Best eReader for writing?

DoubleHelix · 08-12-2011, 01:04 AM

I do a lot of bicycle touring and backpacking. Most of my trips last more than a week.

I am looking at getting an eReader that I could take with me.

Main needs:
1) Battery life greater than a week
2) Supports writing (I really dont like the keyboard on the Kindle 3, the Bluetooth capabilities of the nook seem promising though I dont know if it is fast enough to accommodate making documents or if there is even an app for it).
3) Preferably <$300

If it needs to be rooted to accomplish this that is fine, I have an android phone which I have rooted and installed custom roms and recoveries.

Thanks for the help,
Devin

Elfwreck · 08-12-2011, 01:26 AM

You're out of luck; only e-ink has that kind of battery life, and the e-ink readers don't support writing at any useful level.

However, you could look into a solar-powered USB charger for Nook color or other tablet-style reader.

applepie · 08-12-2011, 02:25 AM

Nook or Kindle. They don't Support writing. You can make notes, highlight the text though.
I like Nook more because Kindle looks kinda cheap. I have Nook and am absolutely happy with it. I normally charge it once/week. I read a lot, about 5-6 books every week.

charmian · 08-12-2011, 03:13 AM

I heard they had to do a lot of hacking to turn on the Bluetooth chip in the Nook Color. Not sure if they managed to do it with Nook Simple Touch Reader.

luqmaninbmore · 08-12-2011, 04:54 AM

The sony readers and kobo touch have basic sketch programs that can be used to jot down notes.

Eisengoth · 08-12-2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleHelix

I do a lot of bicycle touring and backpacking. Most of my trips last more than a week.

I am looking at getting an eReader that I could take with me.

Main needs:
1) Battery life greater than a week
2) Supports writing (I really dont like the keyboard on the Kindle 3, the Bluetooth capabilities of the nook seem promising though I dont know if it is fast enough to accommodate making documents or if there is even an app for it).
3) Preferably <$300

If it needs to be rooted to accomplish this that is fine, I have an android phone which I have rooted and installed custom roms and recoveries.

Thanks for the help,
Devin

Honestly, it sounds to me like you're looking for a rooted NookColor that you could install some kind of word processing app on. You're not going to get that kind of battery life out of it, though... you'd need some kind of mobile charger. I saw the suggestion of a solar-powered one up above... maybe that would solve the battery issue?

I don't believe that any of the other readers, particularly the e-Ink ones have the composition features, though they have the battery life.

Good luck - hope you find something useful!

VydorScope · 08-12-2011, 07:55 AM

Yeah... I agree pretty much you will need a tablet. I suggest the Asus Transformer over the nook color though because...

1) You do not need to root it
2) It has an optional keyboard with second battery in it that doubles as a case
3) It comes with Polaris Office which does a good job of creating/editing MS Word Docs.

BUT it does not fit your price point. The only option in your price range that is close is the Nook Color running CM7 or other Android ROM then getting Polaris office from the market for it.

Now if you just want reduce your needs to a reader... Kindle or NookTouch would be much better due to huge battery life.

HarryT · 08-12-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applepie

Nook or Kindle. They don't Support writing. You can make notes, highlight the text though.
I like Nook more because Kindle looks kinda cheap. I have Nook and am absolutely happy with it. I normally charge it once/week. I read a lot, about 5-6 books every week.

There are a number of "notepad"-type apps available for the Kindle. I don't know how well they work.

Dulin's Books · 08-12-2011, 11:42 AM

what kind of writing do you intend to do?

Boox 60/Bebook Neo and Pocket Book 603 have Wacom pen input. If you are just jotting notes about where you are etc they would be fine. I haven't tried anything longer than the grocery list

I have 3 brand new in the box Boox 60s that are then end of a batch from a month ago that im thinking of putting up on sale at a price below $200 just to move them out while waiting on the next batch..

CommonReader · 08-12-2011, 11:58 AM

How about taking an ebook reader and a (gasp) paper notebook?

Jack Tingle · 08-12-2011, 12:22 PM

An alternative is a WM5/6 PDA (a Dell or an HP) with several batteries (they're replaceable) and a means of charging the flat batteries. The only defect with that scheme is sunlight readability. If you have to have sunlight readability, I'm afraid you can't get there from here in a simple package.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

j.p.s · 08-12-2011, 01:14 PM

I doubt that solar charging would be practical on a bicycle trip.

If you have or are willing to get a dynohub, Busch & Müller have a dynohub powered charger that can be set to provide a wide variety of voltages and currents. The e-werk also has an option to connect its own rechargable battery which will continue to recharge your device while the bicycle is not in motion and provide additional voltage smoothing while the bicycle is in motion. The battery can be removed and used to recharge and/or power devices at night. The e-werk is not cheap, but it is compact and should be water tight and reliable

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp

Schmidt, Shimano, and Sanyo all make good dynohubs. There is a wide range of price and performance. Part of the performance is drag. None have high drag, so it is up to you how much to pay to reduce drag, reduce maintenance, etc.

I don't have direct experience with the e-werk, but Peter White does not sell junk. I do have a Schmidt dynohub that has been in daily use for over 12 years and I have been very happy with.

BTW, there are now some very good dynohub powered LED bicycle headlights with shaped beams available now. They put out plenty of light and put it on the road where it belongs.

Billi · 08-12-2011, 01:34 PM

My advice would be:

- take Dulin's offer, Bebook Neo or Pocketbook 603 or
- buy a 5" device like Cybook Opus or Pocketbook 360(+) or Sony350 and a paper notebook.

Penforhire · 08-12-2011, 01:39 PM

As Dulin asked, what sort of writing? For example, a travelogue might be better accomplished with a smartphone to just record voice notes (transcribe later) and photos.

VydorScope · 08-12-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonReader

How about ... a (gasp) paper notebook?

Do they still make those?

08-12-2011, 01:04 AM	#1
DoubleHelix Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Best eReader for writing? I do a lot of bicycle touring and backpacking. Most of my trips last more than a week. I am looking at getting an eReader that I could take with me. Main needs: 1) Battery life greater than a week 2) Supports writing (I really dont like the keyboard on the Kindle 3, the Bluetooth capabilities of the nook seem promising though I dont know if it is fast enough to accommodate making documents or if there is even an app for it). 3) Preferably <$300 If it needs to be rooted to accomplish this that is fine, I have an android phone which I have rooted and installed custom roms and recoveries. Thanks for the help, Devin

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08-12-2011, 01:26 AM	#2
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,185 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	You're out of luck; only e-ink has that kind of battery life, and the e-ink readers don't support writing at any useful level. However, you could look into a solar-powered USB charger for Nook color or other tablet-style reader.

08-12-2011, 02:25 AM	#3
applepie Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 3866 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Device: Nook, Kindle	Nook or Kindle. They don't Support writing. You can make notes, highlight the text though. I like Nook more because Kindle looks kinda cheap. I have Nook and am absolutely happy with it. I normally charge it once/week. I read a lot, about 5-6 books every week.

08-12-2011, 03:13 AM	#4
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	I heard they had to do a lot of hacking to turn on the Bluetooth chip in the Nook Color. Not sure if they managed to do it with Nook Simple Touch Reader.

08-12-2011, 04:54 AM	#5
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	The sony readers and kobo touch have basic sketch programs that can be used to jot down notes.

08-12-2011, 07:55 AM	#7
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Yeah... I agree pretty much you will need a tablet. I suggest the Asus Transformer over the nook color though because... 1) You do not need to root it 2) It has an optional keyboard with second battery in it that doubles as a case 3) It comes with Polaris Office which does a good job of creating/editing MS Word Docs. BUT it does not fit your price point. The only option in your price range that is close is the Nook Color running CM7 or other Android ROM then getting Polaris office from the market for it. Now if you just want reduce your needs to a reader... Kindle or NookTouch would be much better due to huge battery life.

08-12-2011, 11:42 AM	#9
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	what kind of writing do you intend to do? Boox 60/Bebook Neo and Pocket Book 603 have Wacom pen input. If you are just jotting notes about where you are etc they would be fine. I haven't tried anything longer than the grocery list I have 3 brand new in the box Boox 60s that are then end of a batch from a month ago that im thinking of putting up on sale at a price below $200 just to move them out while waiting on the next batch..

08-12-2011, 11:58 AM	#10
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	How about taking an ebook reader and a (gasp) paper notebook?

08-12-2011, 12:22 PM	#11
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	An alternative is a WM5/6 PDA (a Dell or an HP) with several batteries (they're replaceable) and a means of charging the flat batteries. The only defect with that scheme is sunlight readability. If you have to have sunlight readability, I'm afraid you can't get there from here in a simple package. Regards, Jack Tingle

08-12-2011, 01:14 PM	#12
j.p.s Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,278 Karma: 98804578 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: pb360	I doubt that solar charging would be practical on a bicycle trip. If you have or are willing to get a dynohub, Busch & Müller have a dynohub powered charger that can be set to provide a wide variety of voltages and currents. The e-werk also has an option to connect its own rechargable battery which will continue to recharge your device while the bicycle is not in motion and provide additional voltage smoothing while the bicycle is in motion. The battery can be removed and used to recharge and/or power devices at night. The e-werk is not cheap, but it is compact and should be water tight and reliable http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp Schmidt, Shimano, and Sanyo all make good dynohubs. There is a wide range of price and performance. Part of the performance is drag. None have high drag, so it is up to you how much to pay to reduce drag, reduce maintenance, etc. I don't have direct experience with the e-werk, but Peter White does not sell junk. I do have a Schmidt dynohub that has been in daily use for over 12 years and I have been very happy with. BTW, there are now some very good dynohub powered LED bicycle headlights with shaped beams available now. They put out plenty of light and put it on the road where it belongs.

08-12-2011, 01:34 PM	#13
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	My advice would be: - take Dulin's offer, Bebook Neo or Pocketbook 603 or - buy a 5" device like Cybook Opus or Pocketbook 360(+) or Sony350 and a paper notebook.

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08-12-2011, 01:39 PM	#14
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	As Dulin asked, what sort of writing? For example, a travelogue might be better accomplished with a smartphone to just record voice notes (transcribe later) and photos.