[nfbcs] Preference in Braille Displays

[Robert Jaquiss]

Hello:

     If I had to choose between an 18 and 40 cell display, I would choose 40
cells especially if it had some basic notetaking capabilities. Having a
display that can connect with either USB or Bluetooth is a good idea. If you
want to read NLS books, these are formatted for 40 cells. If you want to
carry your display with you and use it with a phone, then a smaller display
is probably better.

Regards,

Robert


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of majolls at cox.net
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 9:31 AM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
Subject: [nfbcs] Preference in Braille Displays

Hi everyone

Wanted to get your input on what works best as a general purpose Braille
Display.
Would you want one that is just a dumb terminal, or one that has some
notetaking capability built into it?
I also wanted to find out what gives better efficiency ... 18 cells or 40
cells

So the first Braille display I tried was the Freedom Focus 40 blue.  Liked
it alot, but it has to be hooked up to another device such as IOS or Windows
PC to work.  No smarts in the device at all.
Next I heard about the HIMMS Edge 40.  Now there's something interesting.  I
can connect it like the Freedom, it can be a slave.  I can use it as a dumb
terminal or I can disconnect it and do some basic notetaking tasks with it
without it being connected to anything.  Price is about the same as the
Freedom model.  Is the flexibility good to have?  I guess that depends on
where you go with it.

As I recall, HIMMS has the 40 cell model, but it also has the OnHand which
is an 18 cell model.
So, of those that use Braille Displays, do you prefer a 40 or 18 cell?  Is
an 18 cell adequate or are you complaining constantly because you don't have
enough cells and you're constantlyhitting the advance button?

The 18 cell models are cheaper, that's why I'm asking.  I'm thinking,
however, that the 40 cell model would be better ... more braille until you
hit the advance key.  Also, the notetaking features built into the HIMMS
mean you don't have to carry the display plus the iPad or iPhone.  You could
just carry the device alone.  I'm kind of leaning toward the HIMMS but I'd
like some info from people that actually have one .. or other devices.  Tell
me what you like and what you don't like.  $3000 is a lot of money to spend
so I wanted to get some practical advice.

So what configuration do most of you use?  Let me know.  

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