Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-25 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Yes, it does.
Best,
Donna

> On Mar 25, 2024, at 7:26 AM, Anders Holmberg  wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> So the mantis works with Mac?
> I am about to get a new display and I would like to have the mantis as it has 
> a keyboard.
> Bless.
> /A
> 
>> 23 mars 2024 kl. 15:35 skrev 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>> :
>> 
>> Orbit has just announced a display with a qwerty keyboard that will start 
>> shipping in June.
>> 
>> I had a Mantis, but sold it.  I loved the unit, but had trouble using the 
>> thumb keys due to arthritis in my thumbs.
>> Donna
>> 
>>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 9:30 AM, 'Kliph Miller Sr' via MacVisionaries 
>>>  wrote:
>>> 
 Orbit has a qwerty keyboard? I thought it was a braille style keyboard? 
 Donna, have you tried the mantis? I have been using it for 3 years and 
 love it. Even has a note taker and some of the bookshare sites built into 
 it.
 
 Check out the TechTalk  
 Podcast 
 
 Sturitup on  Youtube 
  Page
 The MacForTheBlind Podcast 
 And iPad for All computing on th TTJ Tech Talk Podcast 
 
 Check out our Apple Tutorials Playlist 
  
 for all class audio
 
> On Mar 23, 2024, at 8:07 AM, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, 
> and I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a 
> qwerty keyboard.  I’d love to hear about people’s experience with the 
> Orbit reader.  I realize it won’t be the new display, but I do remember 
> that at least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about 
> the Orbit reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said 
> it’s compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a 
> Mac or an iPhone?
> Cheers,
> Donna
> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-25 Thread Anders Holmberg 
Hi!
So the mantis works with Mac?
I am about to get a new display and I would like to have the mantis as it has a 
keyboard.
Bless.
/A

> 23 mars 2024 kl. 15:35 skrev 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> :
> 
> Orbit has just announced a display with a qwerty keyboard that will start 
> shipping in June.
> 
> I had a Mantis, but sold it.  I loved the unit, but had trouble using the 
> thumb keys due to arthritis in my thumbs.
> Donna
> 
>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 9:30 AM, 'Kliph Miller Sr' via MacVisionaries 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>>> Orbit has a qwerty keyboard? I thought it was a braille style keyboard? 
>>> Donna, have you tried the mantis? I have been using it for 3 years and love 
>>> it. Even has a note taker and some of the bookshare sites built into it.
>>> 
>>> Check out the TechTalk  Podcast 
>>> 
>>> Sturitup on  Youtube 
>>>  Page
>>> The MacForTheBlind Podcast 
>>> And iPad for All computing on th TTJ Tech Talk Podcast 
>>> 
>>> Check out our Apple Tutorials Playlist 
>>>  
>>> for all class audio
>>> 
 On Mar 23, 2024, at 8:07 AM, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
  wrote:
 
 Hi all,
 
 I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, 
 and I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a 
 qwerty keyboard.  I’d love to hear about people’s experience with the 
 Orbit reader.  I realize it won’t be the new display, but I do remember 
 that at least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about 
 the Orbit reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said 
 it’s compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a 
 Mac or an iPhone?
 Cheers,
 Donna
 
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>>> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
That’s really too bad about the Orbit.  But I guess you get what you pay for. 
*sigh*. It would really be nice if people didn’t have to break the bank to get 
a braille display.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 24, 2024, at 2:06 PM, Pete De Vasto  wrote:
> 
> Regarding VarioUltra, no they've not incorporated wi-fi. If you look for a 
> USB-C cable, I seem to remember they will tell you if it's for charging only.
> 
> About the Orbit Reeder: I actually did purchase one, but when I got it I,too, 
> realized just how noisy and slow the Braille cells are when refreshing. Also, 
> right out of the box, two of the cells had dots not working. The place I got 
> it from did have a 15-day return policy and I was able to ship it back to 
> them on time so was able to get a refund. I now have a Mantis which replaced 
> my Focus display. Its main purpose in my life is to be a terminal for my PC 
> and for several Apple devices. I love having the QWERTY keyboard for when I'm 
> writing stuff on my Apple devices.
> 
> Pete De Vasto
> 
> On Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 10:39:05 AM UTC-7 jasonj...@gmail.com wrote:
>> 
>> On 24/3/24 13:16, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>>> I assume you bought it from those Envision people?  It didn’t seem to me
>>>  like they were very organized, and I was worried they wouldn’t be able 
>>> to make a go of it.  Have they added Wifi to the Vario?
>> 
>> The only change I am aware of on the hardware side is that it now has a 
>> USB-C port.
>> 
>> Obviously, that's good for the Mac, which is USB-C only.
>> 
>> Incidentally, in case anyone here knows, what type of USB-C cable would I 
>> need to connect
>> 
>>  a braille display to the Mac directly, without a USB-A to USB-C adapter? 
>> Based on what I've read, some USB-C cables are for charging only, and others 
>> are for data transfer - I'm not sure how I would find out which was which in 
>> making a purchase.
> 
> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread Pete De Vasto 
Regarding VarioUltra, no they've not incorporated wi-fi. If you look for a 
USB-C cable, I seem to remember they will tell you if it's for charging 
only.

About the Orbit Reeder: I actually did purchase one, but when I got it 
I,too, realized just how noisy and slow the Braille cells are when 
refreshing. Also, right out of the box, two of the cells had dots not 
working. The place I got it from did have a 15-day return policy and I was 
able to ship it back to them on time so was able to get a refund. I now 
have a Mantis which replaced my Focus display. Its main purpose in my life 
is to be a terminal for my PC and for several Apple devices. I love having 
the QWERTY keyboard for when I'm writing stuff on my Apple devices.

Pete De Vasto

On Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 10:39:05 AM UTC-7 jasonj...@gmail.com wrote:

>
> On 24/3/24 13:16, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>
> I assume you bought it from those Envision people?  It didn’t seem to me
>  like they were very organized, and I was worried they wouldn’t be able 
> to make a go of it.  Have they added Wifi to the Vario?
>
> The only change I am aware of on the hardware side is that it now has a 
> USB-C port.
>
> Obviously, that's good for the Mac, which is USB-C only.
>
> Incidentally, in case anyone here knows, what type of USB-C cable would I 
> need to connect
>
>  a braille display to the Mac directly, without a USB-A to USB-C adapter? 
> Based on what I've read, some USB-C cables are for charging only, and others 
> are for data transfer - I'm not sure how I would find out which was which in 
> making a purchase.
>
>

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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 


On 24/3/24 13:16, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:

I assume you bought it from those Envision people?  It didn’t seem to me
  like they were very organized, and I was worried they wouldn’t be able
to make a go of it.  Have they added Wifi to the Vario?


The only change I am aware of on the hardware side is that it now has a 
USB-C port.


Obviously, that's good for the Mac, which is USB-C only.

Incidentally, in case anyone here knows, what type of USB-C cable would 
I need to connect


 a braille display to the Mac directly, without a USB-A to USB-C adapter? Based 
on what I've read, some USB-C cables are for charging only, and others are for 
data transfer - I'm not sure how I would find out which was which in making a 
purchase.

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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
I assume you bought it from those Envision people?  It didn’t seem to me like 
they were very organized, and I was worried they wouldn’t be able to make a go 
of it.  Have they added Wifi to the Vario?
Cheers,
Donna


> On Mar 24, 2024, at 12:12 PM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> On 24/3/24 12:19, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> I *loved my VarioUltra!  Of all the nonQWERTY braille displays I’ve 
>> used, it was my favorite.  I kept my Vario for years after Baum folded, but 
>> eventually it bit the dust.
> 
> I bought mine new last year.
> 
> If you still have yours and wish to find out what it would cost to repair, 
> there are options available.
> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 



On 24/3/24 12:19, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
I *loved my VarioUltra!  Of all the nonQWERTY braille displays 
I’ve used, it was my favorite.  I kept my Vario for years after Baum 
folded, but eventually it bit the dust.


I bought mine new last year.

If you still have yours and wish to find out what it would cost to 
repair, there are options available.


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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
I *loved my VarioUltra!  Of all the nonQWERTY braille displays I’ve used, 
it was my favorite.  I kept my Vario for years after Baum folded, but 
eventually it bit the dust.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 24, 2024, at 11:15 AM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On 24/3/24 11:29, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> I’ve never seen the 20-cell version, but yes.  The forty-cell units have
>>  three buttons at either end of the braille cels.  They’re very handy.
> BAUM displays (now manufactured by VisioBraille) also have three keys at 
> either end of the display.
> 
> My VarioUltra also has two space keys at the very front, a selector button 
> between them (it's a five-position button - four navigational directions plus 
> selection in the centre), and four system keys, also in the front. The 
> braille keyboard is behind the display.
> 
> It's Mac-compatible, although I haven't found third-party Mac software for 
> accessing the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) storage on the braille display. 
> This storage holds documents in any of the supported file formats.
> 
> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 


On 24/3/24 11:29, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:

I’ve never seen the 20-cell version, but yes.  The forty-cell units have
  three buttons at either end of the braille cels.  They’re very handy.


BAUM displays (now manufactured by VisioBraille) also have three keys at 
either end of the display.


My VarioUltra also has two space keys at the very front, a selector 
button between them (it's a five-position button - four navigational 
directions plus selection in the centre), and four system keys, also in 
the front. The braille keyboard is behind the display.


It's Mac-compatible, although I haven't found third-party Mac software 
for accessing the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) storage on the braille 
display. This storage holds documents in any of the supported file formats.


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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
I’ve never seen the 20-cell version, but yes.  The forty-cell units have three 
buttons at either end of the braille cels.  They’re very handy.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 24, 2024, at 10:20 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
> 
> I didn't know the 40-cell Brailliant had panning buttons at either end of the 
> display in addition to the thumb keys. I have the 20-cell unit, which does 
> not have those, but I have heard that the 40-cell Brailliant has more buttons 
> than the one I have.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024 09:30 AM
> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
> 
> Yeah.  So far it's only in my thumbs, so if the display has panning buttons 
> on either end of the braille cells, I'm fine.  The Brailliant does have that, 
> but the Mantis does not.
> Cheers,
> Donna
>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 10:04 PM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
>> 
>> Yes, I would rather pay more for a device that will work reliably for at 
>> least a few years before having to be sent in than have a cheap display that 
>> has to be sent in potentially several times a year for repairs. Personally, 
>> I love the thumb keys on Humanware displays, but you're not the first person 
>> who has told me that they're very difficult to use for people who have 
>> arthritis in their hands.
>> 
>> - Original Message -
>> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 02:20 PM
>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
>> Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
>> 
>> Hi Jessica,
>> Wow!  I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with the device, all 
>> the more since you had the opportunity to test several different units.  A 
>> Braille display whose cells don't last is definitely no deal, no matter how 
>> great the price tag is.  Glad you have your BrailleSense 6, so at least you 
>> weren't completely reliant on the Orbit Reader.  Thanks for telling me about 
>> your experience.  I have to say that has me leaning away from buying it.
>> Best,
>> Donna
>> 
>>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Donna,
>>> I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
>>> they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
>>> cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 
>>> 20 Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the 
>>> braille cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells 
>>> had stopped working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same 
>>> time, so the Orbit just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it 
>>> repaired. After that I donated it to an organization I'm in because I 
>>> wanted to get rid of it but didn't feel as though I should ask for money 
>>> for a product I had already had such bad luck with. I know there are people 
>>> who have had good luck with the Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it 
>>> to anyone.
>>> 
>>> - Original Message -
>>> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>>> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
>>> Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and 
>>> I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a 
>>> qwerty keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit 
>>> reader.  I realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at 
>>> least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit 
>>> reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's 
>>> compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or 
>>> an iPhone?
>>> Cheers,
>>> Donna
>>> -- 
>>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac 
>>> Visionaries list.
>>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if 
>>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners 
>>> or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
>>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor.  You can reach mark at: 
>>>

Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Yes, it is.  That was a big reason for my looking into the Activator.  I still 
might end up buying one, just because there’s no other viable Braille display 
qwerty combo.  I currently have an old Focus44 hooked up to my PC desktop, but 
as you can probably imagine, the dots are getting harder and harder to read.  
Pretty soon I’m going to have to retire it, and I’d really love to have the 
display and the keyboard in one device..
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 24, 2024, at 9:14 AM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On 24/3/24 09:23, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> Yeah.  So far it’s only in my thumbs, so if the display has panning 
>> buttons on either end of the braille cells, I’m fine.  The Brailliant 
>> does have that, but the Mantis does not.
> In this situation, would the Active Tactile Control of HelpTech displays be 
> an advantage? It would reduce key presses considerably.
> 
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RE: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread Jessica Barr 
I didn't know the 40-cell Brailliant had panning buttons at either end of the 
display in addition to the thumb keys. I have the 20-cell unit, which does not 
have those, but I have heard that the 40-cell Brailliant has more buttons than 
the one I have.

- Original Message -
From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024 09:30 AM
To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

Yeah.  So far it's only in my thumbs, so if the display has panning buttons on 
either end of the braille cells, I'm fine.  The Brailliant does have that, but 
the Mantis does not.
Cheers,
Donna
> On Mar 23, 2024, at 10:04 PM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
> 
> Yes, I would rather pay more for a device that will work reliably for at 
> least a few years before having to be sent in than have a cheap display that 
> has to be sent in potentially several times a year for repairs. Personally, I 
> love the thumb keys on Humanware displays, but you're not the first person 
> who has told me that they're very difficult to use for people who have 
> arthritis in their hands.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 02:20 PM
> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
> 
> Hi Jessica,
> Wow!  I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with the device, all 
> the more since you had the opportunity to test several different units.  A 
> Braille display whose cells don't last is definitely no deal, no matter how 
> great the price tag is.  Glad you have your BrailleSense 6, so at least you 
> weren't completely reliant on the Orbit Reader.  Thanks for telling me about 
> your experience.  I have to say that has me leaning away from buying it.
> Best,
> Donna
> 
>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Donna,
>> I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
>> they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
>> cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 
>> 20 Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the 
>> braille cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells had 
>> stopped working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same time, so 
>> the Orbit just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it repaired. 
>> After that I donated it to an organization I'm in because I wanted to get 
>> rid of it but didn't feel as though I should ask for money for a product I 
>> had already had such bad luck with. I know there are people who have had 
>> good luck with the Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it to anyone.
>> 
>> - Original Message -
>> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
>> Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and 
>> I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a qwerty 
>> keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit reader. 
>>  I realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at least 
>> early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit reader. 
>>  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's compatible with 
>> Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or an iPhone?
>> Cheers,
>> Donna
>> -- 
>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac 
>> Visionaries list.
>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if 
>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or 
>> 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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>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 


On 24/3/24 09:23, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:

Yeah.  So far it’s only in my thumbs, so if the display has panning
buttons on either end of the braille cells, I’m fine.  The Brailliant
does have that, but the Mantis does not.
In this situation, would the Active Tactile Control of HelpTech displays 
be an advantage? It would reduce key presses considerably.


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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-24 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Yeah.  So far it’s only in my thumbs, so if the display has panning buttons on 
either end of the braille cells, I’m fine.  The Brailliant does have that, but 
the Mantis does not.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 23, 2024, at 10:04 PM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
> 
> Yes, I would rather pay more for a device that will work reliably for at 
> least a few years before having to be sent in than have a cheap display that 
> has to be sent in potentially several times a year for repairs. Personally, I 
> love the thumb keys on Humanware displays, but you're not the first person 
> who has told me that they're very difficult to use for people who have 
> arthritis in their hands.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 02:20 PM
> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
> 
> Hi Jessica,
> Wow!  I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with the device, all 
> the more since you had the opportunity to test several different units.  A 
> Braille display whose cells don't last is definitely no deal, no matter how 
> great the price tag is.  Glad you have your BrailleSense 6, so at least you 
> weren't completely reliant on the Orbit Reader.  Thanks for telling me about 
> your experience.  I have to say that has me leaning away from buying it.
> Best,
> Donna
> 
>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Donna,
>> I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
>> they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
>> cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 
>> 20 Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the 
>> braille cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells had 
>> stopped working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same time, so 
>> the Orbit just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it repaired. 
>> After that I donated it to an organization I'm in because I wanted to get 
>> rid of it but didn't feel as though I should ask for money for a product I 
>> had already had such bad luck with. I know there are people who have had 
>> good luck with the Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it to anyone.
>> 
>> - Original Message -
>> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
>> Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and 
>> I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a qwerty 
>> keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit reader. 
>>  I realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at least 
>> early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit reader. 
>>  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's compatible with 
>> Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or an iPhone?
>> Cheers,
>> Donna
>> -- 
>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac 
>> Visionaries list.
>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if 
>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or 
>> 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/
>> --- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
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RE: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread Jessica Barr 
Yes, I would rather pay more for a device that will work reliably for at least 
a few years before having to be sent in than have a cheap display that has to 
be sent in potentially several times a year for repairs. Personally, I love the 
thumb keys on Humanware displays, but you're not the first person who has told 
me that they're very difficult to use for people who have arthritis in their 
hands.

- Original Message -
From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 02:20 PM
To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

Hi Jessica,
Wow!  I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with the device, all the 
more since you had the opportunity to test several different units.  A Braille 
display whose cells don't last is definitely no deal, no matter how great the 
price tag is.  Glad you have your BrailleSense 6, so at least you weren't 
completely reliant on the Orbit Reader.  Thanks for telling me about your 
experience.  I have to say that has me leaning away from buying it.
Best,
Donna

> On Mar 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
> 
> Hi Donna,
> I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
> they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
> cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 
> 20 Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the 
> braille cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells had 
> stopped working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same time, so 
> the Orbit just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it repaired. 
> After that I donated it to an organization I'm in because I wanted to get rid 
> of it but didn't feel as though I should ask for money for a product I had 
> already had such bad luck with. I know there are people who have had good 
> luck with the Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it to anyone.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
> 
> Hi all,
> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and I 
> just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a qwerty 
> keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit reader.  
> I realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at least early 
> on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit reader.  Is 
> that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's compatible with 
> Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or an iPhone?
> Cheers,
> Donna
> -- 
> The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries 
> list.
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> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or 
> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
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> 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:
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Hi Jessica,

Wow!  I’m sorry to hear that you had so many problems with the device, all the 
more since you had the opportunity to test several different units.  A Braille 
display whose cells don’t last is definitely no deal, no matter how great the 
price tag is.  Glad you have your BrailleSense 6, so at least you weren’t 
completely reliant on the Orbit Reader.  Thanks for telling me about your 
experience.  I have to say that has me leaning away from buying it.
Best,
Donna


> On Mar 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Jessica Barr  wrote:
> 
> Hi Donna,
> I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
> they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
> cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 
> 20 Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the 
> braille cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells had 
> stopped working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same time, so 
> the Orbit just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it repaired. 
> After that I donated it to an organization I'm in because I wanted to get rid 
> of it but didn't feel as though I should ask for money for a product I had 
> already had such bad luck with. I know there are people who have had good 
> luck with the Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it to anyone.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
> Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?
> 
> Hi all,
> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and I 
> just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a qwerty 
> keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit reader.  
> I realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at least early 
> on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit reader.  Is 
> that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's compatible with 
> Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or an iPhone?
> Cheers,
> Donna
> -- 
> The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries 
> list.
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> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or 
> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
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> caraqu...@caraquinn.com
> The archives for this list can be searched at:
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RE: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread Jessica Barr 
Hi Donna,
I tested several Orbit Readers for my braille and talking book library, and 
they all broke down within a few months, if not sooner. I loved the braille 
cells when they were all in good working order, so I bought an Orbit Reader 20 
Plus shortly after it was released, hoping that the longevity of the braille 
cells had improved. After eight or nine months, two of the cells had stopped 
working correctly. I got the BrailleSense 6 around the same time, so the Orbit 
just sat unused on a shelf for a while before I got it repaired. After that I 
donated it to an organization I'm in because I wanted to get rid of it but 
didn't feel as though I should ask for money for a product I had already had 
such bad luck with. I know there are people who have had good luck with the 
Orbit Reader, but I would not recommend it to anyone.

- Original Message -
From: 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 09:08 AM
To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com
Subject: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

Hi all,
I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and I 
just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a qwerty 
keyboard.  I'd love to hear about people's experience with the Orbit reader.  I 
realize it won't be the new display, but I do remember that at least early on, 
people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit reader.  Is that 
still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it's compatible with Voiceover.  
Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or an iPhone?
Cheers,
Donna
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Thanks, Jason.  I just read Scott Davert’s review from 2021, and he did mention 
that.  I’d love to get a demo, just to evaluate the braille cells before I make 
a purchase decision.  But I sure do like the price tag a lot better than the 
one for the Activator, which is the only other qwerty contender for me 
currently, since I can’t use the thumb keys on the Mantis.
Cheers,
Donna

> On Mar 23, 2024, at 10:20 AM, 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On 23/3/24 09:07, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:
>> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, 
>> and I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a
>>  qwerty keyboard.  I’d love to hear about people’s experience with the 
>> Orbit reader.  I realize it won’t be the new display, but I do remember 
>> that at least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about
>>  the Orbit reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it 
>> said it’s compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with 
>> either a Mac or an iPhone?
> As I recall, in an interview several years ago, Orbit Research acknowledged 
> reliability difficulties with their braille cell technology, but claimed 
> these problems had been rectified. To what extent that's true, I am not in 
> any position to verify independently.
> 
> Orbit's cells are also noisier and slower to refresh than Piezoelectric 
> cells. I prefer the latter, but there are people who prefer Orbit Research 
> cells.
> 
> 
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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread 'Jason J.G. White' via MacVisionaries 


On 23/3/24 09:07, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries wrote:

I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard,
and I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a
  qwerty keyboard.  I’d love to hear about people’s experience with the
Orbit reader.  I realize it won’t be the new display, but I do remember
that at least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about
  the Orbit reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it
said it’s compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with
either a Mac or an iPhone?


As I recall, in an interview several years ago, Orbit Research 
acknowledged reliability difficulties with their braille cell 
technology, but claimed these problems had been rectified. To what 
extent that's true, I am not in any position to verify independently.


Orbit's cells are also noisier and slower to refresh than Piezoelectric 
cells. I prefer the latter, but there are people who prefer Orbit 
Research cells.


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Re: Anyone have experience with the Orbit reader?

2024-03-23 Thread 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
Orbit has just announced a display with a qwerty keyboard that will start 
shipping in June.

I had a Mantis, but sold it.  I loved the unit, but had trouble using the thumb 
keys due to arthritis in my thumbs.
Donna

> On Mar 23, 2024, at 9:30 AM, 'Kliph Miller Sr' via MacVisionaries 
>  wrote:
> 
>> Orbit has a qwerty keyboard? I thought it was a braille style keyboard? 
>> Donna, have you tried the mantis? I have been using it for 3 years and love 
>> it. Even has a note taker and some of the bookshare sites built into it.
>> 
>> Check out the TechTalk  Podcast 
>> 
>> Sturitup on  Youtube 
>>  Page
>> The MacForTheBlind Podcast 
>> And iPad for All computing on th TTJ Tech Talk Podcast 
>> 
>> Check out our Apple Tutorials Playlist 
>>  
>> for all class audio
>> 
>>> On Mar 23, 2024, at 8:07 AM, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries 
>>>  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I am still on a quest to find a braille display with a qwerty keyboard, and 
>>> I just saw that Orbit is about to release a forty cell display with a 
>>> qwerty keyboard.  I’d love to hear about people’s experience with the Orbit 
>>> reader.  I realize it won’t be the new display, but I do remember that at 
>>> least early on, people had a lot of negative things to say about the Orbit 
>>> reader.  Is that still the case?  In the blurb I read, it said it’s 
>>> compatible with Voiceover.  Has anyone used an Orbit with either a Mac or 
>>> an iPhone?
>>> Cheers,
>>> Donna
>>> 
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>> 
> 
> 
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