Computers/Hardware Deals, Sales, and News

A Blind Bargains reader has listed a Voice Sense and SyncBraille 32 for sale on Craigslist. Both can be had for $3,000, or they will piece them out separately, a bit more than half the cost of these units new. The Voice Sense is GW Micro's portable notetaking solution while the SyncBraille 32 is a portable, compatible, braille display from the same manufacturer. All original accessories are included.

An EBay seller has listed a SARA Stand-Alone Scanning and Reading Appliance with a starting bid of $900. Or, Buy It Now for $1450. With about $30 for shipping, it's still about half the cost of a new unit. This appliance is ideal for those who want an all-in-one scanning solution. It includes scanning and OCR software as well as a built-in CD drive. Auction ends early on December 15, if not bought sooner.

An EBay seller and Blind Bargains reader has posted an Alva ABT Series 3 80-cell braille display with a starting bid of $750. With about $14, that's several thousand dollars off the price of a new unit. It's advertised as working and comes with connection cables. Here's some info from Synapse Adaptive describing the display in more detail. Auction ends November 7.

New Designs Unlimited writes to inform us of the Speakeasy Media System, advertised as a computer for the blind. It offers a menu-driven interface to Email, radio stations, podcasts, scanning, and much more. Packages range from $495 (software only) to $1,995 with a laptop, iPOD, scanner, and two years of free upgrades.

An EBay seller has listed an I.D. Mate II portable bar code reader with an opening bid of one cent. Add about $12 for shipping. These retailed for over $1,200 when first released. This omnidirectional scanner can recognize more than a million items and also allows you to add your own personal descriptions. The item is being sold as working. Auction ends November 2.

An EBay seller has listed a working Braille Blazer embosser with a current bid of $9.95 plus shipping. This single-sided embosser was tested and is advertised as working. Auction ends April 11.

IndependentLiving.com has a new Alva 570 Satellite Pro 70-cell Braille Display for $6,700. With about $85 for shipping, that's about $3,300 off list. This braille display works with your computer's screen reader and comes with a carrying case and warranty from Alva. Only one unit is available at this price.

An EBay seller has listed a Juliet Interpoint Braille Embosser with a current bid of $500. The unit was recently serviced, and is being sold as working. This popular embosser prints on both sides of the braille page and accepts extra-wide paper. Auction ends April 5.

An EBay seller has listed a Braille Blazer embosser with a BuyItNow price of $275. Or, make an offer. This single-sided printer is advertised as working and does speak when powered on. As always, you'll want to ask any pertinent questions before making a purchase. Listing ends April 2 if not sold sooner.

An EBay seller has listed a DECTalk Express External Speech Synthesizer with an opening bid of $99 plus about $8 for shipping. It comes with cables but is being sold as is. This synthesizer is still compatible with modern-day screen readers, though a serial to USB cable is necessary to use it with newer laptops. Auction ends March 27.

An EBay seller has listed an I.D. Mate Omni portable bar code reader for a BuyItNow price of $599.99. Or, make an offer. With shipping, it's less than half the cost of a new unit. This is En-Vision America's latest portable bar code solution. Listing ends March 24 if not sold sooner. Update: This item has sold.

For the second consecutive year, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, a Michigan-based nonprofit providing outdoor recreational programs for blind youth, and Leader Dogs for the Blind are teaming up to give away several Trekker GPS units. Applicants, who must be between 16-19, must submit an application including an essay and, if selected, attend a Trekker Camp where they will learn to utilize their new device. The deadline is March 31.

Be sure to keep checking our new Swap Meet for great deals on used equipment. RonnyMillsapFan is selling a Pac-Mate TNS for only $200, among other things. Posting ads and replying to others on the swap meet is totally free.

GW Micro has released a free upgrade for both the Voice Sense and their SenseNav GPS product. It's available as a download from the link on this post, or it can be downloaded directly to the unit if a wireless connection is available. It includes better powersaving options, more control over Windows Media files, and faster navigation of webpages among many other enhancements. The GPS upgrade includes the ability to create a route directly from the list of points of interest, and more options for controling what information is spoken. A complete list of changes is available and is too numerous to mention here.

An EBay seller has listed a Braille Blazer embosser in good condition which you could buy now for $159.99 plus about $35 for shipping. That's one of the better deals we've seen for a used braille printer in recent months, assuming it lives up to the advertised condition. Listing ends March 2 if not sold sooner.

If you're looking to sell your own personal used equipment, try our new forums. Beth just listed several items including a Powerbraille braille display, a BrailleNote 32-cell unit, and several books from National Braille Press. Registering and posting in our forums is free, and you can post your items for sale or trade in the Swap Meet.. Who knows, we may feature your post on the home page.

There's another batch of I.D. Mate II portable bar code readers on EBay, again for $450 plus $25 for shipping. Or, use EBay's best offer feature and see if they'll take a bit less. They're actually sold by En-Vision America, makers of the handheld item identification devices. Listing ends February 20.

An EBay seller has listed a used Braille Blazer embosser for $99. Add about $14 for shipping. Not much is said about the printer, but you could ask the seller questions to find out more and perhaps get a steal of a deal. Auction ends early on February 13.

An Ebay seller has listed a tested Freedom Scientific Blazer Inferno braille embosser with a starting bid of $99.95. This was the upgrade model to the Braille Blazer which prints at up to 50 characters per second. It also prints on wider 11.5 inch paper and weighs 17 pounds. The unit powers on, talks, and feeds paper though no further testing was done, according to the listing. Auction ends early on February 6.

Amazon.com has the Socket P500 compact flash 802.11G wireless card for $85.99. With free shipping, we couldn't find this particular card for less elsewhere. This card works, among other places, in the new Pac Mate Omni which includes built-in drivers.
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