Franklin 14 Language Speaking Global Translator with Visual Dictionary and Color Screen (EST-7014)

This Franklin EST-7014 is a terrific aid while on vacation or traveling overseas. I'm retired military, and I jump'd on a USAF Space "A" flight to Ramstein, Germany using this 14-language talking translator on numerous occasions in talking and non-talking mode. Went to a train station booth asking the ticket agent if she spoke english, she snub'd her nose, shaking her head "no" and went back to doing her cross-word puzzle...when I pushed the button on the Franklin transx and it asked the question "when is the next train to (I added: Manheim)" she laughed and started helping me with better english than I speak.When I'm learning a foreign language I use this translator with ear-phones so nobody else knows what I'm doing. This EST-7014 helped me with all kinds of functions; in addition, it has calculator, auto-country time/date, trip elapse time/stop watch (flight/train), exchange-rate currency converter, and automatic button to switch my favorite phrases from one language to another... it's a blast to use, especially in Europe and SE Asia where I visit multiple countries within a couple weeks.Also, the recharging plug-in attachments that comes with it work great for that 220 European/Asian voltage...this Franklin is more than worth the money for me.

The translator instructions are difficult to understand and use. I don't understand the use of the translator section when I type in a word it doesn't convert it to the language that I need to have. Can't type in a sentence to carrying on a conversation. I wish I had a device in which I can speak into it and then translated directly to the other language. How do you use the camera, there is no instruction of this feature. I have been using this device for the last few months and I am not satisfied with it.

ONLY THE SPACE SHUTTLE HAS A MORE COMPLICATED SET OF INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTROL BUTTONS. DON'T BUY IT SHORTLY BEFORE A TRIP BECAUSE YOU NEED ABOUT 6 WEEKS OF PRACTISING WITH IT EVERYDAY IF IT'S GOING TO BE OF ANY USE ALL. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU WANT TO WISH SOMEONE A HAPPY EASTER YOU WON'T FIND IT UNDER "GLOBAL SEARCH'. IT'S NOT UNDER TRANSLATOR EITHER. IT'S IN THE "BUSINESS" SUB-SECTION OF "EVERYDAY PHRASES". ALTHOUGH IT HAS SOME PHRASES THAT ARE USEFUL IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THEM YOU CANNOT STRING A SENTENCE TOGETHER. THE SCREEN IS COMPLETELY USELESS IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND IN DARK PLACES LIKE A THEATRE IT GLOWS LIKE A FLASHLIGHT. THE KEYBOARD MUST HAVE BEEN MADE BY ELVES OR HOBBITS AND HAD FOUR LANGUAGES ON IT.IT'S BASICALLY EXPENSIVE ELECTRONIC JUNK. IT'S NOT FIT FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND I WANT A REFUND!

I bought this product as it had the best reviews of any of the similar products I could find. It does do everything it says it does, but what it doesn't do that you think it will do, makes it pretty much useless when you are traveling. I used it in France recently for 10 days and basically stopped using it as it could not hold a candle to the app on my iPhone called Say Hi. The installed phrases and words are good, but when you type in a phrase you see, it cannot translate. Type in words from a menu. Same problem. And finding a useful phrase for English to French is not easy and maybe isn't even there. This product is not useful for travel. It may be more useful sitting at home and trying to write something to someone, but certainly do not expect it to find a phrase you enter.

Advertised as new, but mine came used. I decided to keep it because it seems so easy to use and it will help with any of the basic language barriers I run into when traveling. Basically you select options from menu after menu (ie - French, phrases for transportation, where does the bus stop, etc), then you can have the phrase said in either language by pressing one of the "speaker" buttons to listen to the phrase. If you want to translate a word, just type it in. I like the rechargeable battery (hope mine isn't too old/overused). It is an expensive piece of equipment, but we don't have phones that work outside of the country, so we can't simply log into wifi to use an online translator from our phone. It would be optimal if it could translate a verbal phrase, but so far, I haven't found a way to do that. I'm not convinced it is useful in learning to speak another language well or conversationally, but it will get me through many travel needs. Also, it is about the size of a small cell phone, so it is easy to take along wherever we go.

If you want a handy and helpful guide while you are traveling, this is the product for you. We were very surprised and pleased.

This unit is complicated to use and the keyboard is quite small. I would recommend using one of the translation apps available for smart phones which do the same thing with a lot less hassle. One of them allows you to speak the phrase you wish to translate and the machine repeats the question in the required language. Much less complicated

I have no idea how this would rate as the pins for the battery were damaged in the post. the parcel was crushed. It is too hard to prove so I have chucked almost three hundred dollars worth of garbage in the bin. I am unable to get parts here in Australia.Thought it would be a good idea to travel with. Will now have to buy one locally at twice the price, should have done that in the first place and saved $300