Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Orbit 20 experience? (self.Blind)
submitted by ryan516
Has anyone in here used an Orbit 20? I’m in the market for a new Braille display, and the Orbit 20 (not plus) is really catching my eye. The price point is great, but at the same time, it worries me given everything else is at least double the cost. If you have used it, does it hold up well? Have any of the dots died or gotten weaker? Should I try and just save up and get a Brilliant or something?
Altie-McAltface 2 points 2y ago
I use my Orbit reader 20 regularly. I bought it right when it came out in 2018. It's pretty good as a reader, but that low price comes with two gotcha's. The refresh rate is very slow, and it's very loud--loud enough that some (myself included) don't want to use it in public.
The dots are very firm. They're not lying when they say "signage quality".
It's finicky when working with an iPad. I have to bring up the accessibility menu, then turn on the orbit, and while the orbit is flashing the cells and booting, I press the VoiceOver option on the iPad. That's the only consistent way I can get it to work. NVDA works really well, though.
The dots are very firm. They're not lying when they say "signage quality".
It's finicky when working with an iPad. I have to bring up the accessibility menu, then turn on the orbit, and while the orbit is flashing the cells and booting, I press the VoiceOver option on the iPad. That's the only consistent way I can get it to work. NVDA works really well, though.
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
that's interesting.
My orbit is too bluetooth hungry - my phome waking with a notification will disturb my reading if my phone is in bluetooth range and I've left the connection to auto.
My orbit is too bluetooth hungry - my phome waking with a notification will disturb my reading if my phone is in bluetooth range and I've left the connection to auto.
ryan516 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you! This is really helpful!
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
The orbit range is cheaper because the pins use a different technology. The refresh rate is slower and louder than a traditional display. If you're using it as a very fast brailist I might consider a different model.
If you're not too fast for it and don't mind the noise, it's a fantastic machine. ours sits on a coffee table and doubles as a newspaper, book or notepad. it's got the best boot-time of any device I've used with a built-in notepad. the battery life is incredible, the cells are clear and consistent in their quality and apart from the noise, which i've gotten used to, I'm as comfortable reading on it for hours as I had been on my focus (without needing bluetooth to drain the battery or tie up my phone.).
If you're not too fast for it and don't mind the noise, it's a fantastic machine. ours sits on a coffee table and doubles as a newspaper, book or notepad. it's got the best boot-time of any device I've used with a built-in notepad. the battery life is incredible, the cells are clear and consistent in their quality and apart from the noise, which i've gotten used to, I'm as comfortable reading on it for hours as I had been on my focus (without needing bluetooth to drain the battery or tie up my phone.).
ryan516 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you! This is extremely helpful — I pushed the button on it this morning, since nothing you mentioned is a huge issue for me. Listening to videos, I actually really enjoy this noise it makes, even if it is a bit loud
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Yes I use one and love it. I use it a lot. The software built in is very basic but it works perfect with a bluetooth device. I have a display that has pins that keep getting stuck either inside the machine or it won’t go down but otherwise the other unit is pitch perfect. I think I just got unlucky with that unit.
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