The Help Me Choose button is on all language categories. Not all devices mentioned here appear in all language categories.

Translators will be one of two types:

  1. Touchscreen translators (900-series and iTravl).
  2. Keyboard-operated dictionaries/phrasebooks (everything else).

Your best choice will be an iTravl or 900. There is one basic model of each; the rest are either multi-language versions and/or accessory packages. To understand the 900, watch the video below:

iTravl and 900

  1. These provide Full Text Translation (in the most popular languages, but not all). You and the other person can type your own sentences in your own language, and the other person can read or hear the translation.
  2. They have huge dictionaries. It's unlikely the translator will be stumped by a word.
  3. They have the Language Teacher program in most languages.
  4. Only the iTravl and 900 have natural human voice output. It's in the phrasebook, in the translation dictionary (major words, only), and in the Language Teacher program.
  5. They have many other bells and whistles. Take a close look at one and see.

iTravl v. 900

  1. These are very similar. The main difference is the 900, in addition to having the same virtual keyboards as the iTravl, also has a physical keyboard. They have the identical screen.
  2. The 900 can accept up to a 32GB SD card, the iTravl maxes out at 4GB. This matters only if you also intend to store your music files or a huge number of audiobooks on your translator.
  3. A few of the ancillary, non-translation programs differ.

Dictionary/phrasebooks

  1. The advanced features aren't free. While the full capability devices have the lowest cost per dictionary word, they do cost more than their less-endowed counterparts.
  2. Lack of a touchscreen means you don't just pick this up and instantly start using it. There's a learning curve.
  3. If you plan to translate often, you want an iTravl or 900. But if your translation needs are infrequent or you just need "tourist ability," then a dictionary/phrasebook is a smart choice.
  4. Generally, customers don't like the synthesized voice on these. If you plan to use voice output, get an iTravl or 900.

Phrasebooks

We also sell a pure phrasebook, the Ectaco PB-series. This has a touchscreen. It  has no dictionary. It's just canned phrases (7,000 per language, well-organized by situation).

Expansion

  1. The 900, iTravl, 500, and C4 allow you to use an inexpensive SD card to effectively get two devices for barely more than the price of one.
  2. SD stands for Secure Digital. It's a memory card. You'll find these cards in all kinds of gadgets, such as PocketPCs, smart phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, and GPS units.

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