PRS-505 Battery life starting to go fast

[new]

I searched the forum for others reporting on battery failing on the PRS-505 and didn't find anything. I have had my PRS505 for 1 1/2 years (I think) and all of the sudden last night (I charged it that day) it went from full charge to almost dead (one bar left). I have never seen it deplete that fast. Usually it takes 3-4 days to start seeing the bars go down.

Does anyone know where I can find a new battery cheap? I hope the battery is replaceable. I hate to buy a new reader; I have really grown use to this reader and don't have the money unless there is a smoking sale soon

Thanks.

[SCION]

SonyStyle.com is offering a $75 credit toward the purchase of a new Reader when you turn in your old one (doesn't have to be a Sony).

http://recycling.econewonline.com/so...dev_type_id=16

[Joe Minton]

new:
Your 505 is powered by a Lithium polymer battery. These cells have a limited life; they deteriorate just lying on a shelf. Typically, in my experience, one can expect a life of three of four years using them as we do.

Certainly someone out there can replace the battery. I cannot imagine that Sony would not provide a battery replacement service.

First thing I'd do is contact Sony. I'd also get on Google and see if there is anyone near you who can R&R the battery.

Joe

[grooks]

I have ordered a battery for my mom's dying 505, but won't get a chance to install it for another 2 weeks. See the thread below where I gave information as to what battery I purchased. I paid $13 but others have paid more and get the correct tools with their order.

Sony Reader 505 Battery

[rkomar]

If you tried listening to music on it recently, make sure that it's still not playing the songs over and over (like happened to me).

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by SCION

SonyStyle.com is offering a $75 credit toward the purchase of a new Reader when you turn in your old one (doesn't have to be a Sony).

http://recycling.econewonline.com/so...dev_type_id=16

That's not a bad idea - if you're used to the 505, the 650 won't be that much of an adjustment, except for the spiffy new improved features.

[new]

Originally Posted by SCION

SonyStyle.com is offering a $75 credit toward the purchase of a new Reader when you turn in your old one (doesn't have to be a Sony).

http://recycling.econewonline.com/so...dev_type_id=16

Thanks, I read the link and they want you to mail it to them. If they had something like that at Best Buy where you take your old reader in and get the $75 I would. But I don't trust them to take my nice PRS-505 and on blind trust in the mail and Sony that they will say they received it and send me my credit.

Too bad it sounded good otherwise.

[new]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

That's not a bad idea - if you're used to the 505, the 650 won't be that much of an adjustment, except for the spiffy new improved features.

I have not kept up with the new readers. What does the 650 do that is better than the 505? Is the screen better, page turns faster?

[new]

Originally Posted by grooks

I have ordered a battery for my mom's dying 505, but won't get a chance to install it for another 2 weeks. See the thread below where I gave information as to what battery I purchased. I paid $13 but others have paid more and get the correct tools with their order.

Sony Reader 505 Battery

Thanks for the link. I don't buy from Ebay though. I see the link for the $30 battery (actually shipping was $6-7) and that had the tools. But how do you know which batteries are really trustworthy and will last? I saw one company guaranteed for 15 days. Whoopie!

[adityadubey]

Originally Posted by new

What does the 650 do that is better than the 505? Is the screen better, page turns faster?

1. It has a touch screen. There were complaints about the glare due to the touchscreen on the 600, but in the 650 they use infra-red, so no additional layer on the screen and no glare.
2. It uses a later version (Pearl) of e-ink which gives you better contrast and display.
3. I did read somewhere that the page turns are faster, but don't have a 505 to compare.


I found this review on youtube to be quite useful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35yB4...F16EAA&index=9

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by new

I have not kept up with the new readers. What does the 650 do that is better than the 505? Is the screen better, page turns faster?

It's quite a bit lighter for one thing; my 505 feels like a brick in comparison; the page turns are faster (smoother).

I didn't have my 505 all that long before getting a 650, but I recall that the "go to page" process of entering the numbers using the side buttons often didn't "take" well (correctly), so that I'd end of entering page 42 instead of the intended 142, etc. On the 650 it's a bit easier via stylus tapping the pop-up numeric keyboard. The 650 screen is less ... murky, though the 505 wasn't terrible. There's a dictionary feature - you tap on the unknown word and up pops the dictionary entry at the bottom of the screen. I've read more than one book that's formatted so that I can tap on a footnote, be taken to the note, and tap back to where I was reading. I don't think the 505 does that?

Most Best Buys have a 650 demo in stock so you can see much of the difference for yourself.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I've read more than one book that's formatted so that I can tap on a footnote, be taken to the note, and tap back to where I was reading. I don't think the 505 does that?

Actually, it does. You have to use the "circle with arrows" (sorry, I don't know what the official name is) to move the cursor to the footnote tag, and hit the enter button to go to the footnote. The Back (West) arrow takes you back.

Otherwise, your list of advantages seems right.

[phildoc]

Here is a link to a company selling a battery for $25 for the 505...also includes a 9:40 video (scroll down the page a little) showing you step-by-step how to replace the battery:

http://www.newpower99.com/ProductDet...5&Show=ExtInfo


Video alone in on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLHgLz9LYMA

[new]

double posted

[new]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

It's quite a bit lighter for one thing; my 505 feels like a brick in comparison; the page turns are faster (smoother).

I didn't have my 505 all that long before getting a 650, but I recall that the "go to page" process of entering the numbers using the side buttons often didn't "take" well (correctly), so that I'd end of entering page 42 instead of the intended 142, etc. On the 650 it's a bit easier via stylus tapping the pop-up numeric keyboard. The 650 screen is less ... murky, though the 505 wasn't terrible. There's a dictionary feature - you tap on the unknown word and up pops the dictionary entry at the bottom of the screen. I've read more than one book that's formatted so that I can tap on a footnote, be taken to the note, and tap back to where I was reading. I don't think the 505 does that?

Most Best Buys have a 650 demo in stock so you can see much of the difference for yourself.

The 650 sounds like my next Sony Reader.

Hoping the price comes down alot more though.

I find the Ipod Touch heavy to hold more than the Sony 505. Probably because I can lean the Sony 505 on a pillow on my lap. When I try to read from the tiny Ipod screen you have to hold it to eye level and it is heavy to me.

Anyway weird my battery was just fine last night. Strange. So maybe I can get some more mileage out of my reader.

Nice to hear reading from the 650 is even better than the 505. I just love reading from the screen rather than a paperback where the print was small and not as good of quality.