ON this page you will find the recordings of the Zoom meetings, hosted by Robert Carter with transcripts where available, links for purchasing the various Orbit Research products, Firmware downloads, and Documentation information.

Orbit Research Purchasing Pages

I have found the Orbit Research web site less than user friendly when wanting to purchase a product, so below are the links to the product pages where you can order your desired product.

Magnetic USB cable

I'm copying the info from the web site, but I wanted to say here this is the best and strongest magnetic cable I have seen. I highly recommend this one.
This magnetic USB cable provides both power and data connectivity. The cable comes with three interchangeable magnetic tips – Micro USB, USB Type C and Lightning (for iOS devices). It can be used with all Orbit Research products as well as most other products that connect over USB. The cable is 3 feet in length and offers the most flexibility available in magnetic cables. Not only can the connector rotate through 360 degrees, but it also has an elbow joint that can bend through 180 degrees.
It can be used to charge devices and can also be used for data communication with a computer or smartphone e.g. when connecting with a screen-reader over USB or for updating firmware. The powerful magnet allows easy connection while protecting the device from accidental yanking of the cable.

Velcro modification for the Orbit 20/20 Plus padded case

I recommend the Velcro brand, Sticky Back Fasteners which comes in a roll of 18 inches by 3/4 inches. Holds up to five pounds.

There are two pieces, one fuzzy and one prickly which come sandwiched together with the peel-off back on the outside.

1. Keep both sides together, cut a 2.5 inch piece and a 5.5 inch piece.

2. Make sure the back of the Orbit is clean (grease free).

3. Separate the 2.5 inch piece of Velcro so you have a fuzzy and a prickly piece. Remove the vinyl from the fuzzy side. Place the fuzzy piece, sticky side down on the battery cover 1/2 inch from the finger indent for opening the battery cover. Make sure the velcro does not go off the cover onto the back of the Orbit. It must be only on the battery cover. Press to make sure the adhesive is making good contact. Put the 2.5 inch prickly piece on top of the fuzzy side, leaving the vinyl on top.

4. Follow the same steps to prep the 5.5 inch piece and place it just above the feet. This will be on the opposite side of the orbit from the braille display.

5. Wait 15 minutes. Then remove the vinyl covering from the prickly pieces of Velcro and place the Orbit into the case and press down firmly to make sure the Velcro adheres to the case.
Wait 15 minutes. Carefully lift the Orbit out of the case making sure the the Velcro stays adhered to both the Orbit and the case.
Place the Orbit back into the case and you are good to go.

Orbit Reader, Writer, and Orbit-Speak software and Documentation

Below are the new links to the updated software and documentation pages. Read the page carefully to find the software link to the most recent version or to the updated documentation.

for the Orbit-Speak

I took the word version and did a save as web page to get this htm version. All the headings were converted to heading level 1. But, it is easier to navigate than the txt version.

For the Orbit Reader 40

For the Orbit Reader 20 Plus

For the Orbit Reader 20

For the Orbit Writer

iBill Currency Identifier

Orion TI-84 Plus – Talking Calculator

Orbit Reader Zoom Meetings audio plus transcripts

Below are links to all the available recordings of the monthly zoom meeting hosted by Robert Carter. They are zip files, so if you wish to download them, I recommend tabbing to the link and using your application key or shift+f10 and selecting save target as. It should then download the zip file onto your hard drive.
Each file contains the chat, transcript, and mp3 recording.

Orbit Reader 40 Alarms

IN looking through the manual on using the 2 alarms available, I noticed that in the current version of the manual, they failed to mention that when you right arrow to the status, in order to change the status, you have to first press select. I also discovered that there are 5 different sounds to choose from. I thought it would be nice to have a place to preview the alarms. So, here they are:

Orbit Reader 40 Audio Description

apparently there have not been many good descriptions of the Orbit Reader 40 made available. So, for what it is worth, here is my attempt at describing it in an MP3 file.

Here is an attempt to demonstrate the sound of the keys between the Orbit Readers 40 and 20.

Jaws Driver for the Orbit Reader 40

If you tab, or use the links list in Jaws, and go to the link below and use shift+f10 or your applications key, you can save the driver file using the save as or save link as option in that context menu.
Then, run the driver .exe file to install it.

Orbit Reader 20 Jaws Commands

If you have the Orbit Reader 20 braille display and have a hard time finding the Jaws commands to use it with Jaws, Here they are in a table: OrbitReader20JawsCommands.html

Exercising the pins and creating log files

Here is a link to the instructions for exercising the pins in case one or more are not performing correctly. If exercising doesn't resolve it, there are instructions on creating log files to send to Tech Support.

Orbit Reader Email List

Below is the link to read about the Orbit Reader email list and access the archives, followed by the direct subscription link which will open an email so you can send a blank email to join the list.
Orbit-Reader email list home page
Orbit-Reader + subscribe at Groups.io

Orbit-Speak Voices reading Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers.

Here is a recording of the current voices on the Orbit-Speak as of August 12, 2024.

Last Updated December 4, 2024