New frontlit HD reader with MP3 & page turn buttons - Page 2

xendula · 09-23-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

edit: a floor stand for a 200gr e-reader? Wow. People are getting REALLY lazy nowadays. Maybe they should also add a function that turns pages at exactly the speed you read with. Maybe they should integrate a "talking book feature" so you don't even need to read at all.

Oh, wait...

There have been quite a few postst from users looking for an ereader for their movement impaired family members here on MR, so I can see how a floorstand would be useful in similar cases.

Katsunami · 09-23-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xendula

There have been quite a few postst from users looking for an ereader for their movement impaired family members here on MR, so I can see how a floorstand would be useful in similar cases.

Yes, that would be the one exception I think

Yolina · 09-23-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

This reader basically covers all bases.

It does indeed - only let down by the design IMHO - it just looks rather bulky. I guess that it's unlikely that there's going to be any units in shops in the UK, and I'm loathe to order one because I just don't know how much hassle a return might be if it turns out that I don't like it.

But it is tempting if I'm honest

Anyone taking a punt and getting one?

Katsunami · 09-23-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yolina

But it is tempting if I'm honest

Anyone taking a punt and getting one?

"Dutch 6 inch eink reader"

Was that Dutch word in there intentional? That way, it actually sounds as a badly translated Dutch proverb

And no, I'm not getting one. I like my KPW just fine as it is now.

Yolina · 09-23-2013, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Was that Dutch word in there intentional? That way, it actually sounds as a badly translated Dutch proverb

Nope, it wasn't intentional, it's just an English expression for taking a chance, no idea of its origin though. My knowledge of the Dutch language is nil.

Quote:

And no, I'm not getting one. I like my KPW just fine as it is now.

What a shame, I was hoping you could be our tester on this one

MickiTee · 09-23-2013, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

This reader basically covers all bases.

Touchscreen for navigation: check
Buttons for navigation: check
Buttons for turning pages: check
Frontlight: check
Large(er) memory of 4GB: check
SD-card slot: check
Custom fonts: check
Good price: check

And you can read EPUBS's and MOBI's on it. Another plus I think.

Katsunami · 09-23-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yolina

Nope, it wasn't intentional, it's just an English expression for taking a chance, no idea of its origin though. My knowledge of the Dutch language is nil.

Interesting. So, "To take a punt" is actually good English?

It sounds like a bad translation of "Een punt snappen", which would translate to "Taking (or understanding) a point".

Quote:

What a shame, I was hoping you could be our tester on this one

Nah... I have no use for navigational buttons. I'm not missing page turn buttons, and scrolling a cursor around the screen is not as user friendly as a touch screen, if you take my punt. Point. Whatever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickiTee

And you can read EPUBS's and MOBI's on it. Another plus I think.

Ow, indeed, you can read stuff on it too. Yeah, that's of some importance as well.

How could I have missed that

Yolina · 09-23-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Interesting. So, "To take a punt" is actually good English?

It is indeed

Quote:

It sounds like a bad translation of "Een punt snappen", which would translate to "Taking (or understanding) a point".

I can see why you thought it could have been intentional, sorry to disappoint

Quote:

Nah... I have no use for navigational buttons. I'm not missing page turn buttons, and scrolling a cursor around the screen is not as user friendly as a touch screen, if you take my punt. Point. Whatever.

I do miss the page turn buttons.
I've actually read through the user guide for the Illumina HD and you don't *have* to use the dpad to navigate, which is good. On paper it's pretty much perfect a far as I'm concerned. Now if they could just redesign the container...

Gardenman · 09-23-2013, 05:31 PM

Does anyone know what this companys customer service is like? How easy would it be to replace a bad reader?

Katsunami · 09-23-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardenman

Does anyone know what this companys customer service is like? How easy would it be to replace a bad reader?

In the many EU countries, the store is responsible for warranty. In the Netherlands, you have a 14-day return policy arranged by law, if you buy it over the internet.

So I'd not hesitate to order one, had I wanted to try one.

How this will be in countries outside the EU (warranty) or return policy (compared to the Netherlands), I do not know.

I have no experience with customer service of this company.

Mivo · 09-23-2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

In the Netherlands, you have a 14-day return policy arranged by law, if you buy it over the internet.

We have the same regulation in Germany (no reason for the return is required, and if the item cost over €30, the seller also has to pay for the return shipping or arrange the pick-up). I believe this is EU-wide, but I'm not entirely sure.

Katsunami · 09-23-2013, 07:30 PM

I do not know if the seller needs to pay for return shipping in The Netherlands.

IMHO, that would not be fair (except if a product is returned because it's defective, or not the correct product as ordered, etc). I don't expect the seller to pay return shipping just because I happen not to like the product.

Still, it may be that such a regulation exists. I would need to look into that.

xendula · 09-23-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardenman

Does anyone know what this companys customer service is like? How easy would it be to replace a bad reader?

Unfortunately not. I was actually amazed to see how many different readers they have on the market. It suggests that they have been in business for a while, but when I tried to post about this reader, I realized we don't have a subforum for their readers.

ETA: I found a bit of info about Icarus on goodereader.com (emphasis mine) - no idea in which year this was written, though...

Quote:

Icarus is doing some very innovative things in the e-reader sphere. The company has only been around for a few years and most people have never heard of it. I only recently became aware of Icarus when researching good 9.7 inch readers to appeal to students and working professionals. After our Hands-on Review of the Icarus Excel, I naturally had to test its other new products.

I am really pleased with the overall build quality and reading experience. There are no crazy advanced features to clutter the UI or make life anymore confusing thn it needs to be. It is marketed to compete with companies like Onyx Boox, Ectaco, Pocketbook, Bookeen, and others. Many sub-par devices launched by the competition give you a lackluster experience. Pocketbook has good build quality, but the internal hardware components often make it rather sluggish, Onyx Boox has abysmal customer service and good luck trying to RMA anything. Ectaco often makes very low-quality products, but is a shining beacon of hope in the e-reader world with the Jetbook Color, which uses e-Ink Triton. Icarus does an excellent job at maintaining both good customer service and a quality e-reader.

Zetmolm · 09-24-2013, 07:20 AM

Icarus does not manufacture ereaders. All that they do is rebranding. Different Icarus models come from different makers (e.g. the Icarus Excel is a rebranded Onyx Boox M92), so you can expect different quality levels. Also, the firmware on all Icarus readers is not developed by Icarus but by the original maker, so there again: quality may vary.

I have seen mixed reviews for different models. The fact that e.g. the Excel had good reviews cannot be seen as an indication that this new reader, which comes from a different maker, is also good. We'll have to wait and see.

Here in the Netherlands I've also seen mixed reports about the quality of their customer service. I have no direct experience with them, so I cannot say which reports are right and which are wrong, all I can say is that apparently they do have unhappy as well as happy customers.

Fact is that they seem to have taken over the position of leading Dutch brand from BeBook. BeBook practically died whereas Icarus seems to be thriving. So they must be doing something right.

JakesFriend · 09-24-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Yes, that would be the one exception I think

I'm overwhelmed by your generosity of spirit. Now, where's that icon for sarcasm?

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09-23-2013, 05:31 PM	#24
Gardenman Wizard Posts: 1,097 Karma: 9177222 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Device: sony prs-350,Nook HD+, Kindle 2nd gen, kindle keyboard	Does anyone know what this companys customer service is like? How easy would it be to replace a bad reader?

09-23-2013, 07:30 PM	#27
Katsunami Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,111 Karma: 34000001 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: KPW1, KA1	I do not know if the seller needs to pay for return shipping in The Netherlands. IMHO, that would not be fair (except if a product is returned because it's defective, or not the correct product as ordered, etc). I don't expect the seller to pay return shipping just because I happen not to like the product. Still, it may be that such a regulation exists. I would need to look into that.

09-24-2013, 07:20 AM	#29
Zetmolm Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 2031728 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: PocketBook Touch (622), PocketBook Touch Lux 2, Pocketbook Touch HD 3	Icarus does not manufacture ereaders. All that they do is rebranding. Different Icarus models come from different makers (e.g. the Icarus Excel is a rebranded Onyx Boox M92), so you can expect different quality levels. Also, the firmware on all Icarus readers is not developed by Icarus but by the original maker, so there again: quality may vary. I have seen mixed reviews for different models. The fact that e.g. the Excel had good reviews cannot be seen as an indication that this new reader, which comes from a different maker, is also good. We'll have to wait and see. Here in the Netherlands I've also seen mixed reports about the quality of their customer service. I have no direct experience with them, so I cannot say which reports are right and which are wrong, all I can say is that apparently they do have unhappy as well as happy customers. Fact is that they seem to have taken over the position of leading Dutch brand from BeBook. BeBook practically died whereas Icarus seems to be thriving. So they must be doing something right.