iTravl Comparison

We have been getting many inquires about the amazing iTravl translator and travel assistant. One of the most common questions is "How does the iTravl compare to the Ectaco 800 series?" We answer that first, then compare it to the TL-2 and then to other models.

Some key similarities

Both:

• Are Ectaco products.

• For most languages, the dictionaries are the same size.

• Use the same 14,000 phrase phrasebook.

• Feature voice recognition for accessing the phrasebook.

• Are expandable.

• Follow PDA standards.

How iTravl is better

The iTravl has:

• A brilliant display, while the 800 is simply high-res color.
• Full text translation (type a random sentence) for many more languages than the 800 does.
• A language learning tool, while the 800 does not. And it's pretty impressive.
• Speech recognition that allows the device to evaluate your diction and tell you how well you did (in the Language Teacher feature).
• A travel guide, while the 800 does not.
• A smaller form factor. iTravl is a bit smaller than the 800. ITravl is twice the size of an iPod.
• iTravl uses SD cards, 800 uses MMCs. Look at the memory displays in a store and you see many SD options but maybe 2 or 3 MMC ones. SD is the way to go.

How 800 is better

Not in any way.

Differences that may not matter

• iTravl costs a bit more.
• iTravl has a black finish, 800 has a black and brushed aluminum finish.
• For some languages, the 800 dictionary (vocabulary base) is larger than in the iTravl, but you're already at a huge level so in the real world the difference doesn't matter. You get a massive dictionary, either way.
• The 800 has a physical keyboard. But use of this keyboard is fairly limited because the 800 provides full text translation in only 3 languages. Use is also limited by the fact that you need to use the virtual keyboard to get the character sets of most foreign languages. The main thing the physical keyboard does is take up space and make the device thicker.

   

Compared to the TL-2

The TL-2 is outdated.

Some key similarities

Both:

• Are Ectaco products.

• Use the same 14,000 phrase phrasebook.

• Feature voice recognition for accessing the phrasebook.

• Are expandable.

• Follow PDA standards.

How iTravl is better

The iTravl has:

• A brilliant color display, while the TL-2 is simply monochrome.
• SD cards, while TL-2 uses MMCs.
• Full text translation (type a random sentence) in many languages. This isn't available at all in the TL-2.
• A language learning tool, while the TL-2 does not. And it's pretty impressive.
• A travel guide, while the TL-2 does not.
• A much smaller form factor. ITravl is twice the size of an iPod. The TL-2 form factor is based on the Playstation, and it won't fit into your pocket.
• Exterior access to the SD card slot, while the TL-2 (because its case is ruggedized) requires you to open the battery compartment with a screwdriver to access its MMC slot.

How TL-2 is better

Not in any way.

Differences that may not matter

• iTravl costs more.
• iTravl has a black finish, TL-2 is blue.
• The TL-2 has ruggedized case. This is because it was originally developed for the military. Unless you're using it on the battlefield or at a frat house party, you probably don't need this feature

Compared to other devices

You're joking, right? If you want the ultimate in translation tools, you choose between the iTravl and the 800. And, most of the time, the iTravl is the clear winner.

• In Chinese, the MD devices are the exception to "iTravl is the best." Which is why we carry the MD devices. The MD devices have handwriting recognition and 1 million words in their dictionaries (nearly twice what the iTravl has). However, the MD devices lack features such as speech recognition, Language Teacher,  and expandability to other languages.
   
• There are certain brands we do not carry because we have dealt with those manufacturers before and found their service wasn't up to our standards.
   
• For people who want the best value in a tourist-level device (2,000 phrases and 20,000 words per language rather than 14,000 phrases and up to a million words per language), we offer the Lingo line made by 123 Language.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please view the about us pages, or write to sales @ mindconnection.com. We do want your business.