Hi,
So soon I will be getting the BI 40X. I have posted this in this broader forum rather than braille on apple product because I also use it with windows.
I have seen both the focus 5th gen and the 40x. I know that the focus 5 can only be connected to a computer with usb a to usb c, not usb c to usb c, so there is no way for me to get this considering I have a mac, and this is just a stupid oversight from Vispero anyway considering the price - oh well never mind this is not even the point here. Plus, I have so much problems with focus 4th gen over bluetooth on my mac, and the braille cells of FS are worst than my nostalgic 6 years memory of that of BrailleConnect 40 2010-2016, closer to Humanware current cells which have a good reputation. Plus Focus ones are not very silent, at least those of the 4th. I mean BrailleConnect was technically humanware but sold to Baum then bought by APH or something very confusing like that right?
So. What are the current major frustrations, glitches? Somebody told me recently he experiences random freaze of the display for 10-15s. Please, I already know that the boot and shutdown time is aweful :) same goes for the Stream 3 by the way, so let's ignore that too.
Thanks a lot!
By TheBlindGuy07, 29 August, 2025
Forum
Assistive Technology
Comments
USB-C
You wrote: "I know that the focus 5 can only be connected to a computer with usb a to usb c, not usb c to usb c, so
there is no way for me to get this considering I have a mac, and this is just a stupid oversight from Vispero".
This, is not true. USB-C to USB_C to a Mac works fine. Focus supports normal USB including mixing and matching adapters. In addition, it has Bluetooth.
This is by no way saying Brailliant isn't a nice display. It is. Let's just not parrot wrong information please.
I'm using my Brailliant
Hi, I'm using my Brailliant BI 40X already for 4 years and love my Display.
I love the Perkins Keabord and I read and write Braille fluantlly.
I'm using with my iPhone and my PC with Jaws and NVDA installed.
Sometimes it's getting stock, but it doesn't happens manny.
Wen it's happens I need to restart it by holding the power button for an a half minutes.
Adapter
Literally everyone in my circle is saying that on windows at least you must use usb a to usb c. Maybe it's different on mac? Or you are just lucky to have the perfect exact pin match?
Re: Adapter
Just a basic USB-C to USB-C cable works fine from Mac to Focus... I'm just guessing that your friends may just have USB-A ports on their PCs especially if they're a bit older. USB-C was slower to come to PCs, especially desktops.
I want to clarify I'm not singing the praises of Focus. It does have advantages over Brailliant, in particular a lot faster startup time. And it was designed to be pretty future proof. But therein lies my current concern too, the 5th generation was released in 2017. It seems due for a refresh in my opinion.