Is it worth buying a VarioUltra braille display for use with a Mac and iPhone?
By Lielle Ben simon, 13 January, 2015
Forum
Braille on Apple Products
Hello! I am planning to buy a VarioUltra braille display from Baum. Has anybody used one of these? If so, how well does it work with VoiceOver on the Mac and iPhone? I think it's a great braille display. What do you think? Thenk!
HI.
I would encourage you to take a look at my Accessory Review on the display. It has a few short comings, but no regrets here on using it. Bare in mind if you get the 20 cell version, at least at this time, you will only get 18 cells of output right now on the Mac and your iPhone, as you have to run the device in emulation mode as a Pronto 18. Since you are essentially tricking your devices in to thinking they're running an 18 cell display, VoiceOver will render the content accordingly.
Hi. I played iwth a 40 cell model and a 20 cell model. To my knowledge there are a few bugs, if you read the review, I believe bluetooth connectivity can be a bit weird, and there's one other one I am forgetting as of now. I was impressed as heck with the irgonomic design of the keys, they weren't straight across, but out to the side causing you to have a nautral feel to the keys. granted it was a little strange, but you will get used to it. i'm very much interested in getting one of those eventually.
It's also worth noting that these are currently on back order. Someone I know purchased this in November and they told this person to expect it in February. If you're outside the US, you may not have to wait as long, especially if you're in Europe, as Baum is a German company.
Comments
Review
A review of this display has recently been posted to this site by Scott Davert. Here’s the link: http://www.applevis.com/reviews/braille-devices/varioultra-20-great-start-baum
VarioUltra
HI.
I would encourage you to take a look at my Accessory Review on the display. It has a few short comings, but no regrets here on using it. Bare in mind if you get the 20 cell version, at least at this time, you will only get 18 cells of output right now on the Mac and your iPhone, as you have to run the device in emulation mode as a Pronto 18. Since you are essentially tricking your devices in to thinking they're running an 18 cell display, VoiceOver will render the content accordingly.
I only demoed a unit.
Hi. I played iwth a 40 cell model and a 20 cell model. To my knowledge there are a few bugs, if you read the review, I believe bluetooth connectivity can be a bit weird, and there's one other one I am forgetting as of now. I was impressed as heck with the irgonomic design of the keys, they weren't straight across, but out to the side causing you to have a nautral feel to the keys. granted it was a little strange, but you will get used to it. i'm very much interested in getting one of those eventually.
back order
It's also worth noting that these are currently on back order. Someone I know purchased this in November and they told this person to expect it in February. If you're outside the US, you may not have to wait as long, especially if you're in Europe, as Baum is a German company.