The Sony PRS-505 does look awfully tempting...

snowcandy · 11-06-2009, 11:28 AM

Hi guys, I'm new around here so don't mind me if I sound silly. (: I have a little Astak Pocket Pro which I love to bits, but being a 5" screen is somewhat small in my opinion - especially since I tend to use my eReader more when I'm at home.

So I was wondering what are your opinions on the Sony PRS-505? Would it be similar to the Pocket Pro in terms of readability, just in a larger form? Also, what would be the best format to use on a 505 as my books are mostly in ePub formats.

Of course I do welcome other suggestions, my requirements for a eBook reader would be:
- 6"
- Displays ePub and PDF well
- Prefers small fonts (more words on a page as I like my reader to resemble a book as close as possible)
- Decent price
- Non touchscreen

Oh and since I'm residing in Australia, availability of the reader is an important deciding factor. I wouldn't want to fall in love with a reader only to find out that it's available only in the US. (:

Cheers.

HarryT · 11-06-2009, 12:33 PM

If your books are mainly in ePub format, I really would not buy a Sony. Its ADE implementation is old and limited in functionality.

You might wish to consider the Hanlin V3, aka "BeBook", aka lots of other things, including one sold in Australia whose name escapes me: "ECO Reader" - something like that, anyway?

It's basically a large-screen version of your Astak, and will support all the same formats that it does.

DrMoze · 11-06-2009, 12:35 PM

The 505 works fine for basic reading of ePubs. It is also a very well-built device. It does not do full justification, but if that doesn't bother you, it should be fine for reading ePub files.

superstitious · 11-09-2009, 04:00 PM

I had both for a while. I am only reading mainly novels and am satisfy with ePub on both devices. In the end, I decided to keep the 505 mainly because of the screen size and the sony ebookstore. Im not sure if 505 can display more text per page or not but I find myself not hitting the page turning button as much as I did with the Pocket Pro. Another thing I like about the 505 is the page number and battery bar at the bottom of the page. However, I hate the sony interface and miss having the folder support on Astak. Unfortunately, I cant afford both so I made my decision to keep the 505. Good luck making your decision.

JSWolf · 11-09-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrMoze

The 505 works fine for basic reading of ePubs. It is also a very well-built device. It does not do full justification, but if that doesn't bother you, it should be fine for reading ePub files.

Plus, Sony's ePub implementation is one of the more stable ones for eink devices. Sure, the Opus will do full justification, but it locks up. Sure the BeBook does full justification, but it has no history. See, there is no perfect ADE. I'd rather have a stable ADE that does not do full justification then one that has other issues.

benham · 11-09-2009, 07:37 PM

Hey Harry, now that I figured how to do it ADE isn't really needed for epubs.

Or am I missing something? I am curious why the no touchscreen? I bought my wife a Sony 600 for Christmas and think it is really cool!

coredump · 11-10-2009, 11:40 AM

I am kinda in the same boat than the original poster. I am almost deciding for a 505 for christmas.
Kindle is now open for international orders but while I really like the Amazon catalog, I hear that the PDF on kindle is not good, and I would prefer to transfer stuff via USB.

Maggie May · 11-11-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If your books are mainly in ePub format, I really would not buy a Sony. Its ADE implementation is old and limited in functionality.

You might wish to consider the Hanlin V3, aka "BeBook", aka lots of other things, including one sold in Australia whose name escapes me: "ECO Reader" - something like that, anyway?

It's basically a large-screen version of your Astak, and will support all the same formats that it does.

Harry,
I am really confused now. My brother bought a Sony PRS505 a couple of weeks ago. He has Sony Library installed and Adobe Digital Editions also. I advised him to purchase books in ePub format. Did I give him incorrect advice?.

Slan
Mag.

benham · 11-11-2009, 10:48 AM

Boy I hope not, that's how mine is set up!

I haven't had any problems transferring epubs to the 505. Just guessing that you need the ADE software even if you use the Sony library to transfer?

neilmarr · 11-11-2009, 11:31 AM

From what I've seen and from what I've read here, Snowcandy, I feel confident in recommending the PRS-505. My only early hiccup was fixed by getting myself a wall charger (essential!). Since then it's been a grand little work horse. Everything I'd hoped for since the idea of an ebook-dedicated reading device popped into my head fifteen years ago. I'd also recommend a swish easy i flip-top cover ... the 505 deserves that. Good luck. Neil

coredump · 11-11-2009, 12:35 PM

Hmm. Are there good libraries with ebook formats? Like, Fictionwise is MOBI only afaik...

I keep reading that the 505 is nice but is the lack of MOBI hurt me anytime?

HarryT · 11-11-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benham

Hey Harry, now that I figured how to do it ADE isn't really needed for epubs.

ADE is "Adobe Digital Editions". It is the software that's installed on the Sony Reader which allows it to read ePub and PDF-format books. Do not confuse it with the desktop ADE software which is what you use to buy DRM-protected ePub/PDF books.

HarryT · 11-11-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie May

Harry,
I am really confused now. My brother bought a Sony PRS505 a couple of weeks ago. He has Sony Library installed and Adobe Digital Editions also. I advised him to purchase books in ePub format. Did I give him incorrect advice?.

Slan
Mag.

No; you gave him the correct advice; you should be buying ePub books for the Sony Reader. The point that I was making is that, unfortunately, the way the Sony handles ePub files is not terribly good compared to many other devices; the most obvious thing being that, as I'm sure you've noticed, all ePub books are displayed with a ragged right margin, rather than fully justified, as they would be on other devices.

Maggie May · 11-11-2009, 04:44 PM

Harry,

Thank you for that information. He only got the PRS505 about two weeks ago. I haven't seen it myself yet. He seems to be very pleased with it I'm not hearing any complaints at all. He'll just be happy to download and read his favourite authors. I saw the PRS300 and 600 in my local Sony store last week. I loved the 300 and with Christmas coming it's a real temptation.

Slan
Mag.

gwynevans · 11-11-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coredump

Hmm. Are there good libraries with ebook formats? Like, Fictionwise is MOBI only afaik...

I keep reading that the 505 is nice but is the lack of MOBI hurt me anytime?

Do you mean libraries or bookstores, as Fictionwise is certainly not Mobi only, but neither is it a library - See the wiki or my "Where to obtain eBooks for your Reader" post here.

11-06-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
snowcandy Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: EzReader Pocket Pro, Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-650, Kindle Voyage	The Sony PRS-505 does look awfully tempting... Hi guys, I'm new around here so don't mind me if I sound silly. (: I have a little Astak Pocket Pro which I love to bits, but being a 5" screen is somewhat small in my opinion - especially since I tend to use my eReader more when I'm at home. So I was wondering what are your opinions on the Sony PRS-505? Would it be similar to the Pocket Pro in terms of readability, just in a larger form? Also, what would be the best format to use on a 505 as my books are mostly in ePub formats. Of course I do welcome other suggestions, my requirements for a eBook reader would be: - 6" - Displays ePub and PDF well - Prefers small fonts (more words on a page as I like my reader to resemble a book as close as possible) - Decent price - Non touchscreen Oh and since I'm residing in Australia, availability of the reader is an important deciding factor. I wouldn't want to fall in love with a reader only to find out that it's available only in the US. (: Cheers. Last edited by snowcandy; 11-06-2009 at 11:31 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My Decision: Sony PRS-505 vs. Sony PRS-700 vs. Kindle 2	enarchay	Which one should I buy?	7	05-30-2009 10:21 PM
Amazon Kindle/Sony PRS-700/Sony PRS-505 Comparison Photos	chrissy	Which one should I buy?	18	05-06-2009 12:25 PM
Poll: Sony Reader PRS-505 upgrade to Sony PRS-700	Kris777	Sony Reader	70	02-18-2009 06:34 PM
Just saw Sony PRS 700 and PRS 505 at Sony Style Store	gamegirl	Sony Reader	14	12-15-2008 04:16 PM
Sony Reader PRS-505 upgrade to Sony PRS-700	Kris777	Sony Reader	23	12-08-2008 06:56 AM

11-06-2009, 12:33 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If your books are mainly in ePub format, I really would not buy a Sony. Its ADE implementation is old and limited in functionality. You might wish to consider the Hanlin V3, aka "BeBook", aka lots of other things, including one sold in Australia whose name escapes me: "ECO Reader" - something like that, anyway? It's basically a large-screen version of your Astak, and will support all the same formats that it does.

11-06-2009, 12:35 PM	#3
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")	The 505 works fine for basic reading of ePubs. It is also a very well-built device. It does not do full justification, but if that doesn't bother you, it should be fine for reading ePub files.

11-09-2009, 04:00 PM	#4
superstitious Addict Posts: 206 Karma: 7270 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: K3 wifi	I had both for a while. I am only reading mainly novels and am satisfy with ePub on both devices. In the end, I decided to keep the 505 mainly because of the screen size and the sony ebookstore. Im not sure if 505 can display more text per page or not but I find myself not hitting the page turning button as much as I did with the Pocket Pro. Another thing I like about the 505 is the page number and battery bar at the bottom of the page. However, I hate the sony interface and miss having the folder support on Astak. Unfortunately, I cant afford both so I made my decision to keep the 505. Good luck making your decision.

11-09-2009, 07:37 PM	#6
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	Hey Harry, now that I figured how to do it ADE isn't really needed for epubs. Or am I missing something? I am curious why the no touchscreen? I bought my wife a Sony 600 for Christmas and think it is really cool!

11-10-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
coredump Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brazil Device: Pocketbook 360	I am kinda in the same boat than the original poster. I am almost deciding for a 505 for christmas. Kindle is now open for international orders but while I really like the Amazon catalog, I hear that the PDF on kindle is not good, and I would prefer to transfer stuff via USB.

11-11-2009, 10:48 AM	#9
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	Boy I hope not, that's how mine is set up! I haven't had any problems transferring epubs to the 505. Just guessing that you need the ADE software even if you use the Sony library to transfer?

11-11-2009, 11:31 AM	#10
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,216 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	From what I've seen and from what I've read here, Snowcandy, I feel confident in recommending the PRS-505. My only early hiccup was fixed by getting myself a wall charger (essential!). Since then it's been a grand little work horse. Everything I'd hoped for since the idea of an ebook-dedicated reading device popped into my head fifteen years ago. I'd also recommend a swish easy i flip-top cover ... the 505 deserves that. Good luck. Neil

11-11-2009, 12:35 PM	#11
coredump Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brazil Device: Pocketbook 360	Hmm. Are there good libraries with ebook formats? Like, Fictionwise is MOBI only afaik... I keep reading that the 505 is nice but is the lack of MOBI hurt me anytime?

11-11-2009, 04:44 PM	#14
Maggie May Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,907 Karma: 87755439 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ireland Device: CYbook Gen3 and Sony PRS 3505 Kindle 3 G Nexus 7 iPad	Harry, Thank you for that information. He only got the PRS505 about two weeks ago. I haven't seen it myself yet. He seems to be very pleased with it I'm not hearing any complaints at all. He'll just be happy to download and read his favourite authors. I saw the PRS300 and 600 in my local Sony store last week. I loved the 300 and with Christmas coming it's a real temptation. Slan Mag.