I'm really getting ticked off about the type sizes one can choose. As Sony originally promoted the Reader as a big help to the visually impaired, that is one vital reason I got it more than a year ago.

Unlike the Rocket eBook which I used for years that could download ANY style and size of type you had in the computer, the Reader only had three sizes in each of the portrait and landscape positons. I have to use the Large in the landscape mode to be able to read it comfortably at all.

Naturally, PG and similar books I load in myself, I can arrange to have the proper point size, which works fine, usually 18 pt for landscape and 20 pt for portrait.

However, of the scores of books I've bought from CONNECT eStore, several have had the largest size type way to small for me (or anybody with vision problems) to read comfortably.

The first time I had this problem, I called Sony to explain, and they had no information, but did give me a credit for one book. The next time they just blamed in on the publisher. I reminded them it was their responsibility as they were promoting it for people with vision problems, but naturally, I got nowhere.

I just ordered three more books from them, obviously the last I shall do, and all three of them have the Large type on landscape mode only about 12 pt type much too small for me.

As the Kindle lets any book use SIX sizes of type, enlarged as high as 20 pt, I guess now it will be worth getting one, and selling my 500.

Too bad they have such a good device and have missed so many opportunities to make it better and easier to use for the readers

And too bad they don't seem to care much at all for their customers, but I have found this to be an attribute of Sony in the past with other of their components.

I can't say I'm surprised by your experience. I've also noticed that some of the books from Connect have impossibly small type, even for my pretty good eyes. With the RTFs I format myself and most of the Connect books I can read comfortably with the font at the small setting, given that I'm in a well-lit environment. When the lighting is poor I switch to medium. I've had a couple books now, however, that were very small even at medium, and had to read them at large. Amazingly, large wasn't even as big as medium on some other books. It's alarming to me that Sony doesn't have the publishers standardize their font sizes for their documents when they send them in.
Here's hoping the Kindle serves you better. It's a shame you already invested in Sony books before making the switch.

As the Kindle lets any book use SIX sizes of type, enlarged as high as 20 pt, I guess now it will be worth getting one, and selling my 500.


You ought to consider the CyBook Gen3 too. It will display text in a huge range of sizes and - unlike the Kindle - allows you to load any TT font that you have on your PC.

You ought to consider the CyBook Gen3 too. It will display text in a huge range of sizes and - unlike the Kindle - allows you to load any TT font that you have on your PC.

Thanks, Harry, I recall you have mentioned it before. Do you have one, and if so, how do you like it?

I looked over the website and it is very appealing (although also sold out now), and seems to have most of the features I would want. Looks a lot more like the Sony than the Kindle, which is certainly a good thing. :)

How easy is the Mobilpocket to use, to buy from, and to use their software?

Any "cons" that you know about?

I'm really getting ticked off about the type sizes one can choose. As Sony originally promoted the Reader as a big help to the visually impaired, that is one vital reason I got it more than a year ago.



Can't you read those books on your PC using eBook Library? Also, switch to Landscape Mode to increase the font size.

The books with small fonts should be legible on your PC Monitor.

I intend to use the 505 only for supplementary reading when away from my pc. I will usually be using my 24" LCD HD Monitor to read them.

I intend to use the 505 only for supplementary reading when away from my pc. I will usually be using my 24" LCD HD Monitor to read them.
You'd pay $10+ to read a book on your PC?

Can't you read those books on your PC using eBook Library? Also, switch to Landscape Mode to increase the font size.

The books with small fonts should be legible on your PC Monitor.

I intend to use the 505 only for supplementary reading when away from my pc. I will usually be using my 24" LCD HD Monitor to read them.

Thanks, but when I want to read in bed or in the living room, it is difficult to hold the desktop computer on my lap. And the extension cord will not reach to the airport or my doctors' offices. :D

In fact, that's why I use the Reader. For some odd reason, I never am comfortable reading documents, let alone long books at the computer. And as I mentioned in the OP, I always use the Large size in the Landscape mode, but for some books, it is still too small. So it goes.

Thanks, but when I want to read in bed or in the living room, it is difficult to hold the desktop computer on my lap. And the extension cord will not reach to the airport or my doctors' offices. :D

In fact, that's why I use the Reader. For some odd reason, I never am comfortable reading documents, let alone long books at the computer. And as I mentioned in the OP, I always use the Large size in the Landscape mode, but for some books, it is still too small. So it goes.
In most cases there is a solution....

Purchase MS Reader format books, remove the DRM, convert via lit2lrf and you can set the base font size how you like with one of the commands and you'll be all set.

Print too small? Do you guys want 1 word a page or something?

Print too small? Do you guys want 1 word a page or something?

Oh, to be young again and be able to see! I'm only 50 and work all day in front of a PC monitor at 1280 x 1024 without any real problems. But I still find reading comfortably on my Reader difficult at times particularly in poor light. Sorry if this is really boring to you but it is crucial for others. Please bear with us.

Il let you go this time.


THIS time....

But yeah id give the converter a go for custom fonts. Its really easy. Add file, press convert. Bang, ready to go.

I previously posted some pictures showing the smallest and largest fonts on the Cybook using the built in Verdana font. You really have more flexibility then you need.

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=114167&postcount=38

The ability to select 12 different font sizes and download TrueType fonts is a very nice feature on it and lets you customize to suit your needs. You can also "embolden" the text to make if more legible. I've been reading using the 3rd smallest Georgia font and switching to embolden when in poor lighting conditions. If I have good lighting I can turn it off and get an extra 4 lines per page.

KlondikeGeoff, did you know that reading smaller type in fact helps to improve your vision?

Thanks, Harry, I recall you have mentioned it before. Do you have one, and if so, how do you like it?

I looked over the website and it is very appealing (although also sold out now), and seems to have most of the features I would want. Looks a lot more like the Sony than the Kindle, which is certainly a good thing. :)

How easy is the Mobilpocket to use, to buy from, and to use their software?

Any "cons" that you know about?

Yes, I've had a Gen3 for about a month now, and am delighted with it. There are numerous eBook stores which sell Mobi-format books, and you can use any or all of them. Very easy to use indded.

Cons? On some illustrated books the pictures come out rather on the small side. That's pretty much all, I think. The ability to add your own fonts, and the dictionary lookup facility are both VERY nice things which distinguish it from the Sony.

Print too small? Do you guys want 1 word a page or something?

1. I am 80 years old, and as I said in my OP, have vision problems. Reading is a great solace for me.

2. It is probably inconceivable to you, but someday you actually may, if you are lucky, get old. And your eyes may get dim. When that happens, you will find that you, and others with handicaps, may not appreciate this sort of sarcasm.

KlondikeGeoffm no sarcasm intended by the post, it is something new i have learned from a local ophthalmologist recently, I have been reading smaller types and find the result useful.

KlondikeGeoffm no sarcasm intended by the post, it is something new i have learned from a local ophthalmologist recently, I have been reading smaller types and find the result useful.

Hey, Jake, it was not you I was chastising, it was the snarky remark by urseus. A young 'un, probably. :D

I'm afraid it won't work for me. I've had two cataract operations and recently a cornia transplant. Other than getting a new set of eyeballs, not much hope for me at this state. Other than, of course, LARGER TYPE!

Yes, I've had a Gen3 for about a month now, and am delighted with it. There are numerous eBook stores which sell Mobi-format books, and you can use any or all of them. Very easy to use indded.

Cons? On some illustrated books the pictures come out rather on the small side. That's pretty much all, I think. The ability to add your own fonts, and the dictionary lookup facility are both VERY nice things which distinguish it from the Sony.

Thanks again Harry, you've sold me. I can live with any illustration problems all right. Sounds like a winner, and expect I'll order one in January, once they start shipping again. Appreciate the suggestion.

When I get it I'll post a review.

It is probably inconceivable to you, but someday you actually may, if you are lucky, get old.
I hope not, unless medical care gets Star-Trek-better. I never expected to see 30, with the health problems I had in high school and college, and I unfortunately have passed my sell-by date by over a decade. It's frankly depressing.

1. I am 80 years old, and as I said in my OP, have vision problems. Reading is a great solace for me.

2. It is probably inconceivable to you, but someday you actually may, if you are lucky, get old. And your eyes may get dim. When that happens, you will find that you, and others with handicaps, may not appreciate this sort of sarcasm.

I'm 72 years old still with 20/20 vision and have been doing all my book reading for 20 years on a PC with MS Reader. I like the Sony 505 since it supports PC reading with eBook Library with the option of continuing when the PC is down on the 505.

By the way, the 505 has 8 shades of grey to only 4 on the 500 and on the Kindle. The 505 should be much clearer than the other 2.

I still think you'd find the PC monitor better than the 505, itself. Its always better if you are not using the PC to read at a desk with a good, natural light.

If you always use the largest fonts in landscape mode, you shouldn't have a problem if the lighting is good. Reading in bed or with poor lighting isn't too healthy anyway.

The 8 shades vs 4 only really has an effect on graphics that have more then 4 shades. Other then that, the screens are the same Vizplex screens. And to be honest, the 505 is easier to read at small sizes due to the higher level of contrast.

Reading in bed or with poor lighting isn't too healthy anyway.

Sorry, what is "unhealthy" about reading in bed? I find that it relaxes my mind after a stressful day and is (for me) an essential part of getting a good night's sleep.