Ereader needed for my holiday

chickentaste · 07-26-2010, 06:56 AM

Hi, quick question from a longtime lurker...

My wife and are off to Europe (we live in Oz) for 6 weeks in September. We're travelling light so I'd quite like an ereader to bring with me, firstly as an alternative to me bringing some old-fashioned reading material for the trains, but more importantly for my guidebooks and maps (I was bought a whole load of lonely planet guides on pdf for my birthday last week).

So I need something that will display b+w pdf files with map graphics, with a reasonable battery life and that will charge from USB (my wife will be bringing her netbook). Preferably at a price that isn't totally ridiculous. I've looked at netbooks myself but I'd rather not bother. I prefer e-ink and I also can't be bothered waiting for them to boot when I just want to check a map real quick.

Oh, and I won't buy anything that Apple makes, sorry.

Any suggestions? Is this even possible?

(thanks for reading)

HarryT · 07-26-2010, 07:12 AM

The iPad would have been the perfect solution for you. Since, however, you rule out Apple, that obviously isn't an option.

You're going to want a reasonably large screen for those maps - they just won't work well on a 6" screen. The Kindle DX is probably a good fit for your requirements.

mgmueller · 07-26-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickentaste

Hi, quick question from a longtime lurker...

My wife and are off to Europe (we live in Oz) for 6 weeks in September. We're travelling light so I'd quite like an ereader to bring with me, firstly as an alternative to me bringing some old-fashioned reading material for the trains, but more importantly for my guidebooks and maps (I was bought a whole load of lonely planet guides on pdf for my birthday last week).

So I need something that will display b+w pdf files with map graphics, with a reasonable battery life and that will charge from USB (my wife will be bringing her netbook). Preferably at a price that isn't totally ridiculous. I've looked at netbooks myself but I'd rather not bother. I prefer e-ink and I also can't be bothered waiting for them to boot when I just want to check a map real quick.

Oh, and I won't buy anything that Apple makes, sorry.

Any suggestions? Is this even possible?

(thanks for reading)

I find touchscreen readers very convenient for the tasks you describe.
On maps you probably want to draw routes, POIs or scribble notes.
HarryT is right: For maps (or in general for PDFs) it's "the bigger the better".
My personal recommendations:
BeBook One/Onyx Boox: Around $ 300, 6" display, very advanced OS.
iRex 800: One of my favorites, very nice design, about $ 400, 8" display.

A cheap Kindle DX may be worth checking out as well. Huge display. Only basic PDF capabilities, but the big display might make up for it.
There's a new Kindle DX(Graphite) out for a few weeks now, you may get the older one for a very low price.

chickentaste · 08-02-2010, 07:12 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.. I'm going to take a look at some of the ideas you've suggested and see what I like the look of.

ProfCrash · 08-02-2010, 10:12 AM

If you want to use guide books I would say a DXG or Sony 900 (that is the bigger screen one, right).

I used guide books on my K1 in Australia and New Zealand. The maps were hard to deal with because of the 6 inch screen. I looked at them on my DXG and they were perfect.

The Kindle DXG can has international 3G so you would be able to download books easily throughout Europe. I don't know much about Sony's, sorry.

07-26-2010, 06:56 AM	#1
chickentaste Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 20 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	Ereader needed for my holiday Hi, quick question from a longtime lurker... My wife and are off to Europe (we live in Oz) for 6 weeks in September. We're travelling light so I'd quite like an ereader to bring with me, firstly as an alternative to me bringing some old-fashioned reading material for the trains, but more importantly for my guidebooks and maps (I was bought a whole load of lonely planet guides on pdf for my birthday last week). So I need something that will display b+w pdf files with map graphics, with a reasonable battery life and that will charge from USB (my wife will be bringing her netbook). Preferably at a price that isn't totally ridiculous. I've looked at netbooks myself but I'd rather not bother. I prefer e-ink and I also can't be bothered waiting for them to boot when I just want to check a map real quick. Oh, and I won't buy anything that Apple makes, sorry. Any suggestions? Is this even possible? (thanks for reading)

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07-26-2010, 07:12 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The iPad would have been the perfect solution for you. Since, however, you rule out Apple, that obviously isn't an option. You're going to want a reasonably large screen for those maps - they just won't work well on a 6" screen. The Kindle DX is probably a good fit for your requirements.

08-02-2010, 07:12 AM	#4
chickentaste Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 20 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	Thanks for the suggestions.. I'm going to take a look at some of the ideas you've suggested and see what I like the look of.

08-02-2010, 10:12 AM	#5
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	If you want to use guide books I would say a DXG or Sony 900 (that is the bigger screen one, right). I used guide books on my K1 in Australia and New Zealand. The maps were hard to deal with because of the 6 inch screen. I looked at them on my DXG and they were perfect. The Kindle DXG can has international 3G so you would be able to download books easily throughout Europe. I don't know much about Sony's, sorry.

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