[nfbcs] Preference in Braille Displays

Fri May 17 17:58:59 UTC 2013

Why am I not surprised here.
What you're saying is that there's a different tool for a different task.  Too bad each tool is so pricey.
I can definitely see for big jobs, you want the 40.  For seeing a lot of formatting, you'd run out of room with the smaller device.
And for portability, you want the smaller device.  

I was thinking about getting the 40 as a general solution.  It's bigger, but not too big, and you can carry it around.  A smaller device would be nicer .. less space and weight to take up in the backpack

So maybe the answer is to get the 40 first, and see how it works carrying it around.  The HIMMS isn't too big, and it does have the ability to be a standalone notetaker plus connect via Bluetooth or USB.  Plus it has the SD card option for external storage.  Then if I find it's too big for carrying around, I could always try to get the 18 or 20 cell variety HIMMS that is just smaller.  But I get it ... you may need more than one depending on what you do.

This is kind of like guitars.  When I got into playing, I asked someone ... "is there one guitar that does it all?".  He just laughed.  "No, I have 7 and they play slightly different tones.  I use them each for a different application".  I didn't understand until I started playing in earnest.  Now I have 3 main guitars that I use.  Each is used in a different application.

Too bad Braille Displays are so expensive.  My wife is going to LOVE your answer.  I can see her rolling her eyes and saying ... "Here we go again!!".

Final note .. I take from the answers I'm hearing that a display with the built-in note taking functions (such as the HIMMS) is prefereable so you can use them standalone without being connected to anything.

Thanks for the replies.

---- Robert Jaquiss <rjaquiss at earthlink.net> wrote: 
> 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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