Having difficulty deciding between the three.

Dictionary lookup is most important to me. Search function would be nice too.
I am not worried about formats supported. My ranking so far:

1. The Cybook seems to be the best option with the ability to use any mobipocket dictionary. Can someone who has a Cybook tell me how long it takes the reader to lookup a definition 5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec? Is it usable with the navigation which is a complaint with the Cybook.

2. The Kindle has both dictionary and search but can someone confirm if you can actually change the default dictionary by loading a different mobipocket dictionary onto the Kindle. The design is horrible though and I am worried about accidentally hitting the next page button all the time. Although keyboard entry is such an advantage with future hacks I am sure.

3. The Sony prs-505 seems to be the best designed and would be my favorite if it had dictionary. I know the Dictiolauncher by autorun SD card hack is available but is it useable in real life. I read that it takes longer to find definitions at the end of the alphabet like words beginning with Z and having to push in and out the SD card each time seems impractical.

I would be grateful for any input. The Iliad is out because it is too big, slow, and expensive.

Thanks,

Lo

If the iLiad is out, why did you list the iLiad as your device?

Sorry new to forum, I didn't even know I had checked Iliad as my device. How do I change that?

Sorry new to forum, I didn't even know I had checked Iliad as my device. How do I change that?
Based on your device, I was going to recommend the Gen3. Now I can recommend the 505. I know it has no dictionary. But I rather like it.

To change your device, click User CP and then Edit Your Details on the left. It's near the bottom.

1. The Cybook seems to be the best option with the ability to use any mobipocket dictionary. Can someone who has a Cybook tell me how long it takes the reader to lookup a definition 5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec? Is it usable with the navigation which is a complaint with the Cybook.


I just tested a word in the middle of the page and it took around 20 seconds to look it up. Then a couple of seconds to get back to the book.

Kindle took 15 seconds from selecting the line to displaying the definitions.

Edit to add:

Oh and i don't have problems with accidentally changing pages while reading. Sometimes it happens if I'm handing it to someone but with just regular usage I find it quite ergonomic.

Kindle took 15 seconds from selecting the line to displaying the definitions.

Most of the time for the Cybook is for selecting the word.

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like the dictionary lookup on both Kindle and cybook Gen3 are pretty fast. I just wish the Kindle would allow you to load a different dictionary. I guess the Kindle in actual use is more ergonomic than it looks in pictures and on Youtube.


Lo

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds like the dictionary lookup on both Kindle and cybook Gen3 are pretty fast. I just wish the Kindle would allow you to load a different dictionary. I guess the Kindle in actual use is more ergonomic than it looks in pictures and on Youtube.


Lo

I believe the Kindle will handle more dictionaries, although no DRM protected MobiPocket ones. YOu should email Amazon support and ask the question about dictionary support.

Dale

I've had a 505 for about 3 months and just got a Kindle yesterday. I like the Kindle much more so far. It's much nicer in person than it looks in pictures. I think the accidental paging people often complain about is not really an issue once you realize where the page buttons are located. You get used to them pretty quickly and the device, I find, is much easier to use than my Sony 505. The dictionary is quick and easy to use. The wireless access to the Amazon store is great and being able to download free samples of content is a nice feature.

After spending a night reading and using my Kindle, I picked up my 505 this morning and it felt archaic compared to the Kindle. Also, things seem to load faster on the Kindle than they do on the 505. The interface is just snappier.

I really recommend you consider the Kindle, I'm very impressed with it so far.

I guess the Kindle in actual use is more ergonomic than it looks in pictures and on Youtube.

In the demo videos people are usually trying to hold it up for the camera and point stuff out. They're usually not holding it like they would be if they were reading.

Your comments have been helpful Alisa. Leaning towards Kindle now that I have feedback that it works well in actual usage. I have also emailed Amazon support to see if it is possible to load different dictionaries on to the Kindle. I will let everyone know.

Lo

At least for the Cybook, the dictionary look-up time appears to depend on the size of the dictionary.

When I used the demo version of the Chambers dictionary (limited to words beginning with 'L'?), the lookup was on the order of a few seconds. With the full dictionary, a lookup is taking something like 5-10 seconds. (guesstimate)

-Jeff

Hi,

We have both the Sony Reader (1st gen prs500) and Kindle.
If dictionary lookups are most important, Kindle wins.
You can lookup in context to what you are reading and also Wikipedia and googl e it with the wireless.
The non-wireless readers are limited by the dictionary corpus.

I love the fact that the search function works across all indexed books and documents. Unfortunately, Kindle doesn't have landscape nor zoom like the Sony. I can make out my pdfs better with the Sony than with Kindle or MobiPocket Creator conversions.
That said, however,

I love my Kindle:thumbsup:

Having difficulty deciding between the three.

1. The Cybook seems to be the best option with the ability to use any mobipocket dictionary. Can someone who has a Cybook tell me how long it takes the reader to lookup a definition 5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec? Is it usable with the navigation which is a complaint with the Cybook.


5 seconds max. Very often virtually instant. It works extremely well. Absolutely nothing wrong with the navigation interface - it works fine.

Hi,

We have both the Sony Reader (1st gen prs500) and Kindle.
If dictionary lookups are most important, Kindle wins.


Really? How many different dictionaries are available for the Kindle? There are hundreds of different ones available for the Gen3.

5 seconds max. Very often virtually instant. It works extremely well. Absolutely nothing wrong with the navigation interface - it works fine.

Have you timed it? Looking up a word were I had to choose from a list of word took 7 second. Add to that the time to get to navigation mode and the time to find a word.

I have two dictionaries on my Cybook so maybe that add to the time.

Dictionary lookup on both cybook and kindles sounds reasonable if it is only a few seconds give or take. I was worried that it was a marketing hype and not very practical.

I have not heard from Amazon support about being able to add other dictionaries. Interestingly on Kindle store there are many dictionaries listed but when you click on any of the nonspecialized dictionaries (not medical, law, etc but Chambers or Oxford Classical) all of the unabridged dictionaries have a status of "Not Available"

Is this false advertising by Amazon? Hopefully they are only working on it.

Question about the dictionaries, as it seems to be the main reason for you choice. I don't really know all those ebook readers yet, but isn't it possible to implement a dictionary on one of them if it's not included ?
Once you get a device, can you buy extra dictionaries ?
All in one, Kindle seems a good choice for you.

Really? How many different dictionaries are available for the Kindle? There are hundreds of different ones available for the Gen3.

There is a single New American Oxford Dictionary 2nd edition onboard the Kindle.
However, when I search "@web dictionary" I find many dictionaries where I can look up words: dictionary.com, merriam-webster, American Heritage, etc.

Again, users can even enter @wiki <term> to search Wikipedia for the term.

Wireless is integral to the Kindle experience; users outside the coverage area won't likely find greater benefit than other readers like gen3. Obviously, if the original poster is outside the coverage area, ie outside US, then the Kindle should probably not be considered if at all.

That said, I'll take the power of goggle and the potential of the web over static dictionaries. Plus the files don't have to be stored on the device, taking up memory. All this is from a dedicated 'Search' button on the Kindle keyboard.

Offline, since search can work across plain text documents, you can make up your own dictionary.

Also translate.google.com works well on the kindle.

:2thumbsup

Question about the dictionaries, as it seems to be the main reason for you choice. I don't really know all those ebook readers yet, but isn't it possible to implement a dictionary on one of them if it's not included ?
Once you get a device, can you buy extra dictionaries ?
All in one, Kindle seems a good choice for you.

All the dictionaries in PRC format can be implemented in the Cybook Gen3.
I have three of them, including the Littré (French one, a must have).
Concerning the other dictionaries, go to
http://www.mobipocket.com/forum/

As far as Iliad is concerned, go to the specific forum.

I have not heard from Amazon support about being able to add other dictionaries. There do not seem to be any DRM-laden standard dictionaries (except the preloaded New American Oxford Dictionary) available for the Kindle. It is possible to use DRM-free PRC dictionaries on the Kindle, but there can only be one "primary dictionary" at a time. Perhaps Amazon is waiting for multiple dictionary support before releasing other dictionaries. For now, if you want full access to several dictionaries (or a different DRMed primary dictionary) then either the Cybook or the iLiad would be better.

Wallcraft
Does this mean that you could make your own dictionary in mobipocket format, prc and replace the dictionary azw file on the Kindle to use as primary dictionary.

Does this mean that you could make your own dictionary in mobipocket format, prc and replace the dictionary azw file on the Kindle to use as primary dictionary. Yes. This works with, for example, GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12000).

Wanted to thank everyone for their input as it helped me immensely. Also to follow up on my decision.

I ended up getting the Kindle with the hope that Amazon will make other dictionaries available and if needed could always make my own mobipocket dictionary as Wallcraft said.

Here is my experience with the Kindle so far for anyone trying to make similar choices.

1. Ergonomics is perfectly fine. This was my biggest worry because on all the videos from Amazon and on Youtube the Kindle looked so unwieldy, bulky, and with misplaced next page button. In real life the thing is thin, light, fits well in the hand and the next page button is very useable and not an issue at all. Even my 7 year old daughter has no problem using the Kindle.

2. The default dictionary, The New Oxford American Dictionary is very capable. Lookup works very well and is snappy.

3. The Kindle is very feature rich with search, keyboard, select wheel, 6 fonts, show time, picture viewer, Igorsk keyboard shortcuts, etc. Ironically while the Kindle was designed for simple use I could see it appealing much more to a power use that could manipulate all of its feature. For instance, I find myself getting around the lack of PDF support by converting to jpg, cutting the page in thirds, rotating to landscape orientation, and using the picture viewer function in fullscreen 800x600 resolution and it is quite high quality.

4. Finally when you add on the wireless capabilities I find it just puts the device over the top. But even if you never turn on the wireless I find the Kindle a very functional ereader.

Thanks again everyone.

Lo

Glad to hear that you're pleased with your purchase. Enjoy it!

What is the average battery life of the Kindle when not using the wifi too much but still using the wifi?

What is the average battery life of the Kindle when not using the wifi too much but still using the wifi?

I read 3-4 hours a day, sometimes more, with the wireless turned on less than 1/4 of the time and I usually get 2-3 days out of a charge. It's not usually "empty" by the time I recharge it - somewhere between 1/3 and 1/4.

I did once put the device down carelessly (dog vs coyote in the back yard), and a notebook was wedged against the "page forward" bar. When I got back, about two hours later, the charge had gone from almost full to about a quarter, with continuous page flipping. Normally, left alone for that period of time, it would have put itself to sleep, but I guess it thought I was speed-reading :)

Yep. I often go a week on a charge if I haven't used the wireless much. It'll usually be about 1/4-1/3 when I recharge. I don't like letting it get really low.