Time to upgrade?

Slider1960 · 11-22-2012, 05:35 PM

I have been happily using my Cybook Gen 3 for jsut over 4 years now https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ght=slider1960, but I am beggining to think it is time to look at a replacement.

1) The screen seems to have lost some of its contrast (niggle factor 4/10)
2) I am having lots of problems getting it to connect properly via usb, the only way to get stuff onto it these days is to put the sd card directly into the laptop and copy stuff that way - no more Calibre organised folders easy like. (niggle factor 8/10)
3) Format fiddling. I have spent a lot of time buying from various sources, drm stripping, converting etc. etc. and am constantly mocked by my Kindle owning other half (niggle factor 5/10 and increasing)
4) Book sourcing - Finally after recommendations here I have started using Amazon as a book source as a UK based customer and am happy with the range and pricing etc. so why go through all of 3) when I could just download directly? (niggle factor 3/10)

And so the requirement:
I already have an iPad and so am not not interested in reading off a bright LCD display or any other app enabled device so I am purely looking at e-ink devices. As already stated with Amazon as a source, then some form of Kindle is looking like the answer.

Questions:
I like the look of the new Paperwhite and as I would not be looking to buy until after the holiday period current availability is not a huge issue, but I am a bit concerned about this whole illuminated display thing - is that not why e-ink was developed- less eye strain on non-lit displays? but I guess the light does not need to be on all the time.
I assume that I can still load my existing MOBI format library to a new Kindle using usb as well as getting new stuff over the wifi?
Finally, are there any obvious reasons I should not consider upgrading to the PW? I guess my trusty old Cybook will keep going a while yet, but how many folks here have not upgraded in 4 years :-)

So there you have it - comments please

HarryT · 11-23-2012, 04:44 AM

The PW is an excellent reader - I'm sure you wouldn't regret buying it. The light enormously increases the readability of the screen, even in daylight, but you can turn it down to the point where it's invisible (you can't actually turn it off) in daylight, if you prefer. Yes, the PW will display your (DRM-free) Mobi books, and it also of course gives you access to the wonderful Amazon bookstore, which is the best around by far.

Billi · 11-23-2012, 06:37 AM

Na, so you will not win the price for the longest lasting e-reader!

As Harry has already answered your questions I would only like to mention that one disadvantage might be the loss of folder organisation and another the loss of using sd cards.
In point 1) - screen - you will win most.

HarryT · 11-23-2012, 06:48 AM

If you like Bookeen devices, have you considered the new Cybook Odyssey HD? It has a frontlight, just like the PW.

Frankr · 11-24-2012, 02:17 PM

I just picked up a Kobo Glo and I love it.

Slider1960 · 11-28-2012, 03:36 AM

Thanks for the responses guys, currently the Amazon site it offering ship dates of 18th Dec for xmas delivery. suppose I'd better get that plastic ready :-)

Slider1960 · 12-13-2012, 11:45 AM

Well it's here! My intention was to stick it under the tree as a pressie from Santa, but I was hoping to take a peek. Damn this 'frustration free' packaging - it can only be opened once

The cover looks nice though, a lot smaller than my Cybook one.

Well, I haven't finished the book I'm on so might as well just put it away for 12 days.......

BTW
When ordered they were talking about ship date as late as the 18th with delivery by 24th. But I got a mail on Monday night saying it would be dispatched shortly and it arrived yesterday

Slider1960 · 12-27-2012, 05:17 AM

So I was a good boy and didn't open my PaperWhite until Xmas day, and I must admit, having since read about display problems on here it was with some trepidation that I turned it on......

Fantastic, makes my four year old device seem like stone age. The display is perfect as far as I can tell with no evident blotchyness or shadowing - I tend to use about 9 -11 for normal daytime reading indoors and about 4 - 7 for night time reading with a low level bedside light on (can't see the point of reading in the dark).

I had a little hiccup to get it on wifi as I use mac filtering at home and so could not get to the settings screen. So I turned off mac filtering and let it do its thing until I could grab the mac address and set my wifi up. Then best of all having been used to the "buy / download / de-drm / convert / sideload / etc" cycle, once I found the cloud screen there was the book I bought the other week and within 10 seconds I was reading it. I cannot tell you how much more convenient the whole Amazon eco-system makes things.

In use the device is great, in the Amazon specific case it is a bit heavier than my old Cy-Book in its case but quite a bit smaller for the same screen size. Also coming straight on and to the page I was readiing rather than the old Cy-Book's 20 seconds (from sleep) and then only to the catalogue is a great improvement. I have only played with most of the settings just to get my favourite font and size up but it all seems pretty straightforward - my partner has an older keyboard Kindle and says everything is much slicker on the PW.

So from a couple of days use I am a very happy new PW owner and thanks to HarryT and others that lead me down the path to 'enlightenment'.

HarryT · 12-27-2012, 05:25 AM

Very happy to hear you've got a reader you enjoy. Regardless of what model it is, that's the most important thing!

11-22-2012, 05:35 PM	#1
Slider1960 Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 596608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle PaperWhite, iPad	Time to upgrade? I have been happily using my Cybook Gen 3 for jsut over 4 years now https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ght=slider1960, but I am beggining to think it is time to look at a replacement. 1) The screen seems to have lost some of its contrast (niggle factor 4/10) 2) I am having lots of problems getting it to connect properly via usb, the only way to get stuff onto it these days is to put the sd card directly into the laptop and copy stuff that way - no more Calibre organised folders easy like. (niggle factor 8/10) 3) Format fiddling. I have spent a lot of time buying from various sources, drm stripping, converting etc. etc. and am constantly mocked by my Kindle owning other half (niggle factor 5/10 and increasing) 4) Book sourcing - Finally after recommendations here I have started using Amazon as a book source as a UK based customer and am happy with the range and pricing etc. so why go through all of 3) when I could just download directly? (niggle factor 3/10) And so the requirement: I already have an iPad and so am not not interested in reading off a bright LCD display or any other app enabled device so I am purely looking at e-ink devices. As already stated with Amazon as a source, then some form of Kindle is looking like the answer. Questions: I like the look of the new Paperwhite and as I would not be looking to buy until after the holiday period current availability is not a huge issue, but I am a bit concerned about this whole illuminated display thing - is that not why e-ink was developed- less eye strain on non-lit displays? but I guess the light does not need to be on all the time. I assume that I can still load my existing MOBI format library to a new Kindle using usb as well as getting new stuff over the wifi? Finally, are there any obvious reasons I should not consider upgrading to the PW? I guess my trusty old Cybook will keep going a while yet, but how many folks here have not upgraded in 4 years :-) So there you have it - comments please

11-23-2012, 06:37 AM	#3
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	Na, so you will not win the price for the longest lasting e-reader! As Harry has already answered your questions I would only like to mention that one disadvantage might be the loss of folder organisation and another the loss of using sd cards. In point 1) - screen - you will win most. Last edited by Billi; 11-23-2012 at 09:37 AM.

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11-23-2012, 04:44 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	The PW is an excellent reader - I'm sure you wouldn't regret buying it. The light enormously increases the readability of the screen, even in daylight, but you can turn it down to the point where it's invisible (you can't actually turn it off) in daylight, if you prefer. Yes, the PW will display your (DRM-free) Mobi books, and it also of course gives you access to the wonderful Amazon bookstore, which is the best around by far.

11-23-2012, 06:48 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you like Bookeen devices, have you considered the new Cybook Odyssey HD? It has a frontlight, just like the PW.

11-24-2012, 02:17 PM	#5
Frankr Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 1012044 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut (USA) Device: EzReader, Sony 650, Kindle 5, Onyx i62HD, Kobo Aura HD	I just picked up a Kobo Glo and I love it.

11-28-2012, 03:36 AM	#6
Slider1960 Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 596608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle PaperWhite, iPad	Thanks for the responses guys, currently the Amazon site it offering ship dates of 18th Dec for xmas delivery. suppose I'd better get that plastic ready :-)

12-13-2012, 11:45 AM	#7
Slider1960 Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 596608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle PaperWhite, iPad	Well it's here! My intention was to stick it under the tree as a pressie from Santa, but I was hoping to take a peek. Damn this 'frustration free' packaging - it can only be opened once The cover looks nice though, a lot smaller than my Cybook one. Well, I haven't finished the book I'm on so might as well just put it away for 12 days....... BTW When ordered they were talking about ship date as late as the 18th with delivery by 24th. But I got a mail on Monday night saying it would be dispatched shortly and it arrived yesterday

12-27-2012, 05:17 AM	#8
Slider1960 Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 596608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle PaperWhite, iPad	So I was a good boy and didn't open my PaperWhite until Xmas day, and I must admit, having since read about display problems on here it was with some trepidation that I turned it on...... Fantastic, makes my four year old device seem like stone age. The display is perfect as far as I can tell with no evident blotchyness or shadowing - I tend to use about 9 -11 for normal daytime reading indoors and about 4 - 7 for night time reading with a low level bedside light on (can't see the point of reading in the dark). I had a little hiccup to get it on wifi as I use mac filtering at home and so could not get to the settings screen. So I turned off mac filtering and let it do its thing until I could grab the mac address and set my wifi up. Then best of all having been used to the "buy / download / de-drm / convert / sideload / etc" cycle, once I found the cloud screen there was the book I bought the other week and within 10 seconds I was reading it. I cannot tell you how much more convenient the whole Amazon eco-system makes things. In use the device is great, in the Amazon specific case it is a bit heavier than my old Cy-Book in its case but quite a bit smaller for the same screen size. Also coming straight on and to the page I was readiing rather than the old Cy-Book's 20 seconds (from sleep) and then only to the catalogue is a great improvement. I have only played with most of the settings just to get my favourite font and size up but it all seems pretty straightforward - my partner has an older keyboard Kindle and says everything is much slicker on the PW. So from a couple of days use I am a very happy new PW owner and thanks to HarryT and others that lead me down the path to 'enlightenment'.

12-27-2012, 05:25 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Very happy to hear you've got a reader you enjoy. Regardless of what model it is, that's the most important thing!