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Old 03-16-2009, 02:59 PM   #1
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The indecision continues... (made decision now)

Before stumbling on this forum, I thought I knew which ebook device I would buy. Then I gained more knowledge from the community here and now I'm undecided. Sometmes I wonder if "ignorance is bliss".

Armed with more knowledge, my choices are limited to the Sony PRS-700, Sony PRS-505, and the Cybook Gen3 device. As a Canadian resident, the Kindle is not a viable choice.
  • My desire is the ability to perform a dictionary search while reading a book: +1 for Cybook. "Maybe" dictionary support in the PRS-700 by way of firmware update although nothing confirmed.
  • Cost: Sony PRS-505 is the cheapest of the 3 and I already consider ebook readers on the expensive side. $200 CAD for an ebook reader would have been my "sweet" spot but that doesn't seem like that's going to happen for a little while still. No winner here.
  • Format support (All of my ebooks are in mobi, ereader, or PDF format): Cybook for the mobi support. Other formats can be converted to the appropriate format by Calibre I suppose. I don't think this is a "real" issue for selecting a device.
  • Supports epub: Sony devices today...talk of Cybook in next firmware although not confirmed.
  • Viewing quality: PRS505 or Cybook (some complain about the PRS-700 contrast vs. the PRS-505 and it's more expensive)
  • Backlight: Sony PRS-700
  • Availability: The Sony devices are readily available locally from the Sony stores. The Cybook device is only available online and is currently on backorder (Cybook bundle). How will Books on Board (BoB) handle a repair issue with the Cybook with only online contact? BoB is out of the U.S. (I'm in Canada) but don't list a phone number. I don't know.

My gut tells me that the Cybook is the right device for my requirements but I'm holding out for epub support and maybe HTML hyperlink capability. It does make me a little uncomfortable that I can only get this device from BoB and it's on backorder (and more expensive than the PRS-505). I've seen the Sony devices and they appear to be well engineered. If only they had dictionary support, I'd be all over the Sony devices.

What also has me in a kerfuffle is that I carry a Blackberry Bold smartphone that already has Mobipocket and eReader support. It also has dictionary support (for mobi books) and backlight support and is always with me. With the exception of the screen size and frequent page flips, I have the ability to read all of my ebooks with no issue. So, I'm now questioning whether I should spend upwards of $300 at all for a dedicated ebook device although it would be an improved reading experience I suspect.

The indecision continues...

Last edited by All4Fun; 04-13-2009 at 01:48 PM.
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:29 PM   #2
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Have you looked at the BeBook?
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:37 PM   #3
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:38 PM   #4
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Have you looked at the BeBook?
I don't know anything about the BeBook but will find out more about it. I don't see any mention of it in the wiki nor a dedicated sub-forum for it.

I'm sure you've just helped muddy the waters though.
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:42 PM   #5
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I don't know anything about the BeBook but will find out more about it. I don't see any mention of it in the wiki nor a dedicated sub-forum for it.
The BeBook is a Hanlin V3. You could also buy the EZ Reader, another Hanlin V3 from the US.
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Old 03-16-2009, 03:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by All4Fun View Post
I don't know anything about the BeBook but will find out more about it. I don't see any mention of it in the wiki nor a dedicated sub-forum for it.

I'm sure you've just helped muddy the waters though.
It's a Hanlin v3, http://mybebook.com/ I just thought it worth mentioning.
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Old 03-16-2009, 04:18 PM   #7
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If dictionary support is important, the Cybook is probably what you need. If I were you, and it is possible for you, I'd hold off the next weeks until we know more about a possible Cybook update.

The Cybook support for prc/mobi is great. I used ot have a Cybook, and with the then current firmware (summer 2008 - which I also think is the current) it tended to crash regularly when displaying PDFs.
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Old 03-16-2009, 04:44 PM   #8
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If you want to take a look at the Cybook Gen3 I could probably arrange to show you mine if that would help?

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Old 03-16-2009, 05:05 PM   #9
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Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I really do appreciate it.

I read a little about the BeBook/Hanlin V3/EZ Reader but haven't been able to read anything about its dictionary support. I understand that a BeBook2 is coming out in the latter part of 2009 which looks promising.

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If you want to take a look at the Cybook Gen3 I could probably arrange to show you mine if that would help?

Mel
Mel, I really do appreciate the offer. I'm actually up in Brampton so it may be an effort to get out to you depending on where you are in Toronto.

Considering that you are in my local area, how was your overall experience with your order of the Cybook from BoB? Are you happy with the device?
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Old 03-17-2009, 09:56 AM   #10
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I'm right downtown and don't get out to Brampton much. My experience has been good but I ordered the Cybook directly from Bookeen prior to it being carried in North American online stores. So I can't give you any feedback on customer service there either.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

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Old 04-13-2009, 01:50 PM   #11
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I ended up buying the PRS-505 (after exchanging the PRS-700). I like the design and I don't mind format shifting ebooks to epub or lrf to work on the reader. I don't get a dictionary like the Cybook but I'll make do.

Thanks to everyone for offering their insight and opinions.
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Old 04-13-2009, 02:00 PM   #12
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Old 04-13-2009, 04:59 PM   #13
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Old 05-02-2009, 05:04 PM   #14
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Kelly i'm stuck up in the same dilemna as u were in sometime back.. Even i'm planning to go for the Sony 505. I have many Mobipocket books and PDFs, is conversion a problem in that case?
Let me also know about ur satisfaction with the Sony. Thanx, enjoy.
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Old 05-02-2009, 05:48 PM   #15
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Kelly i'm stuck up in the same dilemna as u were in sometime back.. Even i'm planning to go for the Sony 505. I have many Mobipocket books and PDFs, is conversion a problem in that case?
Let me also know about ur satisfaction with the Sony. Thanx, enjoy.
You can convert DRM-free Mobipocket books to either .lrf or .epub format using Calibre. Everything you want to know about Calibre, including where to download it, can be found here in the MobileRead forums --> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=166

Sony 505 reads PDF files. And, if the PDF were created specifically for the small screen, they look spectacular on the Sony. If, however, the PDF were created to be printed on A4 paper (or 8.5x11 inch paper as in the USA), then it's likely to be difficult to read on the Sony -- depending on the original font size and margins.
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