Cruz reader

[Rachaelslp]

No recent posts so I thought I'd check. How is the Cruz reader rated now? Is there a better option for 150?

Rachael

[fishhawk101]

So, I sold my curz reader on ebay 2 days after buying it (borders won't let you return it). I agree that it is a turkey. Even though I lost $100, best decision ever. The new color nook came out and it is the perfect indoor ereader. The screen is like an ipad, the size is perfect, and it does just enough other stuff (like gmail) that it is a home run. Also, the software for the book library is near perfect.

I would only hesitate if you read outside alot. It is worth every penny.

[jhempel24]

Originally Posted by fishhawk101

So, I sold my curz reader on ebay 2 days after buying it (borders won't let you return it). I agree that it is a turkey. Even though I lost $100, best decision ever. The new color nook came out and it is the perfect indoor ereader. The screen is like an ipad, the size is perfect, and it does just enough other stuff (like gmail) that it is a home run. Also, the software for the book library is near perfect.

I would only hesitate if you read outside alot. It is worth every penny.

That's odd, I returned mine the next day. Said that if they didn't give me a platform to be able to fully check it out at the store then why would I buy it? They said okay, we'll give you a 7 day return.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by fishhawk101

...
I would only hesitate if you read outside alot. ....

As is true of any LCD display on ebook reader, iPad, tablet or phone....

[dogmom]

Originally Posted by zorah

yeah-the e-reader specs seem pretty cool. for the $199 reader, it says Android apps can be installed, which is really great. At this point, I'm doing fine with my hacked PDN, and I got it knowing ahead of time that if I truly wanted to use the Android OS, I'd have to hack. So I don't down Pandigital for that-they did not make that part of their specs. But for those less adventurous, I'd guess it's worth the extra 20-30 or so bucks for the Cruz, although with some of the coupon deals, people have gotten their PDN for a lot less. But I'm definitely interested to hear about the Cruz. My PDN is stable and working fine, but all of this techno stuff interests me!

Just got my Cruz yesterday. Works pretty well. Really wanted it mostly for ereader and email. wireless works great and email loaded. Added Kindle for Android and was able to read my Amazon books. Only problem now is I have a lot of DRM *.prc files that I can't read in the Kindle app. Trying to find a work around. Really should work especially since for the last several months the mobi formats are listed as 'mobi/kindle' and show up as Kindle content on my PC--but Kindle won't read them. But earlier version of Kindle for PC did--now it won't--just love updates! And Amazon owns Mobi--damn them.

Anybody have a solution? There's also apparently not a mobipocket version for Android.

[tadlewis]

My WiFi reception hasn't been to great so I opened the back of the Cruz Reader and found that there is a mini-PCI WiFi card readily accessible. Further examination showed that there are two ports for antennas to be attached but only one is being used. I purchased some antennas on Amazon ( Laptop Notebook Wifi Bluetooth WWAN/EVDO/HSDPA Broadband Internal Antenna ), separated them, and attached one to the extra port. I then configured the antenna in a large figure-eight pattern inside the back cover taking care to not come too close to the edges or interfere with any cover attachment ports. Used cellophane tape to hold it down and put the cover back on. My WiFi connection quality nearly tripled.

I put together a tutorial with pictures on how to do this if anyone is interested: http://tadlewis.com/CruzReader/index.html

[brfried]

I love love love my cruz reader. Works great as a reader. If you root the device, which is pretty easy following these instructions on slatedroid
You can then get any android app.

I have been very happy with mine especially for around $100 dollars.

[plasticarmyman]

Originally Posted by mojohn

I am new to the forum and a new Cruz Reader owner (came by UPS on 9/17/10).

So far, I don't regret the purchase. The touch screen isn't as accurate or responsive as I had hoped, but it's good enough for me. Plenty bright, beautiful colors, crisp, clear text.

Only two problems:

1. Too much crapware, and no way to uninstall it until we have root. Does anyone know if someone is working on root?
2. I installed barnacle on my rooted Moto Backflip, which now acts as an ad-hoc wifi network. My laptop connects flawlessly, but the Reader can't find the network and doesn't even connect when I attempt manual connection. Any clues?

Thanks, mojohn

now i know this was posted a while ago...but if you're interested in connecting your Cruz Reader to an Adhoc connection...i actually figured that out myself...seems no one else was concerned about it...
here's a link at SlateDroid to the thread where i list how to do it...

http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/1752...adhoc-network/

[benham]

I have had the Cruz Reader for 2 days now. No trouble connecting to wi-fi and it is a great ereader. The problem I have is viewing videos. The sound is fine but there is no picture,

[bobc30_2]

Hi. To get viedos to work on the crez. Just down load this. skyfire-android(1).spk
Hope this helps Bob

[benham]

Wow, that works great, thanks! Downloaded and set as the default browser.

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by brfried

I love love love my cruz reader. Works great as a reader. If you root the device, which is pretty easy following these instructions on slatedroid
You can then get any android app.

I have been very happy with mine especially for around $100 dollars.

true that, though I paid about $86 for it at woot a couple of weeks ago

[benham]

Me too. Good deal. If you download the Amazon App for Android you might not have to root it.

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by benham

Me too. Good deal. If you download the Amazon App for Android you might not have to root it.

for the amazon app you don't have to root it, you can get it from the cruz market, but to get others like kindle, then you have to root/flash a ROM

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by tadlewis

My WiFi reception hasn't been to great so I opened the back of the Cruz Reader and found that there is a mini-PCI WiFi card readily accessible. Further examination showed that there are two ports for antennas to be attached but only one is being used. I purchased some antennas on Amazon ( Laptop Notebook Wifi Bluetooth WWAN/EVDO/HSDPA Broadband Internal Antenna ), separated them, and attached one to the extra port. I then configured the antenna in a large figure-eight pattern inside the back cover taking care to not come too close to the edges or interfere with any cover attachment ports. Used cellophane tape to hold it down and put the cover back on. My WiFi connection quality nearly tripled.

I put together a tutorial with pictures on how to do this if anyone is interested: http://tadlewis.com/CruzReader/index.html

hey, any idea if I need that specific antenna model number? I found several ones at ebay for under $3 or $2 and at some reputable sites from china, also for under $2. They are also TYCO but the number of the goldish label is slightly different...any idea if they are basically the same? they seem to have the same type of connector
thanks in advance