There's a sale going on at eBookwise for the 1150 LCD reading device. You can find the scoop here (http://www.ebookwise.com/ebookwise/ebookwise1150.htm), where it's available for $129.95 (regularly $139.95) with free US ground shipping and a 64meg memory card.

You won't get the nifty e-ink experience, but you get a much better price and backlighting. "[T]he eBookwise-1150 can display your own personal content in the following file formats: plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Microsoft Word documents (.doc), HTML (.htm or .html), and Rocket eBook Editions (.rb)."

I don't have any personal experience with one, but I also don't remember anyone saying that they just don't like this particular device. Be sure to check out the MobileRead legacy device forum (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=102) to get more scoop on the device.

The sale prices:
1150 with 8meg internal memory only - $99.95 (reg $109.95)
1150 with 64meg card - $129.95 (reg $139.95)
1150 with 128meg card - $169.95 (reg $179.95)

According to eBookwise, internal memory stores about 10 e-books. A 64meg card ups that to about 100 e-books, and a 128meg card gets you to about 200 e-books.

If you have one, let us know if you think this is a good deal, and what sort of buyer should consider one, and if maybe you can save money by getting the storage cards separately.

I've had four of these or its predecessor. The first was the Frankin Rocket eBook (had to be in '93 or '94) and I LOVE the darn things. Backlit so I can read at night without waking up the wife unit and I still have the old software so I can convert docs to the .rb format. Life is good.

The first was $300 and I was able to pick up the others very inexpensively. One as a display model at <shudder> Best Buy. The others at $50 from ebay. If the eInk machines weren't out, I'd snatch another one or two. But eInk is here so I think I'll have to spring for a Kindle.

It would be much cheaper to buy the unit without a memory card. In Aus you can usually get these cards fro around $40 for a two gig card and $20 for a 1 gig.

There's a sale going on at eBookwise for the 1150 LCD reading device. You can find the scoop here (http://www.ebookwise.com/ebookwise/ebookwise1150.htm), where it's available for $129.95 (regularly $139.95) with free US ground shipping and a 64meg memory card.

(good stuff deleted)

If you have one, let us know if you think this is a good deal, and what sort of buyer should consider one, and if maybe you can save money by getting the storage cards separately.

$30 for a 64 meg card is a good price but $70 for a 128 is a bit higher than you can get one for on eBay. The price is good on sale but there is a guy on eBay with stock that sells a bit cheaper than eBookwise always it seems. His is not an auction.

Everything you want to know about this device is now in the wiki under eBookwise-1150 or you can check my web site.

Dale

It would be much cheaper to buy the unit without a memory card. In Aus you can usually get these cards fro around $40 for a two gig card and $20 for a 1 gig.The 1150 uses SmartMedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartmedia) cards -- 128 MB is as big as they get. :wink:

I have the ebookwise and also had the original Rocket ebook. Though physically identical outside of re-branding, the Rocket had a much better display. The 1150 is still good though and with the conversion software, you can put pretty much anything you want on it. It's a good deal at that price if you don't want to pay the higher cost of of e-ink devices and the battery life on it is pretty impressive for a back lit reader.

If you have one, let us know if you think this is a good deal, and what sort of buyer should consider one, and if maybe you can save money by getting the storage cards separately.
I just bought an EB-1150. I found mine on eBay for $122 with a 64MB card. Shipping was $12, total price = $134. A 128MB SmartMedia card (also on eBay) runs around $30 plus about $4 shipping.

The eBay vendor has also put their readers on sale: shipping has been reduced from $12 to $5 (IIRC).

Had I waited one DAY, I could have saved $7 buying it on eBay. Had I waited one WEEK, I could have bought it from eBookWise (with the 128MB card) and saved more -- I paid $30 for 128MB on eBay.

I'm not complaining! I'm deliriously happy with my EB-1150 and have spent many happy hours in the week or so I've had it reading, converting books, and generally playing around with it.

Who should buy one? Anybody who's thinking about an eBook reader but is as yet undecided. You won't find anything less expensive, there is no "perfect" reader, and the technology is still evolving. Jump in here for $150, enjoy eReading, and upgrade without remorse when the time is right.

With the money you save in lieu of the Sony, buy a bushel of books.

Tom.

You won't get the nifty e-ink experience, but you get a much better price and backlighting. "[T]he eBookwise-1150 can display your own personal content in the following file formats: plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Microsoft Word documents (.doc), HTML (.htm or .html), and Rocket eBook Editions (.rb)."


Better price? You can get prs500 from compusa for 140$ nowdays there is a problem that they are out of stock in many places though.

I've had two other eBook readers in the past 8 years but I like the eb1150 best. I find it easier to read than the others. The screen is a good size, I find back-lighting easier to read than eInk, and the controls are easier to use than the other units. It can search through a text, highlight passages, bookmark pages and allow you to enter notes directly into pages or create a new, blank page for notes--something that neither of the others I've used could do. (It uses a touch-screen to make selections, so there's your highlighting and note-taking.)

I found the 64 mb memory card adequate. The eBookwise site sells DRMed books (if you like fantasy, eBookwise has both of the first two volumes in George R.R. Martin's epic Song of Ice and Fire for $4.74) and has a fair selection of new books at prices similar to other sites, but most new, best-sellers cost more than the Kindle's $9.99. You can get an interesting selection of eBooks in Multiformat, which includes the IMP files used by the eb1150 at the Fictionwise site.

Well, it's a great device.

Unfortunately they will only ship to the USA and Canada :(.

Unfortunately they will only ship to the USA and Canada :(.

Mmmm... If I could buy one from Europe I probably would...

L.

IMHO, the RocketBook and REB1150 are better than any of the other current ebook readers. Downsides are limited battery life (8-10 hours), and problems getting content onto the device. The available software will convert html and other formats to .rb and .imp.

Ergonomically, these devices are great- far superior to the Sony or anything else.

The old Rocketbooks had a nice case- the one for the 1150s suck. You can find a fair amount of stuff already converted for the 1150, and .chm is easy to convert. PDFs are more problematical- I used Adobe to convert to html first, but found that Gemini (by Iceni, a British company) works better than anything, but is pricey at $150.

To date, in terms of usage, my Palm T5 gets used the most, then the Reb, then the Sony. Wish someone could deliver a really superior device. Oh yeah, don';t think it works any more, but if you like the gimmicky "buy books from your device" that the Kindle has, well- the Rebs had it to, via an internal modem.....

It would be much cheaper to buy the unit without a memory card. In Aus you can usually get these cards fro around $40 for a two gig card and $20 for a 1 gig.

Wrong! These are SmartMedia cards. They are not easy to find. The max is 128 meg, no bigger cards were ever produced of this type.

Absolutely do not buy it without the card, you will be very sorry. SmartMedia cards are getting almost impossible to find and certainly not at this price.

Better price? You can get prs500 from compusa for 140$ nowdays there is a problem that they are out of stock in many places though.

That sounds like a clearance price on the older model, not a standard price, therefore little or no supply.

I really enjoy my ebookwise, although I confess I have no personal experience with any of the e-ink devices. It was the smallest investment I could make to see if I would like the ebook reading experience. As far as the Smartmedia card - make sure you ask around. Chances are good that friends and/or family have something in a closet that use to take a Smartmedia card and they aren't using it and would gladly give you the card. Just a suggestion!
Kathy

I got a 1150 a year ago. It is the easiest and cheapest device to get in europe. I got mine off ebay, a brand new one for 120E including shipping.

The screen is very easy to read and the battery lasts 20 hours. I read every day and it lasts about one week to ten days.

The device is very easy to use and very very fast, with instant on and touch screen.

It has very easy and fast dictionary lookup (for us non english speaking folks!)

Almost every format can be converted in a perfect .imp file to be read on this device (I have become an expert).

I have not seen any e-ink device ever, but I believe the 1150 is the perfect device for anyone starting in ebooks. It is really cheap and really easy to use, as long as you are not afraid of computers and format converting software.

The 64mb card is enough for all the books you may want. I have around 20+books on my device and the card is around half full. Moving books to and from the pc takes only seconds.

Last books I read were Harry Potter, Atlantis, Next. Now am reading The Swarm (converted from mobi) and enjoying it a lot!

Last books I read were Harry Potter, Atlantis, Next. Now am reading The Swarm (converted from mobi) and enjoying it a lot!

How did you convert from mobi? :blink:

Almost every format can be converted in a perfect .imp file to be read on this device (I have become an expert).


So if you have one of these there is a way to convert:

1) DRM Mobi
2) DRM Adobe - ie digital editions
3) Microsoft Reader

I am wondering if I shouldn't go with this device until the availability of e-ink devices in Australia improves but am a little bit intimidated about the conversion process(es)

So if you have one of these there is a way to convert:

1) DRM Mobi
2) DRM Adobe - ie digital editions
3) Microsoft Reader

I am wondering if I shouldn't go with this device until the availability of e-ink devices in Australia improves but am a little bit intimidated about the conversion process(es)

I haven't tried 2, but 1 and 3 I have and it works fine!

Not sure if anyone knows about digital editions but there is a particular book that I am interested in reading that only comes in an adobe digital edition.

Coming from my old Palm T2 where I could effortlessly read adobe, mobi and ereader formats without converting anything, I find it really hard to adjust.

I am guessing if you get something from ebooks.com then their eb20 platform spits out html that you can somehow grab which might be one answer - IF they sell the book in my territory which isn't always (in fact often) the case.

The eBookwise reader is a good value. I've had one for over a year and I have never had problems with it. Even though I am going to try a Cybook, there will be no retirement for the EB, I will still be using the eBookwise for reading in bed because of the backlit screen.

Coming from my old Palm T2 where I could effortlessly read adobe, mobi and ereader formats without converting anything, I find it really hard to adjust.



I wouldn't characterize PDFs on a Palm as "effortless." The Adobe palm reader software sucks, and the best solution I came up with for using PDFs on the palm was ther Repligo viewer.

I have one of these as well as my Sony PRS500.
I use both. The 1150 is great because of the backlight and the touch screen instant dictionary lookup. In fact the feel of the device and general ergonomics are far superior to the Sony, I love the online library (which you access via the reader's display) and the conversion software which I bought from ebookwise(?) for about $12 is also exellent (although you can convert books online at the website for free).
In my opinion the only advantage the sony has is the epaper display. If I could transplant the sony's screen into the 1150's body (with backlight of course - but epaper screens can't be backlit) I would have the perfect reader.
BTW I live in the UK and had a new device sent to me from a seller on ebay. It seems the only reason they don't sell them outside the US is the power supply which is 110v and would blow up if connected to a 240v mains supply. This is no problemj if you use a step-down adaptor which is available in most hardware stores here. I just had to acknowledge this fact and agree to a void warranty when I bought it. There is no problem buying books from the ebookwise store, unlike sony's Connect store which will only sell to users with a US registered credit card.

I wouldn't characterize PDFs on a Palm as "effortless." The Adobe palm reader software sucks, and the best solution I came up with for using PDFs on the palm was ther Repligo viewer.

I just meant that you could buy an adobe digital edition, run it through the adobe for palm thingo and have it on your palm to read without any cracking,hacking,conversion,reformatting required. It wasn't always the best of formatting as you say but for the most part you could read it though.

I just meant that you could buy an adobe digital edition, run it through the adobe for palm thingo and have it on your palm to read without any cracking,hacking,conversion,reformatting required. It wasn't always the best of formatting as you say but for the most part you could read it though.

Have you actually tried that with a digital edition book? Was it a pdf version or a real epub version? Did it have DRM?

Dale

BTW I live in the UK and had a new device sent to me from a seller on ebay. It seems the only reason they don't sell them outside the US is the power supply which is 110v and would blow up if connected to a 240v mains supply. This is no problemj if you use a step-down adaptor which is available in most hardware stores here. I just had to acknowledge this fact and agree to a void warranty when I bought it.

Thank you very much indeed for clarifying that, Muskrat. It's very good to hear that they take such a sensible approach to it.

I've had my Ebookwise 1150 Reader for a couple of years and have had absoutey no problems. You can't beat the price. Their selection in their bookstore is fairly decent. I gave mine to my daughter as my Sony PRS-505 came in. Yay!!!

Have you actually tried that with a digital edition book? Was it a pdf version or a real epub version? Did it have DRM?

Dale

Hi Dale

When I read on my palm, I used Adobe Acrobate Reader for Palm OS and could basically drag and drop the pdf into this program where it would automatically convert it and sync it to the Palm. This worked with digital editions too - or at least that generation of them - as I put a couple of books that i had bought from Amazon on there.

The formatting wasn't great and for diagrams you really had to view those on the desktop but to read the text it worked fine.

This was for a Palm T2 and approximately Abobe Reader 5.0 or thereabouts so perhaps it no longer works the same way.

I sure wish one device would let you read all of the formats though like that old Palm...

I bought the Fictionwise eBookwise wise not only because of the price but because of the LACK of bells and whistles. :eek:

I had'nt even heard of ereaders before seeing the Kindle on Amazon. I am an Amazon junkie and because of this I have STACKS of books everywhere. When I saw the Kindle I imagined my night stand being barren except for a little reader device and got all excited! :rofl:

However, the Kindle seemed to be overloaded with features. And I couldnt fathom why I would want a reader that wasnt backlit! I thought, "Man, if I could just get a reader that I could download books into AND that had a backlight!!" I can afford a Kindle but it seemed that I'd be wasting money on features I wouldnt use when that money could be spent on MORE BOOKS! :bookworm:

So I started researching and found this board. WOW! I found out some great information AND found the eBookwise reader. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I am, without doubt, not a techno geek. I simply wanted a reader that had a backlight and was light to carry about. The eBookwise is perfect for me and I adore it. :heart:

Oh, and let me not forget to thank all the posters here who have been an invaluable source of all things ebook!! :thanks: :bow2:

Glad to hear that you like the EB1150. I'm just twiddling my thumbs waiting for mine to arrive sometime in the coming week. I even tried to buy a couple of books from the eBookwise site, but couldn't apparently download them because I can't yet put in a device ID. Like you, I'm taking a conservative approach with my dollar right now, wondering if I want to spend the greater amount of cash on an e-ink device. For now, I'll be happy just to have something bigger than my Palm to read with! :)

The customer service is awesome, just awesome. I scratched my screen, and one Garth @ eBookWise offered me an amazing deal on a replacement unit. I have had a couple more encounters and each time Garth went above and beyond.

Buy one-- they are great little devices.

But remember, there are LOTS of ebooks here in IMP format for your enjoyment.

Ordered the eb1150 and bookmarked Dale's website. Jon, I was surprised to see that MobileRead has the IMP format. I always check the first page to see what new books you folks have formatted for us, but thought the options were PRC and LRF. That was the nudge that sent me to Fictionwise website...that and all the positive comments in this thread. Had signed up w/NAEB for a Gen3 but am tired of waiting. Have NO interest in the Kindle, so am content until I see what wonders 2008 brings.

Charliebird,

I'm delighted with the eb1150 (got mine about a week ago). It isn't too bright and is very simple to use. Glad to be reading on a screen larger than a PDA! I wish it were just a little lighter weight -- then it would be perfect! Like you, I'm going to sit back and watch the 2008 floorshow re: e-ink devices for a bit before I commit to one.

I went ahead and got an 1150 also, just because it is backlit. I do a lot of reading in bed too, and same as everyone else, don't want to disturb my spouse. I love my Sony and my Kindle too, it's just difficult to put a light on these {and I've tried several}. They're always falling off, or need readjustment. I guess all my Christmas money has gone to ebook readers this year!

what about eye fatigue? I've been thinking of getting a 1150 and wait for the 2nd gen Kindle



Charliebird,

I'm delighted with the eb1150 (got mine about a week ago). It isn't too bright and is very simple to use. Glad to be reading on a screen larger than a PDA! I wish it were just a little lighter weight -- then it would be perfect! Like you, I'm going to sit back and watch the 2008 floorshow re: e-ink devices for a bit before I commit to one.

what about eye fatigue? I've been thinking of getting a 1150 and wait for the 2nd gen Kindle

I keep the brightness/contrast down relatively low and use the larger font -- the screen looks gray, not white like a lot of web pages. I gave midterms today where I teach, and was able to read all day long without any eye fatigue. The device draws quite a bit of interest from the kids (AND we're talking inner city here -- not a hotbed of heavy reading!) who ask, "Where can I get one?"

I'll eventually get an e-ink device too, but so far, this one is WAY better than reading on my PDA! Also, the 1150 seems sturdier than what I'm reading here about the e-ink screens -- my environment can be rough at times, so I probably wouldn't take an e-ink device in to my school anyway.

I really hope that when ETI comes out with the e-ink successor to the ETI-2, they don't make the mistake of not having integral lighting. It's what many people like most about the eBookwise, along with better ergonomics than e-ink units, with their often poor button placement and seeming inability to hold solidly with one hand and turn pages with the same hand.

I wonder if they will come out with a successor

ETI says they're working on a successor (http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/toureinkproto.htm). As you see, the first version has the bad button placement of most e-ink devices, and there's no mention of integral lighting, so it's a poor start, but there's some hope they'll make the ETI-3 better than the ETI-2, not worse. I wouldn't actually bet on it, but there's there's still some small hope.

Ervserver:
Like Imarie, I have the brightness on my DT375 set probably more than relatively low. When I used my Cybook (before I got the DT376) I kept both brightness/contrast low. On both I can read for hours w/out eye fatigue and I have had eye surgery that left me very sensitive to artificial light.

I may get an 1150 for reading in bed at night

I just created a group for GEB1150 and GEB1150 users; here is the blurb for it:

This group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EBW-GEB1150/) has been
created for the owners of a Gemstar GEB1150 or eBookwise EBW1150
ebook readers, so they can discuss hardware and software issues
specific to their reader, and exchange tips and tricks.

It cames as a complement to existing groups such as:

- The Rocket eBook group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rocket_Ebook/

- The REB1100 group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/REB1100files/

- The REB1200 group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/REB1200/

- The RCAeBooks group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RCAebooks/

There is also an interesting forum at http://www.mobileread.com/
forums/. Though it is more related to the Sony eBook reader, it has a
discussion on the Book Designer software that may also be used to
create books for the GEB/EBW1550 readers.

Please feel free to visit!

Robert
:book2:

Why not just use the forums here? They actually work better then an email list.

Plus, we have LOTS of already formatted eBooks for the EB1150. Plus there are others here who might be able to help besides just EB1150 owners. For example, I've helped Nick test his mobi2imp even though I do not have an Eb1150. But I want to be able to easily make well formatted eBooks for the EB1150.