Franklin SCD-1890 Speaking Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition

i've had many franklin dictionaries in the past that worked great but this one leaves a funny feeling; unsatisfied. the soft keys are more difficult to use than the harder ones on other older models. there's no cover, the right speaker is a fake covered up by a sticker now but i don't really need it to speak. it's electronic voice is awful and the volume has to be turned up for you to hear. if it wasn't for the fact that it had the most word definitions for electronic dictionaries, i wouldn't have bought it. the thing that irks me the most is when i turn it on, i have to select dictionary or one of the other books which i'll never use. there's no setting for it to turn on only to the dictionary which is why we buy these things in the first place. i could've spent 50 bucks for a palm unabridged version but i didn't like the interface and it's not as accessible often when i want. i don't have much of a problem with the lack of the backlight since i always have a lamp on. for 100 bucks this is way overpriced for its shortcomings. however for the convenience of not have the book around, it's almost tolerable to purchase. the size is a bit big in comparisons to the older compact models. my old one was like a blackberry size and style. this square block although thin looks exactly like the one i have from 20 years ago. they should really have put in some thought on user ergonomics and style.

I ordered a Franklyn-1890 Electronic Dictionary on 8-20-2008 that was in srock and to be shipped on 8-22-08. It has not arrived.

I sent an email to m-kat@rambler.ru on 9-13-08 but no reply. It was not rejected.

Very deceitful service.

Charles Kirk

For the buck you pay, this speaking dictionary seems reasonable.
This has Thesaurus, Dictionary, Grammar and Word builder games etc.
Calculator, unit conversion and clock function are extra nice features.
This is little bulky to carry. Sound is not of very good quality.
I did not like the pronunciation generated on this dictionary, not that much clear. I wish I had bought non speaking dictionary with nice phonetic symbols for pronunciation instead of faulty speaking system. Anyway if you don't care about speaking function, this is a good dictionary for its price.

No protective cover and obviously most people have the same sound problem with it. It makes a noise while pronouncing a word, specially at a higher volume.

This dictionary is very sensitive to shock,it is not even safe in your backpack.

If these problems are solved, I will buy the next one from Franklin again, even at a higher price, because the pros outweigh the cons.



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I loved this product. I just wish the screen was easier to read at times.