Franklin Electronics BES-2170 Franklin Speaking Spanish-English Dictionary with MW Advance Learner's Dictionary

Don't be swayed by the lack of reviews (at this point) for this spanish english dictionary. It's only because it's the latest version. I decided to take a gamble on it by purchasing a barely used one for $30 and it has really payed off. Before I ordered this model I had used the 2100 and the 2150. Both of these models are ok if you want a dictionary that is good enough, but that is not a well made product that is user friendly. With the 2170 it seems that Franklin has finally decided to catch up with the times and make something that works more intuitively and does what an electronic device like this should do (make the act of using a dictionary easy and quick). The way that the keyboard is set up makes more sense than the previous versions and just pushing down on the keys is easier than the previous two versions. The backlight works well, but for me it isn't really an issue. I don't usually need a backlight. The 2170 seems durable, but only time will tell. The instructions seem to be better than the instructions that came with the two previous models but I can't say with certainty because I've never been one to read directions unless I have to(I usually just fool around until I figure things out), but at a glance, they are definitely more comprehensive than the small one page abreviated instructions that came with the other two models. So to sum it up, this dictionary basically has the same data inside it as the two previous models (from what I can tell), but delivers it to you in a much more thought out and user friendly way. Whether it is worth the full price being charged for it depends on why you are purchasing it I suppose. If you aren't very serious about learning another language, or money is an issue for you, you might want to go with less expensive model. If you're going to use the dictionary alot and ease of use is important to you then I would shell out the money for this model. I am a serious learner of the spanish language and I agonized over finding the best electronic spanish english dictionary I could find for quite a while, and with this one, it seems that I have finally found it. Anyway, I hope this will help others who find themselves in the same position to make the decision for themselves.

This is my second Franklin Spanish-English dictionary. It is the best of those I have used and are useful in both classes and in Centro-and South America. This is the most complete dictionary of this kind and I have no interest in changing to another dictionary.That said, two criticisms: When you turn it on your first choice is a comprehensive ENGLISH WORD DICTIONARY. I didn't buy this dictionary to be given my first choice and English Word Dictionary. Me prefiero un dicionario en ingles y espanol solamente. So it is necessary to scroll down to select either English or Spanish word translations.Second, some of the verb conjugations are incomplete so you're left to wonder or get a verb conjugation dictionary (Note: Barrons has a wonderful pocket size verb dictionary of 300 common verbs with COMPLETE conjugations. This means you don't have to lug around the "2000 Verb" books that weigh 10 pounds or so.) Also, although a minor complaint is some of the definitions are incomplete.IMHO: Best electronic dictionary on the market.

Just as the item is a revised 21xx version of the product, so my review is now edited. I'm sorry to knock it down from 4 stars to 3. A couple of more problems have arisen. As I say in my initial review below, we like playing Hangman. One of the features is that you can look up the word by hitting "enter" and that's a good thing - to get the definition of something you're unfamiliar with, and you can choose "list" to add it to your personalized list of words, also a good thing. However, the list quickly fills up (lack of memory in this day and age is incomprehensible) and if you choose "dict", although you are in a Spanish word game, take you to a screen to enter an English word! So, to get any further Spanish definitions you must go to the book listing and choose the Spanish-English dictionary and manually enter your word. Very clunky. It reminds me of early versions of DOS/Windows integration, trying to get past the initial 640KB limit with extended and expanded memory and tricks in Config.sys. "Lipstick on a pig" is an overstatement, but it feels like beating a dead horse. Pushing an outdated platform to it's limit. The machine needs to be redone from the ground up with. Fix the absurd battery situation as well as the outdated memory limits and rework the user interface to stay in the language being used as well as completely rethink the verb conjugation layout.. With that, regretfully, I must knock my star rating from 4 to 3.Previous review:Well, it's hard to notice everything when you're reading about a product. This product is OK for an English speaker (like me) who is trying to learn more Spanish, but it is really geared more toward a Spanish speaker who is trying to learn English. There are more resources (advanced learning, etc.) for an English learner. So, what I really wanted was the opposite of this, but it's OK, there are plenty of Spanish-learning features. We're hooked on hangman for example.I think my biggest gripe is that the screen is very difficult to read without the back light. The back light works great, but it consumes battery power, and there is the rub. This thing requires AAA batteries. When everything from my toothbrush to my cell phone is rechargeable I'm amazed that this item still requires changing batteries. And, as the batteries get lower, it continually shuts off the back light while I'm using it. Argh! Also the manual says that you have to change the batteries quickly or you'll lose anything that you've saved. (it allows you to flag and save items to personal lists and dictionaries, but you may lose them all when you swap out batteries). Yes I can backup to the Mac very easily, but the one time that I forget, that's the time I'm going to lose everything. Murphy's Law.Also I wish it had the feature of coming back to the state you left it in instead of rebooting every time it's closed and left for any amount of time.After all my griping I quite like the little guy. It's compact and feels sturdy. I wish it more-or-less defaulted to learning Spanish instead of English. Some things can be changed to Spanish, but, at its heart, it's an English instruction machine that also does Spanish. And I wish it was rechargeable instead of having to change batteries. And I'd like the screen to be more readable without the back light. There, I think that's it.One other thing: the Spanish conjugation of verbs is VERY awkward. You have to page through several screens to find what you're looking for. I don't think it would be possible to learn verb conjugation with this tool. The verb conjugation is basically useless for me. It's not laid out well, I don't think. But I'm pretty good with conjugations already so I don't need that feature, otherwise it would fall in my star rating.Of course, I've only had it a week or so, so I haven't explored all the features.NEW COMMENT: FORGET THIS TURKEY! FORGET DEDICATED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS. YOUR HIGH END CELLPHONE WILL DO ALL THIS AND MORE FOR LESS MONEY AND MORE FUN. GET A CELL PHONE!!!! I THREW THIS THING IN THE GARBAGE, ALONG WITH MY GARMIN. I'M A HAPPIER PERSON FOR IT.