Customer Reviews

Franklin Electronics Seiko Britannica Concise Encyclopedia

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

 

 

I have been looking to purchase an electronic dictionary for a long time. Initially I was considering the MW and Sharp models. The MW had a limitation that it allowed only 40 words in its list, The sharp didn't have any games or word lists. Then I stumbled onto this model. There were no reviews here, but epinion had a positive one. So I bought it.

It is very good. It has a very good dictionary, thesaraus and encyclopedia. Often when I look up a word, there are definions in all the three (dictionary, thesaraus and encyclopedia) for the same word. Everything that I have looked up is there. It has a bunch of games and you can create a word list with upto 100 words. The games can use the wordlist as an input (three levels of randomness). The games have three levels of difficulty too.

The dictionary is easy to use. As you type letters, it shows possible words. Speed is very good.

Area for improvement: The definitions game where you have to guess the word from definition doesn't use the wordlist (most of the other 10 or so games use the wordlist as an optional input though). If it did, it could be used as a both way flashcard (definition to word and word to definition). Right now you can only go from the words to its definition.

Compact and well built, this unit has a wealth of information available. Very easy to use and I appreciate the option of changing character size. A back lit feature would be helpful(to me). It's a bargain considering the number of references included.

This is what I have been looking for. A travel size gadget that has encyclopedia, dictionary and thesarus. And, this has much more that I found useful and fun. Not including foreign language capabilities, which I did not want as a feature.

So, why only 2 stars: there is no backlight on this. In a well lighted room, it is not easy to read. Sitting on an airplane, using a reading light, it is just to darn difficult to read. I'm sorry to say I had to return it.

I wanted to upgrade my old Franklin Language Master, so I chose this because it incorporatees the Dictionary, Britannica, and Thesaurus...and, it wasn't a translator! I wanted to read Dante's Inferno and knew I would need something...I was right. I have been able to find most of the words I've looked up so far, it's nice to also have the Britannica as an instant reference in exploring info that those words elicited, and I like that it closes on itself for keyboard and screen protection. My only wish was that it had come with a case. I did, however, find a great case which is actually a leather, zippered PDA case. The Franklin's dimensions allow it to fit perfectly. I have not had time to use all the features of this Franklin, but thus far I would definitely buy it again and recommend it to others.