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

[David Andrews]

Well, that is the nub of the thing, it is easier in some instances, 
faster, and if a regular keyboard can be used, a non-Braille reader 
could make labels, but are there enough of those cases to make a go 
of it. Only time will tell.  For most of us, it isn't worth it, but 
it is for some.

Dave

At 09:10 PM 12/31/2015, you wrote:
>Hi,
>But there must be some major advantage or advantages or how does one justify
>that high cost when one can make good labels almost free?
>Thanks,
>Lauren
>
>Blessings in Jesus' name:
>My digital evangelism blog is at:
>www . ask in jesus name . org (take out the spaces when you type it)
>Psalm 27:1-6  (KJV)
>27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the
>strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
>2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my
>flesh, they stumbled and fell.
>3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though
>war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
>4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may
>dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty
>of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
>5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret
>of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
>6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
>therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,
>yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
>Advice from my cats:"meow when you feel like it."
>
>
>
>-----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 3:52 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
>
>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