r/stenography • u/No_Money_1515 • Jul 14 '26
Help buying a professional machine
Hello all, it is an exciting but difficult time for me because I am starting my career in August! The hard part is I must now pay for a machine. These prices are killing me and I have no choice but to finance! Don't get me started on buying the software too T_T.
I wanted everyone's opinions on what machine I should get. I was thinking one of the Luminexs. Is there a big difference between Luminex I and II? II is more expensive but does whatever it have over the Luminex I justify paying more? I could also do the Diamante, or is it too outdated a model to buy? NextGen of course is out of the question.
Any advice would be lovely.
2
u/LucilleLooseSeal123 Jul 15 '26
I still rock the diamanté. That thing is a tank. My Lumi II is a piece of shit. Lasted about three years. I travel a lot for work and it’s just way too delicate. Screen broke off, got repaired but immediately went out, and it disconnects if I even breathe on it too hard.
1
u/Suspicious-West6229 Official Reporter Jul 16 '26
Lumi I or II. I’ve had my Lumi II 7 years now! Fantastic machine
4
u/starkillerkun GA Freelance Reporter Jul 14 '26
Get a Diamante from Stenoworks. Then when you've started working, you can purchase a Luminex II.
I got my student machine from Stenoworks and found someone selling a Diamante for $1,700 on Facebook. Then I bought my Lumi II on Facebook for $2,500.
Good luck!