Must-knows before you buy C-Pen Reader 2 – Read this first
People with dyslexia, ADHD, and similar disabilities use various assistive technologies to address their condition. One of these technologies is scanner pens. They display word definitions and read printed text aloud to improve your comprehension.
Numerous scanner pens exist, but many people use the C-Pen Reader 2. Let’s check out the key features of this device.
What is the C-Pen Reader 2?
The C-Pen Reader 2 is a pen scanner that can read and analyze lines of text from various sources. It’s a next-generation assistive reading tool that puts more control into your hands, especially if you have reading difficulties.
This device is ideal for many purposes. Whether you’re reading for pleasure or studying, the cutting-edge pen features robust AI to enhance your reading confidence and improve accessibility.
This isn’t the first pen scanner released by this manufacturer. Its predecessor is the ReaderPen and the C-Pen Reader 2 has inherited many features from the older device. It retains the sleek design but comes with numerous new functions to elevate user experience:
- Higher performance and speed – The C-Pen Reader 2 has increased internal memory and GPU to lower loading times, resulting in faster scanning.
- Optimized interface – Featuring high sharpness, larger icons, and easily accessible text, the C-Pen Reader 2 promotes seamless navigation.
- AI-supported text recognition – The pen scanner has a high-speed AI to improve your scanning and support more languages, voices, and fonts.
- Revamped voice recorder – The C-Pen Reader 2’s in-built microphone is clearer and louder. This lets you revisit your playback whenever necessary.
- Boosted audio – The manufacturer has increased the highest volume level, allowing you to hear the audio of your scanned text with ease.
- Fast speaking – The voices narrating the text speak more quickly and fluently to increase your productivity.
What you need to know about the C-Pen Reader 2
Let’s take a look at the most important features of the C-Pen Reader 2.
Ease of use
The C-Pen Reader 2 is a useful tool with a minimal learning curve. The manufacturer put a lot of thought into the design, providing many convenient functions for easy navigation.
For instance, you can use the device and scroll through the menu with the round control wheel in the front of the gadget. It comes with left, right, up, and down arrows that require minimal pressure.
Once you get the hang of the menu, you shouldn’t have trouble accessing the built-in Dictionary, Text Reader, Recorder, Voice Memo, Settings, and Scan to File. You should be able to easily master the controls, even if you’re a young high school student using the technology for the first time.
Furthermore, the buttons are ergonomic, allowing you to access scanned text seamlessly, whether you’re right-handed or left-handed. Teachers can use this feature to create a level playing field for all students, including dyslexic learners.
Font size
Optical character recognition (OCR) can read text with various font sizes (6.5 point-22 point). This range is convenient and should serve you well, whether you’re reading children’s books or adult novels.
However, some headlines are too large for the device. If reading headlines is a priority, consider other platforms to alleviate your impairment.
Required hardware
This portable device scans texts on its own. Still, you need a PC for updates, transferring files, and charging the gadget. Linux, macOS, and Windows machines are compatible with the system. You also need a USB cable and a charging port.
Although you can use it on some Android smartphones, the reader doesn’t work on some mobile devices, like iPads and iPhones. Fortunately, the company has another device that’s compatible with iOS systems called C-Pen Connect.
Accuracy
In general, the C-Pen Reader 2 is highly accurate. It rarely makes mistakes when determining the words it’s supposed to scan.
Nevertheless, you may have problems analyzing poor-quality printing, unusual fonts, and bad handwriting. Performance may drop in these cases.
What you receive
If you buy the C-Pen Reader 2, here’s what your package will contain:
- C-Pen Reader
- Earphone
- Robust carry pouch
- USB cable with a standard end
- Micro USB connection for your C-Pen
- 18-page tutorial
The pen’s dictionary
The C-Pen Reader 2 can scan individual words and whole sentences. To do so effectively and improve your comprehension, it features an inbuilt English dictionary that lets you immediately look up unknown phrases. It can even read dictionary definitions aloud.
Complementing the English dictionary are two more dictionaries:
- Cordial French Dictionary
- Vox Spanish Dictionary
C-Pen Reader 2 – The pros and cons
You can gain a lot from the C-Pen Reader 2:
- Voice Memo
- Lightweight design and easy to use
- High accuracy
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Dictionaries
However, there are a few notable drawbacks of the digital reader:
- The digital voices can be robotic
- Has to be held at a proper range
- Inconsistent performance
- Incompatible with iOS gadgets
- Low battery life
Speechify – Text to speech to help readers
If you’re looking for another way to overcome your reading disability, try Speechify. This text to speech (TTS) app has all you need to learn faster and understand complex content.
It uses read-aloud technology to narrate any written text, such as Word files, Amazon pages, Google Docs, and PDFs. You can choose from many immersive voice options, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Snoop Dogg, to make your sessions more realistic.
FAQ
How do you use a C-Pen Reader?
To use a C-Pen Reader, you need only point it at the text and drag it along. The device digitalizes new words as it goes.
Can you replace the battery in a C-Pen?
You can’t replace the battery in a C-Pen.
Does a C-Pen work on a computer screen?
Yes. A C-Pen can transfer words onto a computer screen.
Which is the best reading pen?
Some of the best reading pens include the C-Pen Reader 2, Scanmarker Air Pen, and Penpower.
How do you charge a C-Pen?
You need a USB cable to charge your C-Pen.
What is the battery life for a C-Pen?
A C-Pen Reader has a short battery life because it performs energy-consuming tasks.
What is the best reading pen for children?
Many people consider OrCam Read the best reading pen for children.
What are the benefits of using a C-Pen Reader?
A C-Pen Reader makes written and printed text more understandable. Plus, it can read the content aloud using TTS.
Is the C-Pen better than the Kurzweil Reader?
The C-Pen Reader and Kurzweil Reader are of similar quality. They’re both very accurate and relatively easy to use.
What is the size of C-Pen Reader 2?
The C-Pen Reader 2 is 5.5 inches long.
