<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2912" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Is $1300 too much to pay, or an unfair price? No. But it is about DOUBLE the cost of TL even if you have to buy a computer. Ergo, for poor little me, it is pricey.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There are good reasons for it of course. A SAT III, for example, will never reach Wal-mart shelves, i.e., be mass marketed; such products, like many of our specialty piano tools, are only for a very limited market, so development and production costs, never mind profit, can only be recovered at higher unit prices. That's why the Tunelab has an advantage. He develops, maintains, and continuously improves software, but does not have a brick-and-mortar hardware production operation to maintain.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For comparison, here is a current Dell offer and the other associated prices:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Axim X51 416MHz</DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=point>3.5" QVGA Display</DIV> <DIV class=point>192MB of Memory (128MB Flash, 64MB SDRAM)</DIV> <DIV class=point>Integrated Bluetooth</DIV> <DIV class=point>Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 with Media Player 10 Mobile</DIV> <DIV class=point> <DIV class=para_small>Featured at<BR><SPAN class=para_marketingprice_strikethrough>$299</SPAN></DIV> <DIV class=para_marketingprice_to>Now $239</DIV> <DIV class=para_marketingprice_saleprice> <DIV class=para_small>After $60 Rebate Off Instantly!</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Tunelab Pocket $340</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Spurlock Pocket PC stand $64</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Total: $643</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>You can spend more for fancier, faster computers, or less for used; or you might already have one, or a laptop. Also, the stand is VERY helpful but one could make his or her own or at least delay purchase.</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>I just hit eBay and searched on "pocket pc" got this: <A href="http://cgi.ebay.com/WOW-SPRINT-PCS-PPC-6600-CAMERA-CELL-PHONE-PDA-POCKET-PC_W0QQitemZ330006116545QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64355QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"><FONT color=#0000cc>WOW SPRINT PCS PPC 6600 CAMERA CELL PHONE PDA POCKET PC</FONT></A><SPAN class=icons><FONT color=#0000cc><IMG id=sr_giftIcon_0 src="cid:410-22006741347354062@13071999" border=0></IMG></FONT> </SPAN> <DIV class=navigation>GPS, BLUETOOTH, MP3 PLAYER, INTEL INSIDE, WARRANTY  --- coincidentally priced (new) "buy it now" at $239</DIV> <DIV class=navigation> </DIV> <DIV class=navigation>Your cell phone is your ETD ... interesting idea. And there are used Pocket PC's selling for much less.</DIV> <DIV class=navigation> </DIV> <DIV class=navigation>Did I mention that the little computer does a zillion other things, like keep your addresses, appointments, voice recordings, email, Pacman games, etc., right at hand?<BR></DIV></DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Hope I don't offend--don't mean to--but I could not, in my circumstances, justify paying so much more for other ETD systems/machines/software when there are no clear real performance differences? There are some preference choices and options certainly. Some might strongly prefer the SAT interface, for example, and that alone might justify getting the tool that you like best and make your living with. I have no quarrel with that.</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>But anyone on a budget, for sure, should at least LOOK at Tunelab (he gives you a free trial). And it has some great features that others don't have, e.g., the real-time spectrum analyzer that is just super for high treble unisons, chipping up new strings, analyzing string problems, etc.</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Okay, stepping down from my soap box now.</DIV> <DIV class=para_small> </DIV> <DIV class=para_small>Alan Barnard</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV>Salem, Missouri</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>PS Come to think of it, a Steinway B is very pricey -- but I'd sure love to have one in my living room. (Or a Mason long A)  Sigh.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=avery1@houston.rr.com href="mailto:avery1@houston.rr.com">Avery</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=tune4u@earthlink.net href="mailto:tune4u@earthlink.net">tune4u@earthlink.net</A>;<A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 07/12/2006 5:32:49 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Blatent commercial endorsement</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>Pricey? They're now $1300.00. IMO, that compares pretty well to all the others. Especially if <BR>one doesn't already have a laptop! <BR><BR>Avery <BR><BR>At 02:39 PM 7/12/2006, you wrote:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite">SAT III ---> Practical. Powerful. Professional. Pricey.<BR> <BR>I wonder if Monsieur Sanderson will ever come out with a compact model, the Babysat?<BR> <BR>Alan Barnard<BR>Salem, Missouri<BR> <BR> <BR></FONT> <DL> <DD>----- Original Message ----- <BR> <DD>From:</B> <A href="mailto:chief_retired@pacinfo.com">Terry Jack</A> <BR> <DD>To: </B><A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A><BR> <DD>Sent:</B> 07/12/2006 11:08:00 AM <BR> <DD>Subject:</B> Blatent commercial endorsement<BR><BR> <DD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>I have been following this thread with interest.<BR></FONT> <DD><BR>  <DD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>Wondering why with all of this disscussion about ETDs no mention is made of the SAT III...............?<BR></FONT> <DD><BR>  <DD><BR>  <DD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>Terry Jack<BR> <DD>Eugene Oregon Chapt PTG<BR></FONT> <DD><BR>  <DD><BR>  <DD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming   "WOW -- What a Ride!"<BR></FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></DD></DL></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Alan Barnard</DIV> <DIV>Salem, Missouri</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>