PRS-505 to PRS-950 Upgrade Comments

drmathprog · 01-18-2011, 08:59 AM

As I posted previously, I'm considering upgrading from a PRS-505 to a PRS-650 or PRS-950.

I've been very happy with my PRS-505, except that my 58-year old eyes could use a larger screen, and I've often wished it handled PDF better.

From my research here, it seems that both the PRS-650 and the PRS-950 offer great backward compatibility for my library and library software (Calibre), continue the fine construction standards of the PRS-505 and address my two small complaints (although I still sense that PDF is not any ereader's strong suit).

Can any one offer comments or observations?

Thanks.

Galan-Ithaca · 01-18-2011, 01:19 PM

I can't speak for the 650, but the 950 is recognized as having the best PDF support of any brand name ereader, period. It has a new Adobe version of something that interprets and manipulates (reflows) pdfs better than previous Sony models as well.

Latinandgreek · 01-18-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galan-Ithaca

I can't speak for the 650, but the 950 is recognized as having the best PDF support of any brand name ereader, period. It has a new Adobe version of something that interprets and manipulates (reflows) pdfs better than previous Sony models as well.

I'm glad to hear that. I can't wait to pick myself up a 950 (as an upgrade from my 505).

Bookworm_Girl · 01-18-2011, 01:50 PM

The 950 PDF support (and also the 650) is much better than the 505. You can zoom in on the page. There is a special quadrant view for multicolumn PDFs that make it easier to move around the page. You can change screen contrast and brightness. You can crop white space margin around the page. I like the extra inch of the 7 inch screen. Since I read in mostly Small size, I can fit the whole page on the screen (and rely less on PDF reflow of the text which sometimes affects formatting).

drmathprog · 01-18-2011, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the comments. The 950 sounds very promising! I hope to see one locally soon, but all the stores are currently out of stock due to Holiday sales.

Latinandgreek · 01-18-2011, 03:03 PM

I'm so mad at myself for not getting one while they were on sale - I wouldn't have been able to pick it up, though, until February, and I figured that they'd perhaps go on sale again by then. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will go on sale for valentine's day.

flake · 01-19-2011, 07:14 AM

I was in your situation not just 2 weeks ago. Took the plunge and traded in my 505 and got the 950 (interestingly, 505 was valued at $60 and the newer 600 was $54). I am not missing my 505 :-).

To read PDF is now much better. The screen is more 'satisfying' and the speed is faster than the 505. I normally read the PDF docs in landscape mode. The pages are broken to 3 parts and mostly very readable without having to zoom and reflow. I haven't used the column mode zoom yet, but I think it's going to be good too.

However, for PDF, I feel the reader does not 'disappear', unlike when reading novels (epub). But still very good and comfortable. Oh.. And I have used the contrast setting on a PDF doc today, and I think that feature is also really useful.

Bookworm_Girl · 01-19-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flake

However, for PDF, I feel the reader does not 'disappear', unlike when reading novels (epub). But still very good and comfortable. Oh.. And I have used the contrast setting on a PDF doc today, and I think that feature is also really useful.

I have one DRM'ed PDF that I just can't use on my 505. The text is too light to read comfortably without making the font a size that is then too big for my preferences. By using a combination of the new custom contrast and brightness settings, I can finally read this book on my 950. That makes me happy!

SeaBookGuy · 01-19-2011, 11:21 AM

I've read a couple of PDF's where a darkened screen has helped a lot.

gardenstate · 01-19-2011, 11:46 AM

Also near your age and needing bifocals -- upgrading from a 505 to the 950 was a no-brainer. Ease of reading has improved greatly due to screen contrast and size. Touch screen is a very nice feature.

I've found that using the Boroda 950 firmware also helped improve EPUB readability and reader functionality.
http://translate.google.com/translat...D15576&act=url

01-18-2011, 08:59 AM	#1
drmathprog Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 22 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	PRS-505 to PRS-950 Upgrade Comments As I posted previously, I'm considering upgrading from a PRS-505 to a PRS-650 or PRS-950. I've been very happy with my PRS-505, except that my 58-year old eyes could use a larger screen, and I've often wished it handled PDF better. From my research here, it seems that both the PRS-650 and the PRS-950 offer great backward compatibility for my library and library software (Calibre), continue the fine construction standards of the PRS-505 and address my two small complaints (although I still sense that PDF is not any ereader's strong suit). Can any one offer comments or observations? Thanks.

01-19-2011, 11:46 AM	#10
gardenstate Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 1069472 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago,IL USA suburb Device: Sony PRS-T1 and PRS-950	Also near your age and needing bifocals -- upgrading from a 505 to the 950 was a no-brainer. Ease of reading has improved greatly due to screen contrast and size. Touch screen is a very nice feature. I've found that using the Boroda 950 firmware also helped improve EPUB readability and reader functionality. http://translate.google.com/translat...D15576&act=url Last edited by gardenstate; 01-19-2011 at 11:50 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My thoughts, PRS-300, PRS-600, PRS-505, PRS-700, Kindle 2	zacheryjensen	Sony Reader	78	12-05-2010 07:33 PM
Comments or book info on the PRS 505	AFK_Matrix	Sony Reader	6	02-03-2010 10:20 AM
Poll: Sony Reader PRS-505 upgrade to Sony PRS-700	Kris777	Sony Reader	70	02-18-2009 06:34 PM
Sony Reader PRS-505 upgrade to Sony PRS-700	Kris777	Sony Reader	23	12-08-2008 06:56 AM
prs 505 upgrade	malduin	Sony Reader	5	09-16-2008 07:29 PM

01-18-2011, 01:19 PM	#2
Galan-Ithaca Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Device: Aztak EZ Reader; Sony PRS900; Sony PRS950	I can't speak for the 650, but the 950 is recognized as having the best PDF support of any brand name ereader, period. It has a new Adobe version of something that interprets and manipulates (reflows) pdfs better than previous Sony models as well.

01-18-2011, 01:50 PM	#4
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	The 950 PDF support (and also the 650) is much better than the 505. You can zoom in on the page. There is a special quadrant view for multicolumn PDFs that make it easier to move around the page. You can change screen contrast and brightness. You can crop white space margin around the page. I like the extra inch of the 7 inch screen. Since I read in mostly Small size, I can fit the whole page on the screen (and rely less on PDF reflow of the text which sometimes affects formatting).

01-18-2011, 01:56 PM	#5
drmathprog Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 22 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Thanks for the comments. The 950 sounds very promising! I hope to see one locally soon, but all the stores are currently out of stock due to Holiday sales.

01-18-2011, 03:03 PM	#6
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I'm so mad at myself for not getting one while they were on sale - I wouldn't have been able to pick it up, though, until February, and I figured that they'd perhaps go on sale again by then. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will go on sale for valentine's day.

01-19-2011, 07:14 AM	#7
flake Member Posts: 14 Karma: 18024 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur Device: prs950, prs-t1	I was in your situation not just 2 weeks ago. Took the plunge and traded in my 505 and got the 950 (interestingly, 505 was valued at $60 and the newer 600 was $54). I am not missing my 505 :-). To read PDF is now much better. The screen is more 'satisfying' and the speed is faster than the 505. I normally read the PDF docs in landscape mode. The pages are broken to 3 parts and mostly very readable without having to zoom and reflow. I haven't used the column mode zoom yet, but I think it's going to be good too. However, for PDF, I feel the reader does not 'disappear', unlike when reading novels (epub). But still very good and comfortable. Oh.. And I have used the contrast setting on a PDF doc today, and I think that feature is also really useful.

01-19-2011, 11:21 AM	#9
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I've read a couple of PDF's where a darkened screen has helped a lot.

Advert

Advert