Battery life: Kindle v Sony Reader?

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

My opinion... don't worry about it. So what if you have to charge it every 7 days instead of every 10. My feeling about battery life for both my Sony and Kindle... it more than good enough... I charge them when they get low. Both can be read while charging if absolutley necessary. As a matter of fact, you can't even turn of the 500 without some funky gyrations.

BOb

Makes sense. I agree.

Thanks!

[RWood]

I don't think I have "charged" my Reader (an 18+ month old Sony 500) in over a year. It picks up enough charge through the USB port when I am loading/deleting books. Once connected to the USB I generally leave it until I either want to read something or I am finished working on the computer.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by RWood

I don't think I have "charged" my Reader (an 18+ month old Sony 500) in over a year. It picks up enough charge through the USB port when I am loading/deleting books. Once connected to the USB I generally leave it until I either want to read something or I am finished working on the computer.

Ok, not to split hairs here, but when you connect your reader to a USB port, you are charging it.

BOb

[Donnageddon]

i just got my kindle. i am sending tkis message using it. it sure will not replace a laptop but pretty cool !

[Donnageddon]

OK, enough of my test Kindle message. Sorry for the interruption.

It is back to the laptop for posting for me. But it is interesting how much you can do with the Kindle.

But the ergonomics? Ughhh. Maybe I will get used to it.


Don't know about battery life comparisons yet. But I have never had a problem with battery life with my Sony Reader.

[Ervserver]

A week on a charge is great I think

[RWood]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Ok, not to split hairs here, but when you connect your reader to a USB port, you are charging it.

BOb

The point I was making was that I have not needed to "recharge" the Sony as a single event. The periods of loading and unloading books to the Reader were enough to keep it charged for over a year. I have no thoughts that one charge would last a year (although that would be wonderful, I doubt that I could life the associated battery. )

[=X=]

Usally charge time does not matter. I typically connect my Sony to add/remove books so I am always charing. I think you will feel the effect of having to charge the Kindle more because it does not require a PC.

However there have been a few times where I have been VERY glad the PRS-505 has a long battery life. Once on a week long business trip the other on a vacation. Since I did not have easy access to a PC on either trip I when a week using my device w/o a charge. Both times I took the sony down to 1 bar. It was nice not having to stress about having to find a place to charge my device.

=X=

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by =X=

However there have been a few times where I have been VERY glad the PRS-505 has a long battery life. Once on a week long business trip the other on a vacation. Since I did not have easy access to a PC on either trip I when a week using my device w/o a charge. Both times I took the sony down to 1 bar. It was nice not having to stress about having to find a place to charge my device.

=X=

This is what I was wondering, if I should take a charger on a week long trip. I did get a charger but have not opened it. I guess it is inexpensive enough I could keep it. BUt whether or not I should pack it is my question.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by GypsyWoman

This is what I was wondering, if I should take a charger on a week long trip. I did get a charger but have not opened it. I guess it is inexpensive enough I could keep it. BUt whether or not I should pack it is my question.

Do you take a PC with you, or have one available when you travel? If so, you could just connect to it's USB port for a few hours and you will be good to go again. Nice thing about the 505 is you can charge from USB when it is totally dead. The 500 woudn't do that.

BOb

EDIt: One nice thing for me is that my Cell phone, Palm Zire and Sony 500 will all charge from the same charger... so I only need one for all three devices.

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Do you take a PC with you, or have one available when you travel? If so, you could just connect to it's USB port for a few hours and you will be good to go again. Nice thing about the 505 is you can charge from USB when it is totally dead. The 500 woudn't do that.

BOb

EDIt: One nice thing for me is that my Cell phone, Palm Zire and Sony 500 will all charge from the same charger... so I only need one for all three devices.

Gee whiz Bob, you are one fast poster here. I always get such helpful information from you.

I do have a PC we when travel. My DH always takes his but my software is on my laptop and not his. I guess the software isn't an issue is it, DUH! SO then the answer would be yes, I do have a PC with me.

My cell phone and PDA are different.

Thanks again!!

[=X=]

On both trips I read a lot that is why they went down to one bar. I didn't take a charger on either trip.

However since you have access to a PC I would recommend taking a miniUSB hub for safe measure. If you lose the miniUSB cable the replacement is only $5-$10 and readily available in most stores. If you lose the charger you'll have to special order from SONY again.
Honestly I don't think you will be needing to charge your reader on your trip, I didn't. Of course if you use the mp3 player that is a different story.

=X=

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by =X=

On both trips I read a lot that is why they went down to one bar. I didn't take a charger on either trip.

However since you have access to a PC I would recommend taking a miniUSB hub for safe measure. If you lose the miniUSB cable the replacement is only $5-$10 and readily available in most stores. If you lose the charger you'll have to special order from SONY again.
Honestly I don't think you will be needing to charge your reader on your trip, I didn't. Of course if you use the mp3 player that is a different story.

=X=

Thanks for the advice.

I wouldn't want to lose anything on my trips. I cruise 3-4 times a year, for 1-2 weeks at a time. When I am on a ship or in some remote island I ain't gettin' nothin' replaced until I get home.

I will probably take along the charger just in case. I use an Ipod for my music but now I have the Sony that may change.

Oh these big decisions we have to make, life is tough sometimes, isn't it?

[Ervserver]

and don't spill any umbrella drinks on your reader

Originally Posted by GypsyWoman

Thanks for the advice.

I wouldn't want to lose anything on my trips. I cruise 3-4 times a year, for 1-2 weeks at a time. When I am on a ship or in some remote island I ain't gettin' nothin' replaced until I get home.

I will probably take along the charger just in case. I use an Ipod for my music but now I have the Sony that may change.

Oh these big decisions we have to make, life is tough sometimes, isn't it?

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by Ervserver

and don't spill any umbrella drinks on your reader

LOL!! How did you know I like my drinks with an umbrella?

( I could see that happening after a few afternoon foo foo drinks)