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

[David Andrews]

Mostly it does the same thing, but would be easier for some. It isn't 
either or, it is a different way to produce labels.

Dave

p.s. It has some advantages, and one major disadvantage, that of 
cost.  Whatever works!


At 05:02 PM 12/31/2015, you wrote:
>                         Thank you.
>I'm still trying to understand what this labeler does that you can't do with
>a Perkins brailler and dymo tape? What am I not understanding?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of David Andrews via Electronics-Talk
>Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 5:54 PM
>To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
><electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Cc: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
>Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Review of the ProxTalker Electronics
>Braille Labeler
>
>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