PRS-350 I Still think it's great - Page 6

Yamada · 05-08-2013, 12:46 AM

I'm sorry about that link violation in my last post. It was a user manual I found that illustrated the memory cards, which impressed me.

Anyway, I got a 650 and put the PR+ on there. Wow, what a difference. It might be my imagination, but paging is faster and fonts seem a little smoother, too.

Thanks for the thread, I got myself a nice little ereader for a couple 'a more years!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dordale

Actually one of the things I really like about them is that they don't have wi-fi access--don't have to worry about "big brother" collecting information about my reading habits and purchases. Also don't have to worry about unexpected updates being sent to my system messing up my settings.

I do have PRS+ installed on both of my readers and I agree with Ripplinger--nothing comparable so far as far as customization.

Oh, I hear you. I was looking hard at the TRS-1 or the 2 for the Android OS, open source and all that. But the wifi is already absent, the thing is already customizable, and I like the device better than what I played with at BB. I see what people are talking about.

Ripplinger · 05-08-2013, 02:01 AM

Grats on your 650! Be sure to check out adding your own fonts if you want, also that you can adjust the brightness and saturation of the font which alone improves readability.

HardwareLust · 05-08-2013, 04:48 PM

I just recently got a Kobo Aura HD. After being disappointed with it almost immediately, I went and pulled out my PRS-950, and I now realize what a great device it was. After I send the Aura HD back, I might just stick with the PRS-950 until something better/similar comes along.

soulfuldog · 05-09-2013, 09:05 AM

What disappointed you about it? I've yet to see one personally, but from what I've read online the first impressions of it seem to be good?

Edited to add: It's ok I've read your post in the Kobo forum now (it's laggy, the screen is unresponsive, and the screen contrast with the light off isn't all that great). Sounds like you ended up with a defective unit rather than the Aura itself being poor?

For those who like the bigger screen, at least with Kobo releasing the Aura it raises the possibility that the likes of Sony & Amazon might follow suit.

Ripplinger · 05-31-2013, 04:25 PM

I've had the Kobo Glo for about 1.5 months now and I've been using it just about 100% of the time trying to force myself to get used to it and like it. Today I picked up my 350 and it still just blows the Kobo anything away... the size, the wonderfully responsive touch screen with a minimal thumb movement, even the smooth feel of the glass.

The light on the Kobo Glo is great, it's even, no dark cones at the bottom, no color blotches at all. But for everything else, it just doesn't compare to the x50 line of readers. The most maddening thing to me about it is how unresponsive the touch screen is, it takes me up to 4 tries to turn a page and that's not a rare occurrence. Even if it should turn the page on the first swipe, it's still slower than the 350 because of the slight delay it purposely added to prevent multiple pages from being flipped at once.

I'll use the Glo when I need a light when reading at night, but the rest of the time, the 350 is still my reader of choice.

Prestidigitweeze · 06-01-2013, 01:18 AM

While I find the Aura to be far more responsive than the 350, the experience of using it is not tailored to the act of thoughtful reading. The dictionaries are provisional and don't allow you to look up alternate spellings easily; the note-taking function leaves out handwriting entirely; and the database search defaults to the Kobo store continually instead of one's own library. For day-to-day pocket reading, the 350 is often superior despite its age.

samhy · 06-01-2013, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamada

Anyway, I got a 650 and put the PR+ on there. Wow, what a difference. It might be my imagination, but paging is faster and fonts seem a little smoother, too.

Really? This is working fine? I've never tried since I read somewhere around here that PRS+ was only for the western devices and I didn't want to brick my beloved 650

Yamada · 06-09-2013, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samhy

Really? This is working fine? I've never tried since I read somewhere around here that PRS+ was only for the western devices and I didn't want to brick my beloved 650

I bought mine off Amazon in America. But yeah, it's working pretty good so far. Granted, I know it's life span will be questionable, and they are pretty scarce in America, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.

I'm not aware of the differences between "Western" 650s and those released in say, Japan or somewhere else India. Though, if it were me, and I read the same thing, I'd be hesitant about modding my non-US 650, too

samhy · 06-09-2013, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamada

I bought mine off Amazon in America. But yeah, it's working pretty good so far. Granted, I know it's life span will be questionable, and they are pretty scarce in America, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.

I'm not aware of the differences between "Western" 650s and those released in say, Japan or somewhere else India. Though, if it were me, and I read the same thing, I'd be hesitant about modding my non-US 650, too

Can you choose to display the menu in English or Japanese (only)? Anyway, it seems yours is a Western firmware. That's great if PRS+ is working very well for you

I'll stick with the stock firmware on mine since I have no complaints: if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Not all of the 650 have a short life. Many people here are still using one as a primary ereader.

Yamada · 06-10-2013, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samhy

Can you choose to display the menu in English or Japanese (only)? Anyway, it seems yours is a Western firmware. That's great if PRS+ is working very well for you

You sure can, plus many other languages (including Russian, which I gather inspired PR+).

Quote:

Originally Posted by samhy

I'll stick with the stock firmware on mine since I have no complaints: if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Not all of the 650 have a short life. Many people here are still using one as a primary ereader.

Thing is, I bought mine used off Amazon, and for once the unit was actually in better condition than the Market Place description said. It indicated light scratches in the screen, case, etc. but the screen was fine and the case was a little dinged, but that was it.

The reviews for the 650 were pretty middling to fair when it came out, but Sony really did put a nice ereader. I wouldn't be afraid to use it for another couple of years.

feelmaroon · 06-10-2013, 09:59 AM

That's brilliant when it's better than advertised. Happens to me every so often but rarely so happy for you. I agree with your assessment of the prs650. It's a pretty stellar reader, especially for those who love really well made metal products which are still light. The move to plastic, although necessary, takes away from premier hardware i feel. I've had great battery life and am a big fan of the control that the prs+ update gives a reader. I know with different authors/subject material, i like different fonts, font weights and color contrast control. I also very much appreciate the margin to edge option. The kinds of options you just can't get on a kindle. Not having wifi is a non issue for me cause I use calibre and carry my entire library with an 8gb sd card.

Nice prs 650's occasionally pop up on ebay too. I recently did a side by side of the prs 600 and is definitely an inferior product. Curious of people's thoughts on the t1.i don't like the length of it/plastic build, as an initial thought.

dordale · 06-10-2013, 01:47 PM

Speaking to the longevity of the 650s...I've had one since right after they first came out--almost three years ago. Still use it almost every day. I bought a refurbished 350 a little over a year ago when Sony was selling them cheap. I really don't know which one I use more--both are still going strong. I'm in no hurry to replace them, although I sometimes think a lighted reader would be nice. I do have the lighted cases for each of my readers and that works for now. Note--I have applied PRS+ to both of the readers--and wouldn't want to live without that either!

Prestidigitweeze · 06-10-2013, 05:57 PM

I own two 350s and recently lent one to my grillfiend's mother. For no good reason (and despite owning several other readers), I'm actually missing the second 350.

feelmaroon · 06-10-2013, 06:21 PM

The 350 is a few years old and puts that new kobo 5" to utter shame. With the prs+, even more so. Indeed.

MAT160 · 06-10-2013, 06:23 PM

I agree, I really love my "350" (I have 2 of them, bought the second one as a back up) and I use it everyday. It's perfect for my needs as, it fits into all my bags, into a pocket and is light and comfortable to hold.

I also have an iPad but, I don't like reading on it (tried it on 2 occasions).

I will buy a 3rd. "350" if I have to!

05-09-2013, 09:05 AM	#79
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	What disappointed you about it? I've yet to see one personally, but from what I've read online the first impressions of it seem to be good? Edited to add: It's ok I've read your post in the Kobo forum now (it's laggy, the screen is unresponsive, and the screen contrast with the light off isn't all that great). Sounds like you ended up with a defective unit rather than the Aura itself being poor? For those who like the bigger screen, at least with Kobo releasing the Aura it raises the possibility that the likes of Sony & Amazon might follow suit. Last edited by soulfuldog; 05-09-2013 at 02:30 PM. Reason: Update

06-01-2013, 01:18 AM	#81
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	While I find the Aura to be far more responsive than the 350, the experience of using it is not tailored to the act of thoughtful reading. The dictionaries are provisional and don't allow you to look up alternate spellings easily; the note-taking function leaves out handwriting entirely; and the database search defaults to the Kobo store continually instead of one's own library. For day-to-day pocket reading, the 350 is often superior despite its age. Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 06-03-2013 at 07:00 PM.

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05-08-2013, 02:01 AM	#77
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Grats on your 650! Be sure to check out adding your own fonts if you want, also that you can adjust the brightness and saturation of the font which alone improves readability.

05-08-2013, 04:48 PM	#78
HardwareLust Member Posts: 18 Karma: 7776 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central PA Device: Sony PRS-950, Nook Color/Tablet, Kobo Aura HD/Mini, Kindle Paperwhite	I just recently got a Kobo Aura HD. After being disappointed with it almost immediately, I went and pulled out my PRS-950, and I now realize what a great device it was. After I send the Aura HD back, I might just stick with the PRS-950 until something better/similar comes along.

05-31-2013, 04:25 PM	#80
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I've had the Kobo Glo for about 1.5 months now and I've been using it just about 100% of the time trying to force myself to get used to it and like it. Today I picked up my 350 and it still just blows the Kobo anything away... the size, the wonderfully responsive touch screen with a minimal thumb movement, even the smooth feel of the glass. The light on the Kobo Glo is great, it's even, no dark cones at the bottom, no color blotches at all. But for everything else, it just doesn't compare to the x50 line of readers. The most maddening thing to me about it is how unresponsive the touch screen is, it takes me up to 4 tries to turn a page and that's not a rare occurrence. Even if it should turn the page on the first swipe, it's still slower than the 350 because of the slight delay it purposely added to prevent multiple pages from being flipped at once. I'll use the Glo when I need a light when reading at night, but the rest of the time, the 350 is still my reader of choice.

06-10-2013, 09:59 AM	#86
feelmaroon Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2012 Device: Sony PRS-350, Kindle 4, PW2, Voyage, Oasis, Kobo Aura One	That's brilliant when it's better than advertised. Happens to me every so often but rarely so happy for you. I agree with your assessment of the prs650. It's a pretty stellar reader, especially for those who love really well made metal products which are still light. The move to plastic, although necessary, takes away from premier hardware i feel. I've had great battery life and am a big fan of the control that the prs+ update gives a reader. I know with different authors/subject material, i like different fonts, font weights and color contrast control. I also very much appreciate the margin to edge option. The kinds of options you just can't get on a kindle. Not having wifi is a non issue for me cause I use calibre and carry my entire library with an 8gb sd card. Nice prs 650's occasionally pop up on ebay too. I recently did a side by side of the prs 600 and is definitely an inferior product. Curious of people's thoughts on the t1.i don't like the length of it/plastic build, as an initial thought.

06-10-2013, 01:47 PM	#87
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	Speaking to the longevity of the 650s...I've had one since right after they first came out--almost three years ago. Still use it almost every day. I bought a refurbished 350 a little over a year ago when Sony was selling them cheap. I really don't know which one I use more--both are still going strong. I'm in no hurry to replace them, although I sometimes think a lighted reader would be nice. I do have the lighted cases for each of my readers and that works for now. Note--I have applied PRS+ to both of the readers--and wouldn't want to live without that either!

06-10-2013, 05:57 PM	#88
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	I own two 350s and recently lent one to my grillfiend's mother. For no good reason (and despite owning several other readers), I'm actually missing the second 350.

06-10-2013, 06:21 PM	#89
feelmaroon Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2012 Device: Sony PRS-350, Kindle 4, PW2, Voyage, Oasis, Kobo Aura One	The 350 is a few years old and puts that new kobo 5" to utter shame. With the prs+, even more so. Indeed.

06-10-2013, 06:23 PM	#90
MAT160 Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 934 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New Jersey Device: PRS-600	I agree, I really love my "350" (I have 2 of them, bought the second one as a back up) and I use it everyday. It's perfect for my needs as, it fits into all my bags, into a pocket and is light and comfortable to hold. I also have an iPad but, I don't like reading on it (tried it on 2 occasions). I will buy a 3rd. "350" if I have to!

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