I got my first optacon between Christmas and New Years, 1974. I became an
instructor the next year. I went a little crazy with it. I bought all kinds
of books.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of sunshine
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2019 3:33 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon and Braille Users,
I received my first Optacon in 1977. I was so excited when I received it. A few
years later, I became an optacon instructor. That was a lot of fun as well.
I do have the second model of the Optacon. I really like it. I was able to
purchase it for a great price. I did not regret the fact that I did so.
Sunshine
Sent from my iPhone XR
On Nov 18, 2019, at 4:49 PM, S L Johnson <SLJohnson25@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:to view the list archives, go to:
Hello:
I got my Optacon in the summer of 1977. I read everything with it,
even stuff that a lot of Optacon users would think are impossible.
The Optacon sure beats any of the OCR readers on the market today. I
would hate to be without it. Several years ago I purchased a second
one from a blind sell trade list just in case mine died. I have seen
and tried out the Optacon II but never could afford to buy one. If
one ever comes available for sale I would probably try to get it because it
is much more portable than the
original model. Also as some of you have said the Optacon II reads some
color contrasts better too. That would sure help reading food boxes
and cans which are always color on colors. I would also love to get
my hands on a typewriter lens. Let's face it there are just times
when we need to fill out forms and the scanners cannot do this task
for us. Oh well, I can keep dreaming and someday maybe one will come along
when I can afford to get it.
Sandra Johnson
SLJohnson25@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: Maureen Hogg
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2019 9:31 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon and Braille Users,
Thank you, Marco. I always viewed the modularity of the Optacon II as
a real advantage. Canon and TSI just didn't stay with the design and
let it mature. It's much easier to replace the camera cable and the
battery packs. There was also a feature in the early releases that
allowed the Optacon II to interface directly to the computer. I don't
recall details offhand since the CRT lens was sufficient for me, given
the two ooptions in inverse video. As for the smaller screen, I got
used to it. The improved portability was a plus and the ability to
just put it in a briefcase. I had one of the earliest R1B or R1C
Optacons and we carried them in wooden cases with heavy styrofoam
padding. That's how fragile they were. The more streamoined
leatherette case for the R1D is an improvement over that. But nothing
beats the Optacon II for just putting it in a standard briefcase or
laptop bag. I can use my briefcase with the Optacon II, my Focus 40
Blue and my iPhone 6 Plus and still have room left over for documents. Nice
on jetliners with carryon limits.
Best!
Maureen
On 11/17/2019 4:43 PM, Marco Cervi wrote:
Maureen, I totally agree with you.
I really do not understand why so many people are so disappointed
with Optacon II. Lower array resolution was never a problem for me in
a normal reading (I read and continue reading so many printed pages),
and, as you just said, it has a big advantage when used with CRT lens.
I have 2 Optacon II and Iâ?Tm very happy with them.
Marco
Il giorno 17 nov 2019, alle ore 23:51, Maureen Hoggto view the list archives, go to:
<m.e.hogg@xxxxxxxxxxx> ha scritto:
May I weigh in here on one aspect of the Optacon II that has been
overlooked? It offers two different settings for complete inverse
and inverse video. I might have those terms wrong, but I do know it
can read white on black or balck on gray; or black on orange or dark
green on white. This was especially hellpful with Macintosh PCs of
the 1990s, which I used routinely with the Optacon II and a CRT
Lens. I had previously worked on VAX VT 100 displays with MAS11
using only an R1D and one invert switch. I even adapted the VAX
technique to IBM AT and XT clones before migrating to Macs. And
then, I migrated off Macs to PCs running Windows 95/98 and XP Pro -
all with an Optacon II because of its versatility with three
settings. I've used refreshable braille displays and JAWS screen
readers since 2002. But I have programmed my Windows 7 machines to a
visual screen that can be accessed by an Optacon II with its two CRT
settings.
Thanks!
Maureen
On 11/17/2019 3:09 PM, Pamela Drake wrote:
Another problem with the Optacon II was that, for those who couldto view the list archives, go to:
not use the original Optacon, it was still an Optacon. It was
marketed as a new reading device, and several of us got phone calls
about it. When they learned it was another Opticon, the callers
said, in a disappointed tone, â?oThank you very much.â? and the
conversation was over. I have one and use it very occasionally. I
preferred the I series. I donâ?Tt recall any particular problem
with comprehension, but thanks to the training at TSI, I read very
well in context. Having said that, the Optacon II is on a desk in
its case and the Opticon v R1C is plugged in at my desk. Actually,
I have three of the R1 models, as I dread the day when they may be
unavailable forever. Yes, I do scan and use my phone a lot for
reading but there are times when nothing is going to beat the good olâ?T
Optie!
On Nov 14, 2019, at 10:12 AM, "harlynn@xxxxxxxxx"to view the list archives, go to:
<harlynn@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I tried the Optacon II but did poorly with it. I couldn't get the
letters thin enough and what Noel said about the descending
letters is very interesting.
Robert
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