[Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics Braille Labeler

[David Andrews]

It doesn't Braille on paper, it uses dymo tape.

Dave

At 04:39 PM 12/31/2015, you wrote:
>                                 Vince,
>I'm curious to know why/how you got this labeler? Was it a gift?
>Also, what sort of paper do you use?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of cheez via Electronics-Talk
>Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 10:28 PM
>To: Electronic Talks <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Cc: cheez <cheez at cox.net>
>Subject: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics Braille
>Labeler
>
>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

         David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org