Franklin SCR-226 The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary

I play Scrabble at least twice a week. My record is 13 games in one day. This device is helpful to me; I use it after the game. If I think I might have had a bingo, I record my letters and check them when the game is over. So many words in this world...the seven letter ones are my favorites. My personal best is 535, a score I attained last Christmas Eve.

This recent purchase was actually for a gift; however, I have had the opportunity to tinker with it and get the input of the end user, my 75 year-old father. My father is still getting used to it and discovering all of its capabilities. He likes it as an accessory not actually replacing the hard bound dictionary which shows all the spellings close to the words that are searched. I found the device to be user friendly to those not savvy to computers and/or current electronics. When it comes to challenging a player, it has been quite interesting to obtain such instant results with the capability of prompting for the definition, and the response you are given when the word does not exist. Because the size is so compact without compromising the the size of the screen and ability to see the screen, it is great for taking along in the car or a plane trip because the game features make it intersting enough in which to stay engaged. I am pleased with my purchase.

My children and I have been using this to play scrabble and it really 'levels the playing field' for us. You can enter the tiles you have in your hand and it will make suggestions, you can check spellings, help find places to put your words, and more. I have noticed that in playing this and really thinking about the words their spelling is improving and their vocabulary is imporving. Before their game consisted of words they already knew and ones I suggested -- a much more enjoyable game for everyone involved!!

Our family is disappointed with this Companion. We own two earlier versions of Franklin Electronic Scrabble Dictionaries, purchased approx 1991 & 2002. Each has been a tiny treasure; well used at home, while traveling & especially at the beach! Purchased this because we wanted to update. CONS ..... 1. Too large, not easily carried with our Travel Scrabble. 2. Uses heavier, shorter lasting & more expensive batteries. 3. MOST DISAPPOINTING, does not have the UPDATED special little words that make great Scrabble crosswords & scores. It is even missing some that are in our older units! Having the newest legal Scrabble words is the exact reason we purchased it, so phooey to this gadget! PROS ..... You may like it if you have not already used the first generations of the Scrabble Companion. It is easy to read if you need larger buttons or print. Could be useful for teaching children or beginners. Has some games. Colorful. CONCLUSION ..... We will use our new Official Scrabble Dictionary in book form when at home. Not as much fun, but IT has the most up-to-date & challenging words. When traveling or at the beach, will use our old Companion while complaining we could have higher scores, if only....... ;-D

This is easy to use and portable. My only objection is the omission of "objectionable" words. I find that very annoying (I don't need or want to be protected) -- but we (my wife and I) don't want to have to use two reference authorities for our games, so we live without these words that we'd find in the OED. I'd still recommend it -- especially if ou play regularly away from your home base (the beach, etc) -- and find it impractical to drag a 20lb dictionary about with you.

Got this as a Christmas present for my elderly parents who love to play Scrabble but have trouble looking words up in their well-worn dictionary. They put in new batteries and said they had trouble with it right from the start. I think I bought it used but like new. Unfortunately, they didn't tell me it wasn't working until I visited them this past weekend. It would only come on haphazardly when the power button was pressed, and then it would go off whenever. It would work for a definition or two and then stop. Too late to return it, I see. What a shame. I've had one for years and love it. Hoping they would too.

I bought my wife a new cell phone and she downloaded Scrabble on it. She got hooked on the game. As a B/D gift I bought her the Franklin Scrabble Companion. She loves it. Now I think I have to get a second wife that doesn't like Scrabble so I can have someone to talk too. But seriously, it is great, she loves it. Now my daughter wants one for Xmas.

The one I ordered first this year, was defective. I got a new one, and it also does the same thing...when you hit "back", it clears your letters. I am still very unhappy with my purchase. These machines cost too much money not to work properly. The one I bought two years ago worked for a long time and I never had a moments trouble with it. I would like a new one to replace this second one. Tona Brown