[astra]

Originally Posted by John F

I brought a 650 as a gift, so following are my impressions. I've had a 505 for about two years and it's seen a lot of use.

I had 505 for 3 years and 500 for one year before 505

I have mostly LRF files, and I loaded about 50 onto the reader.

On my 650 there are 62 ebooks. Only 7 are ePubs, 2 pdf and the rest are LRF.

In the 2 hours I used it at home, I probably had about 15 crashes that would happen at strange times. For example, if I went to a collection, pressed option, then pressed option again, I may get a crash. The only pattern that I can guess at is that I loaded a lot of books, and maybe it was doing stuff in the background and didn't like me doing stuff while it was busy (just a WAG). The crashes seemed to be more frequent early on and diminish over time. (FWIW, I also get crashes with my 505).

I have my reader for 27 days. So far, no crashes. My 505 has crashed maybe twice for 3 years? maybe only one time. The fact that you had crashes on 505 means you have buggy LRF files.

IMO, I think the Sony software (on the reader) could be a lot better. Other readers seem to offer more. The Nook lets you pick between different fonts. The IPad lets you pick any font size you want. Other software let's you pick things like margin size, line spacing, ...

True. Although, I am not interested in fonts or additional font sizes. I played with fonts in my 500 time and found it unnecessary. Built-in fonts do it for me. I read the text, I do not admire letters' curves. 505 had only 3 font sizes and I found it to be the perfect setup. I have a lot more now on 650 but I use only 3. The XS one is too small, font sizes bigger than L are far too large and I don't like having 2 words per line and 5 rows altogether. I wanted 6" reader vs. 5" and smaller because I like to have a sizeable chunk of text on a screen.

I like the next and prev page buttons on the 650, but with my 505 I can read both left handed AND right; I found with 650, I only wanted to read holding it with my left hand. I don't like to swipe, and wish that they could add options to make the UI a little more configurable (like a single tap to advance the page).

You don't have swipe across the whole length of screen.
When you hold the reader in your right hand, a small swipe with your thumb is enough. So basically, it is the same as holding the reader in your left hand and pressing buttons with you thumb.

I wish that charging was more universal. I wish I could just plug the USB into whatever and it would charge. I tried a hub, it didn't charge. I tried awallwart that worked with my Zune (the iPad wallwart), but that didn't charge. I tried a cellphone charger and that worked, but I don't think I could read while using the charger.

I am unhappy with the new charging method too. I was just lucky to have a charger that was a part of logitech wireless mouse kit that charges the reader. Otherwise I would have to buy a new one on top of the premium price. On the other hand iTALKonline Quality 3 Pin Mains UK Mains Charger for Amazon Kindle for only £5 would not break the bank. It is cheap. (Excuses excuses...in all honesty, they should have included the charger for premium price they charge)

Bottom line, IMO, if Sony wants the 650 to be a "premium" book reader, they need to step up and make a better product.

Although the price is too high it is the best reader for me. Sexy? Like kindlekitten's avatar