PRS-900 Returned 900 for 300 due to reflection/glare

shakfu3 · 02-11-2010, 06:02 PM

I just wanted to provide my $0.02 regarding the readability of the PRS-900. I wanted an eReader primarily to read during my 1 hour commute (on public transportation) and occasionally for reading when I travel for business. I decided to get the PRS-900 as I had enough Sony points to get one without having to pay anything out of pocket. While I enjoyed the wireless capabilities of the 900, I could not comfortably read books due to reflection/glare in the areas where I read the most (bus, train and apartment). I had to constantly shift the reader and even then I found the contrast to be relatively low (for my eyes).

After a week, I decided to return the 900 for a 300 and I could not be any happier. I don’t miss the 3G or touch screen at all and I can now easily read in any of the previously described conditions. The only negative is that the screen is a bit smaller than I’d like but certainly not a dealbreaker.

I consider myself to have fairly good eyesight and a high tolerance for small fonts, low lighting, poor contrast, etc. However, despite that, I found the 900 just too uncomfortable for my eyes and for my enjoyment.

If anyone cares to know, I bought the PRS-300 from Best Buy for $179.00 which is the going price just about everywhere but was able to save 5% using Bing Cashback. More importantly, Best Buy included the $29.99 Sony made cover for free. I believe the promotion is still ongoing.

Please let me know if anyone has any questions. I’d be happy to share my experiences.

Shakeel

SCION · 02-11-2010, 06:06 PM

Enjoy the 300! Bremen Cole loves his!

Ben Thornton · 02-11-2010, 06:16 PM

Thanks for that Shakeel, and welcome to the forum!

I have a PRS900 which I read on the train with no problems. It just goes to show that people have a very different view of this device, so people would be well advised to check it out before buying.

If there was a PRS900-sized device which dropped the touch screen for the clarity of the PRS300, I would be sorely tempted, though. The only thing that I'd really miss is touch access to the dictionary, because my vocabulary is so egregiously diminutive.

SCION · 02-11-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

...my vocabulary is so egregiously diminutive.

Sure it is.

kennyc · 02-11-2010, 06:39 PM

Thanks and enjoy. I still think the 505 has the best screen. I do use my 900 quite a lot since I got it, but there is definitely a noticeable difference. In bright light it is great, but anything less is ....mmmm....less.

olguy · 02-11-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

...because my vocabulary is so egregiously diminutive.

Uh, whut?

retro · 02-11-2010, 06:58 PM

I know how you feel! I love my 300....so much that I bought a 600. (more is better, right?) I thought it would be better for large technical pdfs.

It really wasn't and I couldn't stop comparing the screens. I tried not to, but I found myself straining to read in the same lighting that was fine for the 300.
The 600 went back and I'm just as happy with my 300. I think I'd be first in line for a larger non-touch screen from Sony. Maybe they'll listen....

Bremen Cole · 02-11-2010, 07:27 PM

One of the things that attracted me to the 300 is the screen quality. I had heard that the 505 had the best screen, and the 300 had basically the same screen but just a little smaller. My wife also has a 300 and she has it with her at all times, really enjoys it....

Coming from a 900 to the little 300 must have been a bit of a shock for you. The small screen is not perfect, but it is a good compromise. I would not count on there being any more non-touch screen dedicated ereaders being made. All the manufactures have it in their head now that everything has to have a touchscreen......for a dedicated reader I really don't see the point, but that's just me.

robertpolson · 02-11-2010, 08:13 PM

How does PRS 300/900 compares to Nook?

DougFNJ · 02-11-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olguy

Uh, whut?

Get a PRS-900 and go to the Dictionary and look it up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

Coming from a 900 to the little 300 must have been a bit of a shock for you. The small screen is not perfect, but it is a good compromise. I would not count on there being any more non-touch screen dedicated ereaders being made. All the manufactures have it in their head now that everything has to have a touchscreen......for a dedicated reader I really don't see the point, but that's just me.

This is a perfect example of different examples where what's good for 1 may be completely opposite for others. I LOVE the touchscreen for a number of reasons.

I don't like clicking buttons 20 times to get to where I want. I prefer being able to touch the highlighted area of text to get to the setting, or area I desire, this is particularly useful for newspapers.

I like being able to highlight if I want, I like that I could circle sections in a book if I am studying.

Most importantly, I am a lefty. When I sit down at lunch to eat, I place the book standing up in my right hand. I like the fact that I could swipe anywhere on the right side of the page to turn it rather than a dedicated button.

I really like that Sony has basically created a number of choices, I am however surprised that they didn't continue selling the 505 to compliment the 300 for those that have no desire for Touch Screen.

dsvick · 02-12-2010, 10:01 AM

I love my 900 as well. It was my first reader so I didn't have much of a basis for comparison which may be why the glare/contrast/reflection issue has not mattered to me. Yes, I notice them all, but a slight shift of the reader is enough to take care of it. Of course I do most of my reading in a relatively controlled environment, not buses and trains where the lighting is probably changing constantly.

Penforhire · 02-12-2010, 11:38 AM

The double-tap to access the dictionary is a huge touch benefit. The speed and ease means I look up more words "right now" without interruping my flow too badly. The initial mini-box at the bottom is usually enough and, if not, the full-page expansion is fast to open and close.

Do I wish it was less reflective and didn't lower the contrast? Heck yeah. My 505 was a joy to read on. But I'm not sending my 900 back. I can easily see how that decision might differ for anyone else. Sony could narrow that choice gap by providing a seriously bright book light/cover, say a 2 AA battery model with more LED's in a wider head. The existing light is wimpy.

robertpolson · 02-12-2010, 12:49 PM

I think that as my trial period coming to an end, I will keep my PRS 900. I will go to B&N today to check out Nook, but if I won't like it too much, I will keep my PRS 900.

I will also look into the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light.

SCION · 02-12-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertpolson

I
I will also look into the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light.

Yes, grab it if available. Use it with the 900 before you return it, even if the nook looks attractive.

shakfu3 · 02-12-2010, 01:48 PM

The differing opinions speaks to how difficult it must be to create a the perfect product for everyone. I would recommend to anyone interested in getting a 900 to ignore all of the reviews (positive or negative) and try it for yourself at home. The in-store experience is deceptive as the lighting is usually optimal. Things may or may not be different at your home.

Either way, Sony would be well advised to improve the readability of their next generation of touch based readers. If they do that, I’ll be the first in line for one. For the time being, I will happily read on my 300.

02-11-2010, 06:02 PM	#1
shakfu3 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-300	Returned 900 for 300 due to reflection/glare I just wanted to provide my $0.02 regarding the readability of the PRS-900. I wanted an eReader primarily to read during my 1 hour commute (on public transportation) and occasionally for reading when I travel for business. I decided to get the PRS-900 as I had enough Sony points to get one without having to pay anything out of pocket. While I enjoyed the wireless capabilities of the 900, I could not comfortably read books due to reflection/glare in the areas where I read the most (bus, train and apartment). I had to constantly shift the reader and even then I found the contrast to be relatively low (for my eyes). After a week, I decided to return the 900 for a 300 and I could not be any happier. I don’t miss the 3G or touch screen at all and I can now easily read in any of the previously described conditions. The only negative is that the screen is a bit smaller than I’d like but certainly not a dealbreaker. I consider myself to have fairly good eyesight and a high tolerance for small fonts, low lighting, poor contrast, etc. However, despite that, I found the 900 just too uncomfortable for my eyes and for my enjoyment. If anyone cares to know, I bought the PRS-300 from Best Buy for $179.00 which is the going price just about everywhere but was able to save 5% using Bing Cashback. More importantly, Best Buy included the $29.99 Sony made cover for free. I believe the promotion is still ongoing. Please let me know if anyone has any questions. I’d be happy to share my experiences. Shakeel

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Glare or reflection on sony prs 600 is confirmed	Bookathon	Sony Reader	39	03-29-2011 08:41 AM
PRS 300 with Calibre/900 with SRL	cozworth	Sony Reader	0	09-04-2010 02:37 AM
Returned my 900...sigh	dieterpops	Sony Reader	13	06-24-2010 01:03 PM
PRS-600 PRS-600 vs PRS-300 (The glare! Oh the glare!)	civil	Sony Reader	29	01-02-2010 02:58 PM
Reflections on Reflection / Glare ...	Grandma Aubbie	Sony Reader	2	09-05-2009 02:51 PM

02-11-2010, 06:06 PM	#2
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	Enjoy the 300! Bremen Cole loves his!

02-11-2010, 06:16 PM	#3
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	Thanks for that Shakeel, and welcome to the forum! I have a PRS900 which I read on the train with no problems. It just goes to show that people have a very different view of this device, so people would be well advised to check it out before buying. If there was a PRS900-sized device which dropped the touch screen for the clarity of the PRS300, I would be sorely tempted, though. The only thing that I'd really miss is touch access to the dictionary, because my vocabulary is so egregiously diminutive.

02-11-2010, 06:39 PM	#5
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks and enjoy. I still think the 505 has the best screen. I do use my 900 quite a lot since I got it, but there is definitely a noticeable difference. In bright light it is great, but anything less is ....mmmm....less.

02-11-2010, 06:58 PM	#7
retro Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 245 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Device: Kobo Clara Blue PRS 350	I know how you feel! I love my 300....so much that I bought a 600. (more is better, right?) I thought it would be better for large technical pdfs. It really wasn't and I couldn't stop comparing the screens. I tried not to, but I found myself straining to read in the same lighting that was fine for the 300. The 600 went back and I'm just as happy with my 300. I think I'd be first in line for a larger non-touch screen from Sony. Maybe they'll listen....

02-11-2010, 07:27 PM	#8
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	One of the things that attracted me to the 300 is the screen quality. I had heard that the 505 had the best screen, and the 300 had basically the same screen but just a little smaller. My wife also has a 300 and she has it with her at all times, really enjoys it.... Coming from a 900 to the little 300 must have been a bit of a shock for you. The small screen is not perfect, but it is a good compromise. I would not count on there being any more non-touch screen dedicated ereaders being made. All the manufactures have it in their head now that everything has to have a touchscreen......for a dedicated reader I really don't see the point, but that's just me.

02-11-2010, 08:13 PM	#9
robertpolson Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 28496 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	How does PRS 300/900 compares to Nook?

02-12-2010, 10:01 AM	#11
dsvick Wizard Posts: 2,737 Karma: 635747 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northeast Ohio, USA Device: PRS-900	I love my 900 as well. It was my first reader so I didn't have much of a basis for comparison which may be why the glare/contrast/reflection issue has not mattered to me. Yes, I notice them all, but a slight shift of the reader is enough to take care of it. Of course I do most of my reading in a relatively controlled environment, not buses and trains where the lighting is probably changing constantly.

02-12-2010, 11:38 AM	#12
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	The double-tap to access the dictionary is a huge touch benefit. The speed and ease means I look up more words "right now" without interruping my flow too badly. The initial mini-box at the bottom is usually enough and, if not, the full-page expansion is fast to open and close. Do I wish it was less reflective and didn't lower the contrast? Heck yeah. My 505 was a joy to read on. But I'm not sending my 900 back. I can easily see how that decision might differ for anyone else. Sony could narrow that choice gap by providing a seriously bright book light/cover, say a 2 AA battery model with more LED's in a wider head. The existing light is wimpy.

02-12-2010, 12:49 PM	#13
robertpolson Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 28496 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	I think that as my trial period coming to an end, I will keep my PRS 900. I will go to B&N today to check out Nook, but if I won't like it too much, I will keep my PRS 900. I will also look into the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light.

02-12-2010, 01:48 PM	#15
shakfu3 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-300	The differing opinions speaks to how difficult it must be to create a the perfect product for everyone. I would recommend to anyone interested in getting a 900 to ignore all of the reviews (positive or negative) and try it for yourself at home. The in-store experience is deceptive as the lighting is usually optimal. Things may or may not be different at your home. Either way, Sony would be well advised to improve the readability of their next generation of touch based readers. If they do that, I’ll be the first in line for one. For the time being, I will happily read on my 300.

Advert

Advert