Since the Livescribe Echo was introduced last month we’ve had a lot of questions about the differences between the two pens. Should I stay with the Pulse, upgrade to an Echo, which is the better model?
In this post I’m going to discuss some of the core differences between the existing Pulse Smartpens and the new Echo range.
Smartpen Product Line Changes
By now you may have noticed changes to the product line up. With the withdrawal of the 4GB Pulse pen, the products available here in Australia and New Zealand include:
- 2GB Pulse
- 4GB Echo
- 8GB Echo
As always, the Pulse and Echo Smartpens are offered with the option of MyScript for Livescribe.
Differences in the Product Packages
The introduction of the Echo Smartpens coincides with a number of new accessories being introduced to the Australian market.
This has resulted in a number of changes to what is included in the basic pen package. The following chart compares the two Smartpens for you and shows what has changed.
Comparing the Livescribe Echo and Pulse Smartpens
What this chart tells you is that the Echo Smartpen doesn’t include a set of headphones or a carry case. It’s worth noting that the Echo Smartpen now has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack so normal headphone like the ones I use with my iPhone now fit into the pen. This makes it easier for me if I want to quickly review content as I’m more likely to have my phone headset handy.
The lack of a carry case is made up by the fact Livescribe has introduced the Deluxe Carry Case along with a universal leather case (like the premium leather case for the Pulse Smartpen).
Changes to the Look of the Smartpen
The Echo Smartpen introduces a very different looking pen – on the surface. Under the hood there is very little difference other than the Echo being 4GB and 8GB models versus the 2GB Pulse Smartpen.
Obviously when you look at them you notice Livescribe has moved away from the anodised alloy case of the Pulse smartpen. The Echo Smartpen has a rubber-like grip area with the upper body being black plastic/Polyprop type material.
Here’s a simple image I took of the two pens with my iPhone
Personally, I found the Pulse Smartpen a very comfortable pen to use for long periods. I’ve been using an Echo now for 5 weeks and I’m finding it as comfortable, if not more so than the Pulse. The changes to the barrel are certainly appreciated as the Echo is less likely to escape from me.
So Which is the Right Smartpen?
There is no one answer to this question – it’s really down to how you’ll use the pen and your budget.
If you’re on a tight budget or you’re not that interested in some of the new premium accessories then I’d say go with the 2GB Pulse – here in Australia we offer it to customers as the basic 2GB Pulse pack, along with the option of bundling MyScript for Livescribe along with our own version of the Pro Pack.
If you’re in more of a business type environment or you think you’ll need to keep a lot of content on the pen for extended periods then I’d recommend the Echo Smartpen range. We offer the 4GB and 8GB as a standard package as well as both pens bundled with MyScript (handwriting conversion software).
I hope this post has helped answer some of the questions you may have about the differences between the Pulse and Echo Smartpens. As always, you’re welcome to contact me directly or ask questions in the comments section below.
Hello
I would like to know what the difference is between the echo 4gb vs 8gb.
Is it only storage capacity or does it have an enhanced camera or any other upgraded features?
Peter
The difference is purely storage. Both the 4GB and 8GB work on the same Livescribe Echo mobile computing platform.
cheers Mark
can i record only the voice ? without any notes ?
and play back afterwards ??
Hi Keeran
Yes – you can record audio without notes. This can be done with or without the pads
Mark
I’m currently trying to choose between the two. I’m a university student, wanting to use them in lectures etc. What would be the sound quality recorded in a lecture theatre? Is there any difference in sound quality between the echo and the pulse? I saw something about applications etc – can these be used on both the pulse and the echo or only the echo? What is the difference between the headphones that you get with the pulse, and normal headphones that I can use with the echo?
Hi Jade,
There is no difference between the two models in terms of audio capture quality or power. In terms of the lecture theatre – the audio quality will be influenced by many factors not least whether the lecturer is using a PA system to amplify their voice.
In terms of applications, many existing applications work with both the Pulse and the Echo Smartpens – the exception being the new Paper Tablet application which has been designed exclusively for the Echo Smartpen.
Finally the headphones – the key difference is the size of the jack that goes into the pen. The new Echo headphones use a standard 3.5mm jack.
I hope this info helps. Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any additional questions
Mark
Hi
No-one has been able to tell me the range the pens can be picked up. I need to know whether these pens will record clearly a larger conference room of about 30 people?
Hi Petula,
Firstly, apologies I haven’t been able to return your call. I’ll contact you this week.
In the situation you’ve described and based on my own personal experiences I’d suggest that the pens will be able to pick up the audio from the room OK. Clearly there are a couple of caveats to my statement which I’ll email directly to you.
One point I will make is that a room of this size may require the Echo 3-D headphones in order to enhance audio capture. I’d recommend experimenting with the room and where you sit in the room in order to best understand how to effectively capture the meeting audio.
cheers Mark
I just bought a used pulse. It didn’t come with headphones so I am thinking about buying some. The pulse headphones do have mics right? If I wanted to get the echo headphones with a converter jack would that work?
I am also trying to delete files that are already on the pen and can’t figure out how to do it.
Also, when I get on to the livescribe program without hooking up the pen, I can’t see the recorded files? Do I have to have the pen hooked up to listen to lectures and view notes?
Thanks,
Derek
Derek,
The Pulse headphones do have a microphone built in. I’m not sure about whether you can use an adapter to fit the Echo headphones to the Pulse pen – Livescribe customer service would be best placed to answer that (cs@livescribe.com).
The other questions you’ve asked seem to relate to a potential conflict between the pen software and Livescribe Desktop. Again, I’d encourage you to contact the US team for support
cheers Mark
Hi Mark,
I am a professional rugby union coach looking to increase my use of technology. A key area I want to improve is data basing my prematch talks / game commentary / half time talk and linking this info into what was planned and the notes taken during the game.
Would the Pulse do a suitable job?
Do the notebooks come is different styles (A5 or A6 size)?
How would you best recommend using the smart pen in the context above.
Thanks
(ps Saw you at the All Day TEC session mid last year – good talk)
Mark, I am looking to purchase the smart pen for my daughter in yr 8. Does the audio convert to text thru myscribe? Would the pen work with her writing the qu and then verbally answering – would this then be converted to text? If not would it be able to be printed? Thereby then retyping I live in Brisbane who would you recommend I see for a deom? Thanks Caroline
I have been using the “echo smartpen” for taking minutes in meetings and it’s fantastic! It has changed my whole outlook to minute taking. I often see it promoted as an aid for students etc but I haven’t seen it promoted for minute taking. It’s absolutely brilliant for this purpose (once persmission for recording is granted by the board, committee etc). I no longer get anxious before, during and after meetings because I know I have the recorded back up and when I haven’t been able to capture an item on the agenda clearly in writing I don’t have to worry as I know I can quickly go straight to the audio at exactly the right spot. My minutes are much more accurate since using the smartpen.
Kylie
Thanks for the feedback. We’ve spoken to lots of users over the past few years about this type of benefit – in fact we’ll be blogging more stories like this during 2011.
cheers Mark
Hi Mark , ive been using the pulse 2GB for about 12 months now and its great as im TAFE student and note taking in lectures is critical . I only have one slight problem with it and that is that it picks up everything in the room eg. if the teacher is lecturing and someone shifts something on the desk or turns a page it picks it up and i guess overrides the microphone and whats being said and you tend to miss some of the content. Im looking at upgrading to the ECHO soon , is there any changes in that regard and what else does the ECHO offer as im in early stages of looking at it?Although all in all its a great product.
Hi Aaron
Firstly, I’d encourage you to experiment with the different microphone sensitivity settings as this may help. The controls are located inside the front cover of a Livescribe Notebook. Secondly, as you’ve got a Pulse Smartpen, I’d also suggest trying the headphones that came with the pen as this might also help filter out the impact of some of the background noise.
Finally, there are no real differences between the Pulse and the Echo Smartpen in terms of audio capture
Cheers – please let me know if we can help further
Mark
Is anyone working on the same concept for touch screen tablet PCs? I’d like to just be able to carry around a small tablet and an accessory pen that can do everything the Livescribe does without having to carry around paper notebooks. I’m definitely going to purchase the Livescribe system (to include the paper tablet application), but I have to imagine some company out there is working on a tablet PC smart pen that can replicate the features of the Livescribe, but with no need for notebooks. I’ll jump on that opportunity as soon as it hits the market.
Possibly Melissa, but I still think the pen and paper will always have a role to play. Have you looked at the smaller, pocket sized notebooks? There’s also the sticky notes to consider.
cheers Mark