PROCAT

[Marceline N. Robert]

Is there anyone who uses a PROCAT Stylus or Flash as a working reporter? If so, how has it worked for you and what has been your experience with PROCAT support?

[Glen Warner]

Marceline --

Sounds like a good deal!

If you would like some software for on-screen feedback before you buy Winner, you might want to download digitalCAT.

Of course, you'll have to have some sort of dictionary (.rtf format) to import into DC for that feedback ... but once you've got that going, you can see your strokes translate on your laptop ... and from there, you can practice with the Speed Teacher and the Drill Machine with instant feedback -- once you arrange your windows appropriately, of course.

And I'll trade you my Darth Vader for your Wicked Witch any day ... my chief had a Reputation throughout the CT community .....

[Marceline N. Robert]

LOL.....I was active LN for 13 1/2 and now i'm a reserve an LN. If your Chief was Darth Vader, then my chief was the Wicked Witch of the West....lol....anyways...thanks for the feedback. Really appreciate it. I talked to PROCAT and they did tell me that they would not support my machine if I bought it from another vendor, but the company I bought my Stentura 200SRT from as a PROCAT Flash and will allow me to trade up and will give me 1 year support which is the same as what PROCAT would offer. If want to purchase a longer warranty I can do so within a year of my purchase with the company. They're gonna give 600 for my trade, so that's a good deal to me. The only thing i'll really be coming out of pocket for is the software. But I'm going to get the student software to start since I've just been tagged to deploy for the next year. No need to spend all that money now and when I get back, I'll do a package deal with PROCAT for the professional software and the Stylus. I saw a demo and played with the machine and loved it.

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Marceline.

I'm not a working reporter (not even close!), but I've had my ProCAT Flash for about five years now.

I bought it refurbished from a vendor, so when I attempted to get support for it from ProCAT, I basically was told "Go 'way, kid, you bother me," because I didn't buy the writer from them ... so, since you're a Starving Student(tm), and you're interested in a refurbished Flash, check with ProCAT first. This way, you'll not only get support, but you should also get all the extras that come with the writer when you buy it directly from ProCAT (extra memory cards, etc.).

The reason I purchased the writer was because I didn't want the then-popular Stentura 400 SRT that my school was trying to push everyone into at the time ... but I had the good fortune to have looked through a few JCRs before going to school, and I read those ads for the Flash that talked about 700 page memory cards which replace the (noisy!) floppy disk drive, an LCD that tells you, among other things, when it's time to charge your battery, etc.

I you want to read my review of the Flash, go here:

http://www.cheapandsleazy.net/flash.html

If you want to see what a happy Stylus user thinks of her Stylus, go here:

http://www.cheapandsleazy.net/stylus.html

I'm selling my spare ProCAT Flash for $1200, if you're interested. I think I have an ad for it here on CSR Nation, but it might have expired.

As for why I'm selling it, I have one; don't really need two! :o)

Well ... not yet, anyway.

Good luck in your decision!

--gdw

P.S.:

Ah, prior Navy, huh? I did 14 years, myself ... first six as an RM, next eight as a CTM. Would've stayed in for 20, but I ran into Chief Darth Vader himself, and my career did not survive the encounter!

Got severance pay, though.

--gdw
-------------------------
"For a Good (steno) Time ....."
http://www.cheapandsleazy.net

[Marceline N. Robert]

thanks for your feedback. i saw a demo of both the machine and the software and i was sold, but i just wanted to get the perspective from someone who has worked with it. i've heard both negative and positive, but i'm still sold on PROCAT.

[Christina]

I have had my ProCAT Stylus for a few years and also use their software. I love my machine and have never had a problem with it. I also love their technical support as they have always responded quickly to my questions regarding my software when I was learning how to use it. I have not found that my machine has any quirks. It has always worked great for me. I also keep up with my support plans on both my machine and my software. Though it was expensive to do so, it is worth it in the event you do need help, it is there and you are not charged for it. Plus, you get all updates included with the support plans for the machine as well as software.

[Charisse Kitt, CRI CSR RDR FCRR]

OMG! I have had this machine for about a year and a half now, and I HATE it! I would strongly advise against getting this machine. My machine started acting up on my about 4-5 months after I got it and it has been that way ever since. I get where I hit a key and it comes out two and three times, instead of the one time I hit the key. I would never be able to pass the realtime test with this machine. And as far as tech support goes, it SUCKS! I have called them several times and they can't help you. They actually had me do something to my machine that messed it up even more and then wanted to charge me all of this money to get it fixed! Trust me, you do not want to get that machine. After I got the machine of course that's when I heard all of the quirks with it. So if I can save you from wasting your money, that would make me a happy person. I would advise against it for anyone! Good Luck!