Anyone own a 505 and a 600?

RobP · 12-06-2009, 05:20 AM

Hi All,

Just ordered a PRS-600, but I'm now getting second thoughts.

I keep thinking that maybe I should have gone for a 505, especially as stocks of them are running low.

Anyone have both? What are your opinions on both and if you had to keep one, which would it be?

I intend to use mine just for reading novels, as such, I'm not sure I could justify the extra features of the 600 over the 505's better screen.

Thanks
RobP

Josieb1 · 12-06-2009, 06:11 AM

I do, I have had the 505 since August and I bought the 600 yesterday.

The 600 is beautful, a gorgeous machine, I love the touchscreen, very fast responce time, much quicker than the 505, easy to use (quite intuative actually) but as a 505 owner I am not keeping it, as much as I like it, and really need a touch screen machine, the clarity of the font/background is just not as good as the 505. The 600 screen has a lot of glare but the 505 screen is completly matt. Its like the text on a 505 sits 'on' the page, but the text on a 600 is 'under a window'. I know its because of the touch screen but I just prefer the clarity of the 505 screen and the 505 is easier to read. (imo)

If you have never had an ebook then you will love it, if you have seen a 505 then you will need to decide for yourself once you get it.

Thats the fairest thing I can say, but many people on here love it so I am sure you will get much better responces than mine.

RobP · 12-06-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I do, I have had the 505 since August and I bought the 600 yesterday.

The 600 is beautful, a gorgeous machine, I love the touchscreen, very fast responce time, much quicker than the 505, easy to use (quite intuative actually) but as a 505 owner I am not keeping it, as much as I like it, and really need a touch screen machine, the clarity of the font/background is just not as good as the 505. The 600 screen has a lot of glare but the 505 screen is completly matt. Its like the text on a 505 sits 'on' the page, but the text on a 600 is 'under a window'. I know its because of the touch screen but I just prefer the clarity of the 505 screen and the 505 is easier to read. (imo)

If you have never had an ebook then you will love it, if you have seen a 505 then you will need to decide for yourself once you get it.

Thats the fairest thing I can say, but many people on here love it so I am sure you will get much better responces than mine.

This will be my first e-Book. One of the videos I have just watched entitled 'First look at the red Sony Reader Touch PRS-600' pretty much echoes what you say. The PRS-600 looks great - right up to the point that the 505 is pulled up alongside it.

The 505 I'm eyeing up is similiarly priced to the 600 which makes the decision a little harder. One of the other Pro's I noticed with the 505 is that it comes with a proper cover rather than a slip on bag.

Decisions, Decisions!

At least in my current situation if I keep dithering I will actually get a reader in around a week's time due to the order.

Must try to think rationally...
Touch screen - don't need
Ability to draw/annotate - don't need
Dictionary? - Possibly useful, but I've never used one when reading a book - thus far.
Search - Usefull for large libraries?
Memory - 600 comes with more than double, but would I actually use it?

But on the other side of the coin
The 600 is a 'later' version and has a much less cluttered interface. Will possibly be supported longer by Sony?

Dunno.

I've been reading these forums and many other sources for around a week now and I'm still on the fence between the 505 and 600.

RobP

omk3 · 12-06-2009, 08:07 AM

I own both a 505 and a 600. The 600 is my third dedicated device, which means I was used to the better screen quality of the previous ones. Still, I use my 600 almost exclusively now. I love its extra features, the natural way to turn pages, the ability to annotate (which I didn't think I would need), and definitely the dictionary. I almost never use a dictionary with paper books any more, but the ease of using it on my 600 means I can look up any word I am in doubt about without any hassle at all, with the definition even appearing on the same page while I'm reading.

The search option is also something I missed on my previous devices. Maybe my memory is not what it should be, but I sometimes come across characters in a book that I'm sure I've met before, but can't remember when or where. The search option comes very handy in such cases.

I once tried to read a manga on my 600. Mangas being images instead of text, I couldn't use many of the 600 features, so I thought I would be better off reading it on my 505. Indeed, visually it was much much better, and I always read comics and mangas on my 505 now, BUT! it was then that I noticed the huge difference of speed. On the 505 (and most readers really), you press the next page button and wait for the processor to realize what is to be done. You actually have the time to read a small paragraph before the page turns. The fist few times I read on my 600 I found I had to go back to read the last sentences, because the page had changed much too quickly!

All in all, I would definitely recommend the 600, especially if it is your first device, unless you are absolutely sure you don't care about any of the extra features (and bear in mind that even if you think so, you will grow to love some of them)

DrMoze · 12-06-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobP

Must try to think rationally...
Touch screen - don't need
Ability to draw/annotate - don't need
Dictionary? - Possibly useful, but I've never used one when reading a book - thus far.
Search - Usefull for large libraries?
Memory - 600 comes with more than double, but would I actually use it?

But on the other side of the coin
The 600 is a 'later' version and has a much less cluttered interface. Will possibly be supported longer by Sony?

Based on the above reasons (which I have similar views on), the 505 seems to be your device. Clearer screen, and great for simply reading lots of books. I never use a dictionary or notes when I read--just keep turning pages! There's plenty of memory, enough for at least a couple of hundred novels (probably more) plus 2 memory card slots. Memory is not an issue imho.

WRT interface, the 600's touchscreen interface actually appeared more complex and cluttered to me when I checked one out, which was a turn-off. Lots of on-screen icons etc. would appear, with submenus, etc. I like the simpler 505 interface--the bookmarks and main menu are always just one button away, and that's pretty much all I need to select books, pick up where I left one off, and read.

RobP · 12-06-2009, 01:43 PM

I have to admit that I'm vearing more toward the 505 right now.

One thing I have noticed - which could just be me - is that where there is a photograph of a 600 with annotations, the annotations look a lot darker than than the text? In fact they look about the same brightness level as the text on the 505(?)

I'm giving myself until 2100 tonight to make the final decision and so far it is leaning heavily toward the 505.

RobP

katysax · 12-06-2009, 01:54 PM

My 505 screen developed streaks but I loved it so much I bought a 600. The 600 screen is not as clear which took some getting used to. However, I dislike the interface of the 505 so I consider the 600 overall an improvement.

I sort of like the smaller size of the 300 but don't have one. I was concerned though that the 300 made the text just a tad smaller. To me, at this point, the choice to make is the 600 or the 300.

Journier · 12-06-2009, 02:21 PM

Hello RobP, I have a 600 and a 505. I like the clarity of the 505 and use it for recreational reading. However, as an online college student I need to do a lot of research on line. Most of the material I use in my papers (an 8 pager every 5 wks) are pdf's which I down load so that I can go through them at my liesure and highlight and scribble notes. So, the annotation is very valuable to me. I also like to use the hand writing app to keep notes on such as phone numbers, dates, addresses, and shopping lists. They are then displayed in a thumbnail view and easy to read in that view. Using this app, I can use my 600 as a PDA. I like both, if I had to choose one though, I would choose the 600. If I wanted to just read, I would definitely choose the 505. Hopefully, I did not add to your confusion.

Richard

RobP · 12-06-2009, 04:22 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

In the end I decided to keep the PRS-600 order going. I guess if there are any issues I could always return it or get it exchanged.

Now looking forward to its arrival.

Is there anything I should be doing up front? Like downloading any specific software?

Thanks
RobP

omk3 · 12-06-2009, 04:35 PM

I hope you enjoy your new 600 as much as I do

It comes with its own software (which it will insist to install), but you might want to try Calibre, a far better software for all your ebook library needs.

Nothing more to do than wait and find things to read on it!

WookieReader · 12-06-2009, 10:39 PM

I have the Kindle DX during the first 30 days, and also an Irex Iliad and Sony 505. I took both the Kindle and Sony up to Best Buy and compared. Contrast won on the Sony 505 and I passed on the 600. Same conclusion you came to. Speed of 600 was great, but screen glare and contrast differences did not measure up to Sony 505. Go figure....

grooks · 12-06-2009, 11:01 PM

You can go to the Sony site and download the Sony Library software. To get you started on ebooks, Sony offers a few free ebooks from their store. Go to AddAll to get a list.

astra · 12-07-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobP

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

In the end I decided to keep the PRS-600 order going. I guess if there are any issues I could always return it or get it exchanged.

Now looking forward to its arrival.

Is there anything I should be doing up front? Like downloading any specific software?

Thanks
RobP

Please keep us updated on how it goes. Thanks

RobP · 12-07-2009, 03:55 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I'll download the Sony software and wait for my delivery.

I'll post an update once it arrives and I get some time with it.

RobP

FizzyWater · 12-07-2009, 10:43 PM

I bought a 600 just as soon as I possible could (get a red one). I love it.

That said, I had an eBookwise first, and I've missed the touch screen and ability to make notes from the first.

My biggest annoyance with it is the screen's reflectiveness. Yep, when I compare it to the 505, the 505 does beat it for bright-and-crispness. But the screen turns are noticable faster. And I've used the dictionary more than I thought I would...which has been kind of fun. (I was always a weird kid - I actually used to read the dictionary when I was bored).

And while others have had different experiences, I find the note taking feature to be gawd-awful slow. And that includes bookmarking.

12-06-2009, 05:20 AM	#1
RobP Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Red PRS600	Anyone own a 505 and a 600? Hi All, Just ordered a PRS-600, but I'm now getting second thoughts. I keep thinking that maybe I should have gone for a 505, especially as stocks of them are running low. Anyone have both? What are your opinions on both and if you had to keep one, which would it be? I intend to use mine just for reading novels, as such, I'm not sure I could justify the extra features of the 600 over the 505's better screen. Thanks RobP

12-06-2009, 06:11 AM	#2
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,084 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I do, I have had the 505 since August and I bought the 600 yesterday. The 600 is beautful, a gorgeous machine, I love the touchscreen, very fast responce time, much quicker than the 505, easy to use (quite intuative actually) but as a 505 owner I am not keeping it, as much as I like it, and really need a touch screen machine, the clarity of the font/background is just not as good as the 505. The 600 screen has a lot of glare but the 505 screen is completly matt. Its like the text on a 505 sits 'on' the page, but the text on a 600 is 'under a window'. I know its because of the touch screen but I just prefer the clarity of the 505 screen and the 505 is easier to read. (imo) If you have never had an ebook then you will love it, if you have seen a 505 then you will need to decide for yourself once you get it. Thats the fairest thing I can say, but many people on here love it so I am sure you will get much better responces than mine. Last edited by Josieb1; 12-06-2009 at 06:26 AM.

12-06-2009, 02:21 PM	#8
Journier Groupie Posts: 194 Karma: 415 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northern CA Device: Kindle Oasis	Hello RobP, I have a 600 and a 505. I like the clarity of the 505 and use it for recreational reading. However, as an online college student I need to do a lot of research on line. Most of the material I use in my papers (an 8 pager every 5 wks) are pdf's which I down load so that I can go through them at my liesure and highlight and scribble notes. So, the annotation is very valuable to me. I also like to use the hand writing app to keep notes on such as phone numbers, dates, addresses, and shopping lists. They are then displayed in a thumbnail view and easy to read in that view. Using this app, I can use my 600 as a PDA. I like both, if I had to choose one though, I would choose the 600. If I wanted to just read, I would definitely choose the 505. Hopefully, I did not add to your confusion. Richard Last edited by Journier; 12-06-2009 at 02:23 PM. Reason: corrected error

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12-06-2009, 08:07 AM	#4
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	I own both a 505 and a 600. The 600 is my third dedicated device, which means I was used to the better screen quality of the previous ones. Still, I use my 600 almost exclusively now. I love its extra features, the natural way to turn pages, the ability to annotate (which I didn't think I would need), and definitely the dictionary. I almost never use a dictionary with paper books any more, but the ease of using it on my 600 means I can look up any word I am in doubt about without any hassle at all, with the definition even appearing on the same page while I'm reading. The search option is also something I missed on my previous devices. Maybe my memory is not what it should be, but I sometimes come across characters in a book that I'm sure I've met before, but can't remember when or where. The search option comes very handy in such cases. I once tried to read a manga on my 600. Mangas being images instead of text, I couldn't use many of the 600 features, so I thought I would be better off reading it on my 505. Indeed, visually it was much much better, and I always read comics and mangas on my 505 now, BUT! it was then that I noticed the huge difference of speed. On the 505 (and most readers really), you press the next page button and wait for the processor to realize what is to be done. You actually have the time to read a small paragraph before the page turns. The fist few times I read on my 600 I found I had to go back to read the last sentences, because the page had changed much too quickly! All in all, I would definitely recommend the 600, especially if it is your first device, unless you are absolutely sure you don't care about any of the extra features (and bear in mind that even if you think so, you will grow to love some of them)

12-06-2009, 01:43 PM	#6
RobP Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Red PRS600	I have to admit that I'm vearing more toward the 505 right now. One thing I have noticed - which could just be me - is that where there is a photograph of a 600 with annotations, the annotations look a lot darker than than the text? In fact they look about the same brightness level as the text on the 505(?) I'm giving myself until 2100 tonight to make the final decision and so far it is leaning heavily toward the 505. RobP

12-06-2009, 01:54 PM	#7
katysax Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 222 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle2, Kindle DX, prs 505	My 505 screen developed streaks but I loved it so much I bought a 600. The 600 screen is not as clear which took some getting used to. However, I dislike the interface of the 505 so I consider the 600 overall an improvement. I sort of like the smaller size of the 300 but don't have one. I was concerned though that the 300 made the text just a tad smaller. To me, at this point, the choice to make is the 600 or the 300.

12-06-2009, 04:22 PM	#9
RobP Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Red PRS600	Thanks for the feedback everyone. In the end I decided to keep the PRS-600 order going. I guess if there are any issues I could always return it or get it exchanged. Now looking forward to its arrival. Is there anything I should be doing up front? Like downloading any specific software? Thanks RobP

12-06-2009, 04:35 PM	#10
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	I hope you enjoy your new 600 as much as I do It comes with its own software (which it will insist to install), but you might want to try Calibre, a far better software for all your ebook library needs. Nothing more to do than wait and find things to read on it!

12-06-2009, 10:39 PM	#11
WookieReader Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Weldon Spring, Missouri Device: Sony PRS-505, Iliad 2nd Ed/iPhone	I have the Kindle DX during the first 30 days, and also an Irex Iliad and Sony 505. I took both the Kindle and Sony up to Best Buy and compared. Contrast won on the Sony 505 and I passed on the 600. Same conclusion you came to. Speed of 600 was great, but screen glare and contrast differences did not measure up to Sony 505. Go figure....

12-06-2009, 11:01 PM	#12
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	You can go to the Sony site and download the Sony Library software. To get you started on ebooks, Sony offers a few free ebooks from their store. Go to AddAll to get a list.

12-07-2009, 03:55 PM	#14
RobP Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Red PRS600	Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll download the Sony software and wait for my delivery. I'll post an update once it arrives and I get some time with it. RobP

12-07-2009, 10:43 PM	#15
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	I bought a 600 just as soon as I possible could (get a red one). I love it. That said, I had an eBookwise first, and I've missed the touch screen and ability to make notes from the first. My biggest annoyance with it is the screen's reflectiveness. Yep, when I compare it to the 505, the 505 does beat it for bright-and-crispness. But the screen turns are noticable faster. And I've used the dictionary more than I thought I would...which has been kind of fun. (I was always a weird kid - I actually used to read the dictionary when I was bored). And while others have had different experiences, I find the note taking feature to be gawd-awful slow. And that includes bookmarking.

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