeling problem over here.  Unfortunately dymo tape is no longer 
as good as it once was.  Originally, the tape had a glossy finish and 
was half inch width and thicker.  Now the tape is narrower has a rough 
finish on braille reading surface and isn't as thick as the tape I got 
with a dymo tape gun back in the 1960's.

On Wed, 30 Dec 2015, Brent Harding via Electronics-Talk wrote:

> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:28:45
> From: Brent Harding via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>     <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Brent Harding <brent at hostany.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics
>     BrailleLabeler
> 
> Is this the same thing as the Six Dot I heard of on Accessible World? If so, 
> their presentation suggests that even if you bought the USB keyboard, you 
> will get grade 1 braille when using that since it sounds like this thing 
> doesn't have the smarts to do braille translation. As far as speech 
> recognition goes, I can see why that wouldn't be included. It would take on 
> the order of a computer processor in power to do that accurately, not to 
> mention that they would have to license Dragon or some other technology, 
> which would likely increase the price further. The reason we have speech 
> recognition in our phones is because Apple and Google have remote servers at 
> their disposal to do the hard work.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "cheez via Electronics-Talk" 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "Electronic Talks" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "cheez" <cheez at cox.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 9:27 PM
> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics 
> BrailleLabeler
>
>
>> Well, I've received the electronic braille labeler from ProxTalker, and 
>> here is what I think of this gadget.
>> Perhaps I'll tell you what I like about it first.
>> 
>> It makes beautiful braille.  The dots are well prominent.  I like the way 
>> they feel when reading.  And since metal pins are used for the embossing, 
>> duration should be much longer than plastic pins.
>> 
>> The weight isn't too bad.  Probably in the neighborhood of a Pac Mate.
>> 
>> I like the "done" beep the unit issues when it is finished embossing.  I 
>> also like the fact that the unit will emit a series of beeps if it is 
>> turned on accidentally when in a backpack.  I had this happen to me once. 
>> It took me a couple of minutes to realize where the beeps were coming from. 
>> Since the power button is a toggle switch, the unit can be turned on rather 
>> easily.
>> 
>> Now since I didn't purchase the qwerty keyboard the company offers, I don't 
>> know how it performs when using that peripheral.  But I assume the result 
>> wouldn't be any different.
>> Now what I don't like about the electronic labeler.
>> 
>> The shape.  I find the kidney shape rather odd.  I expected it to be 
>> rectangular.  Even oblong would have been fine.  But kidney?  Even the lady 
>> that took my order said she was taken aback when she saw the shape for the 
>> first time.
>> 
>> The speed.  It is surprisingly slow.  I thought it would be faster than 
>> what it is.  When I brailled a label with my granddude's name on it, it 
>> took about 5 seconds to finish the 3 letters I wrote!  To reiterate what I 
>> said above.  I don't think a qwerty keyboard would speed up the 
>> performance.  And speaking of the qwerty keyboard.  I was disappointed that 
>> a micro USB adaptor wasn't included.  But I guess they get a percentage 
>> from Dell for the sale of the qwerty keyboard they offer.
>> 
>> They say a carrying case can be used.  However, no such case exist for the 
>> labeler.  I was told there is one in development.  Availability is to be 
>> announced.
>> 
>> There are 2 hooks for a neck strap, which the company does not offer 
>> either.
>> 
>> Although the unit can run on ac power, the ac adaptor is not included in 
>> the package.
>> 
>> I found it queer that the unit has an audio jack installed.  I asked why, 
>> and I was told that other features were under consideration during the 
>> production.  But nothing never came to fruition.
>> [My assumption is, an MP3 player was one feature.  I would have suggested a 
>> microphone jack for speech input.]
>> 
>> I assume, since there weren't any braille or audio instructions for the 
>> unit, this was geared more for a non-braille reader/user.  The manual has a 
>> chart showing how to make braille letters.
>> 
>> Overall, I like the labeler.  I don't have to worry about label 
>> imperfections.  However, I feel, that for $599 ac and USB adaptors should 
>> have been included.  I also think a lock button would have been nice to 
>> prevent accidental activations.  One may not hear the beep if one is in a 
>> noisy environment.  I remove one battery when it is in my backpack.
>> Another thing about the price.  At last check, a brailler cost about $200 
>> more than this labeler.  but that's technology.
>> 
>> So that's it.  I have nothing more to say.  I do use it at work.  That's 
>> what I got it for anyway.
>> 
>> Vince
>> 
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