Please help me decide!

CanadianContent · 10-09-2008, 12:45 PM

I converted my daughter to ebooks and now I have been persuaded to buy her a reader for Christmas. I happily read on a UMPC, but she needs something with better battery life. I had almost decided that the Hanlin V3 might be the best option, as I have a lot of ebooks, mostly .lit, but also txt, mobi, pdf that she would also enjoy, and looking at the wiki, the V3 seems to offer most formats. However I think some of the features (especially the light) on the new PRS700 would be very useful.
I ought to say that we are in Canada, so the Kindle is not an option for her. I have read so much on this site, but I think I must be easily swayed as I just cannot decide which would suit her best. If I decided to order the new Sony, is there a (simple!) batch converter from .lit to a format usuable on the reader? I realize that the 700 is not 'in hand' yet, but formats and features will be the same or improved from the 505.
I wonder if I should just order the V3 and a booklight or are there real advantages to the Sony compared to the V3? For example, I have read that some readers feel flimsy compared the Sony. I have also been following the Astak development, but ruled it out as I am still not sure of its availability this year. I would be grateful to be pulled in one direction and the decision made for me!

pilotbob · 10-09-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianContent

I had almost decided that the Hanlin V3 might be the best option, as I have a lot of ebooks, mostly .lit, but also txt, mobi, pdf that she would also enjoy, and looking at the wiki, the V3 seems to offer most formats. However I think some of the features (especially the light) on the new PRS700 would be very useful.

Personally if I were not in the US I would get a Sony 505. If you think the 700 is worth the extra $100 then go for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianContent

If I decided to order the new Sony, is there a (simple!) batch converter from .lit to a format usuable on the reader?

Sure... calibre will do this. Just drop all your lit books into it... select them all and press the convert button.

BOb

wallcraft · 10-09-2008, 01:03 PM

Calibre (which has its own forum) will convert just about any DRM-free ebook to LRF or ePub for the PRS-700. Also, it is easy to strip the DRM from LIT and MOBI (and eReader) if necessary.

The only major downside to the PRS-700 is its lack of dictionary support.

If you want a MOBI reader, then I suggest the Bookeen Gen3, rather than Hanlin, because it has dictionary support and a better text display engine. Note that LIT is very easy to convert to MOBI using Windows MobiPocket Reader (or Creator), or the command-line mobigen for batch conversion.

JSWolf · 10-09-2008, 01:08 PM

The 700 is a very nice reader and is going to be available in Canada in November. Also, if you can remove the DRM from LIT and Mobi, then Calibre will convert them very easily.

DDHarriman · 10-09-2008, 01:09 PM

Hi.

It’s not sturdy - hell it’s the thinnest and lightest eBook reader on the market -, and does not read .lit files (those are easily converted, as you can read here in the forum), but the Cybook does one thing any of the other does, it lets one “bold” the text of a eBook, and that makes miracles into reading at night or in small lighted environments.
Also it lets one choose (and import) 12 different font sizes.

Good shopping,

CanadianContent · 10-10-2008, 02:21 PM

Thanks for all the information on conversion using Calibre - it sounds easy enough, I will try it.
DD - the Cybook "bold" feature sounds as though it could be useful, I'd not read about that. I am still concerned about the "flimsy" feel of the V3. I am edging towards the Sony and figure I may as well go for the 700 version, especially as Sony are releasing it in Canada.
At one time I thought about buying myself a Kindle, but it bugged me so much that Amazon were almost making me into a criminal to do it that I've never bought anything from them since. I think I want to support Sony for including Canadians in North America!

CanadianContent · 10-10-2008, 02:21 PM

Double post

HarryT · 10-11-2008, 05:28 AM

I think the Gen3 has many advantages over the Sony, eg:

- Dictionary lookup.
- Much easier to buy books world-wide since it supports MobiPocket.
- You can install any TrueType or OpenType font onto the machine, and view any book in any font in any of 12 sizes.
- Proper support for bold/italic fonts (they are synthesised on the Sony).
- User replaceable battery.
- World-wide warranty.

Get a case for the machine and the perceived "flimsiness" is not an issue. I'd recommend the Gen3 thoroughly.

CanadianContent · 10-11-2008, 09:14 AM

Hi Harry,
I`ve read many posts regarding the importance of dictionary lookup. I had not considered that to be one of the important things on my wish list. How often do you make use of it? I have wondered why so many consider this one of their essentials. I rarely feel the need to pick up a dictionary when reading p-books, but I am open to persuasion.

HarryT · 10-11-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianContent

Hi Harry,
I`ve read many posts regarding the importance of dictionary lookup. I had not considered that to be one of the important things on my wish list. How often do you make use of it? I have wondered why so many consider this one of their essentials. I rarely feel the need to pick up a dictionary when reading p-books, but I am open to persuasion.

I use it virtually every reading session, simply because it's so convenient to do so. I read a lot of 19th and early 20th century books, and there are many words which have fallen out of use. If I were reading a paper book, I'd just guess their meaning from context and move on, but being able to look up the meaning so easily in an eBook does, I find, enrich the reading experience considerably.

10-09-2008, 12:45 PM	#1
CanadianContent Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Please help me decide! I converted my daughter to ebooks and now I have been persuaded to buy her a reader for Christmas. I happily read on a UMPC, but she needs something with better battery life. I had almost decided that the Hanlin V3 might be the best option, as I have a lot of ebooks, mostly .lit, but also txt, mobi, pdf that she would also enjoy, and looking at the wiki, the V3 seems to offer most formats. However I think some of the features (especially the light) on the new PRS700 would be very useful. I ought to say that we are in Canada, so the Kindle is not an option for her. I have read so much on this site, but I think I must be easily swayed as I just cannot decide which would suit her best. If I decided to order the new Sony, is there a (simple!) batch converter from .lit to a format usuable on the reader? I realize that the 700 is not 'in hand' yet, but formats and features will be the same or improved from the 505. I wonder if I should just order the V3 and a booklight or are there real advantages to the Sony compared to the V3? For example, I have read that some readers feel flimsy compared the Sony. I have also been following the Astak development, but ruled it out as I am still not sure of its availability this year. I would be grateful to be pulled in one direction and the decision made for me!

10-10-2008, 02:21 PM	#7
CanadianContent Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Double post Last edited by CanadianContent; 10-11-2008 at 09:01 AM. Reason: Double post

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I still can't decide!	simplyparticular	Which one should I buy?	8	07-13-2010 04:52 PM
cant decide	martinmach	Which one should I buy?	3	12-22-2009 05:55 PM
Can't decide...	Asphodel	Which one should I buy?	23	07-02-2009 09:15 PM
How to decide	KimE1023	Amazon Kindle	29	03-02-2009 06:05 PM
Cannot decide, please help...	kressg23	Which one should I buy?	28	01-14-2009 01:34 PM

10-09-2008, 01:03 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Calibre (which has its own forum) will convert just about any DRM-free ebook to LRF or ePub for the PRS-700. Also, it is easy to strip the DRM from LIT and MOBI (and eReader) if necessary. The only major downside to the PRS-700 is its lack of dictionary support. If you want a MOBI reader, then I suggest the Bookeen Gen3, rather than Hanlin, because it has dictionary support and a better text display engine. Note that LIT is very easy to convert to MOBI using Windows MobiPocket Reader (or Creator), or the command-line mobigen for batch conversion.

10-09-2008, 01:08 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The 700 is a very nice reader and is going to be available in Canada in November. Also, if you can remove the DRM from LIT and Mobi, then Calibre will convert them very easily.

10-09-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hi. It’s not sturdy - hell it’s the thinnest and lightest eBook reader on the market -, and does not read .lit files (those are easily converted, as you can read here in the forum), but the Cybook does one thing any of the other does, it lets one “bold” the text of a eBook, and that makes miracles into reading at night or in small lighted environments. Also it lets one choose (and import) 12 different font sizes. Good shopping,

10-11-2008, 05:28 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think the Gen3 has many advantages over the Sony, eg: - Dictionary lookup. - Much easier to buy books world-wide since it supports MobiPocket. - You can install any TrueType or OpenType font onto the machine, and view any book in any font in any of 12 sizes. - Proper support for bold/italic fonts (they are synthesised on the Sony). - User replaceable battery. - World-wide warranty. Get a case for the machine and the perceived "flimsiness" is not an issue. I'd recommend the Gen3 thoroughly.

10-11-2008, 09:14 AM	#9
CanadianContent Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Hi Harry, I`ve read many posts regarding the importance of dictionary lookup. I had not considered that to be one of the important things on my wish list. How often do you make use of it? I have wondered why so many consider this one of their essentials. I rarely feel the need to pick up a dictionary when reading p-books, but I am open to persuasion.

Advert

Advert