[NABS-L] Braille Note Touch Plus or Braille Display

[Julie McGinnity]

I have a Braille Note Touch and am currently trying out an Orbit
display. I like them both for different things.

I use the Braille Note touch for class and any note taking I need to
do. I prefer the keyboard on the touch, and I like to send email on
it. I've also used some of the Apps and generally like some of them. I
like using the touch because I don't always want speech in my ear. I
like the Orbit mostly strictly for connecting to my phone. I also
prefer reading books or my notes on the larger display of the touch,
but for texts and social media, the Orbit is good enough.

It's stuff like that you should consider. I would recommend absolutely
getting something with a separate note taking function. There is
nothing like taking notes without using a screen reader. You can
listen more effectively to presentations while taking notes. Also, you
don't have to lug around a laptop if you don't want to.

Just some thoughts. Hope they are helpful.

Julie

On 6/15/22, Kendra Schaber via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi!
> I think it depends on your needs. If you only want something more modern
> but you only want to use it as a keyboard, then a braille display should
> be fine. I recently got a Focus 14 which is great for using with my
> computer. If you need something that stands on its own, a braille note
> taker would suit you better. I have a Polaris Braille Sense, though it's
> not as modern as my Focus 14. From my experience with this kind of
> technology, even if you get a braille note taker, it will eventually
> become a glorified braille display if you have it long enough, even when
> it works normally. I have noticed that this kind of technology can
> randomly stop working without rhyme or reason, or even logic so I
> recommend that you place a longer warranty on the one you buy. The other
> dark side is that these devices can also become out of date rather
> quickly, much like computers can. Consequently, it's harder to upgrade
> some of them. For example, if I were to upgrade my Polaris Braille Sense,
> I would have to send it in, pay 1500 dollars, keep the braille display
> part where the refreshable braille is located, but it would have to get
> added to the new Polaris 6, I think it's called, then wait for it to
> return in the mail which could take several months before you'll ever see
> it again. Since I happen to be a college student, I needed something that
> would keep up with my current tech, and I needed it with me in 3 months,
> not 6 months or a year down the road because I have to finish up the last
> of my math and science classes which will require a fully working one to
> use. Instead of replacing my Polaris Braille Sense, I decided to instead,
> get a Focus 14 which works with my computer just fine and does everything
> I need with my computer. I personally would like to see a higher more
> integrated quality of these devices, however, for the braille bit, I like
> them since they are the only tools that allow one to use refreshable
> braille. Finally, you can't compare and contrast these devices outside of
> looking at them online which is a bummer because for those of us who wants
> to touch the devices and test them out, there is no way to test drive them
> or to even see which one is desirable by the way it feels and the bells
> and whistles that each offer. I wish you luck on finding the one that you
> think will work best for you!
> Kendra
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ian Perrault via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 10:40 AM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ian Perrault <iperrault at hotmail.com>
> Subject: [NABS-L] Braille Note Touch Plus or Braille Display
>
> Hi All,
> My Braille Note Apex no longer works. Do you think the Braille Note Touch
> Plus is worth it, or just to get a braille display and to connect it to my
> iPhone or laptop?
> Ian
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kschaber%40my.chemeket
> a.edu
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of
Law, JD Candidate 2023