Thanks to both Donna and Brianna for your replies! Donna, the idea of being able to read .docx and .pdf files is the biggest reason I want to make the switch. User manuals for a couple of devices I have are in PDF format, and it would be great to (no pun intended) have them right at my fingertips immediately, rather than needing to convert them to text files for the Actilino. The active Tactile control (ATC) function is, indeed, a cool concept, and I have used it on occasion, but not as much as I thought I would. There are lots of other functions that I don’t use hardly at all, either, so if I can, in fact, get my hands on a V.U. I will probably be interested in selling my Actilino to someone who might benefit from it. I will e-mail Mr. Feinberg today and we’ll see what happens.
Thanks again for the useful info, Pete > On Feb 3, 2020, at 8:16 PM, 'Donna Goodin' via MacVisionaries > <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> wrote: > > Hi Pete and Brianna, > > Actually, according to info I've received recently, it is back in production, > and there is a U.S. distributor. > > I absolutely love my VU. It works great with Mac and IOS. Its design is > small, light, and portable. I don't have need for this often, but I love that > it can read docx files and PDFs. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best > braille display currently available. I know there are some who like the > Handytech displays, the ActiveBraille and Actilino, but since I don't have > $6700, I haven't tried them out. > > Here's my most recent info on the Vario, from Igore Finberg: > "Sales wise, you can purchase any former Baum blind or low vision products > from Insidevision Inc. All products have a two year warranty. I will update > you all on the progress in setting up service centers, but if you have an > immediate need for repair or sales, please send me an email. I will do my > best to reply within 24 hours. > > Best regards, > Igor Feinberg > CEO, Insidevision Inc. > igor.feinb...@insidevision-us.com <mailto:igor.feinb...@insidevision-us.com> > 781-799-2971" > > Cheers, > Donna > > >> On Feb 3, 2020, at 9:09 PM, Brianna Snyder <briannasnyde...@gmail.com >> <mailto:briannasnyde...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> >> Hi Pete, >> >> Firstly, the display isn't available at this time, though there are rumors >> that a company will start producing them soon. >> If they ever do go back into production, though, I highly recommend the >> VarioUltra. It's very versatile, as you can have up to 4 Bluetooth devices >> and 1 USB device connected all at once. I use mine mostly to read Bookshare >> books, as you can store files on the display itself. >> >> I hope you find a display that best suits your needs, >> Brianna >> >>> On Feb 3, 2020, at 7:14 PM, Pete De Vasto <pdevasto0...@gmail.com >>> <mailto:pdevasto0...@gmail.com>> wrote: >>> >>> Hi, I’m thinking to switch from my Actilino to the VarioUltra 20 Braille >>> display. That display has come up on this list before, but of course I >>> didn’t follow the threads. I’d love to hear from folks who have an Ultra >>> with thoughts about how it works with both Mac and iOS devices. I’ve read >>> some good things about it, but I’m also having trouble figuring out if the >>> display is even still available. >>> >>> I apologize as this may be a bit off topic, but I’m not sure where else to >>> go for info at this point. >>> >>> Thanks in advance, >>> Pete De Vasto >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the Mac >>> Visionaries list. >>> >>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>> or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>> >>> Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. 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