Customer Reviews

Franklin BES-1840 Speaking Spanish/English Dictionary

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been using Franklin translators for a few years. This new model has great software and is very attractive, but has serious design flaws. The buttons are too small and hard to push. Entering words is slower on this model than on the older, uglier, yet better designs. The screen design is severly flawed. The first line (which is the most important) is very hard to see unless there is light directly on it. It always seems to be hidden by the shadow of the case. VERY frustrating. The four keys to the left of the screen are way to small and way to hard to push. The "lang" key is used often, and it is very frustrating to have to push so hard to make it work.

If you're looking for a translator for merely occasional use, this would be okay. But for anyone that wants a useful tool, you will find the BES-1840 to be terribly frustrating to use.

It's sad that Franklin decided to go for looks over functionality. It could have been an amazing product. Look for older models if you can still find them, and hope that Franklin solves some of these design problems in their next model or an upgrade.

I bought this as a Gift. While the functions are great, and the dictionary and "Say" feature are outstanding, we did have some problems with the device. Because of the way the display is built, it is very difficult to read the top line of the display when the ambient lighting is not perfect. We also had some problems with the unit locking up and not working until we took the batteries out and re-inserted them. All in all Great content and functions, but there may be some problems with reliability. I hope Franklin will keep that in mind for the next version.

This product is a mixed blessing. The software and the features it offers are outstanding: it has full comprehensive English/Spanish, Spanish/English translations including complete conjugation of verbs, numerous useful phrases, expressions and idioms, plus the ability to pronounce all words. These features make it an invaluable tool in learning Spanish or English.

However, it is mindboggling why the people at Franklin decided to make this electronic translator aerodynamic. It's not supposed to fly after all! Unfortunately, they have traded functionality for looks: the buttons are very small and hard to press which gets to be very annoying after a while. Most importantly, the screen is hard to read (you have to look at it at an angle to avoid seeing the reflection of yourself). Finally, the top line is generally hard to read which is very disturbing since it is usually the most important line.

I sincerely hope that the design flaws will be fixed in the next version - it would make a trully exceptional product.

I am home studying Spanish with Pimsleur (vol. 3 now) and a few books ("Practice Makes Perfect" series, "Breaking out of Beginning Spanish", etc.). I read the reviews, especially about a difficult to read first line, but I thought this would be great to take to the office, travel with, and more functional then a dictionary. I won the gamble. The first line is just as readable as the rest and there is a tools section so you can alter features like contrast if you are in a brighter enviroment. The bes-1840 has great conjugations, phrases, and you can add and delete from a personal word list . There is a challenging Tesol flash card series (for the advanced, not me yet), and customizable English and Spanish flash cards you make yourself. This translator could easily be used by a ESL student. I have one negative and would have given it 4 1/2 stars if I could. The "Speak" function is only fair, small speakers, tiney voice. Overall I am very satisfied, $$ well spent.

Initially I was attracted to this translator because of the number of translations and of course the speaking part.

After using the translator for a period of time I have become somewhat disastisfied. The conjugations only provide for the Yo form, failing to include Tu, Ud, El, Nosotros, Vosotros, Ellos. Additionally, the previous version of this translator included more conjugation forms than the new one. Additionally, the translator ignores needs of native english speakers. It only provides the TOEFL vocabulary exercises and not a TOSFL (Test of Spanish as a First Language).

I had great hopes for this machine. Immediately I noticed that the first line of the entry always seemed to be in a dark shadow and I had to try tipping the unit to get light into the inner screen to make it readable. It too often doesn't have the words --- even many very common ones in its database. The voice is extremely fuzzy when you try the audio pronunciation feature. It only has a few forms of many of the the words I am seeking. If this unit really has 250,000 words -- as they tell us---then they should create a new one with a couple of million

After reading all of these negative reviews I almost didn't buy this. I'm glad I did. I am using it as a compliment to my Pimsleur Speak and Read program. You can program a list of 40 words you are trying to learn and then use the games to help you memorize them. I prefer Hangman. I also use it to look up words because it is smaller and easier to use than my desk dictionary. If you want to learn Spanish, buy the Pimsleur program. The speaking function is worthless on the BES-1840. It is difficult to understand and the pronunciation is wrong many times. Also it is somewhat pricey but it makes a good toy for learning Spanish.

As a conjugator and dictionary, it is wonderfully portable instead of lugging around a comprehensive verb book and dictionary. Another reviewer said it conjugates for the "yo" form only- which is completely wrong. They obviously didn't read the directions- all you do is keep pressing the conjugate button and it cycles thru the different tenses. The talking aspect helps point you in the right direction as far as pronunciation, but it is not always understandable- it definitely is not in stereo.

i started out really liking this translator, but one I carried it in my bag for about 2 days the plastic screen started cracking eventually the whole thing and off and now it is almost useless if i want to carry it around. I would highly suggest getting a translator with a flip screen so the screen cannot be damaged and you will not have to buy another one like I have to.

I like being able to find words quickly, in either English or Spanish, with this dictionary. It contains a large number of words, and it conjugates verbs. There have been quite a few times it has not had a word I requested. Its important weaknesses are that it translates only words and does not recognize phrases; also, the speaking voice is fuzzy. I also noticed that it mispronounced one Spanish word (pajaro). On the up side, mine has worked well for 3-4 years, and it does not require frequent battery changes.