[Trainer-Talk] Comparison of Refreshable Braille Displays

Thu Sep 14 13:49:54 UTC 2023

Good morning. 

I almost forgot. You can also wait for the Orbit Optima braille display to be released. I was able to try this at  the NFB national convention this past summer, and it is rather impressive. 
https://www.orbitresearch.com/product/Optima/

Enrique. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Nimer Jaber via Trainer-Talk
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 3:55 AM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Nimer Jaber <nimerjaber1 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Trainer-Talk] Comparison of Refreshable Braille Displays

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%40d
> enning
> web.com
> <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/trainer-talk_nfbnet.org/marianne%40
> denningweb.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!
_______________________________________________
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/enrique.mejia%40blind.state.ia.us