Best of the bunch
Written: Oct 01 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Expandable, light, low cost
Cons: Can't find the extrernal battery anywhere
The Bottom Line: The beauty of the Maestro: it is a low cost solution for even extreme users.
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| dmsilva1's Full Review: Audiovox Maestro PDA1032C |
I shopped around a long time to find my PDA. I wanted it to do a LOT. In addition to using the PDA for contact lists, task list, and calendar, I wanted to use it for reading eBooks, playing games, and MP3 playback (and if possible to control my entertaiment system:). I didn't want to spend a few hundred bucks on something I would use infrequently, I wanted a full business and entertainment device.
My first PDA was a Handera TRGpro. This was a good device for the money (~$100 on eBay), but it was really only for business. The CPU was too slow for games and MP3 playback. I figured that for $100 that wouldn't be a problem, but its Front light turned out to not be nearly bright enough for reading eBooks in anything but optimal conditions. Basically the Handera TRGpro was good for a contact list, task list, and calendar that was it, and I needed more.
I decided I needed the power of the Pocket PC and chose a low cost older model Jornada 525 for $222. I thought I could get games and MP3 playback, but it turned out both of these would be limited. Again I was stuck with little more than an expensive electornic organizer.
I was a bit depressed at that point since I really didn't want to spend the going rater of $500 for an Intel StrongARM 206 MHz based PDA (you should be able to get a much better deal now). I kept looking and in fact really wanted the Toshiba e570 because of its compatibility with both SD and CF media which would allow me to have additional memory as well as future expansion with CF cards (a GPF might be in my future). Unfortunately Toshiba was only selling it in the USA.
It was at this point that I stumbled across an auction for the Maestro PDA1032- I couldn't believe it! Basically for I could get everything that I wanted, but for about 1/2 the price! I was a little concerned with the 32MB vs. 64MB of memory, but I thought it wouldn't make a big difference considering I was planning to add an SD card for my MP3 and audio books anyway.
Well, after over 6 months of use let me tell you that this little PDA has done me justice. I've used it frequently for keeping track of my schedule, contact list, and I also have used it frequently for entertainment. I read ebooks while waiting in line, flying across the pacific, riding the Japanese subways, or late at night when my wife doesn't want me to turn the bedside lamp on. I listen to MP3s during my workouts, and have a hookup for my car stereo too. When I get bored and need a little entertainment I have a variety of games taht I play on the device too.
I'm sure I could do all of this with one of the more expensive units, but why???
The only issue that I have is that the battery will only allow me to play about 40 minutes to 1 hour of MP3s before dying out. This is OK for short workouts, but not good enough for when I'm on an extended trip away from an outlet. There is supposed to be an external battery, but I can't find it sold anywhere. I suppose an iPAQ with its battery sleeve would have worked better, but A) too expensive, and B) way to big- the Maestro easily fits in my jean's pocket, no way that bulky iPAQ would do that- not with the CF cartridge sleeve filled with my 1GB microdrive.
I recognize that I'm a bit of a power user, I have a 128MB SD card for the games and books, and a 1GB microdrive for the MP3s and pictures from my Canon ProShot, but that is the beauty of the Maestro: it is a low cost solution for even extreme users.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 350
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Epinions.com ID:
dmsilva1
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Member: David Silva
Location: San Jose, CA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Born and raised in Silicon Valley. I'm in high tech, but my passion is soccer.
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