Unboxing and more

allovertheglobe · 10-10-2008, 05:06 PM

So for those interested in that old geek tradition, here are some pictures and more first impressions. I'll skip most of the quirks already discussed elsewhere and try to focus on less covered matters.

I ordered the DR1000S and Deluxe cover from eReader Outfitters and the accessories from iRex directly. Through some coincidence, they arrived together (good thing, since the Deluxe cover is not available... yet)

If the DR1000S is big, the (cardboard) box is gianormous ^_^; It came with a "Reader 101" sticker covering the screen, and still had enough charge left for me to play around with.

It's certainly the snappiest e-ink reader I have used, esp. with PDFs (not that I have any love for that format, on the Sony the newly-introduced oddball reflowing just isn't much good...) It has so far opened every file I have thrown at it, the first time you opened it it may take a while, but after that it's much faster. As an avid comic/manga fan, it is nice to just throw a folder of uncompressed images on there (no compressed folders yet) and read away, fast and almost always without scaling since most images are in the 1100-1200px height range. Add to that the fact that this screen uses 16 grayscales on top of the high resolution and a PROPER FULL SCREEN MODE and the result is simply outstanding, even for photographs.

The Screen is slightly lighter than my Sony, maybe it's the actual e-ink tech or maybe it's because my Sony is older... in practice it doesn't make much of difference though.

The weight is perfectly OK, but in bed I'll continue reading on my Sony because of the small size and the added light. The cover is nice and solid, even though the fake leather is easily scratched. Inside there is space for the pen on top (the elastic bands are two sizes, presumable to fit either pen), space for some creditcard (or the much needed reset-paperclip in my case -_-) and some paper behind it. For some strange reason the iRex logo is on the BACK (?) so I tend to open it the wrong way...

The pen (interface): I still have to get used to the fact it's there at all ^_^ I have locked the right-hand side of the sensor keys since I keep hitting them with my palm while I use the pen. I have included an image of the included pen, the "professional" pen and the current-gen Wacom pen (which doesn't work - not the same tech) The Pro pen is very comfortable and has at least one button (which isn't used yet, like the eraser on the back)

Sketching is pretty much out (I had some hopes for that) It's too slow, but I'm not entirely sure it is strictly due to the screen tech. Weirdly enough, it's all vector based (like Flash or Illustrator), and not a plain bitmap sketching app (like Photoshop or Gimp) It is clearly visible when you use the eraser: it erases entire lines at once, rather than the area you rub on. This also explains the absence of pressure sensitivity and grayscales (it seems the reader has enough trouble keeping up with drawing a fixed-width black line) I hope they will either change it, or there will be a sketching app at some point. I think the hardware is capable enough.

The interface in general works pretty well for me. I too get thrown off because the bottom sensor pad central button is ALWAYS the menu button and not an "Enter" key like the other ones. That is true in landscape format too, whichever "side" becomes the bottom, also becomes the Menu button.

The PC software is useless, as in -not working at all as described-, but also as in -superfluous-. I still have to figure out what good the "My iRex" account is, maybe once the functionality is fixed in the software.

Last but not least, some screenshot of the SDHC card issues (they mostly work, but you can't format them on the device) The "setup card" works as well, but as others have pointed out, that does not include the large files on the original card (PC software, Manuals) Download these directly from iRex if you accidentally deleted them.

Charging: Despite the huge price tag, no charger... bleh. I have successfully used my Garmin USB charger (for their GPS devices) It's very compact and comes out of the box with most international plug adapters, which is really nice.

I think that's enough for now. Ask away.

NatCh · 10-10-2008, 05:43 PM

Very nice! Thanks for the pix, especially.

flyingtablet · 10-10-2008, 05:51 PM

Can you please try this file and take some photo?

http://www2008.org/papers/pdf/p427-leeA.pdf

Thank you.

pilotbob · 10-10-2008, 05:51 PM

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... gadget porn!!!

I so want one. But it looks HUGE!!! Is it smaller than a 15inch laptop?

BOb

Taylor514ce · 10-10-2008, 05:52 PM

Great job, I really appreciate the comparision photos with the Sony. I've wondered about getting one of the new Iliad devices vs. the new Sony 700. I've decided that for general reading, I'll stick with the Sony. For e-ink computing, this looks like a very nice device.

Boreras · 10-10-2008, 06:17 PM

It makes the Sony look like something you find in a box of cereals!

Anyway, a question: do you think that the flip-over cover is appropriate protection, or should one fear for one's screen?

And thanks for the geek pr0n.

DDHarriman · 10-10-2008, 07:05 PM

Thank you!!!!

This was a review we really needed - THE ARRIVAL!

The photos a superb and your hands on, detail is great!

Wish you great fun (and ROI) from your investment,

Mr. Goodbar · 10-10-2008, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to mine if it ever ships!

cjp · 10-10-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Very nice! Thanks for the pix, especially.

I second that! Good review - the details are appreciated!

joblack · 10-10-2008, 11:38 PM

I need such a device ... to hell with wlan.

Slava · 10-11-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allovertheglobe

...(or the much needed reset-paperclip in my case -_-) ...

Paperclips are so XX century, you can use the pen that came with the reader to reset it

allovertheglobe · 10-11-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Paperclips are so XX century, you can use the pen that came with the reader to reset it

Yeah, I just noticed that (and the "Pro" pen's even longer)

Technology... what will they think of next?

allovertheglobe · 10-11-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreras

Anyway, a question: do you think that the flip-over cover is appropriate protection, or should one fear for one's screen?

It's adequate. The cover is pretty stiff, so it will protect the screen OK. The whole thing is slightly larger than the reader, so it will provide some cushioning when dropped (This recently happened to my Sony reader in its cover

got dented, but the screen was intact) The fake leather gets easily scratched though.

If I carry it in my bag or a short distance, I'll use this cover. Just by itself, I would probably use the full Deluxe cover instead to carry it around, for some extra drop protection (to avoid the iRex guy's demonstration

)

allovertheglobe · 10-11-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingtablet

Can you please try this file and take some photo?

http://www2008.org/papers/pdf/p427-leeA.pdf

Thank you.

See below. Didn't have much time, so I just took a picture of the 1st page.

Cropped the top, but otherwise it's untouched, at original resolution. It was on a bench in the shade on a late afternoon, thus the blue hue from the sky. The bottom part is slightly blurry because I used Macro mode which results in a very shallow depth of field. Some jpeg compression artifacts make the small text look less sharp.

flyingtablet · 10-12-2008, 12:45 AM

This pic looks great! Thank you so much.

The only other question I have is the battery life...
Hopefully it will be answered soon.

10-10-2008, 05:06 PM	#1
allovertheglobe Grumpy Old Man Posts: 267 Karma: 30194 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: L.A., Euro ex-pat Device: Kobo, Nook Classic,Color,ST/Glow, iRex DR1000, Sony 505, REB1100&1200	Unboxing and more So for those interested in that old geek tradition, here are some pictures and more first impressions. I'll skip most of the quirks already discussed elsewhere and try to focus on less covered matters. I ordered the DR1000S and Deluxe cover from eReader Outfitters and the accessories from iRex directly. Through some coincidence, they arrived together (good thing, since the Deluxe cover is not available... yet) If the DR1000S is big, the (cardboard) box is gianormous ^_^; It came with a "Reader 101" sticker covering the screen, and still had enough charge left for me to play around with. It's certainly the snappiest e-ink reader I have used, esp. with PDFs (not that I have any love for that format, on the Sony the newly-introduced oddball reflowing just isn't much good...) It has so far opened every file I have thrown at it, the first time you opened it it may take a while, but after that it's much faster. As an avid comic/manga fan, it is nice to just throw a folder of uncompressed images on there (no compressed folders yet) and read away, fast and almost always without scaling since most images are in the 1100-1200px height range. Add to that the fact that this screen uses 16 grayscales on top of the high resolution and a PROPER FULL SCREEN MODE and the result is simply outstanding, even for photographs. The Screen is slightly lighter than my Sony, maybe it's the actual e-ink tech or maybe it's because my Sony is older... in practice it doesn't make much of difference though. The weight is perfectly OK, but in bed I'll continue reading on my Sony because of the small size and the added light. The cover is nice and solid, even though the fake leather is easily scratched. Inside there is space for the pen on top (the elastic bands are two sizes, presumable to fit either pen), space for some creditcard (or the much needed reset-paperclip in my case -_-) and some paper behind it. For some strange reason the iRex logo is on the BACK (?) so I tend to open it the wrong way... The pen (interface): I still have to get used to the fact it's there at all ^_^ I have locked the right-hand side of the sensor keys since I keep hitting them with my palm while I use the pen. I have included an image of the included pen, the "professional" pen and the current-gen Wacom pen (which doesn't work - not the same tech) The Pro pen is very comfortable and has at least one button (which isn't used yet, like the eraser on the back) Sketching is pretty much out (I had some hopes for that) It's too slow, but I'm not entirely sure it is strictly due to the screen tech. Weirdly enough, it's all vector based (like Flash or Illustrator), and not a plain bitmap sketching app (like Photoshop or Gimp) It is clearly visible when you use the eraser: it erases entire lines at once, rather than the area you rub on. This also explains the absence of pressure sensitivity and grayscales (it seems the reader has enough trouble keeping up with drawing a fixed-width black line) I hope they will either change it, or there will be a sketching app at some point. I think the hardware is capable enough. The interface in general works pretty well for me. I too get thrown off because the bottom sensor pad central button is ALWAYS the menu button and not an "Enter" key like the other ones. That is true in landscape format too, whichever "side" becomes the bottom, also becomes the Menu button. The PC software is useless, as in -not working at all as described-, but also as in -superfluous-. I still have to figure out what good the "My iRex" account is, maybe once the functionality is fixed in the software. Last but not least, some screenshot of the SDHC card issues (they mostly work, but you can't format them on the device) The "setup card" works as well, but as others have pointed out, that does not include the large files on the original card (PC software, Manuals) Download these directly from iRex if you accidentally deleted them. Charging: Despite the huge price tag, no charger... bleh. I have successfully used my Garmin USB charger (for their GPS devices) It's very compact and comes out of the box with most international plug adapters, which is really nice. I think that's enough for now. Ask away. Attached Thumbnails

10-10-2008, 06:17 PM	#6
Boreras Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 12642 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: TBA	It makes the Sony look like something you find in a box of cereals! Anyway, a question: do you think that the flip-over cover is appropriate protection, or should one fear for one's screen? And thanks for the geek pr0n. Last edited by Boreras; 10-11-2008 at 04:34 AM.

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10-10-2008, 05:43 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Very nice! Thanks for the pix, especially.

10-10-2008, 05:51 PM	#3
flyingtablet Member Posts: 22 Karma: 11 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: none	Can you please try this file and take some photo? http://www2008.org/papers/pdf/p427-leeA.pdf Thank you.

10-10-2008, 05:51 PM	#4
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... gadget porn!!! I so want one. But it looks HUGE!!! Is it smaller than a 15inch laptop? BOb

10-10-2008, 05:52 PM	#5
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Great job, I really appreciate the comparision photos with the Sony. I've wondered about getting one of the new Iliad devices vs. the new Sony 700. I've decided that for general reading, I'll stick with the Sony. For e-ink computing, this looks like a very nice device.

10-10-2008, 07:05 PM	#7
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Thank you!!!! This was a review we really needed - THE ARRIVAL! The photos a superb and your hands on, detail is great! Wish you great fun (and ROI) from your investment,

10-10-2008, 07:06 PM	#8
Mr. Goodbar Wizard Posts: 1,005 Karma: 98078 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Mini 4	Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to mine if it ever ships!

10-10-2008, 11:38 PM	#10
joblack Wizard Posts: 1,745 Karma: 4382514 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere on earth Device: Onyx Boox Tab X	I need such a device ... to hell with wlan.

10-12-2008, 12:45 AM	#15
flyingtablet Member Posts: 22 Karma: 11 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: none	This pic looks great! Thank you so much. The only other question I have is the battery life... Hopefully it will be answered soon.

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