Alternatives to C-Pen Reader 2

In the last couple of years, we saw the rise of reading pens. What makes them different from classic pens is that they are pieces of assistive technology useful for people with reading difficulties and disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, and vision impairment. Nevertheless, others use them too, including students, language learners, and others who want to scan and listen to documents.

The basic idea behind scanning pens is that you slide them across lines of text and listen to them read the text for you. And no, it’s not magic. What makes them work is optical character recognition (OCR) technology. It recognizes letters, numbers, and symbols, and through its text to speech component, the pen reads aloud what’s written on the paper.

Since these pens are so useful, it’s no wonder that there are tons of them on the market. Just type pen scanner on Amazon, and you’ll be amazed at the number of results. However, not all of them are equally good, and that’s okay. Their prices vary, and so does the quality. Still, one of the most popular types is the C-Pen Reader pen. Read on to learn all about this solid option.

What to know about using C-Pens

C-Pens are high-quality scanning pens that are among the best of their kind. Besides reading text for you with a human-like digital voice, they offer a range of features. The first we’d like to mention is the built-in Collins English dictionary, that’s rather useful for language learners. But aside from English, the pen also recognizes French and Spanish, making it even better.

On the other hand, it doesn’t require to be connected to Wi-Fi for the mentioned feature to work. Moreover, no features require an online connection. You can use it to scan text and store it on your PC or Mac via a micro USB cable or Bluetooth. Furthermore, it has a 3.5 earphone connector, a rechargeable battery, and even a voice recorder that you can use for creating voice memos.

The C-Pen is a simple-to-use device requiring no complex tutorials. All you have to do is turn it on and slide it across a line of text to start, making it a great option if you’re dyslexic, have ADHD, or you’re trying to learn English, French, or Spanish. It will suit everyone and make reading way easier and less frustrating. So, let’s see how it can benefit you through several examples.

Benefits of using scanning pens for dyslexia and other learning disabilities

The main benefit of scanning pens is that it allows dyslexics to read/listen to written content just as fast as others do. However, it’s not just for casual reading. Scanning pens are great for dyslexic students, as they, at times, need to consume lots of text, especially when preparing for exams. Then again, that’s not all. There are other examples too.

Namely, a scanning pen makes reading/listening way more enjoyable while commuting long distances. Even if the road is bumpy and your document is moving left and right, the pen can easily read the text aloud. Without it, reading while on the go can be a challenge, even for people with the finest focus, let alone dyslexics and those with other reading difficulties.

Another benefit of scanning pens is that a person using one can understand the proper pronunciation of words. Namely, high-end ones like the C-Pen Reader 2 has one of the best human-like digital voice that speaks like a professional narrator. With it, you’ll understand how to say words, especially when learning a new language.

Other alternatives to C-Pen Reader 2

Although reading pens are a great solution for both people with reading difficulties and language learners, they’re not the only pieces of assistive technology worth mentioning. Namely, text to speech apps might be an even better option for the people mentioned above. As such, we’ll list three of the best TTS apps in the following text.

Speechify

The first text to speech option we must mention is definitely Speechify. One of the most popular TTS apps out there, Speechify offers its users more than 30 natural-sounding AI narrators that speak over 15 different languages. With it, you can transcribe any text into audio and listen to it instead of reading. And when we say any text, we also mean that it’s possible to snap photos of printed or handwritten notes, and Speechify will read aloud the scanned text.

Other Speechify features include adjustable reading speed (up to 900 words per minute), volume, and pitch. You can also use it across all popular devices, including iOS and Android smartphones, and your PC or Mac computer through a plug-in for Chrome and Safari web browsers. You can also download it as a standalone app for Mac to transcribe documents on your desktop. Either way, the app is light and won’t affect your device’s CPU or memory in any way.

NaturalReader

Another text to speech option that offers solid results for dyslexics and language learners is NaturalReader. To get started with it, you can check out its trial version, which is full of great features and human-like voices that will provide reading support and make consuming written content simple. Once the trial comes to an end, you can subscribe to NaturalReader through several premium plans, all of which offer something unique and useful.

Speechelo

Our third text to speech alternative to the reader pens like C-Pen, Scanmarker Air, or Orcam Read is Speechelo. Just like the previous two options, it’s easy to use. All you have to do is copy the text that you want to be read aloud into the text box and choose the playback voice to hear narration as you follow along by reading. It’s a great choice for both people with reading difficulties and those learning a new language, as it supports various tongues besides English.

FAQ

Does a C-Pen work on a computer screen?

Unfortunately, you can’t use C-Pen to scan text on a computer screen or handwritten notes. It’s only for printed text. However, text to speech apps like Speechify pair read any text aloud, including text on a computer screen.

What is the C-Pen warranty?

C-Pens come with a warranty of 12 months from the moment of purchase.

What are the C-Pen’s dimensions?

The C-Pen Reader 2’s dimensions are 135×33×19 mm, with an OLED screen resolution of 256×64 dots.