Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries]

Unfortunately I can’t see your email address in the headers but I’ll give you 
mine; it is: 
an...@comproom.co.uk 

All the best
Angie

> On 9 Dec 2023, at 14:16, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> Angie,
> 
> Could you write me off-list?
> Donna
> 
>> On Dec 8, 2023, at 9:23 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by 
>> lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I 
>> were to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be 
>> possible to get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be 
>> sure. I too recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.
>> 
>> All the best
>> Angie
>> 
>>> On 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>>> mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>> 
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
 Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
 display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
>>> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
>>> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
>>> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
>>> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite 
>>> lightly while reading.
>>> 
>>> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
>>> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
>>> searching for the recording or the transcript.
>>> 
>>> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

[Anders Holmberg]

Hi!
I am not donna but in my opinion I appreciate the cells of the helped displays.
Especially the concave cells they use.
>From what I have read the activator has a query keyboard and braille keyboard.
You just flip it over to switch between the keyboards.
/A

> 8 dec. 2023 kl. 22:27 skrev M. Taylor :
> 
> Hello Donna,
> 
> I have never heard of the Braille Activator device.  How much does it costs? 
> And why are you considering it over other Braille displays?
> 
> Last week, I purchased a Focus 40 Blue, 5th Generation, Braille display from 
> Freedom Scientific for approximately $4,000.  It is an absolutely stunning 
> device, and I am delighted to have it.  It has a USBC port.
> 
> Mark
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries  
> Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 3:34 PM
> To: via MacVisionaries 
> Subject: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
> from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
> displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
> super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
> love to hear from anyone who has used it.
> Thanks,
> Donna
> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

I agree. I’ve written both to the American dealer, and directly to help tech. 
The other piece of this that is relevant for me, is that I currently have a 14 
pro, but I’m eligible for an upgrade in October. So would that mean that I 
would have to purchase a new dock in October? If that is the case, I will just 
hold off until I have a newer phone.
Cheers,
Donna
Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 9, 2023, at 11:20 AM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
>> On 8/12/23 12:23, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> but I kind of can’t believe they wouldn’t plan for the migration to USB-C. 
>> If they don’t, the activator will have one of the shortest shelf lives of 
>> any braille display I’ve ever seen.
> 
> The European Union rules that influenced Apple's move to USB-C connectors on 
> iPhones have been in place for a while, so HelpTech has had plenty of time to 
> prepare.
> 
> If I remember the podcast correctly, the accessory that attaches to the 
> iPhone is a separate device which is magnetically connected to the Activator. 
> Thus, all they would need to do is to build one that has a USB-C port.
> 
> If I were considering a purchase, though, I would want to know for sure, and 
> with a time table if USB-C support isn't available already.
> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries]

On 8/12/23 12:23, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
but I kind of can’t believe they wouldn’t plan for the migration to 
USB-C. If they don’t, the activator will have one of the shortest 
shelf lives of any braille display I’ve ever seen.


The European Union rules that influenced Apple's move to USB-C 
connectors on iPhones have been in place for a while, so HelpTech has 
had plenty of time to prepare.


If I remember the podcast correctly, the accessory that attaches to the 
iPhone is a separate device which is magnetically connected to the 
Activator. Thus, all they would need to do is to build one that has a 
USB-C port.


If I were considering a purchase, though, I would want to know for sure, 
and with a time table if USB-C support isn't available already.


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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Angie,

Could you write me off-list?
Donna

> On Dec 8, 2023, at 9:23 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by 
> lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I were 
> to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be possible to 
> get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be sure. I too 
> recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.
> 
> All the best
> Angie
> 
>> On 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>> mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>>> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
>>> display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
>> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
>> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
>> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
>> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite lightly 
>> while reading.
>> 
>> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
>> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
>> searching for the recording or the transcript.
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
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>> Visionaries list.
>>  
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>> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
>>  
>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at: 
>> mk...@ucla.edu  and your owner is Cara Quinn - you 
>> can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com 
>>  
>> The archives for this list can be searched at:
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/macvisionaries@googlegroups.com/
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RE: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

[M. Taylor]

Hello Donna,

$6400?  My goodness.  That’s incredible!  (big Smile).

Thank you for the link, I’ll check it out.  For that kind of money, it had 
better be able to cook my breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and throw in a midnight 
snack, as well..  

Mark


From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries  
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2023 1:40 PM
To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

Hi Mark,

Well, I’ll get the bad news out of the way first.  It costs $6400.  Now, why am 
I considering it?  First, it has a dock that connects it to the iPhone, so that 
the device and the iPhone essentially become one unit.  Obviously you can use 
it as a keyboard, as you can many other displays, but it has other features, 
too.  Another feature that makes it attractive to me, is that it has both a 
Perkins and a qwerty keyboard.  I’ve never seen one, so I don’t know exactly 
how it works, but I believe that the display basically folds out, exposing the 
qwerty keyboard.  And of course, it also has Helptech’s other trademark 
features, such as touch scrolling, it senses where your fingers are on the 
display and moves it automatically.  It’s different from autoscroll in that it 
doesn’t scroll the display until you are actually at the end of a line of 
braille, at least as I understand it.  Here’s a link to a page that can give 
you a better description:
https://www.helptech.eu/braille-displays-activator
Cheers,
Donna


On Dec 8, 2023, at 3:27 PM, M. Taylor <mailto:markthew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Donna,

I have never heard of the Braille Activator device.  How much does it costs? 
And why are you considering it over other Braille displays?

Last week, I purchased a Focus 40 Blue, 5th Generation, Braille display from 
Freedom Scientific for approximately $4,000.  It is an absolutely stunning 
device, and I am delighted to have it.  It has a USBC port.

Mark

-Original Message-
From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
<mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> 
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 3:34 PM
To: via MacVisionaries <mailto:Macvisionaries@Googlegroups.com>
Subject: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
love to hear from anyone who has used it.
Thanks,
Donna

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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Hi Mark,

Well, I’ll get the bad news out of the way first.  It costs $6400.  Now, why am 
I considering it?  First, it has a dock that connects it to the iPhone, so that 
the device and the iPhone essentially become one unit.  Obviously you can use 
it as a keyboard, as you can many other displays, but it has other features, 
too.  Another feature that makes it attractive to me, is that it has both a 
Perkins and a qwerty keyboard.  I’ve never seen one, so I don’t know exactly 
how it works, but I believe that the display basically folds out, exposing the 
qwerty keyboard.  And of course, it also has Helptech’s other trademark 
features, such as touch scrolling, it senses where your fingers are on the 
display and moves it automatically.  It’s different from autoscroll in that it 
doesn’t scroll the display until you are actually at the end of a line of 
braille, at least as I understand it.  Here’s a link to a page that can give 
you a better description:
https://www.helptech.eu/braille-displays-activator
Cheers,
Donna

> On Dec 8, 2023, at 3:27 PM, M. Taylor  wrote:
> 
> Hello Donna,
> 
> I have never heard of the Braille Activator device.  How much does it costs? 
> And why are you considering it over other Braille displays?
> 
> Last week, I purchased a Focus 40 Blue, 5th Generation, Braille display from 
> Freedom Scientific for approximately $4,000.  It is an absolutely stunning 
> device, and I am delighted to have it.  It has a USBC port.
> 
> Mark
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries  
> Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 3:34 PM
> To: via MacVisionaries 
> Subject: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
> from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
> displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
> super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
> love to hear from anyone who has used it.
> Thanks,
> Donna
> 
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RE: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

[M. Taylor]

Hello Donna,

I have never heard of the Braille Activator device.  How much does it costs? 
And why are you considering it over other Braille displays?

Last week, I purchased a Focus 40 Blue, 5th Generation, Braille display from 
Freedom Scientific for approximately $4,000.  It is an absolutely stunning 
device, and I am delighted to have it.  It has a USBC port.

Mark

-Original Message-
From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries  
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 3:34 PM
To: via MacVisionaries 
Subject: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
love to hear from anyone who has used it.
Thanks,
Donna

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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Hi Angie,If it’s the same podcast I found, that podcast is now over a year old. So a lot may have changed since then. You’re right, in order for the purchase to make sense, I would want to know something definitively from the manufacturer.but I kind of can’t believe they wouldn’t plan for the migration to USB-C. If they don’t, the activator will have one of the shortest shelf lives of any braille display I’ve ever seen. The connectivity to the iPhone is one of their primary marketing focuses, so I  can’t believe they don’t have some plan in place for that. But I will definitely want to know what that plan is before I plunk down any money. Cheers,Donna Sent from my iPhoneOn Dec 8, 2023, at 11:02 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries  wrote:From my memory of the podcast: it wasn’t clear of the outcome. Apparently there’s a lot that can be done through a lightning port. Hoping someone has a better idea by now. The manufacturer is the one who ultimately needs to answer the question. I’d be interested on what other people thought of that part of said podcast.I was interested as I’d liked their stuff in the past and my dream has always been to have a braille display with QWERTY. It would take me longer to raise that kind of money than for the Mantis, so the Mantis, after my thoughts on the USBc thing, is the one I’ll try and save for.All the bestAngieOn 8 Dec 2023, at 15:32, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries  wrote:That’s a really good question, Angie.  I just wrote and asked the US dealer.  I’ll let you know what he says.Best,DonnaOn Dec 8, 2023, at 9:23 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries  wrote:I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I were to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be possible to get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be sure. I too recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.All the bestAngieOn 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries  wrote:

  

  
  

On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via
  MacVisionaries wrote:


  Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a
  technology demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked
  reliably for automatically panning the display. However, it needed
  to be adjusted to its most sensitive setting, presumably because I
  touched the cells quite lightly while reading.Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in
  which he interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator.
  It might be worth searching for the recording or the transcript.

  

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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries]

>From my memory of the podcast: it wasn’t clear of the outcome. Apparently 
>there’s a lot that can be done through a lightning port. Hoping someone has a 
>better idea by now. The manufacturer is the one who ultimately needs to answer 
>the question. I’d be interested on what other people thought of that part of 
>said podcast.

I was interested as I’d liked their stuff in the past and my dream has always 
been to have a braille display with QWERTY. It would take me longer to raise 
that kind of money than for the Mantis, so the Mantis, after my thoughts on the 
USBc thing, is the one I’ll try and save for.

All the best
Angie

> On 8 Dec 2023, at 15:32, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> That’s a really good question, Angie.  I just wrote and asked the US dealer.  
> I’ll let you know what he says.
> Best,
> Donna
> 
>> On Dec 8, 2023, at 9:23 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by 
>> lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I 
>> were to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be 
>> possible to get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be 
>> sure. I too recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.
>> 
>> All the best
>> Angie
>> 
>>> On 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>>> mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>> 
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
 Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
 display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
>>> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
>>> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
>>> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
>>> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite 
>>> lightly while reading.
>>> 
>>> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
>>> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
>>> searching for the recording or the transcript.
>>> 
>>> 
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>>> can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

That’s a really good question, Angie.  I just wrote and asked the US dealer.  
I’ll let you know what he says.
Best,
Donna

> On Dec 8, 2023, at 9:23 AM, 'Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by 
> lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I were 
> to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be possible to 
> get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be sure. I too 
> recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.
> 
> All the best
> Angie
> 
>> On 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>> mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>>> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
>>> display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
>> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
>> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
>> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
>> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite lightly 
>> while reading.
>> 
>> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
>> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
>> searching for the recording or the transcript.
>> 
>> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Angie Nutt' via MacVisionaries]

I may be a bit over cautious but the Activator connects to the iPhone by 
lightning and newer iPhones will be USB c, so my question would be, if I were 
to buy one: will we be able to connect it using USB C? It may be possible to 
get an adaptor, but for that much money I’d really want to be sure. I too 
recommend hearing the podcast mentioned.

All the best
Angie

> On 8 Dec 2023, at 14:47, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
>> display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite lightly 
> while reading.
> 
> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
> searching for the recording or the transcript.
> 
> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for this.  It’s good to know that the panning mechanism works reliably.  
And I didn’t know about Jonathan’s podcast.  I will see if I can find it.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Dec 8, 2023, at 8:47 AM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
>> display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?
> No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
> demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
> automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to its 
> most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite lightly 
> while reading.
> 
> Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
> interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be worth 
> searching for the recording or the transcript.
> 
> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries]

On 7/12/23 18:34, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:

Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?


No, but I've used one of their older displays briefly in a technology 
demonstration. The finger detection mechanism worked reliably for 
automatically panning the display. However, it needed to be adjusted to 
its most sensitive setting, presumably because I touched the cells quite 
lightly while reading.


Note also that Jonathan Mosen released a podcast last year in which he 
interviewed HelpTech representatives about the Activator. It might be 
worth searching for the recording or the transcript.


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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Yeah, exactly!  I mean, it’s true that on the Mantis you can set it in braille 
keyboard mode, and type Perkins style.  But for me that isn’t the same.  I’ve 
also always wanted a braille display where I could just mount the iPhone on it, 
and use it as one device.  It’s just a LOT of money.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Dec 8, 2023, at 5:02 AM, Anders Holmberg  wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> My intention is to have a look at it some day this month.
> It seems very cool with both a braille and querty keyboard.
> And I love the concave cells on their displays.
> Bless.
> /A
> 
>> 8 dec. 2023 kl. 00:34 skrev 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>> :
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille 
>> display from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things 
>> about their displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their 
>> products, it’s super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider 
>> this purchase.  I’d love to hear from anyone who has used it.
>> Thanks,
>> Donna
>> 
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Re: Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

[Anders Holmberg]

Hi!
My intention is to have a look at it some day this month.
It seems very cool with both a braille and querty keyboard.
And I love the concave cells on their displays.
Bless.
/A

> 8 dec. 2023 kl. 00:34 skrev 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> :
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
> from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
> displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
> super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
> love to hear from anyone who has used it.
> Thanks,
> Donna
> 
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Anyone have any experience with the activator braille display

['Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone has had a chance to use the Activator braille display 
from Helptech--formerly HandyTech?  I’ve heard really good things about their 
displays, and this one sounds very cool, but, like all their products, it’s 
super expensive, so I’m being very cautious as I consider this purchase.  I’d 
love to hear from anyone who has used it.
Thanks,
Donna

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