Quote:
Originally Posted by rudyt
The 300 is just as good as the highly praised 505 (I have both)
|
I also own both the 505 and the 300. I also had a 600 for about a week but returned it. I was disappointed with both the poor contrast and the glare. Since the whole point behind having an ereader is for reading books etc... I decided a crisp, easy to read display was more important that any advantage the touch screen offered. IMHO the contrast of the 300 and 505 are identical. Both excellent for reading indoors and out.
That said, if you don't plan on utilizing the SD memory slots, or listening to MP3s on the 505... then you might be better off with the 300. When it comes to reading on the subway or reading in bed I much prefer the 300 over the 505. The 300 is very easy to hold and manipulate with one hand whereas the added weight and size of the 505 can work against one handed operation. The 300 can also easily be slipped into your pants pocket or purse whereas the size of the 505 isn't really pocket friendly.
Obviously the 5 inch display of the 300 is an inch smaller so the amount of text displayed per page will be less than that of the 505. As a result you will have more frequent page turns. I'll admit I like the larger 6" screen of the 505 due to the amount of text displayed. The 6inch display makes the page appear very similar in appearance and size to that of a paperback book.
You can find the 300 brand new (with genuine Sony cover) all day long for $138. Even less if you shop around. The 505 is still readily available on eBay but its popularity has made them very expensive, frequently selling for much more than what the sold for new. Then again, if you are a regular eBay'er and can be patient, and don't mind waiting several weeks (maybe even a month or more) you can snag a 505 at a good price. I queried eBay everyday for new listings of 505's. When I would find one I would add it to my watch list. After a month an a half of being out bid and watching prices go thru the roof... I saw one getting ready to close and only two people had bid on it. It was like new and preloaded with lots of books. I placed my bid in in the final seconds of the auction and snagged it for $92 shipped! The wait was worth it!