The world was coming out of hibernation.
COVID-19 had pushed everyone down a rabbit hole and forced us to figure everything out…again. The health risk- aka you can die for real this time– was still rampant. I had to return to my work as a court interpreter. A court interpreter job requires one to be in very close proximity to the LES (limited English speaker). Up to that point, masks had proven not to be magic (sorry, no glitter here!). I needed to get my hands on mobile interpretation equipment that wouldn’t break my bank. The good old Amazon had my solution.
In my quest for a piece of affordable yet high-quality interpretation equipment, I knew I had to keep a few things in mind to spend only the necessary amount:
- High sound quality.
- Long-lasting battery life.
- Small, manageable
- One-way communication system
- Good range.
Retekess T130/T131 was the answer to my prayers. It came with a transmitter, mic, two receivers with their respective earpieces, and three retractable USB/mini charging cables. It fits in the palm of my hand without lacking any features. Now, let’s talk meaty.
Sound Quality.
Probably THE most important feature. I was beyond impressed! I could jump to whispering mode, a traditional but strenuous technique for our vocals, and the LES would hear me clearly. The volume can be adjusted by both the transmitter and receivers.
Battery life
In my experience, it lasts forever. It has a lithium battery, which the description indicates lasts 12-18 hours, which is plenty for my interpreting assignments. However, always be ahead of the game and keep your equipment well-stored and charged.
Dimensions
Another great feature of the Retekess T130/T131 is its ergonomic shape and small size. It makes it very easy for the LES to focus on listening instead of the equipment. Also, you will expect your interpreter to take notes and look up words on the flight without interruptions in the interpretation. Fitting in the palm of one’s hand, or a small pocket, or even your bra (please don’t),
Monodirectional
Impartiality is one of the main Cannons of the Court Interpreter’s Code of Ethics. It supports the role of the court officer- aka the interpreter- as a public servant who works for the record, not the judge, not the state, or the victims. In my opinion, monodirectionality is a must.
Roaming
I can’t interpret what I can’t hear or understand, and if I have to ask repetitions or move, let it be so. Though its working range is not the biggest on the market, 164 ft/ 50m suffices. It is a courtroom, not a stadium. Signal stability and noise cancellation are excellent pairings with this flexibility.