Hi Erik,
I've spent time with the Apex, Pac Mate and BSP. I hope to write
something
more complete later, but in the way of quick answers, let me offer the
following to your questions:
1. The Apex is flatter and sleeker. I sometimes like to leave my
briefcase
home and hang the machine from my shoulder inside my suit jacket. The
Apex
fits nicely. It feels like a solid build despite its smaller size. In
terms of form factor, the Apex is superior. The drawbacks is that because
of the smaller size of the thumb keys, it is slightly more difficult to
use
them if holding the machine on your lap. Also, despite the quieter
temperament of the keyboard, the Apex keys are still louder than I would
like. I tested the unit in a quiet lecture atmosphere, and I am not
convinced that the keys sound like a laptop the way it has been
advertised.
The BSP beats the Apex keyboard 10 to 1. Unfortunately, not as important,
but the Apex case is superior. The magnetic lid is a dream compared to
the
racket of opening the BSP.
2. Ease of use will depend on the user. The Apex continues to use
Keysoft,
and although the proprietary program is a nice, straightforward system, I
rather prefer the Windows environment of the BSP. I enjoy the actual
multitasking of the BSP. I like context menus. I like dedicated media
keys. In fact, the Media Player on the BSP is far superior to the Apex.
I
like that in the Word processor one can drop a top marker, proceed to the
end of the selection block and copy, cut or delete without moving through
a
menu as is the case with the Apex. The BSP has the same context help,
which
I originally felt was a great selling point of the Keysoft system. BSP
offers the same Space + H for easy help. I like that creating and
manipulating files and folders all happens from within the File Manager as
opposed to being divided between Word Processor and Folder Manager as is
true with the Apex. Also, a huge selling point of the BSP, the Apex
required that I change my home router from Mixed Mode to just G. The BSP
connected right away with no fuss on Mixed Mode. In fact, setting up the
Internet in general was far simpler on the BSP than the Apex.
3. The Braille display is a draw for me. If I had to absolutely pick one
over the other, I would say that the quality is better on the Apex, but
the
routing keys are better on the BSP. Yet, both give a crisp experience.
Neither will disappoint. Also, the Apex allows you to adjust the
intensity
of the Braille display. I am not sure if this is possible on the BSP.
4. The battery life is better on the BSP. I did not chart the number of
hours per unit, which makes this unscientific, but on a full charge the
Apex
dropped from 100 percent to 50 percent in a day and a half. I've had the
BSP going for the same period at only a 30 percent reduction.
I think this answers your questions. As I said, I'll try to get around
doing something more comprehensive as time allows, but remember this: I
make
references to the Apex, but it's not actually the Apex itself that is to
blame as much as Keysoft. The Apex is physically an elegant machine. Why
one would actually need 3 USB ports is beyond me. I don't even use that
many on my laptop, but it is Keysoft that weakens the unit. I prefer the
familiarity of Windows, but all of this having been laid out, I think this
is a rare case of win/win. Customers on both sides will be pleased. The
Pac Mate Omni maintains the lead in terms of software, but this is owed to
Freedom Scientific using the Windows Mobile system. Physically, both the
QWERTY and BT versions are too darn big for either version to really be
called a notetaker.
Ultimately, I am choosing the BSP because:
1. Quieter keyboard
2. Easy menu structure
3. Multitasking
4. Great Internet experience and navigation
5. Ability to use BSP as a mobile disk and making ActiveSync optional
rather
than mandatory
Negatives of the BSP:
1. Leather case
2. Slight delay in completing saving, deletion and similar commands
3. Limited formatting features on the Word Processor
Joe Orozco
"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
-----Original Message-----
From: erik burggraaf [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:05 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [GWN] Thumbs Up
Hi Jo, Did you compare the braille note apex? It's the only
one with comperable hardware right now, and it has better
coverage up here because of the funding. I like the bsp
personally, but wondered if you had any comparisons to draw,
especially in terms of how the two feel in the hand, any key
differences in ease of use or general system software layout,
the readability of the displays, the battery life, and so on.
I may do my own if I can get hands on an apex, but this kind of
info is always helpful to me as a training consultant, so would
appreciate your views.
Best,
erik burggraaf
A+ certified technician and user support consultant.
Phone: 888-255-5194
Email: [email protected]
On 2010-02-26, at 10:36 PM, Joe Orozco wrote:
Hello all,
I'll write a more complete review later, but a local dealer
let me borrow
the BSP, and after having spent time with all three leading Braille
notetakers, the BSP is the killer one for me. The software
is a little
limited compared to some of the others, but I'm going to put
my bet on HIMS
to make things happen. I hope there's an update by CSUN, so
that I make an
investment knowing full well the extent of the latest updates around.
Anyway, if you're also in the position of debating between
what notetaker to
purchase, I've spent nine months doing research, talking to people and
getting my hands on the machines, putting them through a variety of
scenarios. Go with the BSP all the way. You won't be disappointed.
Joe Orozco
"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up
their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
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