Customer Reviews
good dictionary but............. 
2008-05-19
I've had several Franklin translators and have had varying degrees of luck with them. I did my research before I bought this one and although I was concerned about the lack of a back light feature, I bought it anyway.
After several months I am experiencing intermittant power failure, which every time wipes my word list memory and yes, the screen really needs a backlight. I can't think why they would omit this given that it came with previous models. Also, of course the flip cover is a joke and has long since disappeared. This is a pocket translator after all but consistently fails to deal with the rigors of pocket life!
However on the positive side, I have to say that the Larousse dictionary is excellent. It's very thorough, it includes many useful related phrases and it is not at all prudish.
For me Franklin seems to have the software down pat but cannot come up with rugged enough hardware to make a great translator.
Good, no excelent 
2007-10-23
It is pretty good. A lot of words and common expressions and both langagues. I am not giving it five stars because does not come with phoneticl symbols. Even tough this translator comes with speaker, it would be better if you get the phonetical translation. Other bad thing is the keyboard, is slow to type. But in a overall view I recommend it.
underpowered 
2007-07-05
Although the Larousse dictionary is very good, the user interface for this product leaves much to be desired. Getting from one function to another is cumbersome, involving many non intuitive button presses. The translator/dictionary is also very slow and would benefit from an upgrade in processing speed. I would not recommend this product.
120 dólares muy bien empleados 
2007-06-29
Estoy utilizando este diccionario principalmente para leer literatura en inglés y puedo decir que me ha sorprendido la cantidad de vocabulario que trae. Al principio pensé que necesitaría comprar la tarjeta de ampliación para poder acceder a vocabulario mas rebuscado, pero de momento me basta y me sobra la memoria interna del diccionario. La pronunciación es bastante buena, mejor la inglesa que la española.
Tengo sin embargo dos críticas que compartir: la primera es que como algún otro usuario ya ha dicho, la pantalla no tiene luz, así es que si no estas en un lugar bien iluminado no se ve nada. La segunda se refiere a las notas culturales. Como española les recomiendo obviarlas, hablan de la España de hace 40 anos, destacando eventos como el 20N (día de la muerte del dictador Francisco Franco) o de acrónimos como BUP (Bachillerato Unificado Polivalente) que tras la reforma educativa de 1992 o 93 (lo siento, no me acuerdo del año exactamente) ya no representan nada.
Por lo demás, considero que los 120 dólares estuvieron muy bien empleados.
Very Happy 2007-06-14
I have used a lot of translators in the past. I am a language buff. This particular one is the best that I have used. The dictionaries are excellent, containing words that many others do not include. When I inserted the French bookman card in the back, it worked flawlessly giving me both Spanish and French capabilities. I could nit pick, based on my personal preferences, but if you are looking for a user friendly and comprehensive translator, at a reasonable price, this is the one.
Best on the market 2007-06-09
The Speaking Spanish-English Language Professor is an exceptional language learning tool that allows you to deepen your understanding of Spanish and English and perfect your pronunciation of words and phrases in both languages. The Language Professor was specially designed for advanced learners ofEnglish or Spanish with two robust dictionaries: Larousse Concise Spanish-English Dictionary with over 120000 translations and Merriam-Webster English Dictionary with definitions for more than 120000 words. You will hear words and phrase spoken clearly and accurately in both languages. The Speaking Spanish-English Language Professor helps you communicate the spoken or written word with confidence at work at school or while traveling.www.franklinelectronic.com
Expectations 2007-03-13
This was a nice piece of equipment. However, I was looking for a device that would translate sentences. This device does not. However, it was useful in translating basic phrases and words.
Neat little device 2007-01-04
This is probably the most important and used--second only to my calculator--gadget I carry in my back pack. It has a pretty sophisticated vocabulary and it even has definitions for slang words. The dictionary has excellent Spanish conjugations and a very good spell check and correction. It looks very elegant with a leather cover that flips open and close. It also has a bookman add-on slot in the back which wasn't mentioned in the product description (another plus point). My only complaint would be that is returns to Spanish mode after turning it off. This can and does get annoying at times; especially when I'm in a hurry and need a definition quick. This is the only reason I gave the product a 4 instead of a five.
"Larousse" really means Franklin in a slick case 
2006-12-25
What is "Larousse"? Larousse is a FRANKLIN, with the software appearing almost identical to what you get in a much less expensive 1470. For all your extra money you get a shiny, oversized black case. This thing is unnecessarily heavy and bulky (not something you likely want in transportable language tool) with a *stupid* leather flap over the top instead of a protective cover that might actually make some sense. For your extra money you get keys which are laid out in stupid blackberry/treo style, difficult to find, difficult to push.
My early opinion is I feel I've been conned; I spent extra money under the misapprehension that I was getting a more functional unit and not a less functional one. If you want to impress your friends with a conspicuous consumption item that will match your black leather pants, then buy this. If you want maximum functionality, especially for the dollar, then buy one of the less expensive Franklins. I have happily owned a 1470 for some years and I have used the speaking model which is, I think, about $80? If you want pronunciation, get that one - tell Franklin to shove this one.
I'd like my money back but since I've torn the plastic on the package I doubt Amazon is going to go for that. If I discover any great redeeming value to this thing I will update my review. I can tell you won't thing I *won't* revise, however: the keyboard layout really, really, really stinks and is a major step back in usability.
The first hard to get review it seems 2006-09-04
I just got it finally and I previosly bought a Franklins BES 1945(Pure rubbish had to give it away) hard to read annoying and very basic. So I decided to try this one and yes there is a big difference in price landed in Australia, but Yes I like it a lot,the screen is much better than the frankin Bes 1945, but still not the greatest to read, but good enough and has a constant back light and looks much cooler as well.
But the Gem is the Larousse dictionary. This is stunning!!! It even had translations for the word: Concha, which I have heard often in intimate encounters in south america. In other words its not a christian dictionary like Websters, god bless the french for being practical and intellectual at the same time-gots lots of functions. , I highly recommend this product.
