Notetakers/PDAs Deals, Sales, and News

GW Micro has released version 5.0 of their Braille Sense notetaker. this free update upgrades the operating system to Windows CE 5.0, adds support for the SenseNav GPS application, and includes numerous other enhancements and bug fixes.

Speculation has run wild ever since the release of a GPS product for GW Micro's Voice Sense that a similar offering may soon be available for the Braille Sense. Now, this and much more is available with the pending release of the Braille Sense Plus. This 2 pound notetaker includes a large 8GB of built-in memory, built in wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, and a software upgrade which allows for the use of the SenseNav GPS software. The intro price is $5,995.00 and GW Micro expects to start shipping the unit in May.

An EBay seller and Blind Bargains reader has listed a new-in-the-box Pac Mate Omni QX400 PDA/notetaker for a BuyItNow price of $1,000. With free shipping, that's roughly half the cost of a unit direct from Freedom Scientific. The Omni is the latest version of Freedom Scientific's line of accessible notetakers and includes a QWERTY keyboard. All cables and standard accessories are also included, according to the description. Listing ends March 18 if not sold sooner. Update: This item has now sold.

Sendero Group offers the Voice Sense PDA bundled with the Sense Nav GPS software for $3,549. Even with $45 for shipping, this is still at least $350 off retail, and the cheapest we were able to find this particular package. The Voice Sense PDA features a 540-MHZ processor, 1GB flash memory, built-in WiFi, bluetooth, and both a CompactFlash and Secure Digital slot. The Sense Nav GPS software, running off the Sendero SDK, is quite similar to the GPS software found on the BrailleNote family of PDA's.

An EBay seller has listed a Braille 'n Speak notetaker, model BS2, with a current bid of $50. Add about $7 for shipping. This item worked the last time it was used but is untested and does not come with cables. We still think the Braille 'n Speak is a great first notetaker for a child or a good backup. Auction ends late on February 24.

Humanware has released version 2.1 of Maestro and 3.02 of their Trekkor applications. The new update to Maestro adds a web browser, file explorer, improved power management on the HP HP hx2490b platform, among other enhancements. Version 3.0.2 of Trekkor adds support for the Holux m1000 bluetooth GPS receiver. Note that their is now only one setup file, which runs on all platforms of Maestro and Trekkor.

Fredom Scientific has released the PAC Mate Omni, a combination hardware and software upgrade for the PAC mate BX/QX family of notetakers. This upgrade, now running Windows Mobile 6.0, adds 128MB of flash memory, improved Office Mobile support, and numerous other enhancements. This upgrade costs between $299 and $699, depending on the existance of a product and/or software maintenance agreement.

A Braille Lite 40 is listed on EBay with a BuyItNow price of $300, plus $15 for shipping. It also comes with the doublespeed chip. Read the description to learn more about it. Auction ends December 6 if not sold sooner.

An EBay seller has listed a working Braille Lite 18 notetaker with a current bid of $153.49. Add $10 for shipping. The seller claims it was never used and that all cells work. Auction ends December 8.

An EBay seller has listed a Braille Lite Millennium 40 for a starting bid price of 99 cents. Add about $30 for shipping. The item is listed in excellent condition. This item includes a 40-cell braille display and was the model that was released before the Pac Mate family. Auction ends November 12. Update: the opening bid has skyrocketed to $995, which isn't nearly as good of a deal.

An Ebay seller has again listed a BrailleNote 18 Classic PDA, this time for $759.45 or best offer. It's running Keysoft 3.06 and has a braille keyboard. If you're unfamiliar with Ebay's best offer feature, it allows you to offer a lower price for an item, which the seller can either accept or reject. Shipping adds about $10. Listing ends October 22 if not sold sooner.

An Ebay seller has listed a BrailleNote 18 Classic PDA for $799.35 or best offer. If you're unfamiliar with Ebay's best offer feature, it allows you to offer a lower price for an item, which the seller can either accept or reject. Shipping adds about $10. Listing ends October 11, if not sold sooner.

An Ebay seller has listed a Type Lite notetaker with a starting bid of $700. Add about $13 for shipping. This unit features a QWERTY keyboard and 40-cell braille display and also comes with a carrying case, data cable, charger and manuals in Braille and on cd. The seller also says they will include documentation proving the unit was recently serviced. It runs the latest available firmware version, 4.5. Auction ends October 8.

An Ebay seller has listed a PacMate QX420 PDA/notetaker with an opening bid of $970. Or, BuyItNow for $999. With $35 for shipping, it's barely one fourth of the cost of a new PacMate. The software version of this unit is unknown, though this unit may be eligible for a paid PacMate Omni upgrade when it is released. The QX420 features a QWERTY keyboard with a 20-cell braille display. Auction ends September 23, unless it is sold sooner. Update: This item has been sold.

An Ebay seller has listed a BrailleNote MPower 18 with a starting bid of $1,500. That's less than half the cost of a new unit. Also included is a 4GB Sandisk memory card. The PDA is running the latest Keysoft 7.2 and is under warranty through most of 2008. It also comes with two free software upgrades and all standard accessories. Auction ends June 19.

An Ebay seller has listed two BrailleNote BT32 notetakers on Ebay. One has a starting price of $1,000 and includes a SuperDisk drive. The other does not include the drive and starts at $800. Both are advertised as being in working condition and come with accessories. Auctions end early on May 29.

An Ebay seller has listed a Braillenote QT 32-cell PDA/notetaker with a starting bid of $1,999. Or, buy it now for $2,400. New MPower units retail for more than $6,000. One could use Humanware's transplant service to upgrade this unit to the latest hardware. It is running Keysoft 5.1 and comes with several accessories including a Superdisk drive. Auction ends May 22 if not bought sooner.

An Ebay seller has listed a recent Voice Note with computer keyboard and the latest version of Sendero GPS 3.5 with an opening bid of $699. This package would sell for about $3,800 brand new. The unit was purchased a year ago and has at least Keysoft 7. We believe the GPS to be transferrable to another unit as well, meaning that you could bid on this for the GPS package alone and still pay less than retail. You can BuyItNow for $1,250, but this option will go away as soon as one bid is placed. Auction ends May 17. Update: This item has been sold.

This is one of the stranger auctions we've seen. The state of Washington's surplus department has listed a lot of Braille n Speak units on Ebay. Current bid is $50.25 and you may need to make special shipping arrangements. These are being sold as is, but with 10 units, you should be able to come away with a few working units. Cables and perhaps some accessories are included. Auction ends April 16.

An Ebay seller has listed a BrailleNote MPower 18 with a starting bid of $2,000. That's less than half the cost of a new unit. The PDA is running the latest Keysoft 7.2 and is under warranty through most of 2008. It also comes with two free software upgrades and all standard accessories. Auction ends April 11.