Manga E-reader, help needed!

Fisch · 03-05-2011, 07:36 PM

This is my first post in this great forum, so, first of all I wanna say hi to everyone. Second, I don't want to start by upsetting anyone: I have read most of the other threads on this particular topic and I just have a few more specific questions.

I am looking for an ebook reader mostly for mangas (but also for novels) and the choice is driving me crazy. I understood (from the other posts) and agreed that I need at least a 8-9 inch screen and I am willing to buy a "true" e-reader: e-ink tecnology no TFT tablet or things like that.

The only ereaders that meet this requirement, as far as I now, are KindleDX, Asus DR-900, PB902 and Irex DR 800. I would avoid the latter because it is hard to find and the complete lack of support is a little too extreme. I really like the Kindle, but the lacks of reflow on PDFs and expandable memory are really holding me back. Among them all I really prefer is the ASUS because of its smaller dimension and weight but the screen seems to be a huge issue.

First big question: screens. As far as reading comics in good light conditions, are there really so many differences between pearl (kindle), sipix (asus) and vizplex (pb)? I have seen a kindle3 and a nook in a store and I couldn't really tell the difference, should I be worrying for my eyes?

Second: software. I know that the DR-900 is basically being beta-tested by my unlucky italian compratiots, I have briefly read that Pocketbook's readers have a lot of issues as well are these even close to the ones of the asus?

Third: the PB. I can't find some complete specs of the 902, I'd like to know: does it supoort CBR/CBZ archives? what is the PB903? (it seems to not exist anymore, so I can't understand wheter the 902 as a touch iput and if it is wacom or something else). Last, does anyone knows if shipping within US is free (from www.pocketbookreader.com) or where to buy it otherwise?

Finally, given that the prices are quite similar, which one would you suggest?
Thanks in advance...

Logseman · 03-09-2011, 08:52 PM

Let's see. I can't give much insight on the Asus reader, but maybe I can help you with the rest.

1) It's the correct choice not to buy an iRex unit. Aside of the obvious lack of support, you still get a device with an inferior screen quality and battery time than modern units.

2) I've read regularly in a Sony PRS-350 (Pearl) and in my Pocketbook 360 (Vizplex). In good light conditions, Pearl appears much clearer. However, under non-optimal conditions, the difference is much smaller. The response time of Pearl is faster, though.

3) Pocketbook readers (and their tablet, IQ) have some issues: nevertheless, the main complaints which exist, and which you will see in this forum, are mainly about promised features and updates which are promised and promised again, but the company never delivers. In essence, the core functionality of Pocketbook readers (including its superior PDF rendering) is all right, but it's annoying that you get promised updates which never arrive. That means, if you buy a Pocketbook reader, you should do it for what it can do now, which is rendering PDF better than anyone else. Future updates, which may come, of course, and so on are just gifts, don't count on them for your decision.

4) I think the only readers which support CBZ/CBR natively are the iRiver ones, because the software is open-source and the community has enhanced them. Nevertheless, you still can get excellent results with Calibre, converting CBZ/CBR files to PDF.

5) The PB903 does exist, and it has the same specifications than the PB902, except that 903 has a Wacom touch screen and a 3G module to insert SIM cards. Given that the SIM card is only good for buying in Pocketbook's book store, which is not ready still, you are mainly paying the extra 70 euro for the Wacom touch screen. You can scribble on it, but annotations are not possible as of today (though they've been promised as a future feature).

In my opinion, your workflow will probably be converting CBZ and CBR into PDF and reading the resulting PDF files. For that, Pocketbook readers are, as far as I know, better suited than other e-ink options (I opted for a tablet PC though, because e-Ink's slowness bores me while reading manga).

In case you go for PB, I and many other forum members have good experiences with the German store Pocketgoods.

Fisch · 03-12-2011, 01:22 AM

Thanks for your advices, I decided to go for the PB902! The feature it has now are all I need (even if I would not mind any other improvement

)...

By the way, it has already arrived but I have some questions about it, however, I believe the right place to talk about it is the PB section so if you have some time the thread is this:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=124493

03-05-2011, 07:36 PM	#1
Fisch Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: none	Manga E-reader, help needed! This is my first post in this great forum, so, first of all I wanna say hi to everyone. Second, I don't want to start by upsetting anyone: I have read most of the other threads on this particular topic and I just have a few more specific questions. I am looking for an ebook reader mostly for mangas (but also for novels) and the choice is driving me crazy. I understood (from the other posts) and agreed that I need at least a 8-9 inch screen and I am willing to buy a "true" e-reader: e-ink tecnology no TFT tablet or things like that. The only ereaders that meet this requirement, as far as I now, are KindleDX, Asus DR-900, PB902 and Irex DR 800. I would avoid the latter because it is hard to find and the complete lack of support is a little too extreme. I really like the Kindle, but the lacks of reflow on PDFs and expandable memory are really holding me back. Among them all I really prefer is the ASUS because of its smaller dimension and weight but the screen seems to be a huge issue. First big question: screens. As far as reading comics in good light conditions, are there really so many differences between pearl (kindle), sipix (asus) and vizplex (pb)? I have seen a kindle3 and a nook in a store and I couldn't really tell the difference, should I be worrying for my eyes? Second: software. I know that the DR-900 is basically being beta-tested by my unlucky italian compratiots, I have briefly read that Pocketbook's readers have a lot of issues as well are these even close to the ones of the asus? Third: the PB. I can't find some complete specs of the 902, I'd like to know: does it supoort CBR/CBZ archives? what is the PB903? (it seems to not exist anymore, so I can't understand wheter the 902 as a touch iput and if it is wacom or something else). Last, does anyone knows if shipping within US is free (from www.pocketbookreader.com) or where to buy it otherwise? Finally, given that the prices are quite similar, which one would you suggest? Thanks in advance...

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03-09-2011, 08:52 PM	#2
Logseman Orisa Posts: 1,999 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	Let's see. I can't give much insight on the Asus reader, but maybe I can help you with the rest. 1) It's the correct choice not to buy an iRex unit. Aside of the obvious lack of support, you still get a device with an inferior screen quality and battery time than modern units. 2) I've read regularly in a Sony PRS-350 (Pearl) and in my Pocketbook 360 (Vizplex). In good light conditions, Pearl appears much clearer. However, under non-optimal conditions, the difference is much smaller. The response time of Pearl is faster, though. 3) Pocketbook readers (and their tablet, IQ) have some issues: nevertheless, the main complaints which exist, and which you will see in this forum, are mainly about promised features and updates which are promised and promised again, but the company never delivers. In essence, the core functionality of Pocketbook readers (including its superior PDF rendering) is all right, but it's annoying that you get promised updates which never arrive. That means, if you buy a Pocketbook reader, you should do it for what it can do now, which is rendering PDF better than anyone else. Future updates, which may come, of course, and so on are just gifts, don't count on them for your decision. 4) I think the only readers which support CBZ/CBR natively are the iRiver ones, because the software is open-source and the community has enhanced them. Nevertheless, you still can get excellent results with Calibre, converting CBZ/CBR files to PDF. 5) The PB903 does exist, and it has the same specifications than the PB902, except that 903 has a Wacom touch screen and a 3G module to insert SIM cards. Given that the SIM card is only good for buying in Pocketbook's book store, which is not ready still, you are mainly paying the extra 70 euro for the Wacom touch screen. You can scribble on it, but annotations are not possible as of today (though they've been promised as a future feature). In my opinion, your workflow will probably be converting CBZ and CBR into PDF and reading the resulting PDF files. For that, Pocketbook readers are, as far as I know, better suited than other e-ink options (I opted for a tablet PC though, because e-Ink's slowness bores me while reading manga). In case you go for PB, I and many other forum members have good experiences with the German store Pocketgoods.

03-12-2011, 01:22 AM	#3
Fisch Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: none	Thanks for your advices, I decided to go for the PB902! The feature it has now are all I need (even if I would not mind any other improvement )... By the way, it has already arrived but I have some questions about it, however, I believe the right place to talk about it is the PB section so if you have some time the thread is this: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=124493

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