VarioUltra is a brand new Braille device from BAUM Retec that will change the way you think about refreshable Braille technology.
Available with either 20 or 40 braille cells, VarioUltra is quite possibly the most beautiful Braille device on the planet. Okay, we admit to being a little biased, but we are in love with VarioUltra and we believe you will be too.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is available in DOCX, PDF, and RTF format. Links to these documents can be found below for your convenience:
VarioUltra FAQ Document (July 2014, Ver 1.0) DOCX Format
VarioUltra FAQ Document (July 2014, Ver 1.0) PDF Format
VarioUltra FAQ Document (July 2014, Ver 1.0) RTF Format
Summary of Key Features
- Attractive, high quality, brushed aluminium construction that is light, robust, and looks and feels great.
- Refreshable Braille cells that feel crisp, and almost paper like. It’s that good.
- A whisper-quiet 8-button Braille keyboard that is ergonomically designed for all-day use. It feels amazing to type quickly with.
- WORLD EXCLUSIVE: VarioUltra is the only Braille device that supports simultaneous connection with up to 5 devices, and it remains connected. For anyone with more than 1 device, this feature above all others will fast become one of your favourite things.
- Split personality. In addition to being the most connectible Braille device in the world, a quick flick of a switch and VarioUltra becomes a Braille notetaker, with a suite of productivity apps to make life easier.
- Compact, lightweight design will have you questioning why other devices weigh so much. The included high quality leather carry case and strap will help protect your investment for years to come.
Features & Benefits in Detail
Tactile Nirvana
Simply put, the ergonomic design of VarioUltra is beyond anything else you have seen or heard about. From the beautiful brushed aluminium housing, to the incredibly quiet and responsive Braille keyboard, to the crisp Braille cells that feel almost paper-like, VarioUltra is an experience to be enjoyed every day.
Refreshable Braille
BAUM Braille technology is well known for offering a quality reading experience like no other. The pins are crisp to the touch, and feel as if the Braille has been freshly embossed on quality paper. If you plan on reading a lot of Braille, you need to feel the VarioUltra difference.
Buttons and Keys
VarioUltra features an 8-button Braille keyboard that is located above the Braille display and cursor routing buttons. The two space bars can be found below the Braille display, and are located right about where your thumbs will naturally find themselves during typing. Additional buttons to the left and right of the Braille display, as well as to the right and left of the space bars provide access to system functions and commands to help you interact with computers and mobile devices.
Navi-Stick
While navigation around a document or a menu can be achieved using buttons, the circular navi-stick button conveniently located in between the two space bars makes for very fast navigation. Pressing down on the navi-stick has the same affect as pressing an enter key.
Productivity Apps
VarioUltra is just as happy working away from a computer or mobile device, as it is being connected to them. The suite of helpful and powerful productivity apps are sure to please, and include things such as an editor for reading and editing Word Doc and Docx files, a spreadsheet viewer for working with Excel files, a PDF viewer, a scientific calculator, a BRF reader, file management, and much more.
Internal Storage & USB External Drive
VarioUltra includes 16GB of internal storage. You can save or copy files to and from the device using a standard USB stick, or connect VarioUltra to a computer and treat it like an external drive. Copying files and folders to and from VarioUltra is then accomplished through the file management on your computer.
Light and Compact
Once you meet VarioUltra, you’ll wonder why other devices have to be so heavy. Cell for cell, VarioUltra 20 is lighter than anything else. On average, VarioUltra 40 weighs 24% less than any 40 or even 32 cell braille device on the market. That’s a difference you will feel and appreciate, especially if you’re carrying the device around all day.
Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
VarioUltra 20 measures 7.4 inches wide, by 3.5 inches deep, by 0.7 inches high. It weighs just 0.7 pounds.
VarioUltra 40 measures 12.4 inches wide, by 3.5 inches deep, by 0.7 inches high. It weighs just 1.1 pounds.
Device Operating System: Windows CE 6.0
Supported Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Android
Connectivity: 1 USB connection and 4 Bluetooth connections
USB Ports:
USB 2.0 port for use with USB memory sticks
Micro USB for charging and for connection to a computer
Internal storage: 16GB
External storage: none provided, though you can use a standard USB stick, or connect VarioUltra to your computer as an external drive
Supplied with: USB cable, Leather carry bag with smart openings, user manual CD
Supported file formats: DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PDF, BRF, RTF, TXT
Battery life: 10 hours of continuous, connect use. 12 hours if using as a notetaker, unconnected.
Factory warranty: 2 years on VarioUltra; 6 months on the battery.
Any service or repair is performed by Pamtrad Customs Ltd in the UK.
Extended warranty:
Annual maintenance contract available (takes effect after the factory warranty expires) and includes annual cleaning of Braille display.
VarioUltra 20 extended warranty: £225 per year
VarioUltra 40 extended warranty: £299 per year
Supported Screen Readers: COBRA, JAWS, WindowEyes, NVDA, and VoiceOver
Prices and Pre-ordering
For pricing or if you would like to pre-order a VarioUltra, please call us on 0115 9816636 or send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We accept all major credit and debit cards including American Express and PayPal.
Leave a Comment