[NABS-L] Seeking Experiences with/Thoughts on Mantis Q40 Braille Display

Mon Aug 14 01:56:41 UTC 2023

I like perkins keyboards when it comes to braille displays.  However,
I'd say that it is a matter of personal preference.  I do know that
the BI40X does have text to speech capability and could read materials
to you like those from bookshare if you needed it.  The Mantice can't
do that.  I have no idea if TTS is important to you, but I wanted to
let you know, just in case.  I'm thinking of trying to sell my BI40X
as I'm not really using it all that much.  It is just sitting in a
drawer of my dresser.

On 8/13/23, dana mohsen <dana.mohsen.azim at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello Noah,
> I am a Mantis Q user, and I have been so for almost 3 years now.
> I have also been a music student who has studied piano performance and music
> composition.
> The mantis has been great, and I think the thing that makes it really unique
> is its full QWERTY keyboard.
> However, my problem with it is that it barely gets updates, and I think
> support for it is waning.
> However, I still think it’s great because of its capabilities in opening
> various file types, and it works wonderfully with both JAWS and NVDA.
> If it weren’t’t for the support issue, I’d highly recommend it. However, I’m
> worried that support for this device would be completely dropped in a year
> or two at most. (I think it was released in 2020.)
> Hope that helps.
> Best,
> Dana
>
> ________________________________
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Noah Carver via NABS-L
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2023 4:23:28 AM
> To: louvins at gmail.com <louvins at gmail.com>; National Association of Blind
> Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Noah Carver <noahcarver494 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Seeking Experiences with/Thoughts on Mantis Q40
> Braille Display
>
> Hi Joshua,
>
> Thanks for your reply. I did briefly consider the Brailliant BI 40X as it
> has some functions which the Mantis lacks. At this point, however, the
> QWERTY keyboard of the Mantis is quite appealing to me. I also was under
> the assumption that, since the Mantis is manufactured by Humanware, it
> would be using the same braille display technology as the BI 40X. If you
> wouldn't mind, please tell me more about why you prefer the BI 40X. Is
> there a function provided by the BI 40X that you feel I would be missing
> out on if I went for the Mantis? Any input is greatly appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Noah
> --
> Noah Carver
> Candidate, B.M. '26
> Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice
> Eastman School of Music
> University of Rochester
> [image: JAWS Certified, 2023]
> <https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/>
> +1 (207) 557-9143 <+12075579143>
> noahcarver494 at gmail.com
>
>
> On Sun, Aug 13, 2023 at 9:17 PM Joshua Hendrickson via NABS-L <
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Have you ever thought about the BI40X from humanware?  I have that
>> display and it is great.  I use it primarily for reading bookshare
>> books, and it does a great job.  I hope you find the wright display
>> for your needs.
>>
>> On 8/13/23, Asia Quinones-Evans via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> > Hello my name is Asia Quinones-Evans. I have been using a Mantis Q40
>> > for
>> > two years next month. I have created a Facebook group called Mantis Q40
>> > Users that has become very popular for any questions about the Mantis.
>> > I
>> > really love my Mantis and am actually writing this email with it
>> connected
>> > to my Ipad mini. There is much more I can say but I do not want to make
>> > this email a book. If you want to contact me privately to get more of
>> > my
>> > opinion feel free in my signature is my private info.
>> >
>> > On Sun, Aug 13, 2023 at 8:38 PM Noah Carver via NABS-L <
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> To Whom it May Concern,
>> >>
>> >> I am a Bachelor of Music student on the hunt for a new braille
>> >> display,
>> >> and
>> >> I am seeking input from anyone with experience with, or thoughts on,
>> >> the
>> >> Mantis Q40 from APH/Humanware. I will primarily be using the display
>> >> to
>> >> read music braille, books from NLS Bard and BookShare, and other .BRF
>> >> files. I will also be using the display with my Windows laptop (I use
>> >> both
>> >> JAWS and NVDA) and Android smartphone. I am drawn to the Mantis
>> >> because
>> >> of
>> >> its QWERTY keyboard, which can also be used as a Perkins-style
>> >> keyboard
>> >> if
>> >> necessary, as well as its ability to automatically translate text
>> formats
>> >> to braille. The onboard connectivity to services such as Bookshare is
>> >> also
>> >> quite impressive and appreciated.
>> >>
>> >> As mentioned above, I am seeking input from people who have experience
>> >> with
>> >> the Mantis. What has been your impression? Has it lived up to your
>> >> expectations? Have you had any unpleasant surprises as a Mantis owner?
>> >> How
>> >> is the repair experience? Is there anything I should know before
>> >> committing
>> >> to the purchase of a Mantis?
>> >>
>> >> Thank you in advance for any input or suggestions which you might
>> >> have.
>> >>
>> >> Sincerely,
>> >>
>> >> Noah
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Noah Carver
>> >> Candidate, B.M. '26
>> >> Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice
>> >> Eastman School of Music
>> >> University of Rochester
>> >> [image: JAWS Certified, 2023]
>> >> <https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/>
>> >> noahcarver494 at gmail.com
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >>
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>> >>
>> > --
>> > Yours truely,
>> >
>> > Asia Quinones-Evans
>> >
>> > Phone: 440-670-6509
>> > Email: aevans.nfb at gmail.com
>> >
>> >
>> > Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Joshua Hendrickson
>>
>> Joshua Hendrickson
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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-- 
Joshua Hendrickson

Joshua Hendrickson