Anyone else have problems getting the Orbit Reader 20 to automatically detect your iPhone when you turn the Orbit on? I sometimes have to re-pair it to get it to work. Any fixes for this? Using an iPhone 8 with latest iOS.
Sorry to hear you're having connection issues. I don't have any issues with my Orbit running iOS 14 on my iPhone 8 or iPAD OS 15.2. In fact, sometimes it's annoying because notifications will show up on my Orbit Reader when I don't want them to – I have to turn off bluetooth or turn on do not disturb.
I'm having the same problem, but I think I've found a workaround. If you have Bluetooth set to auto on your Orbit Reader 20, change it to manual. Then you'll have to go into VoiceOver settings to connect each time, but it seems to work more reliably.
Thanks, but I am particularly trying to find a way to fix the issue without having to go into my phone settings.
I recently looked and noticed that my firmware was apparently out of date, so I’m going to try and install the latest version and see if that fixes it.
I just checked and my firmware is already up to date. I would prefer not to have to go into my phone's settings as well but so far this is the only option I've found.
I’m still going to try and update my firmware before contacting Orbit Research, but, the way you’re saying it, this may not be the issue at all.
If I were you, I’d contact them with this issue and let them know that you’re not the only one with the issue. You might also mention that you updated the firmware as was recommended to the person you know and it didn’t work. If updating firmware doesn’t work for me, I’ll also be contacting them with the same spiel.
I honestly think all of us who have this issue should do this same thing, unless anyone here has a better solution to this issue.
When pressing select+right arrow, my display says, "remote bluetooth," though honestly these days I could just unlock my phone and the Orbit Reader displays the time.
I went to the menu (select+up arrow), arrowed through my bluetooth options, and then made sure to interact with "mode" and chose "bt" for bluetooth. Now Braille Display says, "remote bluetooth." Any time I want to return to pairing mode, I press select+right arrow to see that message.
If I switch to USB, I will need to return to the mode options and choose bluetooth – I realized that I cannot just select the bluetooth options like I can select USB to tether it to my computer.
Heyyyy…!!! Looks like it worked!! Thank you so much!! It was simply a matter of me not having my Mode switched to Bluetooth. (Had it on Stand-Alone.)
Well, by default, it's always going to be in stand alone mode. Mine just happens to switch modes if I receive a notification on my phone or use it to check the time. I usually just place it in "remote bluetooth" mode due to the way the cells refresh using the keystrokes described in my previous comment.
A couple of suggestions:
You should definitely update your firmware if you haven't already. Mine is running version 01.01.49. I'm pretty sure there's a newer version, but I don't have any issues with mine so I haven't bothered with this step. You can download and install this file from orbit research.com.
My bluetooth settings are as follows:
Bluetooth auto
Pair: just works
emulate r18 (the name of my Orbit Reader is Refreshabraille something and only uses 18 of the allotted cells when paired to my phone, but I got used to it)
Well, it seems that, every time I turn my Orbit off and then turn it back on again, and even if I put the setting back on Bluetooth, it doesn’t show what’s on my phone…
Still need to update the firmware, though, which is a pain in the neck, but I suppose we’ll see if this fixes it…
So, I just did this, so, we’ll see how long this “fix” lasts…
Anyway, what I did was simply to reboot the device by holding the lower right panning button and Dot 8 down at the same time, then holding the power button down for a few seconds. After you hold the Power button down, the Orbit will restart.
(For more info on rebooting your Orbit, see your user manual.)
Yeah I had to do that last night because my completely dead unit wouldn't turn on even after it was plugged in. Good luck! I hope it works out for you! You might try contacting AT Guys for tech support if you're still experiencing pairing issues. They sell Orbit Readers and might be able to assist you more quickly.
I am considering purchasing any Orbit Reader product in the very near future. However, although I have read the differences between Orbit Reader 20 and Orbit Reader 20 Plus, I could not fully understand it. Can you help me with this? For example, what do you mean by support more than 40 languages? I am writing to you from Turkey. Is Orbit Reader sufficient for Turkish language? Also, is it possible to connect to more than one device via bluetooth in Orbit Reader and Orbit Reader Plus options, and can I switch between connected devices with a single button? Also, is there a carrying or storage case for these devices? Can you describe the structure of the sheath? For example, can I reliably read text while navigating the classroom without dropping the device? And finally, can you briefly list the differences between Orbit Reader 40 and Orbit Reader plus? I can't afford the Orbit Reader 40; but i would like to know what i missed. My expectation from a braille display; It is to read the screen quickly with my phone and computer and to underline important information in the books or to take notes on the books in formats such as e-pub, pdf. What do the blind usually use built-in apps like clock, calendar, calculator for? Why would they prefer to have these apps when there are such apps on phones? I am a psychological counselor and I really need a calendar to quickly note down my meeting dates. For example, can I create an agenda with the calendar application of my Orbit Reader 20 Plus? Can I open and check this agenda with both Windows, Mac and iOS software, view it, and make arrangements on these devices? I hope I didn't write it complicated. Your answer as soon as possible will determine which device I will buy as soon as possible.
So, guys, as soon as my device powered off after being on stand-by, and, when I turned it back on, the same bluetooth issue I described earlier was happening again…
Gods, I do hope the firmware update, when I have time to do it, fixes this s**t.
So, it looks like the issue is, when the device turns on, it somehow fails to connect to my phone. So, until I update, what I’ll probably have to do is reboot the device each time, as that seems to work for me for now…
So, I just recently upgraded the firmware and it did not solve my problem.
Howeevr, I also tried using the Orbit on another person’s iPhone 8–same as mine and one iOS before mine (5.1 where I have 5.2) and it worked just fine on that phone.
So, I’m in the process of working through what I can do about this with Apple short of re-installing everything on my phone, as I have a bunch of BARD books that I don’t want to loose my place in and have to re-download all over again if I have to start from scratch.
Hope you were able to fix this issue! Losing your place in all your books is a pain. I now understand how you were feeling. I had to update my unit through my PC and, although it wasn't hard, I definitely could have been doing something else. Thank god for clearly written instructions in the installation package. I apologize if I came off as unsympathetic to your technical difficulties. That was certainly not my intention.
Comments
Not just you
I'm not sure if this is related, but others are having problems with iOS 15.2 and Braille Displays staying connected.
https://www.applevis.com/forum/braille-apple-products/urgent-major-bluetooth-bug-ios-152
I’ve had issues with Orbit…
I’ve had issues with Orbit from before iOS 15.
And, yes, I also now am having issues with my bluetooth keyboard staying connection.
Sorry to hear you're having…
Sorry to hear you're having connection issues. I don't have any issues with my Orbit running iOS 14 on my iPhone 8 or iPAD OS 15.2. In fact, sometimes it's annoying because notifications will show up on my Orbit Reader when I don't want them to – I have to turn off bluetooth or turn on do not disturb.
Me, Too, But Found Possible Workaround
I'm having the same problem, but I think I've found a workaround. If you have Bluetooth set to auto on your Orbit Reader 20, change it to manual. Then you'll have to go into VoiceOver settings to connect each time, but it seems to work more reliably.
I assume that, after you…
I assume that, after you paired the two devices for the very first time, you’ve turned off the Orbit and turned it back on again?
Thanks, but I am…
Thanks, but I am particularly trying to find a way to fix the issue without having to go into my phone settings.
I recently looked and noticed that my firmware was apparently out of date, so I’m going to try and install the latest version and see if that fixes it.
Have you tried doing this yet? If so, results?
Firmware Up to Date
I just checked and my firmware is already up to date. I would prefer not to have to go into my phone's settings as well but so far this is the only option I've found.
Contacting Orbit Research
I’m still going to try and update my firmware before contacting Orbit Research, but, the way you’re saying it, this may not be the issue at all.
If I were you, I’d contact them with this issue and let them know that you’re not the only one with the issue. You might also mention that you updated the firmware as was recommended to the person you know and it didn’t work. If updating firmware doesn’t work for me, I’ll also be contacting them with the same spiel.
I honestly think all of us who have this issue should do this same thing, unless anyone here has a better solution to this issue.
There’s strength in numbers.
No, it just worked as soon…
No, it just worked as soon as I figured out how to change to remote bluetooth mode.
What?
What on earth is remote bluetooth mode and how to I activate it?
When pressing select+right…
When pressing select+right arrow, my display says, "remote bluetooth," though honestly these days I could just unlock my phone and the Orbit Reader displays the time.
I went to the menu (select+up arrow), arrowed through my bluetooth options, and then made sure to interact with "mode" and chose "bt" for bluetooth. Now Braille Display says, "remote bluetooth." Any time I want to return to pairing mode, I press select+right arrow to see that message.
If I switch to USB, I will need to return to the mode options and choose bluetooth – I realized that I cannot just select the bluetooth options like I can select USB to tether it to my computer.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Mine just says Bluetooth.
So, I did exactly what you said and switched my Mode to BT. When I Menu + Right Arrow, it only says Bluetooth for me, not Remote Bluetooth.
Also, my device still isn’t picking up the bluetooth from my phone….
Maybe I’ll try re-pairing…?
It worked!
Heyyyy…!!! Looks like it worked!! Thank you so much!! It was simply a matter of me not having my Mode switched to Bluetooth. (Had it on Stand-Alone.)
Well…, I thought it worked…, but…
So, it worked for a while, until it didn’t again.
So, after changing the setting from Stand-Alone to BT and, then, re-pairing, it worked great!
However, somehow, it switched itself back to Stand-Alone mode on its own!
This may be the real issue.
Anyone else had this issue and know how to fix it? How do I keep it from switching to Stand-Alone Mode on its own?
Well, by default, it's…
Well, by default, it's always going to be in stand alone mode. Mine just happens to switch modes if I receive a notification on my phone or use it to check the time. I usually just place it in "remote bluetooth" mode due to the way the cells refresh using the keystrokes described in my previous comment.
A couple of suggestions:
You should definitely update your firmware if you haven't already. Mine is running version 01.01.49. I'm pretty sure there's a newer version, but I don't have any issues with mine so I haven't bothered with this step. You can download and install this file from orbit research.com.
My bluetooth settings are as follows:
Bluetooth auto
Pair: just works
emulate r18 (the name of my Orbit Reader is Refreshabraille something and only uses 18 of the allotted cells when paired to my phone, but I got used to it)
Good luck!
Well, it seems that, every…
Well, it seems that, every time I turn my Orbit off and then turn it back on again, and even if I put the setting back on Bluetooth, it doesn’t show what’s on my phone…
Still need to update the firmware, though, which is a pain in the neck, but I suppose we’ll see if this fixes it…
Well, I may have got it working this time.
So, I just did this, so, we’ll see how long this “fix” lasts…
Anyway, what I did was simply to reboot the device by holding the lower right panning button and Dot 8 down at the same time, then holding the power button down for a few seconds. After you hold the Power button down, the Orbit will restart.
(For more info on rebooting your Orbit, see your user manual.)
Yeah I had to do that last…
Yeah I had to do that last night because my completely dead unit wouldn't turn on even after it was plugged in. Good luck! I hope it works out for you! You might try contacting AT Guys for tech support if you're still experiencing pairing issues. They sell Orbit Readers and might be able to assist you more quickly.
What is your satisfaction level about Orbit Reader products?
Hello,
I am considering purchasing any Orbit Reader product in the very near future. However, although I have read the differences between Orbit Reader 20 and Orbit Reader 20 Plus, I could not fully understand it. Can you help me with this? For example, what do you mean by support more than 40 languages? I am writing to you from Turkey. Is Orbit Reader sufficient for Turkish language? Also, is it possible to connect to more than one device via bluetooth in Orbit Reader and Orbit Reader Plus options, and can I switch between connected devices with a single button? Also, is there a carrying or storage case for these devices? Can you describe the structure of the sheath? For example, can I reliably read text while navigating the classroom without dropping the device? And finally, can you briefly list the differences between Orbit Reader 40 and Orbit Reader plus? I can't afford the Orbit Reader 40; but i would like to know what i missed. My expectation from a braille display; It is to read the screen quickly with my phone and computer and to underline important information in the books or to take notes on the books in formats such as e-pub, pdf. What do the blind usually use built-in apps like clock, calendar, calculator for? Why would they prefer to have these apps when there are such apps on phones? I am a psychological counselor and I really need a calendar to quickly note down my meeting dates. For example, can I create an agenda with the calendar application of my Orbit Reader 20 Plus? Can I open and check this agenda with both Windows, Mac and iOS software, view it, and make arrangements on these devices? I hope I didn't write it complicated. Your answer as soon as possible will determine which device I will buy as soon as possible.
Failed Again
So, guys, as soon as my device powered off after being on stand-by, and, when I turned it back on, the same bluetooth issue I described earlier was happening again…
Gods, I do hope the firmware update, when I have time to do it, fixes this s**t.
So, it looks like the issue…
So, it looks like the issue is, when the device turns on, it somehow fails to connect to my phone. So, until I update, what I’ll probably have to do is reboot the device each time, as that seems to work for me for now…
Looks like it’s my phone.
So, I just recently upgraded the firmware and it did not solve my problem.
Howeevr, I also tried using the Orbit on another person’s iPhone 8–same as mine and one iOS before mine (5.1 where I have 5.2) and it worked just fine on that phone.
So, I’m in the process of working through what I can do about this with Apple short of re-installing everything on my phone, as I have a bunch of BARD books that I don’t want to loose my place in and have to re-download all over again if I have to start from scratch.
Hope you were able to fix…
Hope you were able to fix this issue! Losing your place in all your books is a pain. I now understand how you were feeling. I had to update my unit through my PC and, although it wasn't hard, I definitely could have been doing something else. Thank god for clearly written instructions in the installation package. I apologize if I came off as unsympathetic to your technical difficulties. That was certainly not my intention.