Franklin Merriam-Webster ((Speaking)) Spanish-English Dictionary (BES-1850)

by Franklin Electronics

Product Details

Product Manual [111kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches ; 0.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00006IFTL
• Item model number: BES-1850
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #10 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Electronic Dictionaries, Thesauri & Translators > Foreign Language Dictionaries
  • #21 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Electronic Dictionaries, Thesauri & Translators > Foreign Language Translators
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Franklin BES-1850 Speaking Spanish/English Dictionary provides you with instant access to 5,000,000 total translations to and from Spanish and English. It also speaks words and phrases, and includes new Touch Panel technology with active keys for easy use. This dictionary is specially designed for all levels of language skill from beginner to advanced, with extra attention given to the Spanish of Central and South America.

The Franklin BES-1850 is more than a dictionary. It also features a built-in Rolodex organizer with telephone book and world clock, and a calculator and metric/currency converter for quick math. You can download e-books and e-news from the Internet with the PC connectivity kit (not included), and the book card slot lets you access a library of additional Franklin titles.

Product Description

The Franklin BES1850 is America's number one selling speaking bilingual dictionary, providing instant access to 5 million translations to and from Spanish and English. Specially designed for all levels of language skill, from beginner to advanced, wtih extra attention given to the Spanish of Central and South America. Features includes 600 travelers' phrases in recorded human voice and instant phonetic spell correction. Helpful learning exercises improve spelling and vocabulary. A built-in ROLODEX Organizer with telephone book and world clock helps keep you organized. Also includes calculator and metric currency converter. You also have the option of downloading eBooks and eNews from the Internet with the seperate purchase of a PC Connectivity Kit (not included). Use book card slot to access a library of optional Franklin titles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'd buy it again!, November 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Franklin Merriam-Webster ((Speaking)) Spanish-English Dictionary (BES-1850) (Office Product)

I purchased the Franklin BES-1850 Speaking Spanish/English Dictionary over a year ago and have carried it across 3 continents in my briefcase, backpack, or purse -- a lot of wear and tear and it still works great! The dimensions/weight are similar to a lot of printed travel dictionaries, but the BES-1850 carries much, much more content.

As a student of the Spanish language, I have found the BES-1850 to be extremely helpful for quickly looking up translations. Unlike printed dictionaries that require you to know the infinitive version of a verb in order to find it in the dictionary, you can just type in any conjugated verb form and immediately get to the infinitive and its definition. This is extremely helpful when watching Spanish television/movies or when reading books and newspapers in Spanish. If you misspell a word in English or Spanish, the dictionary displays a list of suggested words so that you can pick out the correct spelling. Many word definitions also include a list of idiomatic phrases/expressions that incorporate the word -- very handy and a delightful surprise to me when I first started using the BES-1850. And the dictionary contains an extensive list of words, too. It has been on very rare occasion that the dictionary has not come back with a translation.

As for the pronounciation feature, I must admit that I debated whether to spend the extra $ on this version in order to have this feature. I'm glad I did -- the pronunciations are reasonably accurate. What's especially helpful is to be able to hear where the accents on words are placed. The pronounciation feature is reasonably clear, but not great. I were purchasing an electronic dictionary just to take on a week-long vacation, the extra $ for this feature may not be worth it.

The screen display is definitely readable but the contrast could be improved. The backlight feature is a big help in dark environments. Don't expect the BES-1850 to have the slick features of the new, high-end hand PDA devices that go for $400-$500 - the BES-1850 only costs $100! I do not use the game or address book features of the BES-1850 and cannot comment.

I'm very happy with the BES-1850 and would buy it again.

133 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a good translator, November 12, 2002

By 

Bruce Hammond (Weston, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Franklin Merriam-Webster ((Speaking)) Spanish-English Dictionary (BES-1850) (Office Product)

After using the BES-1840 and TES-118 for the last few months and being throughly frustrated with their problems and limitations, I am delighted with the BES-1850. It has all the positive features of the BES-1840 like speech and large vocabulary and combines a few of the good features of the TES-118 like a clock and a closing protective cover. It also isn't as bulky and oddly shaped as the BES-1840 but instead it is shaped like a larger version of the TES-118. It also has a larger vocabulary, an address book, resizeable fonts and backlighting that turns on and off conveniently which eliminates the problem with shadows the 1840 has. I have only had the translator for one day but I am very impressed with it. The only downside I saw was that it has a data cable for interfacing with computers or Palm Pilots, but neither of my laptops have a compatible port. But I think my desktop computer does so it doesn't seem to be a showstopper for me. All in all I think this is the translator we have been begging Franklin to put out for the last 5 years.

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done! Don't spend more than $100, April 3, 2005

By 

J. Dieudonne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Franklin Merriam-Webster ((Speaking)) Spanish-English Dictionary (BES-1850) (Office Product)

The Franklin BES-1850 is fantastic! I did an EXHAUSTING amount of research before purchasing an electronic dictionary/translator device. I became so overwhelmed at times trying to figure out what to buy that I scrapped the idea all together a few times. However, I eventually purchased the Franklin BES-1850 and could not be more satisfied.

1.) I am attempting to learn Spanish all on my own. This can be quite a task. I wanted something easily portable that could be used to look up words on-the-fly and was lighter and less bulky than the huge, heavy paper dictionary that I was porting around.

2.) I was completely willing to spend upwards of $600 if the device was something fantastical. However, I did exhaustive research and there is nothing out there that serves a function better than this Franklin device. And the Franklin BES-1850 cost less than $100. It's $100 well spent.

3.) I do agree with some of the comments that the latch sticks and can be a bit hard to open. However, it's a strong latch that protects the device when you throw it in your bag. It's not that great of a concern. However, it is true that the latch can be hard to open.

4.) I don't have much trouble at all in seeing the screen. However, I can see how that comment also is valid. I would imagine that if you're trying to use the device on a park bench in the direct sunshine, that you're going to have trouble (and I'm all for having a device that I *can* use on a park bench in the sunshine). However, the thing costs under $100! The screen is perfectly easy to see in most common circumstances. I really love this device!

5.) My main use of the device so far is to find vocabulary words when I'm attempting to work an assignment in one of my workbooks (BTW: The series "Practice Makes Perfect" Spanish is THE BEST in terms of written grammar). In addition, I commute by public transportation and use the device to look up words when I'm attempting to "read" a Spanish periodical on the train. The device is perfect for this!

6.) One drawback is the fact that you cannot type in an entire phrase and have that phrase translated. (Actually, this *might* be possible. However, if it is possible, I haven't figured out how to do it.) Instead, you have to look up your ideas in the form of single words. I was going to complain about this. However, I have to say that I'm actually impressed. I could not remember the reflexive verb "to put oneself to bed". I assumed that if I typed in "bed" the only option that would be returned was the Spanish word "cama". However, to my delight and surprise it returned both "cama" and "acostarse" (the latter is the verb that I wanted). Good going, Franklin!

7.) IT CONJUGATES VERBS IN ALL TENSES!!!! Oh my gosh is that wonderful. Truly, this thing rocks!

I actually bought two of these. I'm using mine to go from English to Spanish. However the second one that I purchased was for a Spanish-speaking friend trying to learn English. I will attempt to report in with another review once I hear how well the device works in the other direction. My impression is that it is well done in both directions. Thus, if you are a Spanish speaker looking for an English translator, I'd go with this device as well.

Well done, Franklin!

Do not spend more than $100 for this or any of these devices. There is nothing that those other devices can do that warrants the price jump. Buy this Frankling BES-1850 model.