The Franklin BES-1850 is fantastic! I did an EXHAUSTING amount of research before purchasing an electronic dictionary/translator device. I became so overwhelmed at times trying to figure out what to buy that I scrapped the idea all together a few times. However, I eventually purchased the Franklin BES-1850 and could not be more satisfied.

1.) I am attempting to learn Spanish all on my own. This can be quite a task. I wanted something easily portable that could be used to look up words on-the-fly and was lighter and less bulky than the huge, heavy paper dictionary that I was porting around.

2.) I was completely willing to spend upwards of $600 if the device was something fantastical. However, I did exhaustive research and there is nothing out there that serves a function better than this Franklin device. And the Franklin BES-1850 cost less than $100. It's $100 well spent.

3.) I do agree with some of the comments that the latch sticks and can be a bit hard to open. However, it's a strong latch that protects the device when you throw it in your bag. It's not that great of a concern. However, it is true that the latch can be hard to open.

4.) I don't have much trouble at all in seeing the screen. However, I can see how that comment also is valid. I would imagine that if you're trying to use the device on a park bench in the direct sunshine, that you're going to have trouble (and I'm all for having a device that I *can* use on a park bench in the sunshine). However, the thing costs under $100! The screen is perfectly easy to see in most common circumstances. I really love this device!

5.) My main use of the device so far is to find vocabulary words when I'm attempting to work an assignment in one of my workbooks (BTW: The series "Practice Makes Perfect" Spanish is THE BEST in terms of written grammar). In addition, I commute by public transportation and use the device to look up words when I'm attempting to "read" a Spanish periodical on the train. The device is perfect for this!

6.) One drawback is the fact that you cannot type in an entire phrase and have that phrase translated. (Actually, this *might* be possible. However, if it is possible, I haven't figured out how to do it.) Instead, you have to look up your ideas in the form of single words. I was going to complain about this. However, I have to say that I'm actually impressed. I could not remember the reflexive verb "to put oneself to bed". I assumed that if I typed in "bed" the only option that would be returned was the Spanish word "cama". However, to my delight and surprise it returned both "cama" and "acostarse" (the latter is the verb that I wanted). Good going, Franklin!

7.) IT CONJUGATES VERBS IN ALL TENSES!!!! Oh my gosh is that wonderful. Truly, this thing rocks!

I actually bought two of these. I'm using mine to go from English to Spanish. However the second one that I purchased was for a Spanish-speaking friend trying to learn English. I will attempt to report in with another review once I hear how well the device works in the other direction. My impression is that it is well done in both directions. Thus, if you are a Spanish speaker looking for an English translator, I'd go with this device as well.

Well done, Franklin!

Do not spend more than $100 for this or any of these devices. There is nothing that those other devices can do that warrants the price jump. Buy this Frankling BES-1850 model.

It was a nice starter for someone needing a Spanish-English dictionary but the unit I got was defective. The enter & the space buttons did not work. These rendered this toy useless. It had a nice touch screen feature but it was no substitute for the enter & space buttons. I would rate this a 5 star if the buttons worked.

My parents bought me this translator when I started taking Spanish classes in high school. I admit, it has lasted me almost two years (which doesn't really seem all that long), but it has been very influential in helping me pass Spanish and keep my GPA at a high score.

However, there are three main things which I do not like about it...
1) Sometimes I get frustrated because either there isn't a translation for a word I want or I type in a spanish word that my teacher gave me and there is not an English translation available. There are also discrepencies with Spanish-English translation books that I have used.
2) It is confusing as to which translation you should actually use, as in different languages there can be more than one definition of the word. So, there should be some kind of indicator that one of the options is more used.
3) The clasp broke after a little while. I do not know if it is the design or because it is in my bookbag with 3 inch thick high school books, but it still broke either way.

Hope this helps.

Mine would not speak, and I returned it. Has anyone got this product to speak?
Also, instructions are a difficult to handle foldout, instead of a handy booklet.

I bought the BES 1850 because I was taking a spanish class and needed help with some vocabulary and conjugations. It is a little bigger than I would like but it fits perfectly in my purse or pocket. Many complained that it was too big for their pocket but keep in mind, your pocket, not your 3 year olds. And consider how many words you are getting, 500 K. You need a little more memory to hold that much which give you size. Hearing the voiced pronunciations was not what I needed but it has been nice to have on occasion. I love this thing. I would buy it again. I didn't think the price was bad either. I just shopped around for the best deal and looked for coupon type things. I only paid around $75.00 for mine. Love it, Love it, Love it. Someone said the keyboard was to small to use like a type writer but to big to move easy around. Some people are never happy. If it were smaller than some might say it was too small. Think of it this way. This product was made for all people, not just one. Thank you Franklin for my BES 1850!!