11-07-2009, 03:09 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: none
|
Astak Pocket Pro or Sony PRS-300
Sorry for the thread number one billion about what to choose, but, that is what you get when you have a specific subsection
Anyways, I'm looking for a small ebook to gift to my mother, she likes to read, specially in the night, that's why i'll also ask your recommendations for a night lamp to go with the thing. I'll also prefer it to be small so it can be carryable and allow her to read wherever she goes. My price target is 200€, they are still a bit overpriced in my opinion, but there is nothing we can do there. As an upper limit, I'm willing to go as far as 250€ if you have an other suggestion that is REALLY worth it. With that limit in mind, I can only recall those two. The Sony-PRS 300 for 199 € available at an spanish reseller, and the Astak Pocket PRO with an offer of 199 $ until the end of november. Comparing those two feature wise, the Astak wins for a wide margin, but since screen quality, font quality and perhaps usability is more important on those things, I'll like to ask you how are you doing with these devices. I've read a couple of reviews and the font seems to be a problem for the Astak, and perhaps some weak format support but considering firmwares comes and goes, I'll like to see if they improved. Also, good availability of books is a plus. Finally I'm from Spain, something which could prove troublesome to get the devices here, at least the Astak which, by the way, I've haven't found the way to order to Spain. Hopefully I'll be able to order through a friend's company and avoid the clusterfucks the customs usually create with imports, specially with expansive stuff and perhaps avoid taxes on the way (tough that's definitely not the intention). They tried to charge 110€ extra to an other friend of mine when he imported the PRS-600, luckily he managed to get away with "just" 40€ but man... Well thanks for reading, for your time. |
11-08-2009, 12:57 PM | #2 |
Fanatic
Posts: 590
Karma: 788068
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sweden
Device: Sony PRS 505, Cybook Odessey
|
If you consider Astak Pocket Pro, take a look at Bebook Mini. It is the European version, sold by Endless Idea. The webpage is www.mybebook.com. To lessen the hassle, check out http://www.apoloxxi.com/, they are located in spain. Good luck.
|
11-08-2009, 03:11 PM | #3 | |
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: none
|
Yes, that is the spanish reseller I was talking about.
I've taken a look at the BeBook, and seems a very worthwhile option (specially if they are the same). I've tried to order one from them to see the final price with shipping and tax and strangely they skip the tax in the paypal price ie: Quote:
One final doubt I have with both of these devices. Is 5" too small to read, in that it would be better a 6"? or it doesn't make much difference? How does the Astak or BeBook compare with the Sony? |
|
11-08-2009, 06:43 PM | #4 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,434
Karma: 1525776
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: TAS, Australia
Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G
|
There are some people's opinions on the pocket pro versus the prs-300 here https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61389
Astak do ship the pocket pro internationally, so no problem there. I'm not sure about the Sony but you can add fonts to the Pocket Pro (there is a thread somewhere here how to do that). When it comes to availability of books, both devices support DRM-epub format, so your book choices for purchased books is essentially the same. Sony do have an ebookstore but it is not currently available outside the US or UK...besides if they do go international I somehow doubt they will restrict the sale to purely Sony e-readers. |
11-08-2009, 07:33 PM | #5 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
To buy a Pocket Pro from outside the US, use astak.com. The Pocket Pro is a Hanlin V5, which is sold under several names depending on where you live. The downside of buying from the US is the shipping and customs charges and the hassle (and cost) of returns for repair. On the other hand, the Pocket Pro is a good price and comes with a leather cover.
|
11-08-2009, 08:07 PM | #6 | |
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: none
|
Quote:
Book availability could have been troublesome, but considering a lot of people are moving to the Adobe ePub format, I think this is not going to be much of a problem. Hopefully Amazon will be forced to abandon their format and use ePub as well so everyone can enjoy their huge library. Lets pray, however, that the 40€ saving won't come back to bite me in the ass with customs, a faulty device, or worse. Thank you all for the support. |
|
11-11-2009, 09:59 AM | #7 |
Evangelist
Posts: 454
Karma: 270240
Join Date: Aug 2009
Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3
|
One think you might want to consider if you haven't already bought. Astak is coming out with a holiday gift pack next week with a lots of stuff included. No word on the price yet, but the details are in this thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61533 |
11-11-2009, 10:38 AM | #8 |
Muncher of ebooks
Posts: 312
Karma: 6423
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fürth, Germany
Device: Pocketbook 360
|
Did you think of looking at a Pocketbook 360? It is also a 5inch reader albeit for 240€. I have recently bought one and am very happy, as it is very stable (really important in an ebook for me), supports everything I could wish ( full justification, custom margin sizes, fast page forwardt, good file support, a page and time indicator, and dictionaries) and reprogrammable buttons...
The best E-ink reader I have experienced so far! cheers, kaas |
11-11-2009, 12:21 PM | #9 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
|
|
11-11-2009, 12:52 PM | #10 | |
Wizard
Posts: 2,836
Karma: 71344
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dresden
Device: Pocketbook Touch (622)
|
Quote:
|
|
11-11-2009, 12:58 PM | #11 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
I have no reason at all to doubt it, but I'd just like to see it released before starting to recommend the PocketBook.
|
11-11-2009, 01:17 PM | #12 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,470
Karma: 13095790
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7
|
|
11-11-2009, 01:20 PM | #13 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 19,832
Karma: 11844413
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Device: Kindle Touch
|
Quote:
BOb |
|
11-11-2009, 05:13 PM | #14 |
Muncher of ebooks
Posts: 312
Karma: 6423
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fürth, Germany
Device: Pocketbook 360
|
|
11-13-2009, 05:24 AM | #15 | ||
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: none
|
Quote:
Though on the other hand, the device is under a 50$ saving until december, so perhaps, this Christmas gift comes a the expanse of a higher or just normal price of 250$ if it starts on december. Quote:
My item has left San Francisco I wanted to order as early as possible because if I'm unlucky, customs can prove to be a nightmare in Spain and I REALLY want to have the thing by Christmas. Thanks you all for everything, and let's hope it turns to be a worthwhile gift. |
||
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
sony prs-300 vs Aluratek Libre pro | mrmojo | Which one should I buy? | 6 | 05-02-2010 02:39 PM |
Ended Astak Pocket Pro | kennyc | Flea Market | 3 | 01-17-2010 05:41 PM |
Just ordered the Astak Pocket Pro EZ | luvshihtzu | Astak EZReader | 37 | 10-25-2009 07:37 PM |
PDF reflow--Astak Pocket Pro vs. Sony Reader | skoobwoman | Astak EZReader | 5 | 10-02-2009 11:24 PM |
Review: Astak 5" Pocket Pro and Sony comparison | ekaser | News | 30 | 09-11-2009 08:34 PM |