[nfbcs] Preference in Braille Displays

Fri May 17 20:46:39 UTC 2013

If the focus 40 and focus 80 are under discussion here, they differ from 
the versabraille classic p2c in that the p2c has a perkins-type keyboard 
that can type the whole character set on the computer.  That's something 
neither of the focus products can do.  I use a focus 80 at work and my 
employer really ought to find other displays that can replace a qwerty 
keyboard and screen when necessary because the braille keyboards will 
sound different than qwerty keyboards and provide a security advantage 
against anyone picking up keystrokes with a parabolic microphone for 
later decoding.  That having been written, two things a focus display 
will do are showing formatting and showing spelling easily and quickly.

On Fri, 17 May 2013, Hyde, David W. (ESC) wrote:

> You can use the same display (those that are standalone devices) for the same functions as the computer displays. 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of majolls at cox.net
> Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 12:59 PM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Preference in Braille Displays
> 
> 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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