[Trainer-Talk] Comparison of Refreshable Braille Displays

Thu Sep 14 08:55:00 UTC 2023

Hello,

I'm a personal big fan of the HelpTech displays, though they are pricy.
They are made much, much, much better than Humanware/HIMS displays, in my
view, and I love the ergonomics of the concave Braille cells, as well as
the automatic detection of when my hand finishes reading a line. As a plus,
their keyboards are the best in the industry, and it really isn't even
close... at least if you're anything like me and you like typing on
mechanical keyboards.

EuroBraille also has an interesting display that I'd like to get my hands
on, the B. Note 40 without a Braille keyboard. I find the ergonomics
challenging, having to switch between a physical keyboard and a Braille
display, so having a very narrow display without a keyboard that offers
basic navigation is exactly what I've been looking for, So I'll probably
get my hands on that and give it a go. I haven't actually seen it, but hear
good things from individuals that have it.

I enjoy typing on a Qwerty keyboard, but hate Humanware's Mantis keyboard
both because I don't like typing on cheap laptop keyboards, and because
their laptop keyboard feels cramped and is missing some keys I'd like on a
keyboard. They also don't support typing in Dvorak in their system apps,
which is my preferred typing layout. I don't like the keyboards on their
other displays, either.  My favorite feature out of Humanware displays is
probably the thumb keys.

Hims displays have the spacebar I hate, sitting just below the keyboard, so
I need to scrunch my thumbs to press the spacebar, and I hate that. Their
actuation point is also too loud, their click is high pitched and annoying,
and I just don't like typing on any of their displays.

Focus displays are sleek. I love their build quality, and the rocker bars
and arrow keys on the edge of the device are nice as well. If I had to type
on an American display's keyboard, I'd probably choose the Focus.

I cannot recommend Orbit displays because I've had a number of issues with
multiple units, unfortunately, though I am just a single datapoint, and
they might be very reliable otherwise. The noise can be distracting, but
normally isn't an issue for me. The Braille is crisp, but the keyboards are
also clicky, firm, and a bit annoying. Though unlike the Hims displays,
they at least put the spacebar where my thumb naturally rests.

Ultimately, it's worth comparing the features, but really, if you ever get
an opportunity to get to a convention or a place that has multiple
displays, I'd recommend getting your hands on them, as there just isn't any
replacement for figuring out how a display feels and makes you feel. Of
course I recognize that might be difficult, so I've tried describing the
things that are important to me. I hope that, along with the other feedback
here, you'll be able to draw some conclusions and start thinking about the
types of things you might be looking for in a display.

Thanks.

On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 5:15 PM marianne denning via Trainer-Talk <
trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> I have a Focus 40 and a QBraille. I love both of them. If you like HIMS
> then
> the Qbraille is what you want. The one thing I really love about my Focus
> 40
> is how easily it pairs with JAWS. That is because it is a Freedom
> Scientific
> product. Both have the Braille key board. This is hard to explain but the
> Qbraille has all of the special keys you would find on a qwerty key board.
> It has a control key, Windows key, alt key, page up, page down.... Both can
> be used to take notes, read Word files and BRF files.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
> Christopher Nusbaum via Trainer-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 12:51 PM
> To: trainer-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Christopher Nusbaum <cnusbaum at imagemd.org>
> Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Comparison of Refreshable Braille Displays
>
> Hi All:
>
>
>
> My trusty BrailleSense 6, which I use daily for my training work and many
> other purposes, suffered water damage and will now have to be shipped to
> Hims for repair. Considering the features I use and don't use on my
> BrailleSense, as well as the potential cost of the repair, I'm wondering if
> it might be more cost-effective for me to switch to a stand-alone display.
> My preference would be one with a Perkins-style keyboard and some basic
> stand-alone features, such as a basic notepad and a file manager. I realize
> there are some BrailleSense features I like that I would be giving up if I
> go this route, particularly the integration of Google Drive, Dropbox, and
> Google Calendar, but I can get used to that, and I primarily use my
> BrailleSense as a display for my iPhone or my PC anyway.
>
>
>
> So far, I've talked with the Hims tech support rep about their QBraille,
> and
> I've heard some good things about the Focus and the Brailliant. I'm
> interested in hearing from others in the field, particularly those who have
> tried multiple models, on pros and cons of each. Should I go this route, or
> should I stick with the BrailleSense? If I go with a display, what are your
> recommendations?
>
>
>
> Thanks for your feedback!
>
>
>
> Chris
>
>
>
> Christopher A. Nusbaum, Bridges Project Coordinator
>
> The IMAGE Center for People with Disabilities
>
> 300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 312
>
> Towson, MD 21286
>
> Helpdesk: (410) 357-1546 (call or text)
>
> Cell: (443) 547-2409
>
> Email: cnusbaum at imagemd.org <mailto:cnusbaum at imagemd.org>
>
> Bridges website
> <https://imagemd.org/services/bridges-technical-assistance-center/>
>
> Facebook <
> https://www.facebook.com/Bridges4MarylandBlindLowVisionTransition>
>
>
> Twitter <https://twitter.com/bridgeshelpdesk>
>
> YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtwRTbjHK0BjqqH-j5dyH3g>
>
> Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/bridgeshelpdesk/>
>
>
>
> "Bridges Project: Bridging the College Completion Gap for Blind/Low Vision
> Students in Maryland"
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Trainer-Talk mailing list
> Trainer-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Trainer-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denning
> web.com
> <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Trainer-Talk mailing list
> Trainer-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Trainer-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org/nimerjaber1%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Best,

Nimer Jaber

Check out and subscribe to BlindTechAdventures
<https://www.youtube.com/blindtechadventures> in podcast audio form on
YouTube for the latest happenings in tech.

You can follow @nimerjaber on Twitter <https://www.twitter.com/nimerjaber>
for the latest technology news.

Thank you, and have a great day!