Notetakers/PDAs Deals, Sales, and News

An Ebay seller has listed a Pac-Mate BX420 PDA with a current bid of $455. The unit is listed as fully-functioning, with the exception of a damaged compact flash that Freedom Scientific will repair for a reduced rate, according to the seller. Software version 25, is included, and new units sell for over $3,500. Note: The auction is listed as a BX400, but the 20-cell braille display is included, making it a BX420. Auction ends April 8.

The Ebay listing for the VoiceNote QT in like-new condition is currently only at $500. This VoiceNote is running Keysoft 6.11 and comes with carrying case and AC adapter. It is upgradable to the latest Keysoft 7.2. Auction ends tonight.

An Ebay seller has listed a VoiceNote QT in like-new condition with a starting bid of $199.99. This VoiceNote is running Keysoft 6.11 and comes with carrying case and AC adapter. It is upgradable to the latest Keysoft 7.2. Auction ends April 5.

Freedom Scientific has announced support for DAISY audiobooks from Recording for the Blind and Dislexic with its FS Reader software. The update to the reader software is free, though users will need to purchase a $20 key from RFBD to receive the functionality.

An Ebay seller has listed a Pac-Mate BX400 personal digital assistant with an opening bid of $499.99. The item also comes with a leather case. This is the braille keyboard version of the Pac-Mate and comes with the latest firmware, version 4.1. Auction ends March 12.

A seller has listed several Slate and Stylus bundles for $5 or less on the Star Technology Exchange. Some sets sell for $3. Prices do not include shipping.

An Ebay seller has listed a Braillenote QT32 with a starting bid of $900. This Braillenote includes Keysoft version 5.0 and Sendero GPS version 2.0. Paid upgrades are available for both Keysoft and Sendero GPS. The unit includes all standard accessories. Auction ends late night February 12.

Humanware has announced direct compatibility between its Braille Note PDAs and Code Factory's Mobile Speak Pocket. Braille Note users will be able to read the screen of many popular cell phone models on their braille display. Humanware is the U.S. distributor for Code Factory products. Note: This news is from a press release, though the Humanware website does not have any additional information yet.

A seller has listed a used Pac Mate QX440 40-cell braille display PDA for $2,000 on the Star Technology Exchange. The item is listed in excellent condition and comes with carrying case and A/C adapter.

A seller has listed an HP Ipaq 2410 PDA running Windows Mobile 2003, 520 megahertz processor, 1 gb SD memory card, USB Cradle with AC adaptor with Mobile Speak Pocket and Microsoft Voice Command for $700. This item is listed on the STAR Technology Exchange a classified ads service that promotes the reutilization of assistive technology.

An Ebay seller has listed a Braille 'n Speak 2000 with the latest software update for a starting bid of $50. As usual, it is sold as is but most likely works. Auction ends January 30.

Announced at ATIA, Humanware is offering a free copy of their Oxferd Dictionary and thesaurus program for Keysoft with any purchase of a braille cell transplant in a Classic Braille Note model to a new mPower. With the cost of a transplant at $1995 and the cost of the Oxferd Dictionary by itself at $195. this is still a great deal for those who were considering upgrading there Braille Note classics. Deal ends June 30.

There isn't much currently listed at the Ocusource auction website, but there are several notetakers for reasonable prices. Currently listed are several Pac Mate QX400 units for $900, a Braille n Speak 2000 for $1000, and a Type n SPeak for $50. These auctions end at different times, so check the page for details. Ocusource is an Ebay-style auction service specializing in assistive technology items.

An Ebay seller has posted a recently-purchased Pac Mate Qx400 notetaker with a starting bid of $1,400. This is still several hundred dollars off a new unit, and is a good deal, considering the unit was just purchased in September 2006, according to the auction. This model includes a QWERTY keyboard. Auction ends January 17.

GW Micro has created a new Email list for those who own or are interested in the Braille Sense notetaker. The list will be monitored by GW Micro staff members. Follow the link on this post to subscribe.

Sendero Group sells the Braillenote MPower 18 and 32-cell units for slightly below retail. Get the 18-cell unit for $4,175 or the 32-cell unit for $5,885. At $200-300 off retail, this is the lowest price we could find for new Braillenote MPower units.

GW Micro has released Braille Sense 4.0 Beta 3. This release fixes some bugs and will probably be the last beta before the official release.

The used Pac Mate on Ebay for $700 still has no bids. This is around $300 less than refurbished models from Freedom Scientific direct. The item is advertised as in working condition. The shipping price is not listed. Auction ends December 29.

Freedom Scientific's competitive trade-in program, where Braille Note and Voice Note users can trade their units in for deeply discounted Pac mates, ends December 29. Trade in a qualifying Humanware product and get a PAC Mate BX400 and QX400 speech-only unit for $700,
a PAC Mate BX420 and QX420 20-cell braille unit for $1,500,
or a PAC Mate BX440 and QX440 40-cell braille unit for $2,250. This is over half off retail, and an especially good deal for Voice Note users who want a PDA with a braille display, that is, of course, if they want to switch to a Pac Mate.

The seller of the used Pac-Mate BNS with a memory card on Ebay that we mentioned yesterday has dropped the price to $700. This is around $300 less than refurbished models from Freedom Scientific direct. The item is advertised as in working condition. The shipping price is not listed. Auction ends December 29.