Hot camera deal - Toshiba PDR-M81 4.2 MP + kit for $305 (AR)

[LaBang]

It just came in the mail. time to play around with it.

 

[Jay]

Mine came on the 1st. Been playing with it and no complaints so far. I did call Gateway and ask them to send me a reciept in case Toshiba doesn't take the printed order invoice. They said I should have it in 3-5 business days.

 

[Walliser]

 

[oontheroad247]

First off I would like to send a BIG thank you to csiro for finding this deal - got my camera over the weekend and so far so good excep tone thing:

Is anyone else having a difficult time downloading images into your computer? For whatever reason it will recognize that the camera is connected. I have tried all of the connections configuration options. And so far there has been no plug & play. All of the software is installed and reinstalled many times and I am running XP pro. I have looked around fo rupdated drivers and flashes for the camera and all seems to be up to date. I did find on a review that others have had a similar problem with getting the USB to work correctly. Unfortunately there were no fixes listed on this site.

If anyone can help out there I really would appreciate it - I feel like I am a kid again on X-Mas morning and the batteries have already ran out and I can't play with my "toy" anymore, hehee (and yes I do feel like a BIG ole DUMMY for not being able to figure this one out)

oontheroad247

 

[LaBang]

I'm on a Mac OS X so I'm in a different situation. I decided to spend $25 on a card reader so that I wouldn't have to hook the camera up to the computer (and this way it will work with iPhoto, which rocks). Card readers are nice because they are plug and play and because they don't use to cameras batteries to transfer the images.

do you like the camera? I'm still waiting for my card reader to arrive.

 

[volfan]

Yes, rule #1 for digital camera owners - GET A CARD READER!!

Seriously there are a lot of reasons for this: 1) much faster 2) keeps the strain off of your camera and batteries 3) for not having problems with your camera interfacing with your computer (as above) 3) they are pretty cheap 4) reliable.

They are so nice. It just shows up as another drive under Windows Explorer or My Computer...drag and drop.

 

[oontheroad247]

Thanks for the replys guys, however there is really no resaon why I should have to go out and get a card reader although I am in agreement with you about all of the points you brought up. I also forgot to mention that is on PC.

I will be looking at getting card reader in the future, however I really would like to be able to get this solved the right way, instead of a work - a- round to get there. As soon as I figure out what is going on I will post the results so in case others run into this similar problem.

thanks again

oontheroad247

 

[Jay]

oon,

I didn't use the bundled software. WinXP supports digital cameras without it. You get a handy wizard to download the pictures and can delete the pictures at the same time from the camera.

Jay

 

[oontheroad247]

Problem solved (maybe):

As I mentioned I would post about what solution comes about from this little sb=nafu. IT appears that I have a bad cable. And yes Toshiba said that they have had quite a few returns regarding this. No need to worry since Toshiba has agreed to corss ship out another, so if you can't get it read the way it is supposed to, then take a look at the connection of the cableto the camera body. If it is loose at all, then you most likely got one of those cameras from a batch that had "faulty" cables packaged with them.

Hope this might save someone else out there from pulling out what hair they might have left after fretting over this.

oontheroad247

 

[Jay]

I do have to mention that I had a small problem at first with the cable. The cable wouldn't fit flush against the cable when inserted, so no USB autodetect would pop up. After slightly wiggling the wire, the cable snapped into place and was flush against the camera. USB Wizard popped up and life was good from that point forward.

Also, just got my invoice from Gateway (mailed) that I called and requested in case TOshiba wasn't to pull a "THis is not a receipt" on me from the online printable invoice.

 

[Dood]

Mine is still on backorder....

 

[fishbonez]

I'm still backordered also with no estimated date from Gateway. They've also removed the camera from their web page.

 

[bob92]

Try cancelling your order...that's what I did, and mine shipped the same day. Unfortunately I had already ordered another camera.

 

[kof]

Once again the bargain has been ATE (AnandTech Effect).
I called before (see my post above) on the 27th and got the run around.
Today I called at 14:50 EST, spoke to Pete at 15:10, "product backordered, check w/ warehouse" "warehouse says it's shipping today". Pete could not understand why I wanted a receipt with "purchase date" on it.
Called at ~15:20 spoke to Jason he checked said it showed as on backorder. He also INSISTED that I did not need a separate receipt, and that they never give one out and implied all of you saying that they got one are liars (THAT was JASON at 1-800-961-9261).
Was going to call Toshiba fulfillment center, but they are open later.
Called at 16:22, spoke to Charlena at 16:37, initially to ask how often the web page is updated. She checked the warehouse, tells me that they are no longer carrying that model and my order will NOT be shipped. I tell her Pete told me it was shipping.
Spoke to the manager, she basically tell me that even though it was shipping it was not in stock, and my camera won't or might not ship.

 

[Gwindel]

NICE FIND THANKS!

 

[Dood]

Just got this email:

Dear Dood,

Thank you for placing your recent order with the Gateway Accessory Store. We regret that our supply of the PDR-M81 DIGITAL CAMERA has been depleted, and we are unable to replenish our stock at this time. Consequently, this item has been removed from our inventory list and cancelled from your order #400000000. This item is no longer available from the manufacturer and will not be listed on our site in the future.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to serving you again. Our site has a full compliment of products. Return to our site at http://www.necxdirect.com/?nonce=guest_gate to find a suitable substitute.

Sincerely,
Client Relations
Gateway Accessory Store

Well, I guess I'll be keeping the M71 afterall. Not a great difference, but this M81 would have been a hotter deal. Oh well.

 

[tetseujin]

Mine got canceled too. those punks over at gateway suck. I have been wanting a digital camera for the longest time and when I finally order one it gets canceled. Now I have to wait for another hot deal to come along but in my opinion, this deal was too good. Anyone know of anything going on right now?

 

[kof]

We've got to remember that it's not Gateway, but necxdirect that's giving us the shaft. I've been told by the CSR's "Oh remember that this is not Gateway".
For you old timers - remember the GW 6400 Server with U160 SCSI 9GB HD which MANY AT'ers got (myself included) for about $450 or less, delivered to our doors. GW REALLY underestimated the demand for a pretty good base server, and many peeps were able to part them out for far more than they paid. Sure they made us wait a few months longer than expected, but they delivered. Other than problems with the floppy drive not working correctly my Server has been chunking along fine. I added a 40 GB ($75 after MIR) in September and a 100 GB ($120 after MIR) in December. That plus my cheap memory and a $40 CDRW has given me a kick butt machine with 3yrs of warranty (if GW survives) for < $800.
Anyways, I'll rant against GW/Ass (necxdirect), but last year GW stood by me.

 

[Jay]

Hmm, tell Pete to check my account and he'll see a reciept was generated and sent. (They were nice enough to send it in duplicate).

 

[MTVsucks]

i got mine in the mail today. looks like a nice camera, i have been playing around with it all day. I wish it had a larger smartmedia card than 8meg (but i knew that when i bought it). i am thinking of getting the lens add-ons for the the camera. the toshiba website has some toshiba website but seems kinda pricy. which of these are important to get? the Ultraviolet Lens Protection. looks like its something you should have. dont want to scratch up me lens at a party or something.
thanks for the deal....

edited link

 

[Fritzo]

<< i got mine in the mail today. looks like a nice camera, i have been playing around with it all day. I wish it had a larger smartmedia card than 8meg (but i knew that when i bought it). i am thinking of getting the lens add-ons for the the camera. the toshiba website has some toshiba website but seems kinda pricy. which of these are important to get? the Ultraviolet Lens Protection. looks like its something you should have. dont want to scratch up me lens at a party or something.
thanks for the deal....

edited link >>



I like skylight filters a bit better than UV. They do the job of UV filters, but make the skies blue-er and can cut through haze. A Neutral Density filter is also a good buy. Then later, play around with a starlight filter (I have a 6pt star and it makes those cool "star effects" on lights at night. Great for vacation spots!)

 

[MTVsucks]

if you want them to print our a receipt for you. just say you dont have a printer. i dont have one. It worked for me. rep said she would send it out today.

 

[Justincase]

Persistence pays off...after having my order cancelled by Gateway like most people, my rep and her supervisor tried to get Toshiba to honor the rebate if I place a new order. Toshiba declined, so Gateway will take $100.00 off my order, as well as honor the $50.00 coupon. My Toshiba PDR-M81 will be $299.95 shipped. No rebate bull$h!t to deal with :Q

 

[buffalotoys.com]

arrrgh! no fair

 

[Tedtalker1]

My friend's order was cancelled a while back but yesterday he heard a knock at the door and guess what,the camera was delivered by UPS.Weird.He is happy to say the least.I have the camera and it is sweet for the $300 price.Wolf camera wants $699.95 for this camera.