yet another PDF reader thread

kingkaiser · 10-16-2011, 07:52 AM

Hey all - been reading anonymously for a few weeks, and thank you all for all the information you have put out there in other posts. I'm in this subforum, so clearly my question is "Which one should I buy?" On the back of your recs to other people, I'm coming to believe that the Sony 950 or T1 is my best bet, but want to run my situation by you, so I can get your educated opinions directly, as opposed to assuming.

Two things really matter to me:
1. Ability to run PDFs with graphics: I plan to use my ereader mainly to read work PDFs; I work in finance, so these tend to have charts, etc attached, and are rarely text only. Reflow is a plus, but clearly wont be used 80% of the time due to the charts and images.

2. Ability to zoom: My docs are almost always formatted for use on A4 sized paper, so the reader needs to work well with that size.

Beyond that, I would love the ability to email docs to myself (ala kindle, but its crap with PDFs and zooming, I gather). I also prefer something that I can comfortably hold in one hand.

I'm currently leaning towards the T1 due to price (its less than half the cost of a 950 currently), and ability to pinch zoom.

What are your takes; is there a better ebook reader than the 2 I mentioned for PDFs (not tablets - I own an iPad and hate reading anything longer than 1 page on it; the screen feels wrong to read, and its too heavy for one handed operation). Should I strongly consider the 950 despite its lack of pinch zoom and higher cost?

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

HarryT · 10-16-2011, 07:55 AM

You really shouldn't be considering a 6" device for your needs - it just won't work. You need a screen that can legibly show your PDFs at a readable size, and that means a 9.7" screen or larger. Your choices are basically down to an eInk device with a 9.7" screen or above, or a 10" tablet.

You'd be wasting your time getting a T1.

kingkaiser · 10-16-2011, 09:36 AM

Are there any good readers at that size? I do have a tablet, but I hate the eyestrain and the weight.

I assume then that you feel the ability to pinch zoom and go in landscape mode isnt enough?

HarryT · 10-16-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkaiser

I assume then that you feel the ability to pinch zoom and go in landscape mode isnt enough?

Not with a 6" screen, no. The issue is the relatively slow refresh speed of an eInk screen - you can't just smoothly scroll the screen like you can with an LCD display.

There are several 9.7" eInk readers available, but I'm afraid they aren't cheap. The choices are:

Kindle DX
Pocketbook 9xx series
Onyx M90/M91

I think that's all that's available at present - I'm sure that someone will correct me if I've overlooked any.

Dulin's Books · 10-16-2011, 06:23 PM

Onyx devices do have selection zoom. using the stylus you drag a box over what you want zoomed and it brings it full screen and then you can pan around a bit, with the speed limitation of eink of course

Onyx is actually preparing a new devices with the multi touch infrared from neo node. its months away but here is a video of early prototype hardware showing "pinch to zoom"

http://static.youku.com/v1.0.0188/v/...U5ODUCAg%3D%3D

*that is early prototype hardware in a current A60 shell. the final device is expected to look a bit different

JimMcLaren · 10-18-2011, 08:53 PM

I'd have to agree with Harry. A six inch device is too small for technical PDFs. I have a Pocketbook 302 which has excellent PDF support. The latest beta firmware reflows well but I generally don't reflow. I use landscape mode and zoom until the text fills the width of the screen. A page typically takes a little more than two screens then. The text is still rather small but readable. Any images that take more than half a page won't display on the screen then and I have to zoom out. It works but is difficult at times.

I've been shopping for a large format reader, preferably eink. I'm waiting for Pocketbook to come out with the 912. Or perhaps Kindle DX with duokan. We'll have to see.

kingkaiser · 10-23-2011, 02:03 AM

Hey All - thanks for your help. I checked on the ones listed and it seems that the larger PDF readers are still working through a lot of technical glitches, apart from the Kindle DX which isnt touchscreen, and up to an extent the Sony 950 which is tough to locate.
Plus they seem a bit pricey right now - I guess I'll stick to my iPad for now.

Thanks!

10-16-2011, 07:52 AM	#1
kingkaiser Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	yet another PDF reader thread Hey all - been reading anonymously for a few weeks, and thank you all for all the information you have put out there in other posts. I'm in this subforum, so clearly my question is "Which one should I buy?" On the back of your recs to other people, I'm coming to believe that the Sony 950 or T1 is my best bet, but want to run my situation by you, so I can get your educated opinions directly, as opposed to assuming. Two things really matter to me: 1. Ability to run PDFs with graphics: I plan to use my ereader mainly to read work PDFs; I work in finance, so these tend to have charts, etc attached, and are rarely text only. Reflow is a plus, but clearly wont be used 80% of the time due to the charts and images. 2. Ability to zoom: My docs are almost always formatted for use on A4 sized paper, so the reader needs to work well with that size. Beyond that, I would love the ability to email docs to myself (ala kindle, but its crap with PDFs and zooming, I gather). I also prefer something that I can comfortably hold in one hand. I'm currently leaning towards the T1 due to price (its less than half the cost of a 950 currently), and ability to pinch zoom. What are your takes; is there a better ebook reader than the 2 I mentioned for PDFs (not tablets - I own an iPad and hate reading anything longer than 1 page on it; the screen feels wrong to read, and its too heavy for one handed operation). Should I strongly consider the 950 despite its lack of pinch zoom and higher cost? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

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10-16-2011, 07:55 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You really shouldn't be considering a 6" device for your needs - it just won't work. You need a screen that can legibly show your PDFs at a readable size, and that means a 9.7" screen or larger. Your choices are basically down to an eInk device with a 9.7" screen or above, or a 10" tablet. You'd be wasting your time getting a T1.

10-16-2011, 09:36 AM	#3
kingkaiser Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	Are there any good readers at that size? I do have a tablet, but I hate the eyestrain and the weight. I assume then that you feel the ability to pinch zoom and go in landscape mode isnt enough?

10-16-2011, 06:23 PM	#5
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	Onyx devices do have selection zoom. using the stylus you drag a box over what you want zoomed and it brings it full screen and then you can pan around a bit, with the speed limitation of eink of course Onyx is actually preparing a new devices with the multi touch infrared from neo node. its months away but here is a video of early prototype hardware showing "pinch to zoom" http://static.youku.com/v1.0.0188/v/...U5ODUCAg%3D%3D *that is early prototype hardware in a current A60 shell. the final device is expected to look a bit different

10-18-2011, 08:53 PM	#6
JimMcLaren Addict Posts: 260 Karma: 1014230 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Onyx Boox T68, Kobo Aura HD, Pocketbook 302, Pocketbook 912, Nook HD+	I'd have to agree with Harry. A six inch device is too small for technical PDFs. I have a Pocketbook 302 which has excellent PDF support. The latest beta firmware reflows well but I generally don't reflow. I use landscape mode and zoom until the text fills the width of the screen. A page typically takes a little more than two screens then. The text is still rather small but readable. Any images that take more than half a page won't display on the screen then and I have to zoom out. It works but is difficult at times. I've been shopping for a large format reader, preferably eink. I'm waiting for Pocketbook to come out with the 912. Or perhaps Kindle DX with duokan. We'll have to see.

10-23-2011, 02:03 AM	#7
kingkaiser Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	Hey All - thanks for your help. I checked on the ones listed and it seems that the larger PDF readers are still working through a lot of technical glitches, apart from the Kindle DX which isnt touchscreen, and up to an extent the Sony 950 which is tough to locate. Plus they seem a bit pricey right now - I guess I'll stick to my iPad for now. Thanks!

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