[NFBCS] Refreshable braille displays

Mon Jan 17 14:57:12 UTC 2022

You can take notes on the focus also using the scratch pad

*Denise Robinson*
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On Sun, Jan 16, 2022 at 2:36 PM charles.vanek--- via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> 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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