[Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker ElectronicsBrailleLabeler

Brent Harding brent at hostany.net
Thu Dec 31 16:20:49 UTC 2015 

Yes, computer braille was one of those things they didn't teach when I was 
in grade school. I only learned a few of the odd symbols through the Braille 
'n Speak trying to name files with contractions and seeing what I got. At 
times, I wish the FCC would let me change my ham radio call to BR5T, which 
is what you would have to type on the qwerty keyboard to get a grade 2 of 
Brent on the label.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jude DaShiell via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "cheez via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Jude DaShiell" <jdashiel at panix.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 8:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker 
ElectronicsBrailleLabeler


> If an external keyboard generated computer braille A user could generate 
> grade 2 and grade 3 braille but they would have to do translations in 
> their head to hit the right keys.  The of dots 12356 would be the left 
> parentheses and with 23456 would be the right parentheses.  I'd hate to 
> have to do that, but it would be a good mental exercise.
>
> On Thu, 31 Dec 2015, cheez via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>
>> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2015 06:18:50
>> From: cheez via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>>     <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: cheez <cheez at cox.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker
>>     ElectronicsBrailleLabeler
>>
>> No contractions can be made using an external keyboard, and I've never 
>> heard of any keyboards ever having that capability.
>> And yes, translation software would drive the price higher.
>> But the majority of those that know braille I've met in the past 10 years 
>> or so, only know braille one.  Older minds seem to have less patience 
>> when it comes to learning new things.
>>
>> Vince
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 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>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 9:28 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker 
>> ElectronicsBrailleLabeler
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>
>>>
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