Sony Reader PRS-505 Review: Impressions after a longer tryout - Page 2

rgd · 10-20-2007, 09:14 PM

Thanks Bob for your insight. All information presented here is extremely useful for us who were either thinking about getting a Reader or just plain newbies.

Anyway, I also just got the Reader today and I feel it's great. I like that it is light and portable. I live in NYC so I commute to work by subway and I was really tired of trying to hold myself steady while trying to turn pages on the book. My arms used to hurt especially because I usually carry a messenger back on my shoulder that is usually loaded with "junk" that I carry around.

The only thing that I would comment so far is that I wish Sony would have chosen a different design instead of placing those dummy memory card things. I think that even if you leave those dummy cards in place, dirt or moisture can still get in. I owe a Sony digital camera so I know Sony can come up with something better!

JSWolf · 10-20-2007, 09:38 PM

The 500 has a cover for the memory card slot. But it only has one slot.

nathantw · 10-21-2007, 03:21 AM

I'm a new e-reader user and I love it. The "negatives" you have I don't see as negatives at all. In fact I didn't even notice any of them other than the PDF part. The price is pretty high considering I don't read books as often as many people do, but not having to carry my 400 page book around not to mention the 700 page Tom Clancey book I have makes it well worth the price. Now I can carry both. Truely amazing.

HarryT · 10-21-2007, 04:14 AM

Everybody, repeat after me:

The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader.
...

The message will get across eventually, hopefully.

The problem with calling it the "eReader" is that "eReader" is the name of a very popular eBook format, which the Sony Reader will not handle.

kacir · 10-21-2007, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstross

... that I didn't feel like buying one, sight-unseen.

I have purchased my PRS-500 without having it seen before. that is why I have:
- asked wonderful people on this forum a few questions before purchasing
- read all the threads here about PRS-500 - especially negative reactions
- downloaded manual from sony.com

JSWolf · 10-21-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathantw

I'm a new e-reader user and I love it. The "negatives" you have I don't see as negatives at all. In fact I didn't even notice any of them other than the PDF part. The price is pretty high considering I don't read books as often as many people do, but not having to carry my 400 page book around not to mention the 700 page Tom Clancey book I have makes it well worth the price. Now I can carry both. Truely amazing.

The term eReader is used to denote a program that reader eReader format content. Please refrain from the incorrect usage of that term as it changes the entire meaning of your post.

HarryT · 10-21-2007, 09:08 AM

See my post #19 above, Jon

.

yvanleterrible · 10-21-2007, 11:31 AM

Book Processor?

KlondikeGeoff · 10-21-2007, 11:57 AM

Many thanks, Bob, for your outstanding review, and everybody else for interesting input.

I have had the 500 for, surprise, exactly one year today! I had the old Rocket eBook for several years and it was wonderful, so when Sony announced the Reader, I signed up and waited (and waited and waited). When it inally came, I was delighted, although missed some of the terrific features the old eBook had that the Reader missed. All in all, however, it was great.

Reading all the 505 threads has been interesting, but despite the advantages, I can't see springing for $300 now to replace my 500, because:

1. Except for the screen improvement, not enough new features to make it worth it for me.

2. I was chagrined after paying full price for the 500 to find recently all the good deals for it at greatly reduced cost.

3. I can foresee getting the 505, only to have it replaced by a "new improved" version a year or less in the future, at another $300 or higher price.

4. I would not be surprised to see the 505 getting some tweaks as Sony corrects the few things that new owners don't like now.

5. I'll wait to see if a Sony credit card deal comes up where can get it for $50 or some such absurd price.

Hope springs eternal, eh?

Nogg · 10-21-2007, 07:57 PM

Thanks Bob for the in-depth review. I haven't yet sprung for the 505 yet, but that's going to come soon after hacks are working on it. My co-worker bought one and let me feel it up for a bit. My only additional thoughts are:

1. Cover design: Personally I loved the design of the 500's cover. It was a little tricky to get on/off, but I liked that because it felt solid. The new cover attachment seems pretty flimsy to me. I also like to fold my cover over and set it down tent-like on its side as I read in bed. I'm not sure if the new cover can handle that.

2. Direct Page Control: Call me old fashioned

but I prefer the 500's hack over the official functionality in the 505. The 505 overlays the whole screen showing the input numbers which is far less elegant than using the status bar. That said, I'm still very glad that Sony is noticing the features that are popularized here and incorporating them in the firmware.

fishcube · 10-21-2007, 09:14 PM

Speaking of cover attachment. How does the cover attach on the 505? Anyone have detailed pics of the attachement?

Nogg · 10-21-2007, 10:00 PM

It's got a tab with a little nub at the top and bottom of the spine of the cover. The nubs fit into holes in the top and bottom of the Reader near the left edge.

alexxxm · 10-22-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

I had the old Rocket eBook for several years and it was wonderful, so when Sony announced the Reader, I signed up and waited (and waited and waited). When it inally came, I was delighted, although missed some of the terrific features the old eBook had that the Reader missed.

Hi KlondikeGeoff,
as a fellow Rocket owner - and about to decide if to wait for the Gen3 or go for the 505,
could you tell me more in detail which features of the Rocket you miss most using the Reader?

thanks!

Alessandro

maggotb0y · 10-22-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When I push the round page turn button to go to the next page, I do hear a slight click and it takes about the same pressure to push as the right side page forward button. The click is of a lower volume for the round page turn then the click volume for the right side page forward button. But it is there and I can hear it.

I get a perfectly satisfying click as well. Also, the and important point for all of the buttons is that they are no longer concave with slightly sharp edges. I was developing callouses from my 500 <g>- I find the buttons for the 505 much more comfortable.

yvanleterrible · 10-22-2007, 09:05 AM

Well Bob, does this signify retirement for your 500?

We have now found the reason for the downfall of the PRS500, it was not reliabily issues with hardware or software, it is simply the same reason for which most of us acquired it in the first place. Gadget lust for the newest, the closest to one's mobile reading needs. What worries for nothing, it was doomed all the way! Will the 505 survive? Not likely!

I hope you find a nice home for that 500!

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10-20-2007, 09:14 PM	#16
rgd Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NYC Device: Sony PRS-505 Reader	Thanks Bob for your insight. All information presented here is extremely useful for us who were either thinking about getting a Reader or just plain newbies. Anyway, I also just got the Reader today and I feel it's great. I like that it is light and portable. I live in NYC so I commute to work by subway and I was really tired of trying to hold myself steady while trying to turn pages on the book. My arms used to hurt especially because I usually carry a messenger back on my shoulder that is usually loaded with "junk" that I carry around. The only thing that I would comment so far is that I wish Sony would have chosen a different design instead of placing those dummy memory card things. I think that even if you leave those dummy cards in place, dirt or moisture can still get in. I owe a Sony digital camera so I know Sony can come up with something better!

10-20-2007, 09:38 PM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The 500 has a cover for the memory card slot. But it only has one slot.

10-21-2007, 03:21 AM	#18
nathantw Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 230 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: 505	I'm a new e-reader user and I love it. The "negatives" you have I don't see as negatives at all. In fact I didn't even notice any of them other than the PDF part. The price is pretty high considering I don't read books as often as many people do, but not having to carry my 400 page book around not to mention the 700 page Tom Clancey book I have makes it well worth the price. Now I can carry both. Truely amazing.

10-21-2007, 04:14 AM	#19
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Everybody, repeat after me: The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. The machine is called the Reader, not the eReader. ... The message will get across eventually, hopefully. The problem with calling it the "eReader" is that "eReader" is the name of a very popular eBook format, which the Sony Reader will not handle.

10-21-2007, 09:08 AM	#22
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	See my post #19 above, Jon .

10-21-2007, 11:31 AM	#23
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Book Processor?

10-21-2007, 11:57 AM	#24
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	Many thanks, Bob, for your outstanding review, and everybody else for interesting input. I have had the 500 for, surprise, exactly one year today! I had the old Rocket eBook for several years and it was wonderful, so when Sony announced the Reader, I signed up and waited (and waited and waited). When it inally came, I was delighted, although missed some of the terrific features the old eBook had that the Reader missed. All in all, however, it was great. Reading all the 505 threads has been interesting, but despite the advantages, I can't see springing for $300 now to replace my 500, because: 1. Except for the screen improvement, not enough new features to make it worth it for me. 2. I was chagrined after paying full price for the 500 to find recently all the good deals for it at greatly reduced cost. 3. I can foresee getting the 505, only to have it replaced by a "new improved" version a year or less in the future, at another $300 or higher price. 4. I would not be surprised to see the 505 getting some tweaks as Sony corrects the few things that new owners don't like now. 5. I'll wait to see if a Sony credit card deal comes up where can get it for $50 or some such absurd price. Hope springs eternal, eh?

10-21-2007, 07:57 PM	#25
Nogg Literate! Posts: 256 Karma: 2247 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: PRS-500	Thanks Bob for the in-depth review. I haven't yet sprung for the 505 yet, but that's going to come soon after hacks are working on it. My co-worker bought one and let me feel it up for a bit. My only additional thoughts are: 1. Cover design: Personally I loved the design of the 500's cover. It was a little tricky to get on/off, but I liked that because it felt solid. The new cover attachment seems pretty flimsy to me. I also like to fold my cover over and set it down tent-like on its side as I read in bed. I'm not sure if the new cover can handle that. 2. Direct Page Control: Call me old fashioned but I prefer the 500's hack over the official functionality in the 505. The 505 overlays the whole screen showing the input numbers which is far less elegant than using the status bar. That said, I'm still very glad that Sony is noticing the features that are popularized here and incorporating them in the firmware.

10-21-2007, 09:14 PM	#26
fishcube Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 27 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: Archos 5	Speaking of cover attachment. How does the cover attach on the 505? Anyone have detailed pics of the attachement?

10-21-2007, 10:00 PM	#27
Nogg Literate! Posts: 256 Karma: 2247 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: PRS-500	It's got a tab with a little nub at the top and bottom of the spine of the cover. The nubs fit into holes in the top and bottom of the Reader near the left edge.

10-22-2007, 09:05 AM	#30
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Well Bob, does this signify retirement for your 500? We have now found the reason for the downfall of the PRS500, it was not reliabily issues with hardware or software, it is simply the same reason for which most of us acquired it in the first place. Gadget lust for the newest, the closest to one's mobile reading needs. What worries for nothing, it was doomed all the way! Will the 505 survive? Not likely! I hope you find a nice home for that 500!