[access-uk] Re: THE BUG
- From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 08:57:06 +0100
Absolutely, Andrew. When I first got the radio at the back end of last
year, this was one of the things I mentioned. The display panel itself
is probably slightly more then twice as large as that on the
Tempis/Sonus/Evoke models and the letters and digits on it are larger
two. Also, in stand-by mode, the display shows a digital time read-out
which almost completely fills the display and so is relatively easy to
read with low vision. Also, as you say, because the display head is
mounted on a gooseneck, you can have it at whatever angle you like and
as close to your nose as you need.
Thanks for the reminder.
Cheers now.
Ian
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson
Sent: 31 March 2005 08:03
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: THE BUG
Ian,
Thanks for the article. One thing about the Bug is that
aparently the display is slightly larger than on the Tempis-1, and the
design makes the display possibly easier for someone like me to access,
as its not fixed to the radio, so if I want to read it I have to move
the radio off the table, as I can't get that low!
Does this make a difference?
Thanks.
Andrew.
_____
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Ian Macrae
Sent: 30 March 2005 09:34
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] THE BUG
Hi all,
As promised before Easter, here are some thoughts on The Bug DAB
receiver. Note this is not a full review, just some comments which may
help people to decide whether they want to get one. None of this deals
with technical specs or quality of output.
A number of the Bug's basic functions have dedicated keys and
single keystrokes. Spontaneous recording to the SD card, for example is
started and stopped by pressing the "Record" button, above/right of the
main on/off/nav switch. Similarly, pausing the audio is started and
stopped by the large pause button below the on/of/nav switch. Rewinding
the audio for up to five minutes requires a press of the pause button
followed by the bottom left button on the Bug's head which stands above
the body of the radio on a gooseneck stem.
Setting the ten presets follows Usual Pure protocols. The Bug's
head contains six buttons, three down either side. These are presets 1
to 5 with the bottom right button being a shift. To set presets 1 to 5,
choose the channel and the button you want to pre-set it too. Press and
hold the button for a couple of seconds. If you can see the screen or
are with someone who can, a message is displayed indicating that the
station is stored. For presets 6 to 10, follow the same procedure
holding the shift key and one of the 5 presets down simultaneously.
When the radio is playing, the two sets of presets can be toggled
between using the shift key.
Damon asked whether it is accessible. The answer is that it's
as accessible as most DAB radios. But because it has more
functionality, it's more difficult to use easily with no sight. I've
found that I've used my paltry amount of sight and my LVA more with the
Bug than with any other DAB radio.
As I've said, spontaneous recording to the SD card couldn't be
simpler. But using the timed recording facility is more complex and
difficult. Indeed, I'd say that it's either very difficult or
impossible without one or more of the following: sight of your own,
sighted assistance, or a very good memory. In brief, you have to access
the radio's menus, then find the alarm setting option, find the timed
recording option in the submenu and then follow onscreen prompts to set
your timed recording. I'd be interested to hear whether any totally
blind people have managed to do this. Even using my sight, I've messed
up on a couple of occasions.
To conclude, there's no doubt that having the ability to record
to SD card is a great benefit. Personally I've not used the rewind or
pause facilities that much. It's also worth thinking that Pure is
already developing a personal with Bug functionality and there are plans
for a sonus version of that using the Ivox speech. The main reasons for
going for the Bug now would be that you like it's unusual and rather
whacky design (which I do), or you want to be able to record to SD card
absolutely now. Otherwise, I'd recommend waiting for a Sonus equivalent
which can't be that long coming.
Cheers now.
Ian
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may
contain
personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless
specifically
stated.
If you have received it in error, please delete it from your
system.
Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act
in
reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note
that the
BBC monitors e-mails sent or received.
Further communication will signify your consent to this.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain
personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically
stated.
If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system.
Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in
reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the
BBC monitors e-mails sent or received.
Further communication will signify your consent to this.
Other related posts:
