I'm starting to research getting a new steno machine and I'm interested to hear from others on theirs. I'm currently using my 1998 Stentura 8000, and it still works just fine. I take the ink cartridge out and paper tray off and use it paperless that way, but I know there are so many other types out there and I just don't know where to look.
So, please let me know what you're using and if you love/hate it. And if you know where I can check out different machines, that would be great information too.
Thanks.
Tricia
"I've been reporting over 30 years, with four to six years before I retire. My hands, arms hurt so much I want to quit today! Am in a heavy volume court. Am ready to buy Passport sight unseen."
Kathryn: That's what I did when I got fed up with another machine I had just bought. It had problems which the company wouldn't fix. Sheesh, they wouldn't even answer the phone or admit that anything was wrong. I figured the heck with it. The Passport can't be any worse than this. It's been terrific, actually. I'm glad I did it.
Mike
Thanks for the reply. I've got a call in to the rep. I'm thinking I might as well go ahead and get it. I've been extremely happy with Eclipse software for years, so I'm probably going to go ahead and complete the package.
Thanks again!
Tricia,
I write on a LightSpeed and love it. It's not the writer for everyone, but if it works for you, it's absolutely great. There's zero depth stroke, so no fatigue from pressing keys.
If you want to put your hands on all the different steno machines available, you should come to the NCRA convention in Chicago the first week of August, even if just for a day, to visit the exhibitors and try out all the machines. It's easier to compare walking one booth to another in a short time than setting up demos on different days, plus usually there are convention pricing specials.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go with.
Laura
Hi, Tricia.
When you get a chance, you might want to read through this thread. Someone else is looking for a new writer, and she made a questionaire asking for the opinions of people that own various writers.
Interesting reading ...! Hope that helps.
--gdw
Everything Howard said times two. I've been reporting for over 30 years and have had every kind of steno machine available over the years. The Passport is the absolute best I've ever used. It's easy to write with, works all the time and you have a company behind it that actually answers the phone when you call them. If you're around Washington, DC give me a call and I'd be happy to show you mine.
Mike
Do you know any reporters in So. Cal., specifically Los Angeles County Superior Court Official, who are using Passport? I've been reporting over 30 years, with four to six years before I retire. My hands, arms hurt so much I want to quit today! Am in a heavy volume court. Am ready to buy Passport sight unseen.
Again, and I apologize for posting about the Passport so many times in response to people like you who really need to know, but I have been around court reporting for many many years and have written on every "olde" Stenotype and Stenograph writer they made, and on up to SmartWriters and Stenturas. I have a Passport, and even now, after all these many machines and many years, I absolutely LOVE writing on this Passport. The touch is completely different from anything out there. Wrist and hand pain is gone due to the keyboard layout. It's responsive. It's completely adjustable for a huge range of depth and tension of strokes, and best of all, Since March of 2009, I have never lost a transcript or part thereof. It runs 12 to 16 hours on a charge. I used to use the Stentura and SmartWriter paperless too, and missed seeing those smudges with the number bar to figure out what the number it was supposed to be that I messed up. Well, now, with the Passport it puts those smudges in on the notes in red. I could go on and on, but there is no writer out there with the features and the enormous number of backups that the Passport has.
Don't buy anythng before you experience writing on a Passport. Where do you live? I'm certain, because everybody is so happy with the Passport, that if your local rep can't demo one for you, that other reporters would be happy to let you try theirs. If you're in upstate NY, I'm one of them. Howard
Actually, I called today to see if I could get a demo on the Passport. I am also going to call for a demo on the Diamante. Aren't you the sales rep for the Passport? If so, I would love to see a demo. I am in New York