Freewrite Traveler: complete review

My review of the Traveler, successor to the Freewrite, by Astrohaus. Travel is a compact edition of the Freewrite smart typewriter, released in 2020.
Also check my Updated Review of Freewrite (2017).
Addition: not in this review, but you can also connect an external keyboard to the USB-port on the Traveler and use that for typing, including the cursor keys on the external keyboard.

[@HelenNorton]

This is an excellent review, thank you so much for taking the time to be so thorough and to cover the things we NEED to know. Got me across the line! You answered all the questions and complaints I have heard about the devices, (and you compared them which was exactly l what I needed).

[@GeoffreyCaesarSolicitor]

Thanks for this excellent review. I am on the verge of getting a FreeWrite (full size, I think) so have been hoovering up every review I can find and yours is one of the most helpful.

[@miavlogs43]

Very thorough! I appreciate your review. Thank you for sharing!

[@LoveForGadgets]

Fabulous review. Very nice put together and of course very informative.

[@ivosenden9112]

Thank you kindly! 🙂👍🏻

[@saffirechanning7286]

Gosh, those portable Freewriters sure seem easier to take around than any laptop computer! I must admit, I am VERY INTRIGUED by 'em!

[@bizmonkey007]

Get a tablet and a keyboard. It’ll be about the same price (or cheaper) and is just as portable, while being much more flexible.

[@ghostchick5275]

We don't want flexibility. Most of us already own a laptop, a tablet, etc. We just want a dedicated writer's tool.

[@bizmonkey007]

@@ghostchick5275 A dedicated writer’s tool should have more robust editing options and a better screen with no input lag

[@LosfeldRL]

@@bizmonkey007 I think you are missing the point

[@graffitipreacherman7663]

You rock!! This was awesome!

[@murda2999]

Well done!

[@Frank_42]

I use a rechargeable clip on LED light that illuminates the screen and keyboard perfectly without being hard on the eyes. The light has three settings to make it less intense.

[@CZpersi]

How do you know, in which folder you are right now? I understand that on the big device, there are mechanical switches, but how can you know that on the smaller device, which has only buttons?

[@mikaelat3272]

Very good review! I’ve followed the development of the Freewrite since the initial announcement of the traveller and I’m glad to see it officially released. One question, though - does the keystroke delay ever bother you in your writing journey? Is there a difference in keystroke response time between the Traveller and the original Freewrite? Thank you.

[@sydcharlotte]

Yes there is. The traveler is much more delayed. It made me make so many more typos as a result. I’m going to return it and just stick with my freewrite.

[@archimark5060]

Excellent, well presented comprehensive overview of these unique device, Ivo. Thanks for sharing this! While I get and support the concept behind this device, I don't understand why they have such a tiny display? There is clearly room for a much larger display. Battery life, cost, or ?

[@ivosenden]

Thank you. My guess is that, at the time, a 6 inch format was the most common and by far frequently used e-ink display. Therefore it was widely available and probably the lowest cost. In practical use I have to say that the size is alright. With all the books I've written on the Freewrite, I never felt, as a user, that I wanted a larger display.

[@dannyboylee]

Are you able to copy and paste between documents? What about formatting? All the paragraphs shown in your review are left justified with no indentations.

[@bizmonkey007]

Can you import a work in progress to the Freewrite? Does it accept Doc files?

[@evilphuk]

Can you provide an update?

[@muskndusk]

Can you directly transfer documents from the Traveler to a laptop WITHOUT using the internet? Edit: I think you may have answered this in the video by writing on screen that you can transfer using a usb. Best review I've seen. I doubt that I'll buy one though. Too expensive.

[@kaylaperrin122]

I used to use an Alphasmart. I absolutely loved it. Much cheaper.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Via USB cable, yes.

[@fanjapanischermusik]

the screen is quite laggy, that would be a problem for me, as I type 60 wpm. I hope the big one is better.

[@ivosenden]

My speed is roughly the same, and I never found the lag an issue. It's not like it will run behind if you type faster. Yes, it may be half a word behind when you type fast, but unless you rely on seeing each character when you type it, it's really not a problem.

[@mariepotvin9222]

Does it allow to change the keyboard language? (French for instance)

[@ivosenden]

Yes, you can select from multiple language mappings in the Freewrite software.

[@torianvil9594]

Does it go to sleep when you close the clamshell? Or do you need to remember to push the button to save battery?

[@ivosenden]

Yes, you can put it in sleep mode by either closing the lid or pressing the power button. You can also turn it off completely by press and holding New+Power button.

[@and1424]

I wish something like this exists that let install Linux and code there.. I do not need more than 80 cols x 25 lines.. Thanks for the review

[@JessicaFEREM]

an LCD screen doesn't flicker unless the backlight is PWM'd meaning the backlight is flickering at a fixed rate to control how bright you see the screen.

[@JessicaFEREM]

also both your laptop and the freewrite both have scissor switches, the freewrite just has more travel.

[@abuhusein1981]

Can I change key board to Arabic language?

[@mileyreese6071]

Can I take the writing with me with my own flash drive???

[@ivosenden]

You can let the device sync to your cloud account and you can copy the text files via USB cable to your PC. Then, you can copy them to a flash drive. The device does not have a removable flash drive itself.

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

@@ivosenden can the USB connection go the other way, from the computer to the Traveler? The idea, if I make changes on the computer, will I see those changes on the Traveler after the files are synced?

[@ivosenden]

@@JeshuaSquirrel no, syncing goes one way only, you cannot transfer files from your PC to the device. The idea behind it is that you use Freewrite or Traveler for the initial, distraction free drafting process and do all editing later on your PC. It takes a little change in mindset, but I have written several published novels on the Freewrite and I know from my own experience that, once you adopt this mindset, the first draft will be finished much quicker, than when you're working on your laptop or PC and find your flow constantly interrupted by your urge to correct mistakes and typos immediately.

[@ST-RTheProtogen]

That thing looks very similar to a Nintendo DS, I wonder if it has the supernatural durabulity of one as well...

[@LpSC2online]

With the scissor switch keys I am quite scared that they will give out in a couple of years. In comparison, the cherry MX switches in the Freewrite have at the very least 50 Million keystrokes. My current mechanical keyboard has even 80 Million keystrokes that are guaranteed without any signs of wear and tear. Scissor switches on the other hand usually only last between 5 and 20 Million keystrokes, depending on their quality.

[@ayazel5958]

Thank you for the review. While very convenient and well-designed, this thing is insanely overpriced... I understand it's a niche and all that, but 500€ is too much.

[@jamesvickery6158]

Such a shame these devices are so expensive

[@cl9826]

The alphasmarts are better anyway for way less.

[@kaylaperrin122]

@@cl9826 Yes, I loved my Alphasmart and much cheaper. When I saw the price for this I thought that it's taking advantage of people. No need for it to be so pricey.

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

Nice keyboard but lagging which is a killer. Primitive screen and overpriced. If you are distracted by things to the extent that you can't do any work, you need to address that issue for yourself rather than buying a gadget.

[@bhoqeem1975]

No backlit display? Fohgetaboutit.

[@torianvil9594]

Nor do books, but no complaints there

[@Frank_42]

I use a rechargeable clip on LED light that illuminates the screen and keyboard perfectly without being hard on the eyes. The light has three settings to make it less intense.