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

Thu Dec 31 15:13:35 UTC 2015

When I use a slate I'm in locations separate from the brailler.  The 
slate was my first braille writing method from 1961 to 1970.

On Thu, 31 Dec 2015, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:

> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:44:46
> From: Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
>     <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics
>     BrailleLabeler
> 
> I use a slate to make braille labels, either on label tape or on label
> paper.  What's a slate cost, about $10? Glad I've got the skill, and don't
> need to buy a fancy gizmo.
> Tracy
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Brent Harding via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 11:29 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Brent Harding
> 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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