I'm sure that there are others out there reading on a PDA and considering an E Ink Vizplex reader so I thought I'd write my first impressions on the CyBook Gen3 as a comparion with my Sony Clie TH55. The PDA has a very good bright back lit LCD display but isn't practical in sunlight and I get eye strain if reading for longer then an hour. I've been following the E Ink technology for years and just waiting to buy a device.
The Screen
I work on a computer all day staring at a back lit LCD display. My Cybook arrived just after noon so I plugged it in to charge it but wasn't able to try it out until the end of the day. As per normal my eyes were tired at the end of the day when I was finally able to power it up and try it out (I'm a man of uncommon will power for short periods of time). I alternated between reading a couple of pages on the Gen3 and then the Clie and I can't describe the difference. I swear that I could feel my eyes relaxing when I read the Cybook and straining when I read the PDA. You really have to see the screen to know what I mean.
I've included pictures comparing the two devices under poor indoor lighting and outdoor lighting. You can see that the PDA looks brighter indoors but believe me this doesn't make it's easier to read. The outdoor shot wasn't under bright sunlight but you can already see how much better the CyBook reflective screen is. I've managed to read in direct sunlight with the Clie but you have to hold it at just the right angle and you can barely read it. People looked at me like I have two heads and probably thought I was staring at a blank screen.
Page Turns
Hands down the PDA is better and this is the biggest disadvantage of the E Ink technology. I was half way through a chapter on the PDA Mobipocket book that I was reading and decided I didn't want to synchronize the bookmark to my computer and then back to the CyBook so I thought I could jump to the closest chapter and page forward until I found my place. This took longer then I expected because I'd read that the Vizplex was faster.
The jog dial on the PDA works well and it's an eye blink to turn a page but the CyBook takes getting used to. I found that I have to press the button with about 3/4 of the last line unread so that it turns when I'm done. This becomes automatic after a while though and you don't even think about it. The best way I can describe it is that it's like when you're reading a paper book and start to turn the page when you're a couple of lines from the bottom. One thing I've noticed is that the time isn't consistent. I'm not sure if it's the 1.0 firmware but sometimes it refreshs when I'm on the last word and sometimes I wait a couple eye blinks. This is nothing where I could meaure the difference but I don't think it's my imagination. Don't let this scare you away though because it really isn't that bad. Just buy the technology with open eyes.
Other PDA Features
The PDA has the capability of automatically scrolling the text. When I first bought it I thought I'd use it all the time... until I tried it. It's difficult to get it to scroll at the correct speed and I would constantly adjust the speed via the jog dial. It was easier to just flip the pages. If you haven't tried reading with automatic scrolling it's difficult to describe the nausea you get after reading for 1/2 an hour and then looking up and seeing the room scroll. It took me three of these sessions before I gave up but I'm a slow learner. The E Ink refresh rate won't allow this feature and I won't miss it.
I did use the colour capabilities on the PDA to change the background and text colours but I did this primarily to reduce the eye strain when reading for long periods of time. I won't miss it. I'm not one to highlight text when I read but if you do stick with the PDA for now.
Night Reading
I don't often read in the dark so it's not a big issue for me. I included some pictures to demonstrate that with an inexpensive external book light it's not a problem at all and I find it a much better reading experience then the PDA. I normally have to turn the brightness down on the Clie in the dark but didn't in the picture.
Overall Experience
I LOVE the E Ink reading experience. I find that I can read it comfortably in lighting conditions where I would not read a paper book but under proper lighting it just keeps gets better. I can't remember the last time that I've been this happy with a purchase. The combination of my love of books and gadgets is a great marriage.
It's been less then a week so am I looking through rose coloured glasses and can't see the rash that will itch and irritate me in the future? Maybe but I don't think so. Ask me in a couple of months after I've had the opportunity to try it longer and take it on vacation.
Will I wish that I waited and lust after every new technology advance? You bet I will, but I'll by enjoying reading my CyBook while I do it.
My Recommendation
Buy it you won't regret it. You know you want it.
The rational thing to do is to wait because they're just going to get better and cheaper also company XYZ is just about to come out with something better... but face it if you're reading this forum you're probably an early adopter like me and can't wait any longer. Did I tell you how happy I am?
