Testimonials
Molly Derbyshire, UK
I’ve received my Reveal 16i, it’s so fantastic! It’s so great to be able to read more easily with this magnifier. I’ve never had a magnifier like this before – I’ve always used handheld magnifiers. So I still feel like I’m constantly learning how best to use it for myself, it’s great
N.Brown , UK
By Purchasing this product, it has really made the future much more positive for me and without any exaggeration, it has changed my life. As the saying goes, it’s money very much well spent, probably one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Not only am I able to read and be independent but it’s also great to have easy straight forward access to Google, Youtube and email etc. I’m using the Reveal 16i all the time and looking forward to reading more books again.
Cathy Kelly, Scotland
I've just received my Explore 8 and it's absolutely great, really amazing. I'm using it to read things that I simply couldn't read before with just my magnifying glass. I can use it in the kitchen to read recipes and I can't wait to be able to take it to the shops. I gave all my books away because I couldn't read them but I'm now looking forward to getting some new ones to read. Thank you very much
Lilly C, Victoria
Why I love my BrailleNote Touch and it is so beneficial in my education.
I love the fact that you can change accounts on email so easily so I can email from school account and my personal Gmail account.
I love how easy it is to connect to the internet, it is so much more user friendly and the fact that you can use YouTube is so amazing and beneficial because you can listen to videos and tutorials like the other kids. The BrailleNote enables me to record audio and take photos, I did not think I would use the camera but I have already used it for a maths assignment showing a graph I made.
Word Processor is great and the way to make subfolders is so easy. I can have my subject folders and documents all organised.
You can install apps so easily like a dictionary, and pdf reader. The pdf reader helps me show my work to my parent or teacher from my BrailleNote, via the touch screen.
Tablet mode is so amazing and both blind people and sighted people can use it to navigate through the Braillenote Touch. I can get help from non-braille users and share what I am doing in class.
Writing directly on the screen is challenging but it will be so good in years to come as I improve because it allows sighted people to see the screen while I work.
I’ve only been using the Braillenote touch for two months but I have learnt so much and can do so much more than I used to with the Apex!
Barbara, Queensland
Brailliant is the best! The Brailliant isn't only for the younger generation, but for all of us. I wish the Brailliant was around when I was at school. Taking notes is a breeze, the keys are easy to press and it is very quiet. The Brailliant is Very light, fits into a back pack easily.
I found the Brailliant easy to pair with my i-phone, and Mac mini. I have also paired it with my friends i-pads. You can also use your Brailliant with windows machines too with a screen reader, NVDA works well.
Technology can be a bit daunting for some of us older people who didn't grow up with it but, don't worry! When you buy your Brailliant, the staff at HumanWare are extremely helpful.
My first Brailliant was a 40 cell, great for when you are reading aloud as I do quite often. The 32 cell Brailliant was on special, it is slightly smaller, and easier to carry in handbags or small backpacks. Great! for out and about, You can text, look up information or read in private. Most handy when you are sitting on the bus. Many times on the bus I get asked, "What are you doing with that thing!" I just say, "Technology has made it possible for blind people to read the same information as they do."
Why do I have two Braille displays? The 40 cell for upstairs on my Mac, and the 32 cell downstairs. I use them both every day, I don't get it when listening to speech, but Braille sinks in.
In my dreams, I wish the Brailliant was waterproof so I could sit down the beach and read all day but since it's not I am so glad we have heaps of information at our fingertips.
Jordie, Victoria
I am a braille trainer, music transcriber and music teacher and use refreshable braille in most aspects of my work. The crisp reliable dots and quiet input keys make the Brailliant a pleasure to use. While transcribing music, I rarely move my hands from the display using the input keys to produce documents and the touch cursor buttons to quickly edit. The Brailliant is also portable allowing me to cart it from office to office when I change work location. I have also found the Brailliant works well when paired to an iPhone for sending text messages or emails.
Customer from Victoria, Australia
“I am fortunate to have been in possession of a Prodigi Duo for the past three weeks and I am now wondering how I managed before I had this amazing device!
The base sits easily on my desk space alongside my laptop and large monitor and it is here I use Prodigi to magnify paperwork and particularly numbers which I have progressively had problems with differentiating. I work with figures so this is for me quite incredible.
The short tuition one to one session with Tony Wu the Prodigi representative who came to my residence and unpacked and assembled the device was excellent. Tony was very clear and precise in his instruction and along with the User Guide and Quick reference sheet I was at once able to commence using Prodigi and find my way around with no hesitation at all.
Over the past three weeks I have explored the various modes that best work for me and am comfortable with using the machine base for the most part in Live Mode and easily magnifying as required for the respective documents.
The Prodigi tablet is what is most amazing, it is lightweight and portable and I am using it constantly around the house for all manner of little jobs, particularly in the kitchen to magnify instruction labels on jars, cans and packaging, read recipes, see the temperature controls on my oven and I even reach into the back of deep cupboards, capture a shot and am then able to see what I have there without having to physically take it all out!
The best of all is that I can sit in a cafe with a latte and read the newspaper and magazines rather than only barely able to check out the headlines and pretty pictures...too tempting not to be doing my accounting work at home!
Thank you Prodigi”
Jonathon, A user in Australia
The Prodigi arrived this morning and all is well with no damages and it took only a few minutes to unpack and set up.
The initial wizard is really very worthwhile and makes the unit usable almost immediately.
I love the reader aspect so much and can now access my bank statements and letters which I have had trouble doing with my Sense View due to eye fatigue and the lack of resolution it has plus movement makes reading impossible.
Not anymore!
I am so enthusiastic about this unit I am going back to printed books instead of audio books,well for a try out but it may be a bit tedious to do.
Right now, I could not be happier with my unit and trust me when I say this is giving me a freedom to deal with text I had given up on.
I have yet to take the tablet out into shopping and look forward to being able to sort out infuriating things like spice bottles, pasta types and even margarine.
I think this is the best investment I have made in myself besides 6 eye surgeries and 2 laser treatments that mean I can still use Prodigi and do so with clarity.
I am sure sighted people underestimate the critical importance of clear text and the Diamond Text is a superb feature that allows me to cope with text again.
If you need a video testimonial of my new found joy let me know and I will produce something for you.
Thanks for your help and advice though I rather suspect I was on the right path in the first place when I discovered Prodigi.
Hope you get what this means to me and my appreciation for the designers and engineers - developers in making a superb low vision product that actually does what it says on the tin.
James, Student in Scotland, UK
Thomas E. Petersen, Texas, USA
Prodigi is such a blessing. I wouldn’t give it up. I have read 2 books in the first couple of weeks I had it, and these books are over 500 pages long. I always use the Diamond Edge Text mode to read and follow along with the speech function. The Diamond Edge Text is so crisp and clean on the screen, my eyes don’t get tired.
Don Gaunt, Massachusetts, USA
I am just so happy with the Prodigi! I’ve shown it to other people here, and they can’t believe how sharp the text is to read with that Diamond Edge. And they are simply amazed when I put it into speech mode and it talks to me. I even put my iPad under it to magnify it, because the iPad’s magnification is limited. I am going to the Veterans Administration soon for an eye exam, and I will be taking my Prodigi Tablet to show them. I love my Prodigi.
Mary Wright, Texas, USA
Mother absolutely LOVES her Prodigi! It's truly given her a new lease on life. She easily moves back and forth from read mode to live; reading newspaper obits, recipe cards, mail (although the machine doesn't read cursive, so letters are out unless they're printed), etc. Pictures are still a bit harder for her to see, but we're working on collecting her some better pictures. There are simply no words that can truly express our gratitude for this wonderful machine. Giving mom back some of her independence has worked wonders in restoring a "purpose" for her life. I'll sign off with a cute story. I awoke early the morning after we had set up the prodigi for mom, looking for mom. She was not in her bed. I didn't find her in the bathroom. I was beginning to get concerned. Then I saw her in the corning of the living room, at the desk...on her prodigi. She was totally engrossed in reading!!! Basically, you've given my mom back her eyesight! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Geoff, South Africa
I felt I needed to share my latest Victor Stream “experience” with you…
Misplacing the windowsill in our bathroom over the weekend, I dropped my unit some 30 feet onto a paved surface outside our apartment… Alone in the house at the time, I went outside and searched for the pieces with my shoes – locating the card, cover, battery and “chassis” which had scattered over an area of some 50 square feet.
Not really believing that it would ever work again, I re-assembled it, and to my surprise, found it works perfectly!!! Just a little dent on one corner!
I have dropped my Stream many times over the six years I have owned it, but only from desk height. It is the one I took up Kilimanjaro and have also listened to music during cycle and horse rides – it seems also to be pretty sweat resistant!
Ah yes, the last thing – I dropped it into my bath last month and, after about three days to dry out, another full recovery… That I didn’t expect, sadly having previously drowned two Milestones...
Pedro, I use my Stream every day in the office and read virtually every night.
I have tried many other “talking book machines” over the years and have never found another unit that comes even close to the Stream.
Just felt like sharing this with you,
Another very satisfied customer,
Best regards,
Joseph, Ottawa, ON, Canada
I sing with a barbershop chorus and place all my music/songs on the Victor Reader Stream; it is very easy to move forward or backward when learning the music. Recordings are quiet, free of annoying 'scratchiness'. I am a radio guy from a way back, what a device!
From a user in Madison, Wisconsin,
No more looking for "listen live" links on complicated websites. Your internet radio bookshelf is perfect, easy to use, logical and makes pushbutton internet radio a reality. It's much easier to use than any radio app for the iPhone.
From a user in Byron, Illinois,
What is so neat is I can go to my local library which has a public wireless network, and just use it to either download and read Bookshare titles, or search for internet radio stations.
From a user in Ontario, Canada,
The internet radio is very good. It plays .m3u .pls .asx .aac and more. It plays the I-heart stations that very few players will play. If you're familiar with the OO-tunes app on Ios it uses the OO-tunes data base of stations. You can search the data base and find thousands of stations. Highly recomended!
From a user in Brittany, France,
I couldn't work the radio on other DTB players, but the Stream is so easy!
From a user in Blue Springs, Montana,
I listened to the tutorial, very impressive! The internet radio puts other DTB players to shame.
Pam, United States, South Carolina
I have quite a few players but I would like to highlight 2 of them from your company. I use the first generation Stream which is wonderful to use for many of my reading needs. It’s like always having someone around to read print books to me and I simply love it’s ease of use. For my recent Birthday my husband got me The Stratus. I absolutely love using it since I can read tons of books on a 32 gig card not to mention being able to put memory sticks into my Stratus but also keep the 32 gig card in my Stratus if I choose to flip to one of my books on the flash card from the memory stick. The Stratus’s sound quality is fabulous as well. I wish that these wonderful electronic servants had been out when I tried to go to college since my study time would have been far more rewarding then they were back then.
Portia Scott , San Jose, CA, USA
Hello all, My name is Portia. I am 24 years old, and have been using the BrailleNote since the BrailleNote Classic. When I was in school, the BrailleNote enabled me to write, read and do much more efficiently. When I was at the California School For The Blind, I got to learn Sendero GPS on my BrailleNote mPower. I must say, that was a wonderful experience. Finally a while after I left CSB, which was when I was 18, my mPower's braille display started fading, and I knew I would eventually need a new BrailleNote. Just recently, somewhere in June or July, my friend Michelle expressed how she dearly wanted an mPower back, and that she would give me her BrailleNote Apex. I was beyond excited, and extatic. I kept asking her if she wanted it and she was like no, no, you have the Apex. So I took it, and made it my own. Now I have the latest version of Sendero GPS on it, and use it in my daily life for emailing, reading, and I'll even use it with my Android phone. Right now it is in the shop getting repaired, but I tell you, the Apex has been a huge joy to use. And unless I really had to, I could never live without a BrailleNote. Thank you Humanware, for a wonderful product. You always seem to amaze me with your products. I can't wait to try the new KeySoft!
Charles Clark, North East Sensory Services ICT Officer, UK
"Since I bought the Trekker Breeze two years ago I've only left the house without it twice, and both times I got lost”Charles Clark is the North East Sensory Services' ICT officer based in Aberdeen. It's his job to keep up to date with what's new in the assistive technology arena and to offer information and advice to NESS's clients, so he knows a thing or two about technology.
"I know there are other GPS options available and I've tried using some of the mobile phone apps but never really got on with them. I bought the Breeze because I like to keep things simple."
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E. M.,
I remember the first time I had my Sendero GPS working with my Braille Note. I was like a child in a candy store. Why? It was for the first time that I didn't have to ask an Access driver "Where are we?" It gave me so much information that I was craving for and really didn't know what I was missing not having a GPS on the BrailleNote. The most ironic thing is when I give precise directions to drivers who don't know where they are driving or I turn off speech and know when I'm being taken for a joy ride and need to correct the driver. The Sendero GPS has given me more independence when walking in unfamiliar areas. The spatial directional input is wonderful in having a choice on cardinal, right-left, and clock directional indicators. This gives more precise abilities to find the exact location of one's destination. I am looking forward in the near not distant future in traveling to London and visiting my son. It's the fact that I will be able to know exactly where I am and get to my final destination independently.
Linda Kay, United States, Montana
I walked to the Post Office today which is a good two miles one way. The best part, because it was such a nice day, my husband walked with me with the two Pugs as well I had Ms. Whisper (my Service Dog) with me. My husband has never really seen me walk with Whisper, my cane, and the Breeze. I walked in front as I had the Breeze. My husband offered no help except to tell me where there was ice or low hanging tree branches. He said he did not want to take away from any of my skills. He was totally amazed at my confidence and I knew exactly where I was at all times. I just have to remember to turn the volume down when I go inside, as I had the speaker attached and I had everyone turn around and then they all wanted to know about the Breeze.
John Abreu , Canada, Ontario
Since getting my Brailliant 40, I have had access to braille outside of the blind school I attended. This meant that if I got my college textbooks electronically, I could still read them. Even between semesters and beyond, I could use the brailliant with my iOS device and read books purchased using iBooks! This meant that I could still keep my braille reading skill up while still enjoying a book for the same cost as everyone else! This was not my first braille display, but it's been my best!
Jennifer Hawkins , United States, Illinois
I have a pretty active social life and like to travel a lot and often fly or take Amtrak trains alone. This would not be possible without my little Brailliant Braille display. Since I am deaf and cannot hear to talk on the phone and am also blind and cannot see to read texts, this is my only way of communicating with anyone. I not only use text messaging to communicate with family and friends but also use it to communicate with my employer, to "call in sick", to schedule appointments with doctors, to ask my guide dog school questions, and to check my credit card and checking accounts and the weather. It also allows me to access the web where I can shop for my groceries, dog food, Braille embosser paper, labeling tape and more. And last but not least, my Brailliant gives me 24/7 access to a favorite pastime: reading. I love to read!
Denise Sample , United States, Alabama
I was working with an early elementary student. Like all young students her dexterity, finger isolation and strength was weak. She spent more energy trying to push down the keys on a Perkins than focusing on her braille symbols as she wrote words and sentences. This is a very bright little girl. To see her labor over mechanics while she was ready to burst into braille was frustrating. I knew about the MountBatten and had seen it at conference. I took a mini class and I was sold. I purchased two as we had another student who was struggling. The difference was immediate. She moved over the keys easily. Because she no longer has to keep "pushing those keys down" she writes pages which is also contributing to putting a story together, sequencing, and using more punctuation. Problem solving along with using her imagination also are increased. No more heavy sighs over brailling. I cannot say enough about this. One of our best purchases!
Patrick Sidnell , United Kingdom, Wiltshire
Not be able to read was the worst thing about my sight lose. The Victor Reader allowed me to enjoy story's again.
Sarah Jevnikar , Canada, Ontario
As a math major in university, I have a volunteer record a peer's handwritten notes onto DAISY cd's, which I listen to on a DAISY reader from HumanWare. This allows me to bookmark important formulas or concepts to refer to later, and ensures I have access to all visual material (such as graphs) that I might miss in lecture. This resource is invaluable, and I'd be lost without it.
Michael Feir , Canada, Ontario
The sense of freedom and triumph could probably only be understood by someone who, like me, had never been able to do something like this before unaccompanied. Thanks to the Breeze, this summer will be far less isolating for me than the last one. I've learned how to get to a mall and restaurant, my church, and a few other places including a centre where I volunteer once a week mentoring young people.
William Bielawski , New Zealand, Northlandbertand
It is really satisfying to see the growth in my clients’ independence as they realize what the Trekker Breeze enables them to do.
Joshua Kennedy , United States, PA
I don't know how I ever got along without the Breeze. It has kept me from getting lost, and made traveling more efficient for me on countless occasions.
Evelyn Martin, United States
I have been using a HumanWare Trekker Breeze since August 2010 and it's the best aid I have along with my cane. I think of my Breeze as a friend and a helper so I would really like to let people know what a huge difference the Breeze can make to their independence and freedom.
Christopher Wright , United States, New York
I've been able to edit HTML code efficiently. -- When I call Dell's tech support line, I'm able to read off my customer ID. -- During my last year in college, notetaking was more efficient. -- As the webmaster for the National Alliance of Blind Students, I often use the Braille Note's braille display to read notes I prepare prior to board meetings. -- Dialing phone numbers is more efficient.
Jennifer Roth , United States, Maryland
My success story is my daughter. Her name is Julia. She is 5 years old and attends Kindergarten at Battle Grove Elementary School. This school year, with the help of her teachers, she has learned the basic functions of the BrailleNote taker. She is such a smart little girl, she reads very well and is constantly challanging us to push her even harder. With all of the advances in technology, it is only a matter of "what can the world handle" when it comes to my daughter, not what can she handle.
Elizabeth Bowden, United States, Florida
The use of Braille Note takers revolutionized many aspects of my life, and brought Braille back in to my world in a new way. For myself, one of the most thrilling concepts about me and my BrailleNote is the idea that the Braille world, which I thought I had lost has come back alive, and will always be part of me, how I work, and who I am. The BrailleNote allows me to be competitive, and still keep using Braille to eternity. I am looking forward to exploring many more uses I have still not touched upon for my BrailleNote. Some day, should I need to get an iPhone; the good part will be that I’ll be able to use it with my BrailleNote.
Hannah Furney , United States, Minnesota
I have used the Braillenote for taking notes during Church, reading the songs that we sing during Church, taking notes at different conventions, reading the Bible, and reading books for enjoyment. Also, having the Braillenote requires me to practice my Braille, since I did not learn Braille as a youngster, I need to keep practicing the skill so that I do not lose it. The Voicenote and Braillenote both have made improved my life tremendously.
Fereshteh Khosroujerdy , United Kingdom, London
With my Braille notetaker, I now have a voice in the classroom and have been able to make a number of presentations. It has opened up so many avenues of communication.
Ted Lennox , United States, Michigan
I use my BrailleNote constantly. I love for the first time in my life to be able to read my own e-mail and to send out e-mail. I gave up teaching after only 48 short years. I then started following my interest in poetry. I started writing poems about many subjects. The result being that I published my book called DIE DAILY: Dream, Improve, Enjoy. The whole entire book was written with my wonderful BrailleNote. The book is exactly 200 pages long in print, and about 375 pages in braille.
Diana Holzhauser , United States, Arkansas
I use my victor reader to record voice lessons, choir rehearsals and mp3 files of music I am rehearsing. The variable speed control allows me to practice slowly until i get the part perfected, then, speed it up to the designated tempo. I really am pleased with the amount of material I can store on the victor reader and the book mark feature allows me to locate passages in music I want to review.
Hope Paulos, United States, Maine
During my last semester of undergraduate study, I was required to student-teach Spanish at my local high school. The Stream allowed me to test my students using an external speaker. I played audio clips of Spanish conversations, and students were to answer questions on their computers and save them to text files. Although I had a computer that allowed me to read text files, nothing is as small and compact as the Stream. The Stream has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of my life.
Nancy K. Feist, United States, Tennessee
My stream is my most important item in my bag. Through the years I have used a digital recorder, tape recorder, I Pod and all together they weighed me down. Now I take the one device and am set. Thank God for the makers of the VR Stream!
Devon Wilkins, Canada, Ontario
My Victor Reader Stream served me well on several more occasions, and provided a means for me to relax with a good book and plenty of music when the hectic days were done.
Paul Kaminsky, Sr , United States, Florida
Thanks to the Victor Reader Stream I can now go to meetings very well prepared. Not only does the VRS hold my music collection, talking and audio books, descriptive movies and voice recordings of the meetings and conventions I’ve attended, but two functions make it a real asset at every meeting I attend. First is the fact that I can highlight topics within the materials I bring to meetings. As the meeting agenda moves along I track the highlighted material and am prepared to discuss my concerns. The second function that has saved and kept me involved with discussions is the BRS word search function. It even comes in handy at the grocery store when searching for something like ketchup and the search reveals Aisle 4. Love this new technology, thanks!
Mary Nettleton, United States, Colorado
I clip the Stream on my belt, plug in the head set and dance away. Now for the real success: I have the cue sheets recorded several weeks before the new dances will be introduced in class so that when the time comes, I'm up to speed immediately. I'm not the best dancer, but I'm the oldest and certainly the only blind clogger. I jokingly call myself "the world's oldest blind clogger". I love dancing with Victor.
Alicia Betancourt, United States, Florida
Once upon a time, about two years ago, I was introduced to my best piece of technology called the Victor Reader Stream. Now since I have gotten well acquainted with the victor reader stream, I just call him Victor. I am a recently graduated master’s student and when I started my program two years ago, I felt relieved to have the victor reader stream become a part of my life. Being able to have talking book files, text files, audio files, etc, at the touch of my fingers, felt like magic.
Marie C. Kouthoofd , United States, New York
Ever since I placed that reader in my hand, I have done nothing but make up for lost time. The time I lost reading, thumbing through bookshelves and filling my mind with knowledge. The use of my VR Stream has impacted and improved my life as a teacher and learner in unspeakable ways.
Donna Grahmann, United States, Texas
The memory card holds voice notes, speech recordings, my favorite music, over one hundred audio books and much more. Using a computer screen reader and an ear bud to listen to a manuscript, I can record a reading on the VRS in my own voice for playback during conference and critique meetings. Feedback recordings at those meetings enable me to make changes to improve a manuscript without sighted help. This feature rich, powerful product is a blessing to own. I am seldom found without my Victor Reader Stream. It tucks neatly into a shirt pocket, jacket or purse. One never knows when a good book idea might pop up and I want to be ready when it does.
Kris Belcher, United States, Utah
The “sleep” button proved invaluable. If I happened to fall asleep, I didn’t need to search through all the information to find the spot where I drifted off. I knew the segment of time that had elapsed, and could navigate quickly to that point. I am so happy with my new guide and grateful for my VictorReader Stream which aided in my training.
Michael Guajardo, United States, Texas
I have used the Victor Reader Stream to learn to play the piano. Since the book was in Daisy format, navigating to specific areas of the book was effortless. Skipping back or forward was a breeze. Bookmarking spots I deemed important allowed me to review specific material with ease. All of this made my learning to play piano a much more enjoyable and productive experience. I certainly won’t be playing at Carnegie Hall any time soon, but the personal achievements I’ve made and the sense of self-fulfillment have been extremely satisfying. I can attribute my success to the tools I now have at my disposal, including RFB (now known as Learning Alley) and technology such as the Victor Reader Stream.
Jesse Miller, United States, WV
I ride my bike, I go to gym three times a week, and I am good to go. Better than before. Riding, working out at the gym, what is with me on the high road to recovery? Yes: My Victor Stream Reader. Steady throughout. I wish every blind person had access to this technology. I swear by it.
Crystal Wright, United States, Utah
I love my Victor Reader Stream, I think that it is a given for all of us fortunate enough to have one. I use it for all the usual stuff talking books, music dvs movies and text documents etc. It does help me stay organized and always handy for a note. This brings me to the most cherished success stories I have thus far using the Victor Reader Stream.