Going backward to 500?

revfish · 10-19-2008, 03:21 PM

My 16 y/o sister-in-law who lives with us wants a Reader of her own. She 'borrowed' my wife's Reader for over a week before my wife demanded it back. She just asked to borrow it again and was told no.

We had planned on getting her one for Hanukkah this year but I don't know if we can justify the $300 for a new PRS-505. I was looking on eBay at the auctions for the PRS-500s which are a good bit cheaper (but not a lot). I was wondering if it would be a big difference for her to get used to from using a 505 to using a 500.

BTW, I do want stick with Sony since I have all of our books on my copy of Calibre.

Advice? Anybody want to part with a working 500 for cheap? LOL

MickeyC · 10-19-2008, 03:36 PM

Get the 505. The new firmware doesn't run on the 500. And, although Sony just introduced the 700, they are continuing to sell the 505.

Roy White · 10-19-2008, 03:51 PM

I have the 500. It works great. Not as many bells or whistles but since I'm not driving a streetcar (Only doing one thing, reading...) It fulfills its purpose perfectly....

pilotbob · 10-19-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revfish

We had planned on getting her one for Hanukkah this year but I don't know if we can justify the $300 for a new PRS-505.

Put a wanted to buy message up here in the flea market. There have been several people selling their 505's lately because they are going to get the 700. You might be able to pick up one for $200 or less.

BOb

FizzyWater · 10-19-2008, 04:30 PM

IMO, it really depends on how much time your sister-in-law spent on the 505. I have both a 500 and a 505. Every now and again, I forget to charge the 505 and tried to use the 500 to read with and I find the lower contrast just so frustrating after the brighter 505. But I didn't think it was so awful until after I'd used the 505.

Also, since I hoard books and have more than 600 on my SD card, I strongly prefer the somewhat improved Contents listing on the 505. That wouldn't be as big a problem to get used to, though, if I had to go backwards. I don't like either one all that much, so it's just a case of being less annoyed.

The new firmware on the 505 is nice for reading ePub, if you're willing to put up with Adobe's DRM scheme. Since I don't like Adobe's Privacy policy, I choose not to use it. And I haven't experimented much with making non-DRM'd ePubs yet, to know whether I'd prefer them to LRFs. So far, the benefits of the ePub seem to be tied to the ability to write HTML/XML code. And the last time I coded HTML seriously, it was version 3.2. I'm more than a bit out of date and haven't been willing to take the time to learn the newer techniques.

So, I guess my point would be - if your SIL didn't get too used to the 505, she'd probably be fine with a 500.

HarryT · 10-20-2008, 03:06 AM

The main difference between the 500 and the 505 is the screen. The 500's "first generation" eInk screen doesn't have nearly as much contrast as the 505's 2nd gen "VizPlex" screen, and is more suseptible to "ghosting". I think that anyone who's used the 505 would be very disappointed by the screen quality of the 500.

BlackVoid · 10-20-2008, 04:38 AM

After I bought my 505, initially I wanted to keep the 500 I had.

When I saw the contrast levels of the 505 compared to the 500, I changed my mind and sold the PRS-500. The PRS-505 has MUCH BETTER contrast than the 500.

Get a used 505 if you can.

bbusybookworm · 10-20-2008, 05:45 AM

I'll go with the suggestions of getting a 505.

The contrast difference between the two generations of screens is huge, and once you've used the new one, the old one is no where as enjoyable.

You've mentioned that she borrowed it for a week, so she's probably gotten quiet used to the better screen, so 500 would really look dull.

Also, the 505 has the new firmware, and will keep on being updated by Sony, unlike the 500 so it may be worth it spending a little bit more now for a longer product lifespan.

Keep an eye out for deals, as the 505 has gone on sale a few times for as low as $220 so you may not have to spend as much as you think, especially with the Holiday season just around the corner.

Eg. Dell's already got it for $260, so shop around

astra · 10-20-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The main difference between the 500 and the 505 is the screen. The 500's "first generation" eInk screen doesn't have nearly as much contrast as the 505's 2nd gen "VizPlex" screen, and is more suseptible to "ghosting". I think that anyone who's used the 505 would be very disappointed by the screen quality of the 500.

I am second to every word Harry_T said.

My approach: $200 or $300 is a lot of money. It is not 10 or 20 $. So here is a question: What is better to spend $200 and realise that you have got rubbish or pay $300 and be happy with it?

Considering your relative has had experience with a new reader's screen - 505, please, don't torment her with 500 and go for 505. She will notice the difference immediately. The difference - IMHO - is HUGE. 505 has zero ghosting and has much better contrast. I used 500 for 1 year without any problems but after I bought 505 I realised the difference.
I have both 500 and 505 at home. My wife is reading books on 500 once in a blue moon. I would not want to go back to 500. Another pro for 505 is it is a lot better with artificial light. In our office at home, we don't have very strong lights and I could not read on 500, although I can read on 505.

Good luck and choose a nice gift for your sister-in-law on Hanukkah

She is going to remember it for quite a while

DrMoze · 10-20-2008, 07:20 PM

Although the 500 (with lower contrast) is entirely serviceable, one other reason in favor of the 505, which allows ePub for borrowing electronic library books. I don't have any issues with Adobe's privacy policies, because their sw allows me to borrow current books free!

astra · 10-21-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

Good luck and choose a nice gift for your sister-in-law on Hanukkah

She is going to remember it for quite a while

And do not forget to include a couple of sufganiots(1)

(1) sufganiya - is a sort of a doughout that jews eat on Hanukkah (I have no idea whether I spelled it correctly in English)

KDawg · 10-22-2008, 04:25 PM

I'll vote for a huge difference. When I bought my 500 I thought the screen was amazing. I gave my wife my 500 when I bought my 505 (one of the few "reverse hand-me-downs" in our marriage). Now when I look at her 500 it looks like wet newsprint.

revfish · 10-22-2008, 09:44 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. I knew I could count on my MR peers.

Sadly, the cash I had set aside for the Reader wound up having to go to bills so I am saving yet again. Maybe by the time I find one, I will have it laying around going "Spend me!" and this time it will be on something good.

pilotbob · 10-22-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revfish

Thanks for all the feedback. I knew I could count on my MR peers.

Sadly, the cash I had set aside for the Reader wound up having to go to bills so I am saving yet again. Maybe by the time I find one, I will have it laying around going "Spend me!" and this time it will be on something good.

I heard the US govt is giving away 700 billion... maybe you could get some of that?

BOb

ProDigit · 10-23-2008, 12:20 AM

lol!
Then again, she's 16!
Is she impulsive?
(meaning you think she's serious about reading for a long part of her life? Or is she more the type that likes the gadget, and in 1-2 months will probably have it laying around?

If money counts, get a 500.
If she's still using it in a couple of months, you might think of upgrading to something better!
It does the job really well, despite not being the latest technology anymore!

I wonder if the 500 differs that much from the hanlin.

500 goes for less than 175 on ebay!

10-19-2008, 03:21 PM	#1
revfish The Pastor of Disaster Posts: 202 Karma: 994 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650, Apple iPad 3 64GB Wifi	Going backward to 500? My 16 y/o sister-in-law who lives with us wants a Reader of her own. She 'borrowed' my wife's Reader for over a week before my wife demanded it back. She just asked to borrow it again and was told no. We had planned on getting her one for Hanukkah this year but I don't know if we can justify the $300 for a new PRS-505. I was looking on eBay at the auctions for the PRS-500s which are a good bit cheaper (but not a lot). I was wondering if it would be a big difference for her to get used to from using a 505 to using a 500. BTW, I do want stick with Sony since I have all of our books on my copy of Calibre. Advice? Anybody want to part with a working 500 for cheap? LOL

10-19-2008, 04:30 PM	#5
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	IMO, it really depends on how much time your sister-in-law spent on the 505. I have both a 500 and a 505. Every now and again, I forget to charge the 505 and tried to use the 500 to read with and I find the lower contrast just so frustrating after the brighter 505. But I didn't think it was so awful until after I'd used the 505. Also, since I hoard books and have more than 600 on my SD card, I strongly prefer the somewhat improved Contents listing on the 505. That wouldn't be as big a problem to get used to, though, if I had to go backwards. I don't like either one all that much, so it's just a case of being less annoyed. The new firmware on the 505 is nice for reading ePub, if you're willing to put up with Adobe's DRM scheme. Since I don't like Adobe's Privacy policy, I choose not to use it. And I haven't experimented much with making non-DRM'd ePubs yet, to know whether I'd prefer them to LRFs. So far, the benefits of the ePub seem to be tied to the ability to write HTML/XML code. And the last time I coded HTML seriously, it was version 3.2. I'm more than a bit out of date and haven't been willing to take the time to learn the newer techniques. So, I guess my point would be - if your SIL didn't get too used to the 505, she'd probably be fine with a 500. Last edited by FizzyWater; 10-19-2008 at 06:17 PM.

10-20-2008, 05:45 AM	#8
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	I'll go with the suggestions of getting a 505. The contrast difference between the two generations of screens is huge, and once you've used the new one, the old one is no where as enjoyable. You've mentioned that she borrowed it for a week, so she's probably gotten quiet used to the better screen, so 500 would really look dull. Also, the 505 has the new firmware, and will keep on being updated by Sony, unlike the 500 so it may be worth it spending a little bit more now for a longer product lifespan. Keep an eye out for deals, as the 505 has gone on sale a few times for as low as $220 so you may not have to spend as much as you think, especially with the Holiday season just around the corner. Eg. Dell's already got it for $260, so shop around Last edited by bbusybookworm; 10-20-2008 at 05:48 AM.

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10-19-2008, 03:36 PM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Get the 505. The new firmware doesn't run on the 500. And, although Sony just introduced the 700, they are continuing to sell the 505.

10-19-2008, 03:51 PM	#3
Roy White Evangelist Posts: 482 Karma: 7696 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Turner, Oregon Device: Sony Reader	I have the 500. It works great. Not as many bells or whistles but since I'm not driving a streetcar (Only doing one thing, reading...) It fulfills its purpose perfectly....

10-20-2008, 03:06 AM	#6
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 main difference between the 500 and the 505 is the screen. The 500's "first generation" eInk screen doesn't have nearly as much contrast as the 505's 2nd gen "VizPlex" screen, and is more suseptible to "ghosting". I think that anyone who's used the 505 would be very disappointed by the screen quality of the 500.

10-20-2008, 04:38 AM	#7
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	After I bought my 505, initially I wanted to keep the 500 I had. When I saw the contrast levels of the 505 compared to the 500, I changed my mind and sold the PRS-500. The PRS-505 has MUCH BETTER contrast than the 500. Get a used 505 if you can.

10-20-2008, 07:20 PM	#10
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 858 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	Although the 500 (with lower contrast) is entirely serviceable, one other reason in favor of the 505, which allows ePub for borrowing electronic library books. I don't have any issues with Adobe's privacy policies, because their sw allows me to borrow current books free!

10-22-2008, 04:25 PM	#12
KDawg Junior Senior Posts: 94 Karma: 81 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: nookColor, nook, PRS-900, PRS-505, PRS-500, Kindle PW, Kindle Oasis	I'll vote for a huge difference. When I bought my 500 I thought the screen was amazing. I gave my wife my 500 when I bought my 505 (one of the few "reverse hand-me-downs" in our marriage). Now when I look at her 500 it looks like wet newsprint.

10-22-2008, 09:44 PM	#13
revfish The Pastor of Disaster Posts: 202 Karma: 994 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650, Apple iPad 3 64GB Wifi	Thanks for all the feedback. I knew I could count on my MR peers. Sadly, the cash I had set aside for the Reader wound up having to go to bills so I am saving yet again. Maybe by the time I find one, I will have it laying around going "Spend me!" and this time it will be on something good.

10-23-2008, 12:20 AM	#15
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	lol! Then again, she's 16! Is she impulsive? (meaning you think she's serious about reading for a long part of her life? Or is she more the type that likes the gadget, and in 1-2 months will probably have it laying around? If money counts, get a 500. If she's still using it in a couple of months, you might think of upgrading to something better! It does the job really well, despite not being the latest technology anymore! I wonder if the 500 differs that much from the hanlin. 500 goes for less than 175 on ebay!

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