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Kent Walters · 09-25-2009, 12:30 AM

Faenad,

My major complaint about my DR1000S is the battery life; both it’s use time, and it’s inability to hold a charge when not being used. I believe that the battery type that iRex chose (lithium-ion-poly) was the best choice for the application, but they chose one that is too small (in amp-hours), and it is even smaller than what they’ve told us (and that’s the one they based their use time calculations on).

Related to the battery issue is the decision to use the capacitive (finger) sensing (cap sense) switches, which are annoying in use (you must keep your fingers clear of them while using the DR, and you must direct your attention to them when you do want to use one--distracting), and their behavior is (seemingly) inconsistent at times (more on that later). The cap sense switches must draw power in order to work, and, as iRex did not include a mechanical battery on/off switch, draw power while the DR is ‘off,’ waiting to be turned ‘on.’ I think the cap sense switches are an unnecessary power drain on a battery operated device, and were only added to add High-Tech-Gizmo appeal to prospective buyers. Even without the power draining aspect, they are more trouble than they are worth, and offer no benefit over mechanical switches (oh, but they are cool!).

I think that the problem with delays (inconstant behavior) with the pen and cap sense switches is related to clock timing, where iRex has chosen a slower clock cycle in order to conserve the power. If you touch on the wrong end of a clock cycle, there will be an apparent delay. This couldn't be helped by an audio indicator, because that would be running on the same clock. This might be sped up, but it would add to an already high power drain. It's just an annoying compromise, that should perhaps be user changeable in setup.

When I can, I leave it charging while I use it, and having the USB plug a the bottom is annoying. I would have preferred a captive cable, and I have never thought using circuit boards as strain relief was a good idea, anyway; several people have dislodged or broken the USB ports, and iRex charges €300 for the repair--and a do-it-yourself repair voids the warranty.
See: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57109

The case seems far too flexible, and seems to gain much of it’s strength from the screen itself. BAD design. A new screen is €400...
see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55774

Battery and USB issues were common on the iLiad, too.

I could go on about hardware...

Before I bought my DR, I looked at iRex’s site, was intrigued by the promise of ‘Open Architecture’ (as they are touting with their new offering), and interpreted that to include (at least some) hardware--Like the ability to expand the DR’s functionality through what the User Manual called a ‘Function Extension Slot.’ In their forum, iRex said that the plug for this slot was the same as for the iLiad, but that plugging the iLiad’s Travel Hub to the DR would damage the DR. (This is BAD engineering! Imagine if Apple, when they brought out the iPhone, had said that about using iPod cables?) Anyway, after I bought, inquired of iRex about getting a pinout and specs for the ‘Function Extension Slot,’ and asked if a USB Host port might be located there. After several exchanges of email, I was told, “Yes, there is USB Host there, but [that] the ‘Function Extension Slot’ specifications [were] for sale, and intended for corporate buyers.”

I know this is philosophical--having to do with my sense of right and wrong--but I wouldn’t feel cheated if the port had been covered, and not mentioned in the User’s Manual; the Function Extension Slot was sold to me as a part of a great new “Open Architecture” device. IF the 800SG uses the same ‘Function Extension Slot’ plug, and IF interchanging won’t damage anything, and IF iRex, or some corporation, actually makes something that uses the ‘Function Extension Slot,’ Then...

Well. maybe...

Let me say this; When Hanlin comes out with their new larger screen ‘Read Only’ reader, I will replace my little 6 inch one (I love it, just too many page turns--I tried reading slower; it doesn’t work, and that’s my failing). When my DR fails me, I don’t currently expect to replace it with anything from iRex--for Hype and Lies, the News is waaaay cheaper. My advice is wait before buying the new model; see what the first suckers--er, excuse me, buyers--have to say.

badbob001,

I don’t have any trouble with PDFs; I make my own, and often reformat others that I get, to fit my screens, and my eyes (for ePaper, I prefer a serif font (Times), and use 14 point on the DR, and 12 point on the Hanlin--my eyes are getting old). I think some of the trouble people are having with PDFs on the DR is related to font substitution--I always embed fonts. You seem not too fond of Adobe; I love Acrobat, and I wish the DR supported more of what a PDF can do. I would bet that Shaggy is right about the innards; the iLiad is older, and iRex is learning as they go.

Kent Walters

09-25-2009, 12:30 AM	#13
Kent Walters Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 92 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern California, USA Device: iRex DR1000S, Astak EZreader (Hanlin V3)	Some specific complaints Faenad, My major complaint about my DR1000S is the battery life; both it’s use time, and it’s inability to hold a charge when not being used. I believe that the battery type that iRex chose (lithium-ion-poly) was the best choice for the application, but they chose one that is too small (in amp-hours), and it is even smaller than what they’ve told us (and that’s the one they based their use time calculations on). Related to the battery issue is the decision to use the capacitive (finger) sensing (cap sense) switches, which are annoying in use (you must keep your fingers clear of them while using the DR, and you must direct your attention to them when you do want to use one--distracting), and their behavior is (seemingly) inconsistent at times (more on that later). The cap sense switches must draw power in order to work, and, as iRex did not include a mechanical battery on/off switch, draw power while the DR is ‘off,’ waiting to be turned ‘on.’ I think the cap sense switches are an unnecessary power drain on a battery operated device, and were only added to add High-Tech-Gizmo appeal to prospective buyers. Even without the power draining aspect, they are more trouble than they are worth, and offer no benefit over mechanical switches (oh, but they are cool!). I think that the problem with delays (inconstant behavior) with the pen and cap sense switches is related to clock timing, where iRex has chosen a slower clock cycle in order to conserve the power. If you touch on the wrong end of a clock cycle, there will be an apparent delay. This couldn't be helped by an audio indicator, because that would be running on the same clock. This might be sped up, but it would add to an already high power drain. It's just an annoying compromise, that should perhaps be user changeable in setup. When I can, I leave it charging while I use it, and having the USB plug a the bottom is annoying. I would have preferred a captive cable, and I have never thought using circuit boards as strain relief was a good idea, anyway; several people have dislodged or broken the USB ports, and iRex charges €300 for the repair--and a do-it-yourself repair voids the warranty. See: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57109 The case seems far too flexible, and seems to gain much of it’s strength from the screen itself. BAD design. A new screen is €400... see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55774 Battery and USB issues were common on the iLiad, too. I could go on about hardware... Before I bought my DR, I looked at iRex’s site, was intrigued by the promise of ‘Open Architecture’ (as they are touting with their new offering), and interpreted that to include (at least some) hardware--Like the ability to expand the DR’s functionality through what the User Manual called a ‘Function Extension Slot.’ In their forum, iRex said that the plug for this slot was the same as for the iLiad, but that plugging the iLiad’s Travel Hub to the DR would damage the DR. (This is BAD engineering! Imagine if Apple, when they brought out the iPhone, had said that about using iPod cables?) Anyway, after I bought, inquired of iRex about getting a pinout and specs for the ‘Function Extension Slot,’ and asked if a USB Host port might be located there. After several exchanges of email, I was told, “Yes, there is USB Host there, but [that] the ‘Function Extension Slot’ specifications [were] for sale, and intended for corporate buyers.” I know this is philosophical--having to do with my sense of right and wrong--but I wouldn’t feel cheated if the port had been covered, and not mentioned in the User’s Manual; the Function Extension Slot was sold to me as a part of a great new “Open Architecture” device. IF the 800SG uses the same ‘Function Extension Slot’ plug, and IF interchanging won’t damage anything, and IF iRex, or some corporation, actually makes something that uses the ‘Function Extension Slot,’ Then... Well. maybe... Let me say this; When Hanlin comes out with their new larger screen ‘Read Only’ reader, I will replace my little 6 inch one (I love it, just too many page turns--I tried reading slower; it doesn’t work, and that’s my failing). When my DR fails me, I don’t currently expect to replace it with anything from iRex--for Hype and Lies, the News is waaaay cheaper. My advice is wait before buying the new model; see what the first suckers--er, excuse me, buyers--have to say. badbob001, I don’t have any trouble with PDFs; I make my own, and often reformat others that I get, to fit my screens, and my eyes (for ePaper, I prefer a serif font (Times), and use 14 point on the DR, and 12 point on the Hanlin--my eyes are getting old). I think some of the trouble people are having with PDFs on the DR is related to font substitution--I always embed fonts. You seem not too fond of Adobe; I love Acrobat, and I wish the DR supported more of what a PDF can do. I would bet that Shaggy is right about the innards; the iLiad is older, and iRex is learning as they go. Kent Walters