The following braille input devices can also be connected to PC to increase productivity.
Mountbattan Brailler:
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Mountbattan Braille Machine | |
| The Mountbattan Braille machine can connect to mimic, a keyboard, laptop or iPad to communicate and print. | |
| Transportable | Has a handle for carrying, but heavy at 4.7kg. |
| Available | Vision Australia Price: $4,830.00 AUD |
| Practical | Connects and allows sighted and non sighted communicate with each other via braille to digital format. |
| Engaging | Easy to use, load standard photocopying paper and interact with. Talks the commands to the student |
Smart Perkins:
Smart Perkins
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Smart Perkins | |
| Released in 2014, the Smart Perkins is based on the hardiness of the original Perkins, but is designed to be able to help teachers and parents to teach and learn braille with the students. Can connect to digital devices. | |
| Transportable | Still quite bulky, so best fixed, but can be moved. |
| Available | Vision Australia $ |
| Practical | The braille machine is very heavy and needs annual servicing, however is simple in its functions so it can not store documents. |
| Engaging | Video and audio feedback. Building on Patterns series loaded on to sequentially teach braille. USB port to transfer files. |
Focus:
Focus 14 and 40
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Focus | |
| Focus 14 and 40 provide braille input with braille display. The 14 has 14 cells of braille and the 40 displays 40 cells. Perkins braille keys for input of information. | |
| Transportable | Weighing 230 and 600g, lightweight and easy to use |
| Available | Quantum $1,425.00 AUD (14) and $3,075.00 AUD (40) |
| Practical | Navigate PC or smartphone via bluetooth, add to JAWS for speech |
| Engaging | Small, compact and allows easy access to modern technology |
Pac Mate:
Pac Mate Omni Perkins
Pac Mate Omni QWERTY
| An ‘eye-tea’ review of the Pac Mate Omni | |
| The Pac Mate comes in Perkins braille input or QWERTY keyboard input and 0, 20 or 40 refreshable braille display | |
| Transportable | All models weigh slightly less than 1kg. |
| Available | Quantum (0) $2,195.00, (20) $4,110.00, (40) $6,435.00 |
| Practical | Preloaded with JAWS can access all mobile computing needs such as emails, contacts, appointments, word processing. 20 hours battery |
| Engaging | Access internet, emails, social media and connect. Excellent for workplace also. |
Keyboards:
Keyboards with enlarged print, colour contrast, larger key size or protective skins are available for purchase.