Franklin LM6000b Speaking Language Master

After five months, I can attest to the Franklin LM6000b's exceptional quality. I bought this device because I needed an electronic dictionary with text-to-speech (i.e., capable of reading words and definitions aloud). Compared to other products on the market with a similar feature, Franklin surpassed them all. In many ways, the Franklin does "enhance people's self-confidence." Both native speakers and ESL learners can benefit from it. Many of my ESL students use it to familiarize themselves with spoken and written forms of the English language. It has a convenient Phonics button that enables them to hear each sound in a word, which I sometimes use to refine my own pronunciation. When one can't spell a specific word, it'll provide a list of possible matches. As an added bonus, people with weak eyesight can manually adjust the display to read definitions (i.e., adjust font size and screen contrast). There is one downside to this product's efficacy, though. Some people disdain the "slowness" of its searches, but the one-to-two-second delays don't vex me. Admittedly, the Franklin's database may not be as extensive or as glorified as the Sharp Electronics PW-E550 Electronic Dictionary , but both products are comparable. The Franklin LM6000b has an English dictionary with 130,000 words, 300,000 definitions, 500,000 thesaurus entries, and a grammar guide. The Sharp Electronics PW-E550 contains more than 250,000 definitions and more than 9,000 biographical and geographical entries from The New Oxford American Dictionary. Oxford American Thesaurus of Current English has 15,000 main entries keyed to more than 350,000 synonyms. Never had any issues with the device, so I won't comment on customer service. As for portability, I wouldn't recommend stuffing this device into your pocket--not unless you have very, very baggy pants. But don't let its size deter you. Competitively speaking, this product is by far the most well-rounded e-dictionary. It offers both a comprehensive database of definitions and a stellar phonic feature. I am satisfied. ** For those who would like to see a video demonstration of this product, you can search for it on You Tube.

Wonderful product for people of all ages especially to learn the correct pronunciations. Very handy and easy to use. A must for students. Long battery life and economical.

Started finding like 3 words that weren't in the device right off the bat. I like the audio "Say" and "Read" features. Screen is hard to see: better have good background light to be able to read this screen.

My wife and I purchased this unit to help our 9 year old son understand words that are difficult when he reads. We wanted something simple and handy (so we chose this over a computer program). We are pleased with it, and a few lines are below. 1. The device has enough words to correct spelling in a meaningful way (fewer words devices can't really do it). Also, it has enough vocabulary for a 9 year old. 2. It speaks relatively clearly (robot accent better than my Romanian accent). 3. It looks like a calculator with computer-like keyboard. Strangely, this is very appealing to our kid and makes him *want* to use the device. This came unexpected, as my wife and I thought the device to be ugly! 4. It has a thesaurus that I personally find useful while writing (although I have no excuse to use it as my editors have thesaurus incorporated ...) 5. The device "watches its language", i.e., it has some adult filters and it won;t be pushed to recite trivial bad words which usually make the kids laugh. We recommend it wholeheartedly.

This dictionary is bad, bad, bad! 1st, it only contain very few words, most words I try to look up are not in there. It actually deleted some words from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary which it claim to use. 2nd. It broke easily. My did. 3rd. Customer service is none. If anything broke, they won't fix it, but ask you to pay for a replacement one for $69.99. I will never buy anything from Franklin again. Their product used to be good, but I guess the coporate greed have changed this company over the years.

I initiated use of this product in the resource room program at the middle school I use to work in. My learning disabled students eagerly used the machine with their reading/writing assignments. When finished with an exam they loved to put on headphones and play with the language games. My 10 year old son is speech/language impaired and I just bought this new edition for him. Currently he is learning how to use it and I find he seeks it out. The "speaking function," is an incredible help. I know this will be a great HW tool for him during middle and high school.

We purchased the Speaking Language Master for our 4th grade daughter to help with her reading and vocabulary. She keeps it in her book bag and uses at school to help with word definitions and pronunciations. She enjoys using it to look up unfamiliar words; but sometimes struggles getting through the menus to use all the features.

My handicapped son uses this and has gone through three of them for a total of probably $500.00. He is extremely hard on them and drops them all the time. An IPad might last him a week or two and these three have lasted decades. They are tough. He has a hard time speaking and will type in the sentence and then hit say. It can get a little irritating when he keeps hitting the say button, "Can I go dad. Can I go dad. Can I go dad. Can I go dad." It really helps those who don't understand sign language.

First Class

I like it because portable dictionary is a great asset to have. Didn't have any problems with it and would recommend others to buy this little master :-)

This is the second one I've bought since I lost my previous. So what more can I say ? Buying the same product again ?