Russian Electronic Translator

[Tanner]

I have been looking for a two-way electronic translator that would be perfect to help my lady friends and I communicate better. (and maybe someday get me out of a pickle)  Not not knowing anything about these things a lot of them sound great.  My favorite so far is the Ectaco iTravl NTL2Ru.  http://www.mindconnection.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=LANG-ECT-NTL2Ru&Category_Code=LANG-RUSSIAN        Upon reading reviews on this divice on Amazon I have discovered many people don't like it.  I also know many people are like me and don't post reviews on an item unless I am disappointed in it.  Any suggestions out there?

[MatryoshkaMan]

This thing looks cool. Know nothing about it. If you do get it, let us know how well it works!

[tfcrew]

I would suggest that with gadgets like these...
you don't usually get your moneys worth.

It is not a voice...it is a machine [lacking sincerity]

[Tanner]

Thanks tfcrew.  I was looking into one of these due to many recommendations from others here.  I would use it for things such as telling a taxi driver where to go.  Assisting with what ever else may pop up.  I like to over prepare.  My intentions aren't to court a lady with this divice so sincerity is not needed. 

[Daveman]

I still think the most useful would be a netBook/Promt software combination. 

Reasons why are detailed here:
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9500.msg181244#msg181244

The small translators do have specific categories to pop out phrases (such as for taxi, medical, travel/customs, shopping, etc., but really, by the time you search and find them, you could have typed and translated several different inputs on the netBook. 
 
With any translation software, you have to learn a new style of writing. Very concise, to the point, without slang.  Otherwise the sentences you'll get from it will often be very strange and bizarre, and you'll see very confused looks on the faces of those trying to understand what they read.

In that case, the pre-entered phrases of the pocket translator are more useful, just don't expect to be able to carry on a conversation with the "phrasebook". They're more like one shot deals to make statements.

In any event, patience is the key to good results, i.e., someone understanding what you are actually trying to convey. 

[Tanner]

Thanks Daveman!  I did not see that thread before. 

[kievstar]

I used an ectaco several years ago.  Was a partner ER800 and it worked good.  It had the voice but not really worth it.  I would get one of the mini computers (10 inch) out there they have on TV for sale for $250 to 300 usd with web cam and wireless included.

The ecatco was small but keyboard was big enough so you could type fast.  You can also pre program phrases so you would not have to search for them.  But these mini computers will put ectaco out of business in a few years.

[ECOCKS]

My guess is that this will not be nearly as useful as you think.

If you are trying to learn Russian, they can be handy but as a carry around, talk for you device it will get old pretty quick and become a nuisance to keep up with.

You can invest some time with one of the PC language packages and get the basics for taxi's (Skulka pajosta and learn your numbers) while restaurants will require you to learn the alphabet to sound out the word. Using this with a taxi doesnt help since the street names are not going to be in English to begin with. Likewise, I doubt it will be any help with directions since people on the street will think you are crazy asking them to type in what they say in Russian so you can translate it to English by puching the button.