SpeechWare TravelMike - Flexible Boom

This is the "Third Generation" TravelMike released in October of 2019 and features a flexible boom rather the previously using solid, pivoting boom.  The advantage of the new boom design is simplicity and reliability.  There was more of a possibility of wire fracture in the older boom design.  See the "related products" below to learn about the other version of the TravelMike.  The two models provide identical speech recognition results.

The SpeechWare "TravelMike" is ground-breaking product designed for the mobile user wanting to maintain a low profile and portability without sacrificing quality and performance. More than a year in design and testing, this third generation device set-up packs all the performance of the larger and award-winning TableMikes in a package so small it can fit in your pocket. The latest version, which we began sellling in October of 2015, includes a new "snub-nosed" microphone element which is identical to the element included on the boom in the larger TableMike series.  The result is indentical performance at a fraction of the size.  Without question, it is the ideal choice for notebook, ultrabook and tablet PC user.

Key Features:

• Auto Gain Control (AGC) and Speech Equalizer (EQ) technology to provide the best attainable accuracy when using Dragon NaturallySpeaking
• MultiAdapter choice of "Long Range" (greatest distance and distance flexibility) or "Normal" (greatest accuracy at close range) modes depending upon your needs
• Practical usage up to 20 inches from microphone element under green LED mode
• USB connection to computer (optional USB hub base is soon to be available)
• Provides analog to digital conversion (substitutes for on-board sound card)
• 90 degree USB connector to allow variable positioning and compatibility with any notebook or tablet
• Swiveling "snub-nosed" microphone element (exact same element used in the full-sized TableMikes - see specs below)
  
• 1-year standard warranty extendable to 2-years with product registration

Microphone Specifications:

• Element: back electret condenser
• Polar Pattern: cardioid
• Sensitivity:  -37 dB@1kHz, SPL=1Pa
• Frequency Response and output impedence: 80 - 20,000 Hz and 1700 ohms
• ADC Sampling rate:  16 bit mono and up to an 48 kHz for both Recording and Playback (maximum of 22 kHz for the best competing devices!)
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 92 dB@i fs=48kHz, 1kHz at 1 Pa
• Variable dictation distance:  From a minimum of 10 cm up to 50 cm (4"-20") and more, depending on your voice and ambient noise. Optimal distance 25 cm or 10" under Green LED

Included in the box:

• SpeechMatic USB MultiAdapter
• 90 degree fixed USB connector
• Short USB extension cable
• Snub-nosed microphone element
• 1 Foam windscreen
• Carrying case
• Speech Recognition Solutions TravelMike User Guide (also downloable from link below)
• Speech Recognition Solutions exclusive 45-degree TRS audio adapter to allow extra flexion of the boom

Links:

• View the Speech Recognition Solutions TravelMike User Guide
• View SpeechWare TravelMike Page
• View YouTube video animation on TravelMike/MultiAdapter
• View detailed specifications

Comments: We haven't seen a product as innovative and exciting as this one in several years. In fact, only the basic TableMikes (3-in-1, 6-in-1 and 9-in-1) match this product in functionality. It is so small that it can fit in your pocket or a small space within your computer case or portfolio. We find the overall quality, both in terms of build and functionality a solid 10 out of 10. The downsides? It's expensive. Also, although it does a superb job in canceling external noise, we wouldn't recommend using it in a room with loud competing noise. Mild to moderate noise it will handle fine.

For users desiring other options when using the TravelMike, we recommend purchasing the TravelMike with the accessory package as listed below.  This includes necessary parts to allow use with the free-standing base and also the needed cable to allow use as a hand-held microphone.

The version of the TravelMike we sell is the third generation version, released in October of 2019, and includes the new "snub-nosed" microphone element on a short, flexible boom, rather than the previous rotating and hinging boom.  This microphone element itself is identical to the element used on the larger TableMikes.  We believe the flexible boom may not flex quite enough for some users, so we include with every TravelMike our own 45-degree TRS audio adapter to allow extra flexion. You can see this adapter listed below under "Related Products" but do not need to order it since we include it with every TravelMike. If you are interested in the original version of the TravelMike (Gen 2), be aware that there is no difference in the wiring or performance; the only difference is the presence of a more solid "pivoting" boom rather than the flexible boom.   Personally, we prefer the pivoting boom since it allows more extremes of flexion.