This easy-to-use device works with a range of PenFriend labels and can also be used as an MP3 music player and Talking Book player.

Uses

• Label food items – including freezer food, with use-by dates, cooking instructions and dietary information.
• Identify your shopping – label items as you place them into your basket, so you know what they are when you get home.
• Add reminders to medicine packaging – dosage, how to take, when to take.
• Add descriptions to cosmetics – colour, shelf life.
• Organise household paperwork and personal documents.
• Identify your film and music collections.
• Label clothes with washing instructions, colours, coordinating items of clothing and accessories.
• Organise seed packets and gardening tools.
• Listen to music – you can store approximately 1,000 songs in MP3 format.
• Listen to Talking Books – you can save one book at a time.

Audio instructions are built into the packaging. Simply switch on the device and touch one of the tactile instruction hot-spots on the packaging to hear an English female voice explain how to get started with your PenFriend.

For more details about this product, check the product instructions manual (in the User Guides tab) to help you decide if this product is suitable for you.

Important

You must buy extra label packs in sequence to ensure you don't have duplicate labels; they are individually numbered. If you have two with identical numbers both labels will read out the newest recording attached to that number. After you've used the labels supplied with your PenFriend purchase Pack A of the general purpose tactile labels, then Pack B and so on.

Please note, the PenFriend does not scan and read text.

RNIB Technology Grant Scheme

The RNIB PenFriend is available to apply for through the RNIB Technology Grant Scheme. Other items include video magnifiers, braille notetakers, kitchen equipment, clocks, watches, phones, and DAISY players. For further information visit rnib.org.uk/grants or call 0303 123 9999.

Not available from RNIB

• USB cable Male A to mini-USB.
• SD card if you wish to expand memory. File backup and using an SD card: If you’ve access to a Windows-based computer you can back up and manage your recordings with the free Label Manager software. You’ll need a USB cable (not included) to access the Label Manager. Changing the SD card to expand memory requires a computer. Sighted assistance may be required for the process of removing or replacing the SD card.

This item is eligible for VAT exemption

• Internal memory: 16GB internal memory stores up to 500 hours of recordings. Memory is expandable by SD card up to 32GB.
• Each label holds a message up to one hour long.
• Record new messages on to any label to reuse them where possible.
• Colour: Black with four tactile yellow buttons.
• Size: 15 × 2.5 × 2cm.
• Tip size: 1cm.
• Weight: 54g (without lanyard).

In the box

• RNIB PenFriend 3 audio labeller
• 21 rectangular tactile labels.
• 84 small, circular orange and yellow self-adhesive labels.
• One keyfob with four recording spots.
• Lanyard.
• “Getting started” audio instruction card.
• Two AAA batteries (already inserted).

Hints and tips guide

• PenFriend hints and tips guide (APDF)
• PenFriend hints and tips guide (DOC)

Downloadable product instructions 

• Print instructions for DL128 (DOCX)
• Braille instructions for DL128 (BRF)
• Audio instructions for DL128 (ZIP)

Help video

• Visit penfriendlabeller.com for a selection of help videos to get you started with your RNIB PenFriend 3.

Troubleshooting guide

• PenFriend troubleshooting guide (DOCX)

File management software

If you’ve access to a Windows-based computer you can backup and manage your recordings using File Explorer or the free Label Manager software which can be downloaded from penfriendlabeller.com/penfriend-manager. Label Manager offers two access options: 

1. Audio Interface which is the Jaws-ready simple backup system.
2. Graphic Interface for which you may require sighted assistance.

Most of the utility functions such as backups/restore can be done on both interfaces. Use the Graphics Interface or File Explorer for loading music and Talking Books.  

Convert your original RNIB PenFriend recordings to use on your RNIB PenFriend 3

If you're replacing your original RNIB PenFriend or PenFriend 2 with an RNIB PenFriend 3 you can transfer all your recordings from your old pen to your new one. This means you can still listen to all your recordings from the same labels. Download the PenFriend Tool Transfer Wizard on a Windows-based computer. Save the programme to your hard disk and then select the setup.exe file to install the Wizard and run the programme by selecting the PenFriend Transfer Wizard icon on your desktop. Connect your original PenFriend with the USB cable and follow the instructions. The transfer takes about five minutes to complete and afterwards you can continue to use your original PenFriend as well as your new PenFriend 3.

Please see our standard returns policy.