The thumb keys are significantly smaller. I don't know how to accurately convey how much smaller in words. It's not as though they are tiny by any means, but to me, they are small enough to make me have to go fishing around a little to tap them. Mind you, I just might have monkey fingers. As for reassigning the media keys on the BSP or VS, I don't know that would be as comfortable. One major selling point of the mPower I have is the location of the keys in the center of the display so that your reading fingers don't have to leave the display. Yet, in time I think I can adjust to the navigation keys on either side on the BSP.
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: Stacey Robinson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:32 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [GWN] Thumbs Up Joe, How much smaller are the thumb keys on the apex verses the mPOWER? I miss the thumb keys when using my sync braille. I never use the media keys on my voice sense. I wonder if they could be reassigned to work like thumb keys? The fast forward could move you forward anthe rewind could be a back key. This could work on the voice sense with sync braille connected or on the bsp. Have a blessed day, Stacey Robinson and GEB dog Chesley Eagleville, Tennessee. [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Orozco" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:13 AM Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > 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 >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > virus signature >> database 4899 (20100226) __________ >> >> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: >> >> http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv >> > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > virus signature database 4899 (20100226) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature > database 4900 (20100227) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4900 (20100227) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4900 (20100227) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv
