Sony $100 offer

Red Alert · 04-10-2009, 11:58 AM

Via E-mail, Sony has informed me that they are again offering a $100 credit for upgrading to a 505 from a 500.

I'm asking for opinions, both pro and con about this offer. I currently have a fine working 500 that has no hacks installed.

Do you think it would be smart to upgrade to a 505? Are the features of the 505 worth it to upgrade from a 500?

Your opinions are appreciated.

Ralph

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 12:08 PM

IMnotsohumbleO, if it is working and you have no problems downloading content, then keep what you have + the additional $150 it would cost on top of the coupon.

Of course, keep in mind that I'm thrifty (cheap). It nearly killed me to shell out the cash for a new stove last week when the old 35 year old antique Amana Radar Range died. Same way with cars, will drive them until the wheels fall off.

So maybe you might want a few more opinions than this one.

MickeyC · 04-10-2009, 12:17 PM

That seems like a pretty good deal price-wise (as long as you get a blue one). And, with the 505, you can read PDF (ADE) and ePub formatted books. This gives you access to public libraries and their free eBooks.

toomanybooks · 04-10-2009, 12:32 PM

If it works well, I personally would keep the 500. You can view more formats with the 505, but if you use Calibre you can just convert the epubs to lrf for your reader. I would wait for the next really big technology breakthrough (like e-ink) before upgrading.

But then again I am a frugal person and waited 15 years for my TV to die before I bought a new one.

You could also look at your library's available ebooks and see how much downloading some ebooks from your library would save you a month and decide if it would be cost effective. (Sorry I'm a bookkeeper)

lorimac · 04-10-2009, 12:41 PM

I just checked out the prices on Ebay for the 500 and they are selling for over $150 - so maybe you could sell your old one and use your coupon if you want to upgrade.

wallcraft · 04-10-2009, 12:56 PM

There seems to be a good chance that Sony will release a new ebook Reader ahead of its typical October schedule. See Verizon or AT&T for ebook Readers?. I don't think they would "already be signed up" if this was not happening until October, but I'm not aware of any other leaks of the schedule or the specs. There are always new devices coming, but a PRS-700 minus the touch screen and light but with wireless would be a nice replacement for the PRS-505.

Red Alert · 04-10-2009, 12:57 PM

Sadly, to receive the $100 refund, you have to send they your old 500. No free lunch. They get your old 500 and you get a 505 at a $100 discount.

The first time they sent me this offer was two weeks before they released the 700.

Oh well, I need to think some more.

Thanks.

Ralph

dordale · 04-10-2009, 01:55 PM

I think a real deciding factor would be if you were interested in reading library books (PDF or ePub) files on your reader. Since these are DRM'ed you can't convert them for use on the 500 without removing the DRM.

I get a lot of value out of being able to read library books on my 505--even have paid $100 for a non-resident NYPL card because of their big selection.

Also, from all accounts the screen is better on the 505, so this is a factor to consider as well.
Also, how is the battery holding up in your 500? By getting a new 505, you'd get a new battery. Definitely not a reason to upgrade in and of itself, but it could be a factor.

dordale

khalleron · 04-10-2009, 02:38 PM

Before I got my 505, I tried bidding on several used 500s and 505s on eBay, but they were going for almost $200, some even more, both 500s and 505s (the bidders didn't seem to be aware of the difference).

So $100 is very much below market value.

If you want to upgrade (and I love my 505, am so glad I got it instead of the 500), you'd be better off selling your old one, especially if you have all the accessories.

Kate

astra · 04-11-2009, 09:55 AM

I would upgrade. 505 has a much better screen.

itzmeigh · 04-11-2009, 01:23 PM

I agree. If you are going to do it check out eBay first. When I got my 505 a month ago the 500s even used were going for $200 the 505s used were going for $250 easy and new they were going for just shy of $300 by the time you added shipping.

weatherman · 04-12-2009, 04:56 PM

I sold my 500 for $150 on Craigslist and it literally took a day - I'm pretty sure I could have gotten $175 for it if I'd been more patient. So the coupon is a waste, especially since you'd be paying full retail for the 505.

tgr131 · 04-14-2009, 10:54 AM

If you take advantage of the offer, you get to keep the charger. The new readers do not come with a charger -- they expect you to charge via USB, or buy the AC Adaptor for additional $$.

There is also a nice "front light" wedge/case accessory that works with the 505, but not the 500. I use mine daily. Just a thought.

04-10-2009, 11:58 AM	#1
Red Alert Zealot Posts: 114 Karma: 1020754 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Silverdale, Washington Device: NookColor & Nook Tablet. Sony PRS-505 loaned to brother.	Sony $100 offer Via E-mail, Sony has informed me that they are again offering a $100 credit for upgrading to a 505 from a 500. I'm asking for opinions, both pro and con about this offer. I currently have a fine working 500 that has no hacks installed. Do you think it would be smart to upgrade to a 505? Are the features of the 505 worth it to upgrade from a 500? Your opinions are appreciated. Ralph

04-10-2009, 12:32 PM	#4
toomanybooks Addict Posts: 302 Karma: 1039424 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Ipad, Ipod Touch, KIndle Fire	If it works well, I personally would keep the 500. You can view more formats with the 505, but if you use Calibre you can just convert the epubs to lrf for your reader. I would wait for the next really big technology breakthrough (like e-ink) before upgrading. But then again I am a frugal person and waited 15 years for my TV to die before I bought a new one. You could also look at your library's available ebooks and see how much downloading some ebooks from your library would save you a month and decide if it would be cost effective. (Sorry I'm a bookkeeper) Last edited by toomanybooks; 04-10-2009 at 12:33 PM. Reason: mispelling

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04-10-2009, 12:08 PM	#2
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	IMnotsohumbleO, if it is working and you have no problems downloading content, then keep what you have + the additional $150 it would cost on top of the coupon. Of course, keep in mind that I'm thrifty (cheap). It nearly killed me to shell out the cash for a new stove last week when the old 35 year old antique Amana Radar Range died. Same way with cars, will drive them until the wheels fall off. So maybe you might want a few more opinions than this one.

04-10-2009, 12:17 PM	#3
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	That seems like a pretty good deal price-wise (as long as you get a blue one). And, with the 505, you can read PDF (ADE) and ePub formatted books. This gives you access to public libraries and their free eBooks.

04-10-2009, 12:41 PM	#5
lorimac Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: sony prs505	I just checked out the prices on Ebay for the 500 and they are selling for over $150 - so maybe you could sell your old one and use your coupon if you want to upgrade.

04-10-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	There seems to be a good chance that Sony will release a new ebook Reader ahead of its typical October schedule. See Verizon or AT&T for ebook Readers?. I don't think they would "already be signed up" if this was not happening until October, but I'm not aware of any other leaks of the schedule or the specs. There are always new devices coming, but a PRS-700 minus the touch screen and light but with wireless would be a nice replacement for the PRS-505.

04-10-2009, 12:57 PM	#7
Red Alert Zealot Posts: 114 Karma: 1020754 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Silverdale, Washington Device: NookColor & Nook Tablet. Sony PRS-505 loaned to brother.	Sadly, to receive the $100 refund, you have to send they your old 500. No free lunch. They get your old 500 and you get a 505 at a $100 discount. The first time they sent me this offer was two weeks before they released the 700. Oh well, I need to think some more. Thanks. Ralph

04-10-2009, 01:55 PM	#8
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	I think a real deciding factor would be if you were interested in reading library books (PDF or ePub) files on your reader. Since these are DRM'ed you can't convert them for use on the 500 without removing the DRM. I get a lot of value out of being able to read library books on my 505--even have paid $100 for a non-resident NYPL card because of their big selection. Also, from all accounts the screen is better on the 505, so this is a factor to consider as well. Also, how is the battery holding up in your 500? By getting a new 505, you'd get a new battery. Definitely not a reason to upgrade in and of itself, but it could be a factor. dordale

04-10-2009, 02:38 PM	#9
khalleron Kate Posts: 1,681 Karma: 3165009 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oregon, United States Device: Nexus 7 2013, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma	Before I got my 505, I tried bidding on several used 500s and 505s on eBay, but they were going for almost $200, some even more, both 500s and 505s (the bidders didn't seem to be aware of the difference). So $100 is very much below market value. If you want to upgrade (and I love my 505, am so glad I got it instead of the 500), you'd be better off selling your old one, especially if you have all the accessories. Kate

04-11-2009, 09:55 AM	#10
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	I would upgrade. 505 has a much better screen.

04-11-2009, 01:23 PM	#11
itzmeigh Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505	I agree. If you are going to do it check out eBay first. When I got my 505 a month ago the 500s even used were going for $200 the 505s used were going for $250 easy and new they were going for just shy of $300 by the time you added shipping.

04-12-2009, 04:56 PM	#12
weatherman Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 1010052 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: (previous: Kindle 2, Kindle Fire) Kindle 4 WiFi, K3K, KPW	I sold my 500 for $150 on Craigslist and it literally took a day - I'm pretty sure I could have gotten $175 for it if I'd been more patient. So the coupon is a waste, especially since you'd be paying full retail for the 505.

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04-14-2009, 10:54 AM	#13
tgr131 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS 505	If you take advantage of the offer, you get to keep the charger. The new readers do not come with a charger -- they expect you to charge via USB, or buy the AC Adaptor for additional $$. There is also a nice "front light" wedge/case accessory that works with the 505, but not the 500. I use mine daily. Just a thought.