The Review I Wanted To Read
Written: Apr 29 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price!
Features
Comfort
Cons: Internal Memory
Screen
Battery - So I've Read
Software Availability
The Bottom Line: While other PDA's may be much more powerful, if price is a concern, the Maestro is terrific.
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| ddelellis's Full Review: Audiovox Maestro PDA1032C |
Let me preface this by saying I research most of my purchases to death. Here is why I chose the Audiovox Maestro, and what I think so far.
I planned on using my PDA for all the basic organizer functions, but also wanted the ability to play MP3's, Video Clips/Home Movies, and Pictures with ease.
My First Consideration: Palm vs. Pocket PC
I spent a few hours over the course of a week testing out two different platforms, the Palm OS on a Clie SJ33(an excellent PDA) and a Toshiba E335. I wanted to decide which platform to go with and came to the following conclusions: Palm was faster/more efficient in getting into each function, but I thought once you were in a function (ie adding a contact etc...) and started putting in a lot of data, I liked the Pocket PC better - especially editing entries. OS choice is very subjective, play with each of them. Also look at the software, if there is a program you want make sure it available for your platform. Palm has many many more apps/programs available to it than PPC.
Stability:
I have had my Maestro now for two weeks, and as anyone with a new toy would, played with it a lot. I have had 1 crash in the 2 weeks. I had to reset the unit and restore the data with the backup. Overall an easy process unless you are away from the PC that stores your backup - then I can see it would be a drag. In the Maestro's defense, I had a myriad of apps open including music (mp3's) playing, a picture slideshow running, and other apps in use.
Memory:
32mb RAM + 32mb ROM. This is not alot I would prefer 64mb, but this has been enough, and the storage cards are fine. I picked up a 256mb SD card and have yet to fill it, even with mp3's (at 128 mbps), movies, and pictures. I do notice that if you are watching a movie clips or videos from your SD card, it's not as smooth as if it were saved in your internal memory. So keep that in mind. MP3's & Pics - no noticeable difference.
CF Cover:
If you have read other reviews, you know folks complain about this, It's not bad, mine is flush with the unit when no card/accessory is present. It is nearly flush with a card inserted, but it is noticeable if that sort of thing bothers you.
Battery:
I have read horror stories about the battery. Maybe because of all the horror stories I expected worse performance, so I'll say - so far - the battery has performed fine. Examples, - I started a 27 min movie in media player at 80% power with the screen on Super Bright. When it was done I was at 50%. I played 2 hours of MP3's starting at 100% power, with the frontlight in powersave mode after 30 seconds, and finished with 80% power including organizing 3 playlists with the light on during playback (maybe 5 min). So not awesome, but at least respectable. I will be trying out one of the battery extenders this week so no report on that yet.
Screen:
Nice screen, not as nice as an IPAQ, SONY, or Viewsonic when compared side by side, but by itself - looks fine. I have not scratched it yet as some have done with the original stylus.
Conclusion:
Overall - I love this PDA. I got it for a great price which made it even better. It does everything I need it to do. The only things I wish it did/had - more apps/software (windows PPC thing), more accessories. Would I pay $149 for it - absolutely, would I pay $199 - maybe?, would I pay $249 - probably not.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 149
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Epinions.com ID:
ddelellis
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Reviews written: 1
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