Sony PRS-505 w/Light Wedge or PRS-700?

All4Fun · 04-16-2009, 12:48 PM

So I purchased the PRS-700 last weekend. Brought it back and got the PRS-505 because of the increased contrast of the screen. Then, I purchased the Sony Light Wedge for the PRS-505 yesterday and it made the PRS-505 heavier and viewing through the Light Wedge reminded me of looking at the PRS-700.

Now, I don't have the PRS-700 to compare with anymore but wanted to get folk's impressions and experiences with the PRS-505 w/ Light Wedge and the PRS-700.

Truthfully, I'm now considering returning the PRS-505/Light Wedge combination for the all-in-one PRS-700.

Any opinions?

kelly1010 · 04-16-2009, 01:01 PM

Hmmm well I haven't seen a PRS-700 so I don't think I can give you a FAIR comparison, but I have the prs-505/lightwedge combination and it's working great for me so far. I think the prs-700 is backlit...I don't think I'd want that kind of light on mine. I use the lightwedge all the time, even in the day time. It's nice to have that extra bit of light.

Good luck!

All4Fun · 04-16-2009, 01:09 PM

Thanks Kelly for your reply. The PRS-700 is not backlit. the light is designed with the same concept as the light wedge where it's lit around the square of the PRS-700 screen making the edges brighter than the center of the e-ink screen.

To me, the lighting on the light wedge is very similar to how the lighting on the PRS-700 is designed. My opinion is that the light wedge has taken away "something" from the viewing experience of the PRS-505 screen and kind of reminded me of my viewing experience on the PRS-700.

What's difficult for me to discern is whether the PRS-505/light wedge combination is better/worse than the viewing experience on the PRS-700.

Donnageddon · 04-16-2009, 01:17 PM

AllFun, I had (and still have) a 505 + lightwedge, and a PRS 700.

I really liked the 505 + lightwedge, but as you stated above, the combo was heavy and it had a tendency to fly away from the screen when held at certain angles. That was my reasoning for getting the 700.

I LOVE my 700! The 505 + lightwedge gave a better, fuller light coverage than the 700, but I find that after the eyes adjust for a few moments the sidelighting of the 700 is very good for reading in subdued lighting and even in complete darkness. I also do not find the decreased contrast of the 700 or the "glare" issue to be a problem for me.

Also the 700 is so much lighter and compact than the 505 + lightwedge combo.

Your mileage may vary, but for me it has been a no-brainer. The 700 is a great solution for me.

For now...

MickeyC · 04-16-2009, 01:19 PM

When I need the light (which isn't often) I just use a clip on light ($10 from some on line store) and that works great. I think the 505 better screen contrast is more important.

Donnageddon · 04-16-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

When I need the light (which isn't often) I just use a clip on light ($10 from some on line store) and that works great. I think the 505 better screen contrast is more important.

That's a good point cassidym. I normally read in subdued lighting or darkness, so for my reading habits, the 700 just makes more sense.

All4Fun · 04-16-2009, 01:39 PM

Boy, you folks don't help make the decision any easier. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

kelly1010 · 04-16-2009, 01:42 PM

yeah since having the lightwedge, I've been wondering why they couldn't just add that onto a prs-505, because it really is better than a backlight. All this time I thought the prs-700 had a backlight, which is why I didn't consider that one. I'm still not sorry I got the prs-505. I am curious to see the contrast on the prs-700 now. I do agree the lightwedge changes the contrast, but I leave the lightwedge on top of the screen even when the light is off and read, and I can still see everything fine.

Elsi · 04-16-2009, 01:49 PM

I have the Sony lightwedge cover for my PRS-505 and am enjoying having it. The majority of my reading is without the light, so I will often detach it from the cover, which makes the whole thing much lighter. By putting the lightwedge unit into a small flannel bag, I can protect it from scratches while it is not connected to the cover. When I need to read in low-lit areas, I just snap the lightwedge back into the cover and keep going.

dordale · 04-16-2009, 04:44 PM

I have a 505 with the lightwedge and my husband has a 700. I'm very happy with my 505/lightwedge combo--and prefer reading on it to my husband's 700.

Most of my reading is done in well lighted situations, and I simply flip the lightwedge to the left--holding the reader case like a hardback book. I actually like the added weight of the light wedge--makes the reader a little more substantial. When I'm using the light, I bend the cover all the way around so that the two sides are next to each other.

One other benefit I find is that the batteries in my reader last a lot longer than my husband's. I use rechargeable batteries in the light wedge and am able to go quite a while without recharging them.

Now, on the other hand, my husband is perfectly happy with his 700 and wouldn't trade with me. (He reads a lot more technical books and makes good use of the search and zoom features.)

Good luck with your decision!

dordale

Andybaby · 04-16-2009, 09:24 PM

i got the 700, clarity isnt a problem for me.
the bulk of the light wedge is kinda silly to me.

all in all, if you dont like your purchase, go with a kindle this time w/ a medge light cover

GraceKrispy · 04-17-2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

When I need the light (which isn't often) I just use a clip on light ($10 from some on line store) and that works great. I think the 505 better screen contrast is more important.

That's what I do as well. I read in bed with a book light, and elsewhere I'm out and about in light, so I don't use anything.

04-16-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
All4Fun Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 937 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad, Blackberry Bold	Sony PRS-505 w/Light Wedge or PRS-700? So I purchased the PRS-700 last weekend. Brought it back and got the PRS-505 because of the increased contrast of the screen. Then, I purchased the Sony Light Wedge for the PRS-505 yesterday and it made the PRS-505 heavier and viewing through the Light Wedge reminded me of looking at the PRS-700. Now, I don't have the PRS-700 to compare with anymore but wanted to get folk's impressions and experiences with the PRS-505 w/ Light Wedge and the PRS-700. Truthfully, I'm now considering returning the PRS-505/Light Wedge combination for the all-in-one PRS-700. Any opinions?

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04-16-2009, 01:01 PM	#2
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	Hmmm well I haven't seen a PRS-700 so I don't think I can give you a FAIR comparison, but I have the prs-505/lightwedge combination and it's working great for me so far. I think the prs-700 is backlit...I don't think I'd want that kind of light on mine. I use the lightwedge all the time, even in the day time. It's nice to have that extra bit of light. Good luck!

04-16-2009, 01:09 PM	#3
All4Fun Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 937 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad, Blackberry Bold	Thanks Kelly for your reply. The PRS-700 is not backlit. the light is designed with the same concept as the light wedge where it's lit around the square of the PRS-700 screen making the edges brighter than the center of the e-ink screen. To me, the lighting on the light wedge is very similar to how the lighting on the PRS-700 is designed. My opinion is that the light wedge has taken away "something" from the viewing experience of the PRS-505 screen and kind of reminded me of my viewing experience on the PRS-700. What's difficult for me to discern is whether the PRS-505/light wedge combination is better/worse than the viewing experience on the PRS-700.

04-16-2009, 01:17 PM	#4
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	AllFun, I had (and still have) a 505 + lightwedge, and a PRS 700. I really liked the 505 + lightwedge, but as you stated above, the combo was heavy and it had a tendency to fly away from the screen when held at certain angles. That was my reasoning for getting the 700. I LOVE my 700! The 505 + lightwedge gave a better, fuller light coverage than the 700, but I find that after the eyes adjust for a few moments the sidelighting of the 700 is very good for reading in subdued lighting and even in complete darkness. I also do not find the decreased contrast of the 700 or the "glare" issue to be a problem for me. Also the 700 is so much lighter and compact than the 505 + lightwedge combo. Your mileage may vary, but for me it has been a no-brainer. The 700 is a great solution for me. For now...

04-16-2009, 01:19 PM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	When I need the light (which isn't often) I just use a clip on light ($10 from some on line store) and that works great. I think the 505 better screen contrast is more important.

04-16-2009, 01:39 PM	#7
All4Fun Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 937 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad, Blackberry Bold	Boy, you folks don't help make the decision any easier. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

04-16-2009, 01:42 PM	#8
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	yeah since having the lightwedge, I've been wondering why they couldn't just add that onto a prs-505, because it really is better than a backlight. All this time I thought the prs-700 had a backlight, which is why I didn't consider that one. I'm still not sorry I got the prs-505. I am curious to see the contrast on the prs-700 now. I do agree the lightwedge changes the contrast, but I leave the lightwedge on top of the screen even when the light is off and read, and I can still see everything fine.

04-16-2009, 01:49 PM	#9
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I have the Sony lightwedge cover for my PRS-505 and am enjoying having it. The majority of my reading is without the light, so I will often detach it from the cover, which makes the whole thing much lighter. By putting the lightwedge unit into a small flannel bag, I can protect it from scratches while it is not connected to the cover. When I need to read in low-lit areas, I just snap the lightwedge back into the cover and keep going.

04-16-2009, 04:44 PM	#10
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	I have a 505 with the lightwedge and my husband has a 700. I'm very happy with my 505/lightwedge combo--and prefer reading on it to my husband's 700. Most of my reading is done in well lighted situations, and I simply flip the lightwedge to the left--holding the reader case like a hardback book. I actually like the added weight of the light wedge--makes the reader a little more substantial. When I'm using the light, I bend the cover all the way around so that the two sides are next to each other. One other benefit I find is that the batteries in my reader last a lot longer than my husband's. I use rechargeable batteries in the light wedge and am able to go quite a while without recharging them. Now, on the other hand, my husband is perfectly happy with his 700 and wouldn't trade with me. (He reads a lot more technical books and makes good use of the search and zoom features.) Good luck with your decision! dordale

04-16-2009, 09:24 PM	#11
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	i got the 700, clarity isnt a problem for me. the bulk of the light wedge is kinda silly to me. all in all, if you dont like your purchase, go with a kindle this time w/ a medge light cover

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