Can PM Braille Display Be Used With Off-the-Shelf PDA?

[Aman Singer]

Hi.
	You ask
In case I choose to buy a PAC Mate now and then to experiment with an
off-the-shelf smartphone or PDA later on: Can I detach the PAC Mate's
Braille display and connect this to a Treo, Motorola Q, iPaq, etc.,
via some kind of Blue Tooth or USB connection when I feel like it?

	I'm afraid there's a one word answer to this one and that answer is
no. The pacmate braille display will not, to the best of my knowledge,
connect to anything other than a Pacmate and a PC.
	You ask
  Or
am I better off choosing something that is solely a Braille display
(such as BrailleConnect or  BrailleStar) for integrating with an
off-the-shelf device later on? 

	If you want to integrate with a mobile device at any point other
than one for the blind, you'll have to get a display that has bluetooth
connectivity. There are many displays besides the ones you mention, though
the ones you mention will work well.
	HTH.
	Aman
  --
From: blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com
[mailto:blindphones-bounces at mosenexplosion.com] On Behalf Of Kane Brolin
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 2:39 PM
To: Accessible Phones Discussion List
Cc: pmlist at pacmategear.com
Subject: Can PM Braille Display Be Used With Off-the-Shelf PDA?

Hello.  This is my first official inquiry into anything PAC Mate related.

I'm just about to upgrade from a Braille 'n Speak 2000 to a truly
21st-century PDA that actually has wireless connectivity built in.
The trouble is, I don't know exactly what I want, being torn between
the PAC Mate and an alternative option that would incorporate an
off-the-shelf PDA (such as Treo or VX6800) with MobileSpeak and phone
capability.  Eventually, I might choose to own both options for a time
so I can find out first-hand which I like best.

The PAC Mate, obviously, is more of a known factor, and I like the
fact that the Omni apparently comes with a detachable 40-cell Braille
display that may be used with a PC as well.

In case I choose to buy a PAC Mate now and then to experiment with an
off-the-shelf smartphone or PDA later on: Can I detach the PAC Mate's
Braille display and connect this to a Treo, Motorola Q, iPaq, etc.,
via some kind of Blue Tooth or USB connection when I feel like it?  Or
am I better off choosing something that is solely a Braille display
(such as BrailleConnect or  BrailleStar) for integrating with an
off-the-shelf device later on?

Just trying to get some opinions and to make a choice that leaves me
as much future flexibility as possible.  Thanks!

-Kane

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