Moving on from the PRS-505

Fierce · 07-11-2014, 10:28 AM

Dear Mobileread users,

It has been quite some time since I last looked at ereaders. Back when the concept was still young, I got a Sony PRS-505 overseas. Many years has made it very old. It still works, but I'd like a clearer picture and a better refresh. Also something lighter.

I'm from the Netherlands, so a Kindle wouldn't be a wise choice.

I intend to read a lot of EPUBs on the device, and would like expandable storage. (eg MicroSD) I love to have some light in the screen too. 6" is good, and the higher the resolution the better.

Basically what I've come down to is the Kobo Aura or the Kobo Aura HD. The HD is a bit too pricy for me, even though the resulotion is great. There isn't that much choice over here.

The thing that worries me about the Aura is the fact it had a recent, pretty big price drop over here and in some stores they're already sold out. To me that feels like a product is reaching EOL or an updated version will come out soon.

I hope someone can give me a couple suggestions. Many thanks in advance!

HarryT · 07-11-2014, 11:07 AM

You may wish to look at the Onyx T68 Lynx. It's an eInk Android tablet with a frontlight and a high-res screen (the same screen as the Kobo Aura HD). Because it's a general-purpose Android tablet you can run whatever reading app (or apps) you want on it. Oh, and it has an SD card slot, too.

Dr. Drib · 07-11-2014, 12:58 PM

I can only comment on price in this post concerning the Onyx T68:

It is currently higher in price than the Kobo Aura HD. I mention this for the sole reason that you made a comment that Kobo Aura HD is too pricey for you.

Again, my comment reflects ONLY upon price and nothing else.

rcentros · 07-11-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fierce

The thing that worries me about the Aura is the fact it had a recent, pretty big price drop over here and in some stores they're already sold out. To me that feels like a product is reaching EOL or an updated version will come out soon.

I've never really cared if I had the newest model or not, but I may be odd in this regard. In the U.S. Auras have been discounted $30 ($109) until July 23rd. I don't know if it's a sale or clearance, but it's got good, modern specs. I'm not sure what a newer model would add.

booklover6 · 07-11-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

I've never really cared if I had the newest model or not, but I may be odd in this regard. In the U.S. Auras have been discounted $30 ($109) until July 23rd. I don't know if it's a sale or clearance, but it's got good, modern specs. I'm not sure what a newer model would add.

If I didn't already have an Aura, I would jump on that sale. They hardly ever go on sale!

robko · 07-11-2014, 07:18 PM

One other consideration that may help ease your anxiety over the price drop/EOL concern with the Aura is that the "newer" (which means anything from 2011 on -- which is pretty good considering they only started making devices in 2010 and they were pretty primitive hardware that wouldn't handle current firmware) use a base firmware that is nearly the same across all the devices. The means that even the older devices get updates and new features, so even if the Aura went EOL next month, your device would likely be supported for years to come.
Personally, I really like the Aura HD for the slightly larger screen size and IR (rather than capactive) touch.

Katsunami · 07-12-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fierce

I'm from the Netherlands, so a Kindle wouldn't be a wise choice.

Why not? You can buy books at Amazon.com and they will work.

You can also buy books at any EPUB-store. Set up Calibre, install the plugins by our good friend Apprentice Alf, so the DRM gets removed when you import EPUB's you bought. (Make sure you download them using ADE 2.01, not the new 3.0.)

You can then convert your EPUB's to AZW3 and put them onto the Kindle.

Oh, and Alf will also remove DRM from Amazon books. Just download them using Kindle for PC, and import them into Calibre.

I'm in the Netherlands as well, and use a Kindle since 2011 in this way.

Fierce · 07-13-2014, 11:29 AM

I've just ordered an Aura, which will be delivered to my door tomorrow. Thanks for the input people.

Katsunami, besides the fact that it is hard to get (as in getting one from the US), no expandable storage, the need for converting EPUBS or hacking the device it's not that appealing to me.

booklover6 · 07-13-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fierce

I've just ordered an Aura, which will be delivered to my door tomorrow. Thanks for the input people.

Katsunami, besides the fact that it is hard to get (as in getting one from the US), no expandable storage, the need for converting EPUBS or hacking the device it's not that appealing to me.

Congratulations. Be sure to read posts in the MR Kobo forum and feel free to ask questions.

07-11-2014, 10:28 AM	#1
Fierce Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Device: none	Moving on from the PRS-505 Dear Mobileread users, It has been quite some time since I last looked at ereaders. Back when the concept was still young, I got a Sony PRS-505 overseas. Many years has made it very old. It still works, but I'd like a clearer picture and a better refresh. Also something lighter. I'm from the Netherlands, so a Kindle wouldn't be a wise choice. I intend to read a lot of EPUBs on the device, and would like expandable storage. (eg MicroSD) I love to have some light in the screen too. 6" is good, and the higher the resolution the better. Basically what I've come down to is the Kobo Aura or the Kobo Aura HD. The HD is a bit too pricy for me, even though the resulotion is great. There isn't that much choice over here. The thing that worries me about the Aura is the fact it had a recent, pretty big price drop over here and in some stores they're already sold out. To me that feels like a product is reaching EOL or an updated version will come out soon. I hope someone can give me a couple suggestions. Many thanks in advance!

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07-11-2014, 11:07 AM	#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	You may wish to look at the Onyx T68 Lynx. It's an eInk Android tablet with a frontlight and a high-res screen (the same screen as the Kobo Aura HD). Because it's a general-purpose Android tablet you can run whatever reading app (or apps) you want on it. Oh, and it has an SD card slot, too.

07-11-2014, 12:58 PM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I can only comment on price in this post concerning the Onyx T68: It is currently higher in price than the Kobo Aura HD. I mention this for the sole reason that you made a comment that Kobo Aura HD is too pricey for you. Again, my comment reflects ONLY upon price and nothing else.

07-11-2014, 07:18 PM	#6
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	One other consideration that may help ease your anxiety over the price drop/EOL concern with the Aura is that the "newer" (which means anything from 2011 on -- which is pretty good considering they only started making devices in 2010 and they were pretty primitive hardware that wouldn't handle current firmware) use a base firmware that is nearly the same across all the devices. The means that even the older devices get updates and new features, so even if the Aura went EOL next month, your device would likely be supported for years to come. Personally, I really like the Aura HD for the slightly larger screen size and IR (rather than capactive) touch.

07-13-2014, 11:29 AM	#8
Fierce Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Device: none	I've just ordered an Aura, which will be delivered to my door tomorrow. Thanks for the input people. Katsunami, besides the fact that it is hard to get (as in getting one from the US), no expandable storage, the need for converting EPUBS or hacking the device it's not that appealing to me.

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