Hello,

I've browsed through this forum a lot--and think I'm mostly there, but just had a couple of quick questions about which reader to buy.

First off--I'm looking in the $300 to $400 range--the iliad is droolworthy but definitely out of my price range.

I'm doing a lot of travel over the next year or so--basically to places with very limited power and internet (I'll be living out of a suitcase and don't think 20 or 30 books would be the best use of space).

That being said, which reader is the best for:

1) battery life?
2) ease of adding books (ie grab and go, no messy file conversions, etc.)

Thank you! I'm thinking about the cybook or the sony (I know there's a wait on the cybook--any idea how long?), but would be open to lots of other suggestions!

Thanks!
Connie

Where are you located? I was in the exact same situation as you. I wanted an e-book primarily for reading while traveling. The Kindle's internet feature would be of limited utility, and being in the US, the Cybook simply wasn't easily obtainable.

That left me with the Sony Reader. I'm not claiming it is the best, it was just the only one I get actually GET.

I like it immensely, but am less than pleased with the Sony online bookstore.

Sony Reader

Cybook answers great to both of your questions.

Where are you located? I was in the exact same situation as you. I wanted an e-book primarily for reading while traveling. The Kindle's internet feature would be of limited utility, and being in the US, the Cybook simply wasn't easily obtainable.

That left me with the Sony Reader. I'm not claiming it is the best, it was just the only one I get actually GET.

I like it immensely, but am less than pleased with the Sony online bookstore.

Thanks for the reply! I am in the US (but will be traveling outside it)--I don't mind ordering the cybook online--but I know it's backordered. Any idea how far behind they are? I don't mind waiting for it, as long is it comes before September.

Ervserver and DDHarriman--could you elaborate a little? Thanks :)

Sorry, but I don't keep track of the Cybook order status. Once I made my pick from the current crop, I lost any interest in second-guessing my choice. I'm saving all my buyer's remorse for not waiting for one of the next generation machines.

Thanks for the reply! I am in the US (but will be traveling outside it)--I don't mind ordering the cybook online--but I know it's backordered. Any idea how far behind they are? I don't mind waiting for it, as long is it comes before September.

Ervserver and DDHarriman--could you elaborate a little? Thanks :)

Cybook runs out every month and every month they get a new shipment. You should be fine if that is the one you want. Kindle is a good one for US residence as well. Everyone will tell you the best is the one they own.

Dale

Everyone will tell you the best is the one they own.

Dale

Haha I'm noticing that ;) I just wasn't sure if there was a marked difference regarding those two factors, or if it's all personal opinion. Admittedly the sony is definitely sexier, but I'm a little not happy with being more or less locked into their store.

That's good info about the cybook though! :) A few weeks is definitely no big deal.

What about book avalability though? With the sony, how locked into their store are you (assuming you don't want to do a lot of file converting). Would the cybook have a wider range of books?

Thanks!

Where are you located? I was in the exact same situation as you. I wanted an e-book primarily for reading while traveling. The Kindle's internet feature would be of limited utility, and being in the US, the Cybook simply wasn't easily obtainable.

While you can't load books via wireless if you're outside the US that reduces it to being as easy as the other readers for loading content. You plug it in via USB and it acts like a removable disk, just like the others do all the time.

Haha I'm noticing that ;) I just wasn't sure if there was a marked difference regarding those two factors, or if it's all personal opinion. Admittedly the sony is definitely sexier, but I'm a little not happy with being more or less locked into their store.

That's good info about the cybook though! :) A few weeks is definitely no big deal.

What about book avalability though? With the sony, how locked into their store are you (assuming you don't want to do a lot of file converting). Would the cybook have a wider range of books?

Thanks!

There are some very successful conversion routines available for the Sony that make excellent books. libprs500 can be set up to just do canned conversions. All the ones posted at this site were converted from something else but if you just want to buy books you will find mobipocket and Kindle has an edge. Kindle is definitely the lead on current releases but not so much in older ones but places like Fictionwise offers good choices in multiple formats.

You should decide the format and availability based on what you like to read. Our wiki has listings for many eBook stores and free eBooks. If you like library checkout then our wiki has those too and you will likely want a Cybook for that or the more expensive iLiad.

Dale

In response to Alisa: I understand--right now I'm leaning against the Kindle tho--from all accounts that I've read (although if you have other thoughts please let me know!) the battery life is a lot shorter than the others. Getting access to a power outlet is going to be sort of hit or miss, so right now battery life is really important to me.

Dale--thanks for the help! Just a quick question--how difficult is it to convert the format with the Sony? Is it pretty easy to set up? (I'm probably "average" at computer stuff...)

In response to Alisa: I understand--right now I'm leaning against the Kindle tho--from all accounts that I've read (although if you have other thoughts please let me know!) the battery life is a lot shorter than the others. Getting access to a power outlet is going to be sort of hit or miss, so right now battery life is really important to me. With the antenna/radio/cell turned off, my Kindle battery is lasting 4-6 days. I can't tell you how many hours I read ... or even, how many page turns I make. I normally keep the Kindle on font size 2, so there's a lot of text on each screen before I need to hit the "next page" button.

As I've mentioned before, I know I could have been happy with the Sony, though the prices for recent releases are *so* much higher that I figure after I've bought 15-20 books, I will have recovered the $100 difference between the Sony and the Kindle. The only real downside to the Kindle is that you *cannot* buy books with DRM protection from anyone except Amazon.

While you can't load books via wireless if you're outside the US that reduces it to being as easy as the other readers for loading content. You plug it in via USB and it acts like a removable disk, just like the others do all the time.

I know, but I didn't want to pay the extra money and suffer the extra delay to get a device that had a feature I wouldn't use much.

My cybooks lasts for week, I read about 1-2 hrs a day. I tried the sony reader and it's a lot heavier than the cybook. Personally I find the cybook easier to hold. I haven't used the kindle but I can't stand the keyboard, I don't want to type on an e-reader I just want to read.

First off--I'm looking in the $300 to $400 range--the iliad is droolworthy but definitely out of my price range.


Connie,

Look in the Flea Market section. Someone, can't rember who is selling there V2 iLiad, farily new if I remember correctly for $450 OBO. So, that puts it pretty close to your range.

BOb

we own a Kindle and a 505, purchased them both at the same time. The Sony holds a charge much longer than our Kindle, with the wireless off also

In response to Alisa: I understand--right now I'm leaning against the Kindle tho--from all accounts that I've read (although if you have other thoughts please let me know!) the battery life is a lot shorter than the others. Getting access to a power outlet is going to be sort of hit or miss, so right now battery life is really important to me.

Dale--thanks for the help! Just a quick question--how difficult is it to convert the format with the Sony? Is it pretty easy to set up? (I'm probably "average" at computer stuff...)

The battery life on the Kindle is similar to that on the cybook, maybe 10% less or so, if you turn the wireless off. Both have very good life. I think the Sony may win there but it is very difficult to know exactly.

Setting up the conversion stuff is fairly straight forward if you use libprs500. you need to install python and then the program. After that you typically use a command line program or a .bat file to convert the files. Most people buy Microsoft LIT files and convert them. The author of libprs500 is a member here and supports it very well. I think he now has a converter for Mobi as well. For classics the work is already done here at MobileRead for both Sony and Mobi (which also works on Kindle) and you can just choose from about 1500 works and download them.

Dale

Connie,

Look in the Flea Market section. Someone, can't rember who is selling there V2 iLiad, farily new if I remember correctly for $450 OBO. So, that puts it pretty close to your range.

BOb

Yea, it is a great buy but not if long battery life is your main concern.

Dale

Thanks so much to everyone with your replies!

I looked at a couple of the iliads that are for sale in the flea market--and I do think they look great, but right now battery life really is the main concern.

Ok--forgive me for being dense here--and this should really it, I promise!

I think I'm leaning toward the sony--but just want to clarify something--it sounds like converting files to the sony format isn't too bad. I'm assuming the libprs500 only works with DRM-free books? Is there any way to remove the copy protection? I've been looking around some of the larger ebook stores--and most of them seem to have copy protected books...is this correct?

And one final question--I know pdfs are generally not good for ereaders--but if you buy an ebook in pdf format, would that work/be displayed legibly on either the sony ereader or the cybook?

Thanks so much, and this should really be it!

And one final question--I know pdfs are generally not good for ereaders--but if you buy an ebook in pdf format, would that work/be displayed legibly on either the sony ereader or the cybook?

Thanks so much, and this should really be it!

No. Virtually all ommercial PDF books have DRM. No eInk device can display DRM-protected PDFs.

Overall I'd recommend the CyBook. It is more expensive than the Sony but it offers a great deal more in terms of functionality, primarily an excellent dictionary lookup capability and the ability to load your own fonts and read any book in any font size. It also has a much wider range of bookstores from where one can buy books - MobiPocket (which the CyBook supports) is very much of a de facto industry standard.

Duodora, I've got the 505 and like it a lot. I've traveled with it a bit and it is very handy on the road. I get about three plus weeks per charge. Were I to switch off the device completely rather than let it sleep, I expect I'd get more time. I recommend you get the optional charger as that pumps up the battery faster than the USB charger and won't take up much space in your bag.

I get by fine with the Sony book site supplemented with Fictionwise who now sell Sony .lrf formatted books.

Truth is, I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the choices.

I think I'm leaning toward the sony--but just want to clarify something--it sounds like converting files to the sony format isn't too bad. I'm assuming the libprs500 only works with DRM-free books? Is there any way to remove the copy protection?
[quote=Duodora;176993]

Search the forum for ConvertLIT. Also, do a google search. ;)

[quote=Duodora;176993]
And one final question--I know pdfs are generally not good for ereaders--but if you buy an ebook in pdf format, would that work/be displayed legibly on either the sony ereader or the cybook?


If it doesn't have DRM you can convert it to LRF with libprs500. It isn't perfect, but good enough. IF you really want you can edit the results before making it into an LRF. If the PDF has DRM, I think you are out of luck.

BOb

Have to go with Harry T's suggestion of considering the Cybook.

While the Sony 'might' give a little improved battery life, It is not that significent from what I understand. The number of books available for Cybook from all the different stores is a strong advantage to me. i.e No need to convert, which while easy with bookdesigner and other software, is still an additional step.

Thats the reason why I ended up Purchasing A Cybook, after passing on my Sony PRS500 insted of just getting a 505.

Also the wait might not be very long. NAEB has a Order going out in mid-may, so if you place the order now, you should probably get it before the end of the month.

There's really nothing to choose between the Sony and the Gen3 in terms of battery life. They "use" the battery in very different ways, but both have extremely long lives between a charge (of the order of a few weeks, with normal usage). Although my personal preference is for the Gen3, I'm sure you'd be very happy with either machine.

I do love my Kindle but if you're concerned you won't get to an outlet often enough, I'd go with the Cybook. I find I usually charge once a week with the wireless off, sometimes twice if I'm reading a lot (which I do while traveling). I was *this* close to getting a Cybook when the Kindle came out, actually. The Cybook has dictionary lookup in addition to a great variety of titles. Plus Mobipocket is now cracked so you can strip the DRM off and not worry about having to re-authorize future devices.

Thanks so much to everyone who's offered input :)

I think I'm going to get the cybook--and try to get my order in before the next shipment! I really do like the sony, but it just comes down to ease of use when traveling. I'm going to be moving around for about a year, and click/download/read is invaluable :)

I've been on a lot of forums and there aren't very many where people are this helpful, thanks a lot :)

I started here just like you, a seeker of advice (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20796). Then for some reason someone wanted a thread (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20697&highlight=perfect+thread)to have a robot (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=153759&postcount=74) in it, and now I'm trapped in a stew of unutterable silliness (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21946&highlight=solar+liseuse), avatar madness (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23033&highlight=avatar+zelda), Karma-seeking (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23418), wolf-baiting (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=175763#post175763), bubble bath madness (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=175481&postcount=85), covered in sticky notes and enough squid DNA (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/member.php?u=6663) to film three episodes of CSI.

Run. RUN. Please tell the world my story.

Run. RUN. Please tell the world my story.

GET HER ! Don't let her leave the compound.

BOb

Oh no, even worse. Now the forum has given me a sex change. <sigh> Just as well, I suppose. It's not like I was doing much with "it (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=176103&postcount=36)" anyway, or even doing "it (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=176155&postcount=42)" right.

Oh no, even worse. Now the forum has given me a sex change. <sigh> Just as well, I suppose. It's not like I was doing much with "it (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=176103&postcount=36)" anyway, or even doing "it (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=176155&postcount=42)" right.

I was referring to Duodora, the person you were telling to run.

BOb

Of course. Sorry. Confused.

now stop it, both of you, you're scaring the n00bs. Tch.

If ease of adding books (ie grab and go, no messy file conversions, etc.) is really important to you, then the Cybook is the way to go. There are so many ebook sellers on the web that sell Mobipocket books, it makes it as easy as plug-n-play to buy Mobipocket books and use them on the Cybook....no conversions are necessary.

Of course if you have the time and don't plan to buy books on the run, then there are some excellent converters you could use to convert books for the Sony (or just about any other electronic book reader for that matter).

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their help :) I ended up ordering a cybook--can't wait until it comes!