audiovox maestro pocketpc compusa $150

[eyeguy]

Online only. $50 rebate.
I like it because it has CF and SD slot. I've had one for a year.
Its $275 on pricegrabber (that's refurbished.....)

from zdnet-
The Lowdown: Superb design and reasonable price give the Maestro appeal, but some users will want a model with more RAM.


Editor's Note: We adjusted our ratings for the Audiovox Maestro PDA-1032 on April 11, 2002. We have recently changed the criterea for how we rate handhelds and the new score for the Maestro PDA-1032 reflects this.

If you're wondering why the Maestro PDA-1032 looks a lot like Toshiba's Pocket PC e570, it's because this PDA is basically Toshiba's device--minus 32MB of RAM--with Audiovox's name slapped on it. The Toshiba is one of our favorite Pocket PCs, so it's not surprising that we're also quite fond of this one. Its slim size and dual card slots make it very appealing, but because it has less RAM, it's not the right choice for everyone.

other reviews

For about 300 dollars (at select retailers), no other Pocket PC can beat the Maestro in terms of price.

cnet - editors choice

earthvillage

 

[Subh2o]

if you are in the northeast get it from the Wiz. It's now at $158 no rebate to screw with. i got it at $197 and still feel I got a great deal!

 

[eyeguy]

the wiz should have some good deals as they are on their way out.
I like the no rebate deal

CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY SALE OF LEASES

FINAL REAL ESTATE LIQUIDATION - LAST OF THE WIZ STORES
NEW LOCATIONS JUST POSTED!

 

[figgypower]

I was just about to post this - wow, you guys are too fast for me! Anyway, deal linkified.

 

[elanarchist]

Got in on the deal. Anyone play DiVX on this thing? A little concerned that the 200 mHz CPU might be too slow to play full motion DiVX. Is it possible to fit a whole movie onto a 256 MB compact flash card? Also, how is the battery life?

 

[bonk102]

Originally posted by: elanarchist
Got in on the deal. Anyone play DiVX on this thing? A little concerned that the 200 mHz CPU might be too slow to play full motion DiVX. Is it possible to fit a whole movie onto a 256 MB compact flash card? Also, how is the battery life?

also 2 of my questions, anyone know for sure?

 

[JeffMD]

Elan, www.pocketMVP.com

No pda can play un-converted DIVX movies. You must re-encode them to no bigger then 320x240. Frame rate is also hard to keep at full speed when using high quality sound. You will be using data rates ranging from 200-400Kbits a second (audio + video), so do the math as to how big movies will turn out at said quality settings. I will note, ive never had a normal length movie exceed my 256 meg CF.


That said, the Maestro can hold its own since Most Xscale devices didnt decode divx any faster thanks to the no change in the 100mhz bus. The combination of a SD slot and CF slot solves most memory issues too. I had a maestro andn ow own a dell, useing the SD slot for programs and teh CF slot for music and mp3 works very well.

How ever the Maestro has probably the worst display of any of the active matrix PDA's. It lacks alot of color vibrance, though I didnt really have any issues with brightness.

 

[elanarchist]

Originally posted by: JeffMD
Elan, www.pocketMVP.com

No pda can play un-converted DIVX movies. You must re-encode them to no bigger then 320x240. Frame rate is also hard to keep at full speed when using high quality sound. You will be using data rates ranging from 200-400Kbits a second (audio + video), so do the math as to how big movies will turn out at said quality settings. I will note, ive never had a normal length movie exceed my 256 meg CF.


That said, the Maestro can hold its own since Most Xscale devices didnt decode divx any faster thanks to the no change in the 100mhz bus. The combination of a SD slot and CF slot solves most memory issues too. I had a maestro andn ow own a dell, useing the SD slot for programs and teh CF slot for music and mp3 works very well.

How ever the Maestro has probably the worst display of any of the active matrix PDA's. It lacks alot of color vibrance, though I didnt really have any issues with brightness.

thanks for the informative reply

 

[fr]

Yeah, encode at 320x240 max. because that's the screen's resolution. I also cut the frame rate in half (12-15fps) and encoded the audio at 64kbps mono.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: elanarchist
Got in on the deal. Anyone play DiVX on this thing? A little concerned that the 200 mHz CPU might be too slow to play full motion DiVX. Is it possible to fit a whole movie onto a 256 MB compact flash card? Also, how is the battery life?

The 206mhz strong arm is capable of playing divx, note that it is Pocket divx format, you cannot play a desktop divx on the ppc, you will have to re-encode and play in pocket mvp or pocket divx. Yes, a 256meg card is enough for a full movie, should have about 50 megs to spare.

 

[bonk102]

hmm, now i'm debating between th is and an axim, hmm

 

[jtallon]

Originally posted by: bonk102
hmm, now i'm debating between th is and an axim, hmm

The Axim is a better machine - MUCH longer battery life, brighter screen, replaceable battery packs, etc. The Maestro was state-of-the-art about a year and a half ago.

Still a nice machine, but the Dell is better. Trust me - I've owned them both...

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: bonk102
hmm, now i'm debating between th is and an axim, hmm

Don't debate, get Axim! Checkout techbargains, you can gety a 300mhz model for $190.00 with no rebates. Axim is superior to Maestro and most every way.

 

[elanarchist]

Originally posted by: jtallon

Originally posted by: bonk102
hmm, now i'm debating between th is and an axim, hmm

The Axim is a better machine - MUCH longer battery life, brighter screen, replaceable battery packs, etc. The Maestro was state-of-the-art about a year and a half ago.

Still a nice machine, but the Dell is better. Trust me - I've owned them both...

Still, you can get a battery extender for the Maestro that pretty much solves all the battery problems for about $10 from ebay. Just pop in 4 AA rechargables into the extender and you get 3-5 more cycles out of the internal Maestro battery. Plus, this is cheaper AR and comes with a better bundle than the 300 mHz Axim (eg the Maestro comes with a cradle, the Dell does not)

 

[okst8cowboy]

This deal is back,print out this page and take to cusa

http://www.compusa.com/adproducts/html_ad/default.asp

249.99-50.00IR-50.00MIR=149.99
rebate prints at register I got one and really like it. Anyone know an internet site for BVG?

 

[freeflyer]

Bump - the deal is back yet again.

This time, Internet only, no rebates required. Instant $100 discount when you place the item in your cart.

 

[elanarchist]

BTW, did anyone get their $50 rebate from way back in March for this deal? I'm still waiting, stupid TCA rebates!

 

[MOONKEY]

Just check, now it is $150 no rebat.

"You pay: $149.99. $149.99 after $100.00 Internet Instant Savings. Regular Retail Price: $249.99"

 

[rasputinj]

Originally posted by: fr
Yeah, encode at 320x240 max. because that's the screen's resolution. I also cut the frame rate in half (12-15fps) and encoded the audio at 64kbps mono.

that is some good info to have , thanks