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Liz S · 11-12-2010, 12:12 PM

Hi
I've already posted my intro in the "introduce yourself" forum.
I've been lurking for a while trying to figure out which ereader to buy.

My requirements are simple, I hope

I need an ereader which can handle PDF (mostly scanned image) books, mostly downloaded from archive.org or from google books. The collection is around 700 books and I promised myself nott o download any more until I have a decent ereader. I generally won't need to reflow as I have few PDFs in text format. I don't need to read technical books in A4 format which probably helps the choice I also have a fair collection of .mobi books from Gutenberg. I use Calibre and have tinkered with Sigil and ABBY Finereader. What I would like is:

eink
a) 6 inch screen as I want portability. I think this is the best compromise although I would consider a 5 inch if it can cope with the type of PDFs I want to read.
b) no real need for WiFi of 3G as I won't be buying books for quite some time until I've got through the ones I already have!
c) landscape mode, preferably with auto-rotation
d) SD storage
d) ability to sort books into folders or collections.
e) either .mobi or epub support - not to bothered which as I can convert in Calibre
f) no need for DRM support as my collection is free, out of copyright
g) touch screen would be really nice but not if it compromises readability. I already have a Viliv X70 EX Ultra if I really, really need touch screen and colour but the backlight is bad on the eyes for long reading sessions, it has poor battery life and gets rather hot.
h) I have no need to take notes etc. I just want to read.

What I don't want is for the ereader to mess with the PDF - just want to see them "as they are", as theyw ere downloaded from archive.org

The more I look, I'm quite taken with the PocketBook series especially the P301 and 602.

I think I'm heading for the Pocketbook 602. However, some of my PDFs are rather large as they are image PDFs, for example 33MB! and I'm worried that the 602 won't handle them without falling down. I suppose I can always break them up into smaller files.

These will be the colour PDFs from archive so I can always go back and get the B&W versions which will reduce size a little. I preferred the "colour" version as it is easier on the eyes "as is" rather than the processing that has been done to the Google books which become stark B&W and over-sharpened and rather harder on the eyes. I like to keep the option of the colour so I can also read on the PC, laptop or Viliv if I want.

So, do you think I'm heading in the right direction with the 602?
I really need some reassurance before I spend more money on gadgets!

Examples of pages from a typical book that I would like to read is below, remembering that it has been processed to reduce file size for upload here.

Thank you for taking the time to wade through my ramblings

If nothing else, it clarified some things for me, rather cathartic really!

Cheers
Liz

11-12-2010, 12:12 PM	#1
Liz S Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UK Device: PRS-650	Not asking for the earth Hi I've already posted my intro in the "introduce yourself" forum. I've been lurking for a while trying to figure out which ereader to buy. My requirements are simple, I hope I need an ereader which can handle PDF (mostly scanned image) books, mostly downloaded from archive.org or from google books. The collection is around 700 books and I promised myself nott o download any more until I have a decent ereader. I generally won't need to reflow as I have few PDFs in text format. I don't need to read technical books in A4 format which probably helps the choice I also have a fair collection of .mobi books from Gutenberg. I use Calibre and have tinkered with Sigil and ABBY Finereader. What I would like is: eink a) 6 inch screen as I want portability. I think this is the best compromise although I would consider a 5 inch if it can cope with the type of PDFs I want to read. b) no real need for WiFi of 3G as I won't be buying books for quite some time until I've got through the ones I already have! c) landscape mode, preferably with auto-rotation d) SD storage d) ability to sort books into folders or collections. e) either .mobi or epub support - not to bothered which as I can convert in Calibre f) no need for DRM support as my collection is free, out of copyright g) touch screen would be really nice but not if it compromises readability. I already have a Viliv X70 EX Ultra if I really, really need touch screen and colour but the backlight is bad on the eyes for long reading sessions, it has poor battery life and gets rather hot. h) I have no need to take notes etc. I just want to read. What I don't want is for the ereader to mess with the PDF - just want to see them "as they are", as theyw ere downloaded from archive.org The more I look, I'm quite taken with the PocketBook series especially the P301 and 602. I think I'm heading for the Pocketbook 602. However, some of my PDFs are rather large as they are image PDFs, for example 33MB! and I'm worried that the 602 won't handle them without falling down. I suppose I can always break them up into smaller files. These will be the colour PDFs from archive so I can always go back and get the B&W versions which will reduce size a little. I preferred the "colour" version as it is easier on the eyes "as is" rather than the processing that has been done to the Google books which become stark B&W and over-sharpened and rather harder on the eyes. I like to keep the option of the colour so I can also read on the PC, laptop or Viliv if I want. So, do you think I'm heading in the right direction with the 602? I really need some reassurance before I spend more money on gadgets! Examples of pages from a typical book that I would like to read is below, remembering that it has been processed to reduce file size for upload here. Thank you for taking the time to wade through my ramblings If nothing else, it clarified some things for me, rather cathartic really! Cheers Liz Attached Thumbnails