Odyssey: your opinion?

[Julien Pham]

Hi,

I'm currently a Kobo Touch owner. I'll perhaps give it to my wife as she starts enjoying reading on it.

So I'll buy another one for myself. I wonder if I'll buy a new Kobo, or switch to an Odyssey. This way I'll be able to compare both.

So I would like to have your opinion about the Odyssey. And for those who had a Kobo as well, perhaps a little comparison between both.

Thanks

[HarryT]

If you do a search you'll find a number of threads about the Odyssey.

[EowynCarter]

The good point with the odyssey, folder view, hyphenation (for ePub).

Downside (sometime an advantage), the screen is not as white. Rather large default margins so books usually needs editing. I like the fact the kobo can (at least for kpub), set margins.

There is a new odyssey version that cames out a few days ago. (Better usb port fixing and on/off button change). So if you get an odyssey, make sure it's a new version.

[Julien Pham]

You mean the Odyssey has a less white screen than the Kobo ? And that with the Odyssey we cannot set margins ?

[HarryT]

Yes - the Odyssey uses (I believe) a screen from SiPix, not the much more common eInk screen. It's been reported by users that its contrast is not as good as that of the current "Pearl" eInk screens that most current readers (including the Kobo) use.

[Julien Pham]

I find it strange what you say, according to the specs the Odyssey use an eInk Pearl screen, like the Kobo.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by Julien Pham

I find it strange what you say, according to the specs the Odyssey use an eInk Pearl screen, like the Kobo.

Yes, the odyssey is pearl. There is still some slight differance with the background (at least compared to the sony T1). But it's not that noticeable.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Yes, the odyssey is pearl. There is still some slight differance with the background (at least compared to the sony T1). But it's not that noticeable.

Is it another Bookeen device that uses the SiPix screen? I must be getting mixed up. My apologies.

[HarryT]

I see that I am mixing my devices up; it's the "Orizon" that uses the SiPix screen, not the "Odyssey".

[AlPe]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

There is a new odyssey version that cames out a few days ago. (Better usb port fixing and on/off button change).

Would you mind sharing the source of this piece of information?

[AlPe]

Originally Posted by Julien Pham

So I would like to have your opinion about the Odyssey. And for those who had a Kobo as well, perhaps a little comparison between both.

I own an Odyssey, a Kindle 3 (now Kindle Keyboard) and an eDGe. But I had the chance of testing for a couple of days a friend's Sony PRS-T1.

The screen of the Odyssey looks a bit more gray than the T1 or the K3. But, in my opinion, it does not influence the reading experience that much. Overall, the Odyssey does a very good job when you want to read EPUBs and you want to fine-tune your reading experience (but they should include a setting for the margins, I agree.)

Pro's: many advanced settings while reading EPUBs, you can load your own fonts (!!!), side buttons for turning pages, aluminium back, you can create and use your own dictionaries

Con's: USB driver still to be fixed (new firmware: when???), power switch difficult to operate, no PDF reflow

If you have a chance of trying it, please proceed. As suggested above, if you want to get one, check that it does not have assembling problems (buttons, power switch, microUSB port).

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by AlPe

I own an Odyssey, a Kindle 3 (now Kindle Keyboard) and an eDGe. But I had the chance of testing for a couple of days a friend's Sony PRS-T1.

The screen of the Odyssey looks a bit more gray than the T1 or the K3. But, in my opinion, it does not influence the reading experience that much. Overall, the Odyssey does a very good job when you want to read EPUBs and you want to fine-tune your reading experience (but they should include a setting for the margins, I agree.)

Pro's: many advanced settings while reading EPUBs, you can load your own fonts (!!!), side buttons for turning pages, aluminium back, you can create and use your own dictionaries

Con's: USB driver still to be fixed (new firmware: when???), power switch difficult to operate, no PDF reflow

If you have a chance of trying it, please proceed. As suggested above, if you want to get one, check that it does not have assembling problems (buttons, power switch, microUSB port).

Power switch was changed in the new version, usb too, as the plug wasn't fixed well enough. As to the USB conexion being unstable, i don't know if the new version fix that

[AlPe]

I confirm that the power switch has been replaced by a button... I am curious about Bookeen's policy toward the owners of the "old" model: are they going to replace them? For free? (I doubt.) When sent to them, broken?

[v12]

odyssey has a very weak usb on board connector!

--> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=173140

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by v12

odyssey has a very weak usb on board connector!

--> https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=173140

It's among the changes on the new version, along with switch.

I think some got the new version from virgin.
I sent my odyssey to bookeen due to broken button. I'll see if i get a new version, as they are most likely to change it.