Hi.
My initial thoughts on my brand-spanking-new IREX DR800SG...
Me likes!
As I said in my intro post to MobileRead, I got into e-readers due to Amazon’s Kindle advertising - but went with a Sony PRS600 instead for public library access. Then, when the PRS600 proved too difficult to use (the poor contrast was making my already dry eyes burn!), I took it back in exchange for a Sony PRS300. I was (am?) loving the PRS300 but, gosh darn it, I WANTED the PRS600 functions!!
Well, the DR800 is not exactly like the PRS600, but it’s close enough ... for me. First, the screen size! Look at my (admittedly poor cell phone camera) photo of the DR800 next to the PRS300. I’ve gotten the font size about the same (both are at medium). Not only is the DR800 just as clear and legible as the Sony, it’s HUGE! I don’t know if you can tell in the picture, but I have the same book open on the PRS300 as on the IREX. I get way more text - about three paragraphs more (27 lines versus 16, to be exact). All in crystal clear resolution ... in a package that is still easy to carry in my purse, backpack or hand.
The IREX also wins as far as being minimalist goes. The only thing other than the screen is the toggle switch on the left (which works a treat, by the way). There are no button, toggles, numbers, etc. to distract me from the text I am reading. I didn’t realize how much that was in the way before with the PRS300...
I’ve installed the folder hack (thanks to the folk who found it) and I’ve also installed Kolenka’s “CBT Upgrade.” Both of these changes are brilliant (and easy to do). With the folders, I have my books arranged by genre and so I mainly use the SD access icon. Kolenka’s hack is great because it moved the “Continue Reading” icon right to the front of the home page. Awesome!
Now, a brief confession here: I bought an e-reader to read [mostly] fiction books. I am retired, so I don’t work and, although I am going to school, I don’t mind carrying textbooks (it’s only for the next two years anyway). All my e-reader needs to do is make it easier for me to read books versus trying to carry around a heavy book - or a bunch of books. And, as a rule, I never write in my books, margins or otherwise.
All that to say, that yes, the IREX does not zoom on PDFs nor does it have the annotation functions. This is fine with me. If they eventually get upgraded into the DR800SG, that’s also fine. And, I have to admit I’d love to see a function so I can turn pages by swiping with the stylus versus aiming it at those little arrows ... I’d love to have a dictionary ... I’d love to have a “turn to page ##” function ... I’d love to have a 180 degree flip to put the toggle bar on the right ... etc.
Oh, and the included Neoprene case is really too small and what was IREX
THINKing when they didn’t make it so the stylus docks into the device?!?
All quibbles. Because, overall, this thing does EXACTLY what I bought it for - to read books. It’s light and very portable with a huge (!) screen display.
So, although it’s not the best out there, nor the cheapest - I am thrilled. I said at the start ... ME LIKES!
Marilyn
P.S. Oh, and for any Sony/Overdrive employees: The DR800SG will allow you to put public library (ADE) ePub and PDF documents on the thing at the same time ... with either accessible at any time. So there!
P.P.S. The coolest thing is that my 79-year old mother wants to try out the PRS300 ... she thinks it’s cool that the 1500+ page Sherlock Holmes omnibus can fit into such an easy-to-carry device. Ain’t that neat?
