[NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Sun Jan 16 19:35:12 UTC 2022

Thanks Beth and others, all this is great information, I do like that the Mantis can be used solo as a basic text file editor with a qwerty keyboard.  I do wish it had a dedicated Insert key however.  
The Focus 40 is my front runner at the moment.  Sounds like it is pretty widely used and enjoyed.  And I nearly always find myself carrying around a Bluetooth foldable keyboard to take notes on my iPhone direct into OneDrive for easy access anyway so the Mantis's keyboard may just get in the way when I want the full keyboard experience.  

Again, appreciate all the feedback and recommendations.

Best,
Charles  

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Beth Hatch via NFBCS
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2022 11:37 AM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: beth.chocolategeek at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Hi Charles,

I have a Focus 80 cell display at work and the 40 cell Mantis at home. I am a very beginner Python programmer and both displays help me determine that my code is indented properly. I've been experimenting with some Python apps with the Mantis and my iPhone, one is SoloLearn, and another is Code Academy, Braille is very helpful for this. The Mantis works well with my iPhone and JAWS with Bluetooth, and with my computer for USB and Bluetooth. I don't have a Mac, but the Mantis documentation says it will work with it.

Kind Regards,

Beth 

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of charles.vanek--- via NFBCS
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 7:09 PM
To: 'Louis Maher' <ljmaher03 at outlook.com>; 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: charles.vanek at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Thanks both for the suggestions.  I've not been a heavy programmer in 10 years 😊  Want it more for reviewing other's code, creating/updating YAML and other config scripts and the like.  Biggest reason is simply to start actively using the braille display vs the high contrast zoom with Fusion (ZoomText & JAWS).  Want to become a more proficient reader.

A JAWS driver is a must, I'll probably go with a 40 cell for now, the per cell cost of the 80 cells is actually higher than the per cell at 40.  Seems like the cost per cell is still quite high.  

If anyone has tried the Mantis that Louis noted, would like to hear what you think of it.

Best,
Charles

-----Original Message-----
From: Louis Maher <ljmaher03 at outlook.com> 
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 5:09 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Charles Vanek <charles.vanek at gmail.com>
Subject: RE: [NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Hi Charles,

When I did programming all the time, I had an 80-cell display at work, and a 40-cell display at home.

Currently I have a Focus 40 blue fifth generation http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/FocusBlueBrailleDisplays
from Vispero.  I have had it for many years, and it is reliable.  It can be used as a stand-alone note-taker, but this is not its main design function.
It has a Braille keyboard for input.  I have a logitech K360 QWERTY keyboard which I use for most of my inputting. 

I recently purchased an Orbit 40 Braille display https://www.orbitresearch.com/support/orbit-reader-40-support/orbit-reader-40-user-guide-downloads/

This display is new.  It costs around $1500.  It is designed to be a stand-alone notetaker, and it is a good display for computers and phones.
It runs with NVDA.  Its JAWS driver has been submitted to Vispero for approval.  I did have some issues connecting it to JAWS, and I am waiting for the official JAWS driver. 
It has a Braille keyboard.

Lastly there is the Mantis Q40
https://www.aph.org/product/mantis-q40/
This display uses a QWERTY  keyboard and it has a good reputation.  I have not seen this display.

If you intend to do heavy programming, you might look at the Vispero Focus 80 cell display.

All these displays have bluetooth and USB connections.

Regards
Louis Maher
Phone: 713-444-7838
E-mail: ljmaher03 at outlook.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Charles Vanek via NFBCS
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 1:00 PM
To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org
Cc: Charles Vanek <charles.vanek at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Hi all, I'm looking for a recommendation for a refreshable braille display to use with windows and Mac. I am a braille novice, long story short since I had some vision I was told I didn't need to learn it so all I have learned on my own is numbers letters and very basic symbols. I want to use the display for computer programming where spacing is very relevant, amongst using it for other general purpose tasks. I also hope that this will help me learn all of the characters and become far more proficient.

What I'd like to know is your recommendation, how you use it, and why you particularly like that display for its various other features. I'm probably indifferent as to whether it is USB or Bluetooth. Obviously both would be nice to half.

Thanks all in advance.

Sent from my iPhone
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