the alva satelite 544/580's are still current but not really desireable as a 
new purchase.  The alva bc640/80's are not up to the quality standard of the 
old satelite and definitely not the original alvas, but they have good features 
such as braille input, compact design, bluetooth and carrying case.  The 
braille connect line is better built, has even more conpact design, longer 
battery life than the alva, emulation modes for clasic displays, as well as 
input and bluetooth, but it dowsn't have even the option for a nice case and 
several other minor usibility features might steer you towards an  alva 
depending on what you like.

I really should do a podcast on some high end braille displays soon.  It seems 
to be coming up a lot lately.

Best,

Erik Burggraaf
APlus certified technician and user support consultant
Call toll-free: 1-888-255-5194
Visit my all new website: http://www.erik-burggraaf.com
Email: [email protected]

On 2010-04-29, at 6:59 PM, Sarah Alawami wrote:

> OH they still make the alva? I was looking at that for a braille desplay  and 
> have started to save for it.?
> 
> Take care.
> On Apr 28, 2010, at 2:26 PM, erik burggraaf wrote:
> 
>> Hi sean,  your student is going to be brailleless for a little while longer 
>> yet.  When braille arrives in IPhone OS4, there's not a guarantee that it's 
>> going to be as functional as say, braille on the mac, although it will 
>> almost sertainly support bluetooth which mac OS didn't support until 
>> snowleopard.
>> 
>> If it were me, my first choice of display would be a braille connect, 
>> followed closely by the alva bc640.  The braille connect is far and away the 
>> better of the two displays imho, but braille displays are a matter of  
>> strong personal preference.  What feels good in one man's hand doesn't 
>> necessarily feel good in another's.  I suggest you let your student hold and 
>> use both of these displays and pick the one that feels good in his hand.  
>> Otherwise, you might buy something he's not comfortable with and it will go 
>> into a closet.
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> Erik Burggraaf
>> APlus certified technician and user support consultant
>> Call toll-free: 1-888-255-5194
>> Visit my all new website: http://www.erik-burggraaf.com
>> Email: [email protected]
>> 
>> On 2010-04-28, at 3:35 PM, Sean Tikkun wrote:
>> 
>>> Hey folks,
>>> 
>>> One of my students just jumped and convinced his grandparents to get him an 
>>> iPad.  As his teacher I obviously need to support him.  Our district is 
>>> willing to get a bluetooth refreshable braille display, but I have no idea 
>>> which ones might/will work.  Not only that, they want to know ASAP... guess 
>>> they have some money available.  Any ideas or experiences?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Your Friend,
>>> Sean Richards Tikkun
>>> [email protected]
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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