Upgrade from Sony 505, but 650 is unavailable

[Shadowplay]

UPDATE
I've decided and have ordered the Kindle 3. I do love the touchscreen tech on Sony's new Readers, but I think I'm getting more for my money with the current Kindle. Hopefully I haven't overlooked anything! Thanks for helping me think things through.

Original Post:
Hiya everyone. It's been a while since I did more than lurk around here. I'm back to ask some advice on a new ebook device.

I've had the Sony 505 for a few years and it's been great to me (along with the PRS+ custom firmware of course!) I still read on it nearly every day and while it works about as good as ever, it's showing its age when compared to newer devices. I played around with a friend's Kindle 3 and was pretty depressed at how much faster the whole experience was. The e-ink Pearl screen was very nice, too. So I'm thinking of upgrading!

After doing my research I still came back to Sony. The PRS-650 Touch Edition seems like the logical replacement for my 505. Yeah it's a lot more expensive than the competition, but I love the Sony reader hardware. Unfortunately I'm seeing that the 650 is *really* hard to find right now. There are only 2 places I've managed to find any - one through Amazon sellers at ridiculous prices (starting at $339 on up to $500) and the 2nd place would be through ebay, again for prices much higher than I'd ever consider.

I've read 2 threads here about this situation:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=111626
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118181

So at least I know I'm not the only one running into this problem, but I'm not sure where that leaves me. Is there word on Sony supplying more 650 readers or are they solely focused on moving to their next gen devices?

With what's going on in Sony-land what might people here suggest as an upgrade to my beloved Sony PRS-505?

My goals for this upgrade:

• More responsive device & faster page turns
• Improved screen contrast
• Improved/Updated GUI
• Needs to still be comfortable to read & hold for long sessions
• Would prefer ePub support, but Calibre can of course convert if necessary

Other features:

• WiFi is not necessary - would probably use it, but don't need it.
• Internet access (such as the Kindle 3G) totally not necessary.
• Having a keyboard feels like it would just be in my way more than it would get used.
• Touch screen is not a requirement.

Other than Sony, is the Kindle WiFi @ $139 the best pearl screen option in the 6" device category? Do I just go with that, convert my ePub books as necessary and mostly just ignore that keyboard that makes the devices bigger than I feel it should be?

tl;dr Want to upgrade from my Sony 505, but the 650 is unavailable. What should I get or should I wait for a while?

Thanks everyone!

~ Shadowplay ~

p.s. - sorry for the long-winded "What should I buy?" After typing this up and thinking it through as I went I'm leaning towards the Kindle Wifi, but would still love some discussion here to see what others think.

[KNI]

Simple - get the Sony 650. I had exactly the same experience - I had and loved my PRS-505 but the extra advantages of the PRS 650 seemed well worth the expense. Couldn't find any at retail, so I just started haunting the Sony web site - checked it every day for about 6 weeks - and one afternoon the 650 showed back in stock and I ordered it immediately and received it in good time. I *LOVE* it. Beautifully made, whiter screen, much faster response etc. You still have the 505 working so be patient and wait to get the 650 - it is worth it!

[stickybuns]

Would the prs-350 work for you? I know the screen is smaller than what you're used to, but if you like the 650, it seems like the 350 would be a better match for you than the Kindle.

[Shadowplay]

Originally Posted by stickybuns

Would the prs-350 work for you? I know the screen is smaller than what you're used to, but if you like the 650, it seems like the 350 would be a better match for you than the Kindle.

I really considered the 350, but I think in the end I wouldn't be as happy going to a smaller screen. The 6" screen seems about perfect. Granted I haven't spent any time with a 5" screen and I'm just basing this off my gut feeling.

[stickybuns]

If you have a BestBuy around, you can do some compare/contrast between the Kindle 3 and the prs-350. Honestly, it was a bit of a coin toss for me when I was trying to decide: both have gorgeous screens and the size difference really wasn't that big of a deal. Being able to download books on the fly was the deciding factor for me--I tutor literature and often have students asking if I've read this or that random book.

Looking at your criteria and how well/poorly the Kindle matches:

Responsive and Fast Page Turn: Yes! Yes! Yes! (how's that for technical?)

Screen contrast: It's the same as the Sony. Both are really, really nice.

GUI: The Kindle doesn't display book covers and you can't organize books into sub-collection folders. However, I found the menus to be easier to navigate than on the Sony.

Comfortable for long reading sessions: I have no problems holding the Kindle, but my husband found it awkward. If you have large hands, it might be a problem; however, using a case (I have the lighted case sold by Amazon... love it!) can give you a bit more to hold on to.

ePub support: No. But you already knew that I presume you know how to "liberate" your DRMed ePubs?

Wifi/3G: I have several news feeds scheduled on Calibre; it's nice to have them download to my reader when I'm out and about. Being able to download books anywhere and everywhere is also nice. Oh, and the other day, when I somehow managed to get completely lost in downtown L.A., having 3G and a web browser was a very good thing.

Keyboard: I'm pretty meh about it... buttons are a bit too small to type comfortably. However, it's doable and they really don't get in the way (you have to press fairly firmly on them to type, so you're unlikely to accidentally type something).

Touch screen: If I could afford the prs-950, I would be all over it for the Touch Screen and the ability to actually write on the screen--it would be fantastic for marking up student papers. However, I've become so used to the speed of my iPod's touch screen that the comparative sluggishness of the e-ink refresh rate just felt a bit disappointing. I just kept saying things like, "ooh, this will be fantastic when the next generation model comes out!"

[carpetmojo]

Nah, get the Sony - who REALLY needs the bells & whistles of WiFi /3G on your reader ? !
It's beautifully engineered, looks worth the money, non-Amazon, and a better reading experience.

Incidentally, I have a friend who actually has (instead of sandwiches!) an iPad, iPhone, and iPod in his briefcase - and has now added a Kindle ! ( And is sometimes seen with laptop as well on occasions !!

So............... what's the one really essential requirement for having each one ?

Oh yes - to have it ..........

Plus bigger briefcase.

[Poppaea]

Get a Sony! Don't even think of getting something else, they are rubbish compared to the new Sony line. There is a reason why they are sold out worldwide. Check their website first thing in the morning or make a pre-order with one of the retailers. They will be regularly in stock next month anyway. A little patience will be well paid in this instance. Here a bunch of them shows up every two weeks.

[maxbookworm]

Another vote got Sony here. Especially because you have a working reader, so can wait for availability. I think you'll find that new Sony's are amazing. So fast, so lightweight, and don't underestimate how much you'll love that touchscreen!

Also, this site seems to have a few in stock:

http://www.sharksystems.com/browse/c...oduct/PRS650SC

http://www.sharksystems.com/browse/c...oduct/PRS650BC

[Shadowplay]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I got up this morning and started poking around forums and review sites again and came across something that hadn't occurred to me before: the PRS-350 has noticeably higher PPI than the PRS-650 which should result in crisper text on the 350.

Obviously I'm not the first person to think this:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=115812

This really intrigues me ...and the lower price of course. I hadn't seriously been considering the 350 since I'm "convinced" it's too small, but in my research this morning I've seen comment after comment about people choosing the 350 over the 650 or the Kindle 3 and having no regrets about the smaller screen size. I know it's all subjective in the end so I'll see if I can get to a Best Buy (in the USA here) and try one out in person. I wonder if they'd let me bring my 505 in to do a side-by-side comparison.

[carpetmojo]

Don't you have a major elecs /hifi/TV/ type store near ? Or an equivalent of Waterstones Books ?
Go in and play with them there , say you're desperate to buy one.

[Shadowplay]

UPDATE

I went to a Best Buy to take a look at ebook readers. Here's what they had available for some hands on:

• Sony PRS-350
• Sony PRS-950
• Kindle 3
• Kindle DX

This was a pretty good set to compare with my 505. I walked away with some surprising thoughts:

• The 5" screen is too small for my taste
• Not a fan of the silver Sony models - my 505 is dark blue
• The Kindle's screen being nearly flush with the black bevel is very nice
• The Kindle's mode of selection - moving the highlight up & down a list is simple and speedy
• The Kindle's keyboard seems almost totally useless to me
• The 7" screen on the PRS-950 was a *great* size for reading on medium zoom and held at more of a distance

I was really surprised at how nice having a slightly larger screen is (7" compared to the 6" screen on my 505.) The problem now is the PRS-950 is definitely beyond my budget so I have to pretend I didn't see & like that one It doesn't look like there are any other 7 or 8 inch e-ink pearl screens. The next closest would be the Kindle DX, but that's *too* big for my needs and too expensive. I guess I'm back to my original thought - a 6" screen is the right size at the prices they go for.

Now my choice is definitely between the Kindle 3 for $139 (readily available) vs. the Sony PRS-650 Reader for $229 (out of stock for the most part.)

EDIT
carpetmojo: I didn't even have to talk to anyone - just found the eReaders display and had my way with them.

[Lemurion]

I have a Sony 505 and a Nook Color, and while I truly love the NC as a gadget, I think that Sony still makes the best EInk readers out there from a build quality standpoint. I have been thinking of adding a K3 - especially as I have the Kindle App on my phone and NC, but it really doesn't have the sturdiness of my 505.

When it comes right down to it, they're all too expensive to get one you're not going to be satisfied with. Figure out what best meets your needs and get that once it's available. Don't waste the money on something you don't want.

[Shadowplay]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

I have a Sony 505 and a Nook Color, and while I truly love the NC as a gadget, I think that Sony still makes the best EInk readers out there from a build quality standpoint. I have been thinking of adding a K3 - especially as I have the Kindle App on my phone and NC, but it really doesn't have the sturdiness of my 505.

When it comes right down to it, they're all too expensive to get one you're not going to be satisfied with. Figure out what best meets your needs and get that once it's available. Don't waste the money on something you don't want.

You are definitely right about these being too expensive to get the "wrong" one.

Another but you brought up is the kindle ability to sync between devices. I'm not sure how often I'd use that - honestly have no idea - but it really is a cool feature.

[stickybuns]

So, does anyone know what's up with the 650 being so hard to find? Is Sony planning on discontinuing that model or something?

Shadowplay: do you think you can be happy with your 505 until you have enough $$$ for the 950? Given that the current asking price on a 650 is MORE than for the 950, you may as well go with the one that you like better.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by Shadowplay

You are definitely right about these being too expensive to get the "wrong" one.

Another but you brought up is the kindle ability to sync between devices. I'm not sure how often I'd use that - honestly have no idea - but it really is a cool feature.

I didn't think I'd use it - but I was sitting in the mall the other day while my eight-year-old had some pizza, and it was very nice to be able to pull out my phone and take up reading the same book exactly where I'd left off in the NC.