Something specifically simple

[flib]

Hi there, I'm having a lot of trouble finding the kind of reader that I'm looking for. The industry seems to be busy making bigger and more expensive readers with more features that I'm not interested in.
I don't want one of those silly 3G-enabled devices with all sorts of useless bells and whistles; if I wanted that, I'd just get a tablet.

Here is specifically what I want:

• E-Ink/E-Paper display
• No extra screens tacked on
• No 3G
• Removable standard storage (SD, not Sony proprietary BS)[/COLOR]

Would also prefer:

• No WiFi
• USB Connectivity
• Good battery life
• Replaceable battery
• Somewhat small
• Easy to read in sunlight/not glossy

Is there anything at all that matches up with what I want?
I just want something I can put e-books on and read them conveniently. I don't need to be able to find them from the reader and type on it and surf the web with it from Starbucks.

Thanks!

[AnemicOak]

Welcome.


These come to mind off hand, I'm sure there are others, but I haven't been keeping up...

BeBook Mini
BeBook Club
CyBook Gen 3
CyBook Opus
Pocketbook 301+

Problem is if you're thinking to save money by dropping things like WiFi and 3G you won't. These all cost about as much or more than a Kindle 3 3G+WiFi and also use the older Viziplex screen instead of Pearl (not a big deal for some).

[Prestidigitweeze]

Nice to make your acquaintance, flib.

Until you listed a removable battery as a requirement and mentioned "Sony BS," I'd have recommended the PRS-650 (though it isn't cheap), since it does take a standard SD card as well as the aforementioned BS media.

Other questions: which formats do you intend to read, what size screen would you prefer and does the type of eink screen matter to you at all (vizplex or pearl)? Do you think you'll require a keyboard or not?

[flib]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

These come to mind off hand, I'm sure there are others, but I haven't been keeping up...

BeBook Mini
BeBook Club
CyBook Gen 3
CyBook Opus
Pocketbook 301+

I'm having trouble finding just about any of those anywhere.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Problem is if you're thinking to save money by dropping things like WiFi and 3G you won't. These all cost about as much or more than a Kindle 3 3G+WiFi and also use the older Viziplex screen instead of Pearl (not a big deal for some).

For some reason, I expected E-Ink to be cheaper than it is. Alright then, I'll forget about getting some kind of cheap reader.
I'd still rather get one that isn't weighed down and made thicker by unnecessary features like cameras, WiFi, 3G, extra screens, and such.

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Until you listed a removable battery as a requirement and mentioned "Sony BS," I'd have recommended the PRS-650 (though it isn't cheap), since it does take a standard SD card as well as the aforementioned BS media.

Removable battery isn't really important, it would just be kind of nice.
However, I have absolutely no stomach for Sony products. In this case, it's because they use their proprietary memory card format, which is absolutely unacceptable.

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Other questions: which formats do you intend to read, what size screen would you prefer and does the type of eink screen matter to you at all (vizplex or pearl)? Do you think you'll require a keyboard or not?

I'm more worried about finding a device that fits my needs than the format it supports. I'll worry about getting things that are supported by whatever I decide to get.

I would prefer something a bit small; smaller than an iPad, but bigger than an iPhone, perhaps.

Can you explain the aesthetic differences between Vizplex and Pearl?

I'd rather that it not have a keyboard, that just seems like extremely unnecessary hardware.

[HarryT]

A Pearl screen has much better (50% better, according to the manufacturer) contrast. Blacks are truly black on a Pearl screen, compared to dark grey on the older screens. This makes the screen a lot easier to read, especially in poor light.

[GeoffC]

flib

Welcome to Mobileread ....

[flib]

Originally Posted by HarryT

A Pearl screen has much better (50% better, according to the manufacturer) contrast. Blacks are truly black on a Pearl screen, compared to dark grey on the older screens. This makes the screen a lot easier to read, especially in poor light.

Sounds nice, but I don't think I'm gonna worry about that.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by flib

Sounds nice, but I don't think I'm gonna worry about that.

It certainly isn't anything to get worried about, but a Pearl screen gives a huge improvement in readability over the older VizPlex screens. Given that reading is the whole purpose of the device, having a better screen is very significant to my mind. I have both Pearl and Vizplex devices; I wouldn't buy another Vizplex one.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

A Pearl screen has much better (50% better, according to the manufacturer) contrast. Blacks are truly black on a Pearl screen, compared to dark grey on the older screens. This makes the screen a lot easier to read, especially in poor light.

Originally Posted by flib

Sounds nice, but I don't think I'm gonna worry about that.

Having used both Pearl and non-Pearl eInk screens, I'd suggest that you should consider it.

No reader I've seen so far completely matches your needs, but honestly Kindle comes as close as any. GREAT battery life, and it's simple to just turn off the wireless and leave it off. Excellent screen, easy to read in sunlight, good size, optimal weight, etc. Battery lasts for at least a year before replacement and while it isn't officially "removable", there are plenty of folks removing it and replacing it on the older models, so I'm sure it's doable in this one.

The one requirement you list that it doesn't have is additional storage. But honestly, I can't imagine needing it if you're just using it to read books. And since you've specified that it will be connecting via USB to add books, just store everything in Calibre and upload to your reader as required. Meanwhile a Kindle 3 will hold thousands of books. I'm not at all sure what a replaceable SD card adds at that point.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by flib

I'm having trouble finding just about any of those anywhere.

Your best bet is to look on eBay. I've seen both CyBooks and Pocketbooks on eBay for under $200 (new).

[anjirlly]

For a small ereader, take a look at the Pocketbook 360 and the newer Pocketbook 360 plus. I especially like the integrated cover and the ability to re-map keys to match my most-used functions. Since you said you were having trouble finding the Pocketbook, here's one seller's link: http://www.dulinsbooks.com/

[covfam]

yes ive used both vizplex and pearl screens and the pearl is much better, the 50% better manufacturer claim isnt just boasting, i can read in dark places/lowlighted places much better, also the contrast between page and text is much better making it easier to read, also devices with pearl screens tend to have better refresh rates i know mine did (the refresh rate may not be directly related to the pearl dispay but just a newer stronger device)

good luck on your ereader hunt!

[Catlady]

Jetbook Lite would meet all your needs, except that it has an LCD screen--but the screen is not backlit, so it is easy on the eyes. It uses 4 AA batteries; if you buy two sets of rechargeables, you can just swap them out as needed, so you never have any downtime.

Price is usually about $100.

Edited to add: It's currently $89.99 at Retrevo.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by flib

However, I have absolutely no stomach for Sony products. In this case, it's because they use their proprietary memory card format, which is absolutely unacceptable.

I dislike Sony as well. The vast majority of their products , IMHO, offer less features and more incompatibility for more money. I still haven't forgotten their rootkit fiasco.

Yet, with memory cards you are wrong. Even the oldest and least compatible Sony Reader PRS-500 you could use Sony Memory Stick OR standard SD card. I know, there was older Sony Librié, that was even less compatible, but that was available only for Japanese market.

With Sony reader you will get your money worth.


I own PocketBook 360°. It has *all* you ask for. SD card support, user-replaceable battery, great snap-on cover, it is really small and very ergonomic. But, (you knew there would be a but, didn't you ;-) ), it is not simple reader. It has huge number of configurable options. It supports large number of formats, it has several alternative versions of reading software, lots of themes, dictionaries and other stuff available.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by HarryT

A Pearl screen has much better (50% better, according to the manufacturer) contrast. Blacks are truly black on a Pearl screen, compared to dark grey on the older screens. This makes the screen a lot easier to read, especially in poor light.

You must have different Kindle 3 than I have seen. It is true, comparing to Sony Reader PRS-500 the screen is much better, but when comparing to second-generation of e-ink the difference isn't *that*bad. Especially if you select the right font for your reader with second generation e-ink.