Blazing HOT!!!Great Price ON Audiovox Maestro $209 AR Staples Online!

[canalcrab]

<< Pardon my ignorance, but does anyone know what is the greatest capacity CF will this thing take? >>



works fine with my Kingston 256meg card. I _hear_ it works fine with the microdrives (esp the 1 gig (lower draw than the 340)).

as for battery life, it's easy to build (or buy) an extender that accepts 4 AA's.

The Maestro may not be an iPaq but for a first PDA it's a great little tool. The main drawback might be it's lack of a PC card slot but there are lots of compact flash peripherals available. Stick a big SD or MMC card in slot1 and use slot2 for any other toys (or even more mem). Get good screen protectors (write SHIELDS NOT write rights).

 

[hasu]

If we remove battery (or do not charge it for long period of time), will the data be there still intact? Or is it required to have battery power to retain the memory?

 

[ktg]

<< (write SHIELDS NOT write rights). >>



uhmmm....translation please?

 

[AmuroLover2000]

<< to those who are interested in maestro:

I bought one from local compusa and bought a ipaq 3835 from best buy to do a side by side comparison. (i like to evaluate my options before i buy, people think im crazy but it works for me)

>>



My local compusa in Los Angeles is charging 15% restocking fee now for any open package return. I hope you dont get charge when returning your maestro.

 

[Sanjoelo]

Mad props to kermalou for a pdf of the rebate, which you can grab right here.

It's about 70k.

-JB

 

[chjode]

I'm new to PDAs, so I have a few questions about this deal (and PDAs in general):

Compact Flash expansion-- I have a few 64mb Compact Flash cards for digital cameras. Will these work in the Audiovox PDA?

Battery Life-- The ZDNet review said the unit claims 8 hours but their testing showed 2 hours of use. What type of battery life can I expect with light usage-- primarily referencing Word files and wireless internet (which leads to another question)

Wireless Internet-- Is it possible to get wireless net access with this PDA? What type of modem do I need? What ISPs support PDAs?

Accessories-- Consultant mentioned above that there are limited accessories and expansions for this particular PDA. What type of accessories are most popular and not available for this PDA. Basically, if I buy this, six months down the road what type of accessories will I be longing for?

Upgrades-- I think there is a more recent version of the Pocket PC OS (Pocket PC 2002 I think) out. Is it possible to upgrade this PDA to the newer OS?

Thanks!

cjd

 

[tran1981]

Hot. I jumped on this too and get free luggage. I was about to get this for $299 at Compusa couple weeks ago w/ free leather case and 32meg CF but didn't get the chance too. For $209 this is a great PDA.

 

[snoopdoug1]

I jumped on it too. Figured w/ the free luggage, it's a nice deal

 

[bpb30]

To all my fellow new Audiovox Maestro owners, here are a few helpful links:

Vox Discussion Group at Brighthand.com

Vox discussion group at Pocketpcpassion.com

Cheap accessories for Vox (Battery Extenders, Power Adapters, etc)

Now who's got some GOOD Pocket PC software links?

 

[Mysterie]

<< I'm new to PDAs, so I have a few questions about this deal (and PDAs in general):

Compact Flash expansion-- I have a few 64mb Compact Flash cards for digital cameras. Will these work in the Audiovox PDA? >>


Yes it will work, infact often interchange mine.



<< Battery Life-- The ZDNet review said the unit claims 8 hours but their testing showed 2 hours of use. What type of battery life can I expect with light usage-- primarily referencing Word files and wireless internet (which leads to another question) >>


Not sure about this one, but many people compare it to the iPaq 3635 in battery life. I have this PDA and when using low power or no backlight for backlighting I can squeeze 4 hours or more of continuious usage.



<< Wireless Internet-- Is it possible to get wireless net access with this PDA? What type of modem do I need? What ISPs support PDAs? >>


Yes you can. Either buy a compactflash modem accessory or buy the associative audiovox phone for wireless.



<< Accessories-- Consultant mentioned above that there are limited accessories and expansions for this particular PDA. What type of accessories are most popular and not available for this PDA. Basically, if I buy this, six months down the road what type of accessories will I be longing for? >>


Hmmm, that's kinda tough. I'll depend on what you like your PDA to do. I have had my iPaq since Dec. and find I yearn for a 802.11b CF card (but I set my home network to wireless so that's why I have the urge). I would like wireless but until the 2.5G networks are out it's debatable. I definetly needed WriteRights as soon as I got my iPaq (sorry but I prefer these). A better case is important. Different stylus. A portable chargerm ie like the Belkin auto/usb charger. More memory via CF slotand most inportantly, software for fun and use.



<< Upgrades-- I think there is a more recent version of the Pocket PC OS (Pocket PC 2002 I think) out. Is it possible to upgrade this PDA to the newer OS? >>


This is the latest version of Pocket PC, there is no need to upgrade.

Now here my own question, is this being discontinued? It doesn't matter audiovox side, but if Toshiba gives up the fight then there will be no future for this PDA. It's hard enough getting accessories in B&M stores for the popular iPaq, but if there is no more of these Audiovox/Toshibas then it will be even hard to find accessories for them even online.

 

[snoopdoug1]

Ok, so I went to Staples.com today, looking for the rebate after I had called them and told them that there link didn't work. The customer service guy said that it was a mistake that it wasn't working, because he had a copy of the rebate and it said it was good until 6/16/02. Now, the rebate link is gone from the website. Does this mean that they won't honor it anymore, even if we bought it when that rebate link was up there?

 

[DieselMan]

Few Questions for Experts:

1. Does the Maestro also suffer from the Ipaq 36xx/37xx's inability of doing multi-button presses? In other words, can you press 2 buttons at the same time (like in games) on the Maestro? Can you move diagonally?

2. Do most Ipaq programs run on the Maestro? Any exceptions?

3. Is the size of the screen comparable to that of a Sony Clie N760C?

4. Those who own both an ipaq and a maestro: Which one would you keep, and why?

 

[swNYC]

Received my Maestro & Luggage Set today down here at NYC!!
Hand delivered by Courier. Packing list shows correct coupon credit!!!!!

 

[swNYC]

Opened the package. PDA is rebaged Toshiba, it says on the back as:

Toshiba
PDA-1032
Model No. CET0150A
Toshiba Corporation Made in Taiwan

 

[Sanjoelo]

I think the Toshiba thing has been discussed previously. This pda is identical to the Tosh E570, other than the lesser memory (the E570 has 64mb). It's a very nice PDA.

As for the Ipaq/Maestro comparison, that's more difficult. If you're running an iPaq 38xx, you probably won't want to switch; though this Tosh does compare very favorably, the iPaqs have more memory, more accessories, better support. If you're running an iPaq 36xx or 37xx with only 32mb, you -might- want to switch..the ToshVox has a better color depth. If you have a 37xx with 64mb RAM, you have a tough choice ahead of you..gain the display depth and lose the memory, or stick with the iPaq.

Another issue to consider: buttons. earlier iPaqs (31xx, 36xx, 37xx) have a problem with multiple, simultaneous button presses. So if you tried, for example, to jump and fire at the same time in a game, no dice. This has been fixed in 38xx series iPaqs, and is not an issue with the Maestro/Genio. Apparently the ToshVox -did- have an issue with diagonal moves on the D-Pad that is easily fixed with a patch.

The ToshVox has a few major things going for it: dual slots, killer price, Toshiba quality, and nice formfactor. It's a -very- nice PDA for this money, and I'd rather pay $209 for this than sink $500 into an iPaq 38xx. I've also decided to sell my iPaq 3635 in favor of this. I'll easily get more for the iPaq than I paid for it, because of a previous AT Hot Deal.. Sweet.

-JB

 

[Alesmith]

Mine's being delivered today. It's probably sitting at my house waiting for me right now. Why didn't I have it delivered to work?!?!

I have to say, thoug... this rebate thing is getting me nervous. They are NOT going to want to honor it. It was obviously a mistake on their part. We might be in for a tough fight.


-Dave

 

[CarpeDeo]

Hmm- I just bought a 3765 for $270 and the maestro for $230 (after tax). Which to keep!?! Anyone know if the Maestro comes with or is easily upgradeable to the 2002 OS? Here're the pro's and con's I figured:

Ipaq 3765
-32mb more RAM
-looks cooler

Maestro
-CF/SD slots
-SHORT battery life

 

[tran1981]

From the staples site the OS is Pocket OS 2002.

 

[Etxeba]

Here's the deal with the rebate as of this morning:
CSR at the Staples Rebate center said that the rebate is valid now until 6/16. He said that he'd already e-mailed or faxed about 5 copies of the rebate (and this was at 8am) so far that day to people who were getting nervous. He faxed me a copy which I will post shortly (as soon as my hosting service starts letting me log in again ).

Final word: Rebate is valid.

Edit: Oops. didn't realize the rebate was already posted.

 

[tran1981]

The rebate link is not there anymore?

 

[GLudlow]

I have a question for someone who's already bought one... does this come with the USB charger and cradle, what OS does it run, and does it come with all the software CDs? Thanks!

 

[benimaru]

CarpeDeo - I am in a similar situation, having ordered both the Ipaq 3765 and the Audiovox. You forgot some considerations.

Ipaq:
+ 3.8" screen
+ 32mb more RAM
- 4096 colors
- no built-in mem card slots

AudioVox:
+ 64K color
+ built-in CF and SD slots
- 3.5" screen
- weak battery life

canalcrab - any info on building the battery extension that you mentioned? thanx

 

[pogomips]

Hi,

I ordered my maestro the other day and should receive it on 4/23.

Anyone have any luck w/ pricematching a lower price? Can you suggest where to go?



Edit: I also picked up 2 of the 256Mb CF cards @ CompUSA (search the forum for the ad) $79 each! Tehey are Toshiba cards, not PNY (at least the 256Mb cards, anyway)

Thanks,

pogo

 

[jeepers94]

I called a csr at Staples today.Boy did I get the run-around! First,his manager tells him they pulled the rebate because it was the wrong item number(wrong)! Then when I told him the number was the same as the one on the rebate form,he talked to his manager again.This time I was told they had already taken the $50 off so the rebate was already paid to me! Finally I got the main office number.I called,and was told by that gent,he would send me the pdf file via email within 1 1/2 minutes.That was 12 hours ago. I already got the link here for the pdf file though.You can bet I am going to make copies of all the stuff I send in for the rebate!

 

[canalcrab]

<< << (write SHIELDS NOT write rights). >> >>



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