[Chumbah]

Evening all, having trolled this site for many months now searching for advice on ereaders, I thought I'd make my first post here, having finally bitten the bullet, and ordered and received my SmartQ 7.

If I might, I'd like to start off with my initial quandry... what to read the vast amount of PDF's I've acquired over time on (mainly technical manuals, although a fair amount of fiction too, and items that have piqued my interest - again, mainly in PDF format.)

I though eink was the way to go, and having waited eagerly for plastic logic to get their act together, have sought out informed views on the plethora of eink technologies currently available, as well as some more "unorthodox" mediums.

The issue I found was that despite eink having the clarity of vision, the lack of generic support for those documents most read, left most devices, in my opinion, wanting.

There was always a trade off (as there often is) insofar as some documents could be opened, some could not, or involved jumping through hoops of fire to get there.

Then there was the price... Irex have the size of both display AND cost. Everyone else either has 5" or 6" displays with the promise of bigger and better to come.

Well I tried holding my breath several times, and developed hypoxia for my troubles.

Hanlin were my preferred choice, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it following mixed reviews. ECooler were not prepared to offer a no quibble money back guarantee if I didn't like it, and expected me to shell out on a product unseen, and which appeared to have not received the best of reviews. And then there were others who promised decent 6" displays or better, and quite frankly either kept moving the goal posts, or simply failed to deliver the goods, and goofed out by adopting another brand and installing their own software on them - not quite "cutting edge"!

I really didn't want a laptop solution, and the range of tablets on the market were either cost prohibative, or battery life was abyssmal.

So, coming across Chippy's and Coldsuns reviews really got the old creative juices flowing.

A 7" touchscreen display, with "acceptable" battery life, with a degree of flexibility insofar as software available.....and a damn good price into the bargain! - SOLD!

My Q7 was received within 9 calander days from placing of order.

Out of the box it was virtually fully charged, although it took me a while to figure it out, it not having any discs, instruction manuals or any form of informative documentation (why??? - would it be so difficult?)

Figured out how to turn it on ( a big plus there!) and loaded up a 2GB card with some PDF's and music just to get me going.

The touch screen is not what I might call the most responsive screen I've come across, but is nonetheless functional. The Evince PDF viewer, does what it is supposed to do, and I can happily read all my material (Yay!!!!!!!) My only real gripe is that when in full screen mode and you page down, you are still left with around 5-6 lines of text that you have just read at the top of the page. I just wish there was a way to set parameters like that so suit the reader, say to just the last line or two. Ho hum, maybe there is?

Sonata, is again functional, although it can be like pulling teeth anally to use.

Web browsing is a nice feature, and I was able to easily get it to connect wirelessly at home.

I did try and put foxit on, but it wasn't having it. As for FBReader, as yet I have no real use for it with the material I have - at this time ;-)

I'd like WinCE, if only for that familiar Windows feel, but as it stands currently, the Q7 does what I need it to do.

Oh, and the one other great thing is that at night, it is marvelous to use with the back-light set to it's dimmest, the wife doesn't get woken up! and I can focus on reading as opposed to her snoring.

I admit that it's weakest link is use in bright daylight, but truthfully, my use of it in such circumstances is pretty rare, as I usually have other things to do.

So, with a 32GB card en route, I'm looking forward to a holiday with a good selection of both reading material, and sounds, leaving the kids to use their DS Lites, and the laptop for those occassional evening needs of games and movies.

So a big thumbs up to the Q7.

Should anyone take an interest, is there a decent FAQ on the Q7?, is there a use for the menu button below the page up/down buttons? is there a purpose to the two other buttons next to the power/suspend button?

Oh the list of questions can go on and on.... but in the meantime, I'll continue reading on my SmartQ 7!!

Oh, before I forget, can anyone recommend a decent cover for the Q7, and not some enlarged spectacle carry case?