Mentor Lite vs Pocketbook 301

[silverraven]

This may be a stupid question, but are the Mentor Lite and the Pocketbook 301 the same thing, except for the firmware?
Yes, I'm still looking!! I picked up a Jetbook Lite (cheapest reader I could find) just to see if my mom and I would even like reading on a device as opposed to a paper book. It's been weeks of me trying to get up to her house to let her use it, the snow has been bad this year. Well, we both love it! But, mom and I are both thinking of a 6" device. She saw a picture of the Mentor Lite and was intrigued. But darned if I can find any reviews of it. There are plenty on the Pocketbook 301, and if they are the same thing then I can kind of go by them for an idea of hardware reliability, ease of use, etc.
Also, is there any info on when your new 6" reader will be out? Thinking maybe the buttons on it will be easier to push, for her arthritic hands. Just what I need, one more reader to add to my list of choices! And no, the Pocket Pro isn't out of the running yet, she just seems to like the idea of a 6" reader. More words on the screen/fewer page turns.
Thanks for being so patient with me and answering all of my questions. I feel like such a pest!
S

[wallcraft]

There are dozens of Readers based on the Netronix EB600 hardware, including these two. There are some differences in the hardware (e.g. 8 grey scales on Mentor Lite vs 4 on 301), but these mostly differ in the firmware. The Mentor Lite uses the standard Netronix firmware (the most popular device with this firmware is the Cool-er), and PocketBook uses its own firmware. The Cool-er got bad reviews early on, because the firmware was still half baked, but they have improved recently.

The hardware is widely used, and the only complaint I have seen routinely against it is that the D-Pad is a bit stiff.

I still use my EZ Reader Basic every day. This is a relatively old hardware design, but it is well made and very reliable.

[irenas]

Taking into account the GREATEST customer support I would go with the Astak products

- IMHO
irenas

[luqmaninbmore]

I have no experience with the 301 but I love my PB360 and the firmware is a major factor in the affection I have for it. It is super customizable, letting me switch fonts and control the page layout with ease. It also allows you to install many applications, mostly games, on it. And it also has annotation, search, and dictionary features.

Luqman

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by silverraven

This may be a stupid question, but are the Mentor Lite and the Pocketbook 301 the same thing, except for the firmware?
Yes, I'm still looking!! I picked up a Jetbook Lite (cheapest reader I could find) just to see if my mom and I would even like reading on a device as opposed to a paper book. It's been weeks of me trying to get up to her house to let her use it, the snow has been bad this year. Well, we both love it! But, mom and I are both thinking of a 6" device. She saw a picture of the Mentor Lite and was intrigued. But darned if I can find any reviews of it. There are plenty on the Pocketbook 301, and if they are the same thing then I can kind of go by them for an idea of hardware reliability, ease of use, etc.
Also, is there any info on when your new 6" reader will be out? Thinking maybe the buttons on it will be easier to push, for her arthritic hands. Just what I need, one more reader to add to my list of choices! And no, the Pocket Pro isn't out of the running yet, she just seems to like the idea of a 6" reader. More words on the screen/fewer page turns.
Thanks for being so patient with me and answering all of my questions. I feel like such a pest!
S

Dear Silverraven:

Yes, the Mentor Lite is made by Netronix. It was, when it came out, the same as the Cool-er and we would not sell it. Instead they vastly improved it in Version 2 by adding: Epson Controller for far faster page turns, 8 level grey scale, Adobe Digital Editions, and MP3. You are certainly NOT a pest. You are concerned and I do not think that unreasonable.

IF you have not been there, the Mentor Lite is talked about in depth on my blog: www.robertbEZ.blogspot.com.

And, yes, I know one huge difference between these two products... Astak Customer Support!!

[JimMcLaren]

I've been considering what to get and like the idea of a 6" screen. The pocketbook 301+ is listed on Dulin's books as having 16 grey scales. I've read elsewhere it has 8. It looks like the only difference between the two is the firmware. And the $70 premium you pay for the pocketbook. The PB does read chm files which the Mentor Lite won't. That's not a deal killer for me as that format is being replaced by other formats (for ebooks anyway) and I can always write a program to convert my chm's (or find a linux box with chm2mobi on it).

Robertb,
Are there any plans to add CHM support or text to speech to the Mentor Lite? I know they're both unlikely, just thought I'd ask.
Thanks

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by JimMcLaren

The pocketbook 301+ is listed on Dulin's books as having 16 grey scales. I've read elsewhere it has 8. It looks like the only difference between the two is the firmware.

It is hard to tell for sure, because the primary documentation isn't in English, but the PocketBook 301+ apparently has an Apollo controller which only has 4 gray scales in hardware. The 8-16 levels is apparently in software, and all Readers have more gray scales in software for images.

The primary difference between the device's is firmware, but PocketBook has world-class firmware and Netronix at best has middle of the road firmware. Jinkie (on the EZ Readers) has better firmware than Netronix. Since portable Adobe Digital Editions is so wide spread now, everyone has more or less similar capabilities for ePub and PDF (or at least they all start from the same place). I don't think there is any doubt that PocketBook has better PDF support than Netronix, they have put a lot of effort into their ADE PDF port. The ePub support may be more similar, but PocketBook has the additional option of using FBReader for DRM-free ePubs.

PocketBook's CHM support is also via FBReader, which is good when it works but will fail on large CHMs (perhaps bigger than 5-10 MB) because FBReader reads the entire ebook into main memory on start up.

[JimMcLaren]

Thanks Wallcraft. That's good information. I suspected that the PocketBook firmware was somewhat better based on what I've read elsewhere. You've confirmed that. But you didn't make my life any easier. I'm on the fence on what to buy. It's a good thing I'm not in a hurry to buy. Right now I'll continue to read the way I always have.

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by JimMcLaren

Thanks Wallcraft. That's good information. I suspected that the PocketBook firmware was somewhat better based on what I've read elsewhere. You've confirmed that. But you didn't make my life any easier. I'm on the fence on what to buy. It's a good thing I'm not in a hurry to buy. Right now I'll continue to read the way I always have.

So good to know I'm not the only one having a hard time making up my mind! Especially with so many new readers on the horizon!
I did read your blog Robertb. It was helpful. Honestly, if the 6" EZ Reader had the faster controler it would be a no brainer. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'm going to let mom play around with the reader we have for a while longer before deciding. I have a lot to decide. I have to pick one for me, one for my 83 year old mom with arthritis, and one for my sister. I would prefer them all to be the same, that way tech support (provided by me) is easier. Trying to make 3 very different people happy isn't easy! That's a lot to ask out of one reader.
Thanks again for all of your help! I promise, one of these days I will decide, maybe!
S
P.S. Just went to Newegg.com. they have the 6" EZ Reader for $239.99 and the Black Mentor Lite for $199.99. Now my decision is even harder!!!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by JimMcLaren

I've been considering what to get and like the idea of a 6" screen. The pocketbook 301+ is listed on Dulin's books as having 16 grey scales. I've read elsewhere it has 8. It looks like the only difference between the two is the firmware. And the $70 premium you pay for the pocketbook. The PB does read chm files which the Mentor Lite won't. That's not a deal killer for me as that format is being replaced by other formats (for ebooks anyway) and I can always write a program to convert my chm's (or find a linux box with chm2mobi on it).

Robertb,
Are there any plans to add CHM support or text to speech to the Mentor Lite? I know they're both unlikely, just thought I'd ask.
Thanks

Dear Jim:

We haven't had anybody bring either question up. That does not mean they are not good questions... it means I have no answers. I can check on both. I do know the Mentor Lite factory has never discussed TTS in their roadmap... but we will see. I will also TRY to check on upcoming models of 6 inch to see about TTS. The Pocket PRO, of course, has TTS already.

I will check on both!! The Mentor Lite and the factory that makes the 6 inch EZ Reader get 20 formats already.

[polly]

I know the screen is smaller, but I find that my arthritic hands really like the scroll wheel on the side of the PocketPro. It's much easier to flick it down than it is to push a button with my thumb. That was the hardest part of reading a Sony 505. The screen was great and I liked the collections, but an hour of reading made my hand ache. I don't have that problem with extended reading on my PP. It's too bad that none of the new readers coming out have scroll wheels.

[silverraven]

Thanks Polly, that is good to know! Maybe it will be the pocket pro for my family. What I need is to hold each one in my hand and test them, then I could decide!! I'm a touchy-feely kinda person.
Does anyone know how much text is on a 5" screen vs a 6" screen? Assuming I am using epub format and the same size font.
Oh, and I've gotta ask, what does the maroon color really look like? On newegg it looks very bright, garish. Is it really a deep maroon?
S

[Davimee]

Originally Posted by silverraven

Does anyone know how much text is on a 5" screen vs a 6" screen? Assuming I am using epub format and the same size font.

S

That would be a GREAT thing to see! Robertb, is it possible for you (or someone there at ASTAK) to take a picture of the Pocket Pro next to one of the 6" devices, to give people an idea of the difference in screen size? Especially if they have the same text loaded. I am thinking there would not be a huge difference in the amount of text displayed between a 5" and 6", but it would be interesting to see.

Silverraven, if that's not possible, I was able to find a picture of 3 sony's side by side, a 5" and 6", (and a third, I'm not sure what size it was) by googling "5 inch vs. 6 inch ebook reader" and looking through pictures. I'd post the picture, but I won't do that since it may be copyright. Hopefully that helps! I really like my Pocket Pro. It seems to be the perfect size for me. Any bigger and it might be a bit awkward to hold. (I've got small hands. *l*)

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by silverraven

Thanks Polly, that is good to know! Maybe it will be the pocket pro for my family. What I need is to hold each one in my hand and test them, then I could decide!! I'm a touchy-feely kinda person.
Does anyone know how much text is on a 5" screen vs a 6" screen? Assuming I am using epub format and the same size font.
S

While it sounds like an easy question it is not easy to answer. The two devices have exactly the same number of pixels and the font sizes are determined by pixels rather than points. There are 9 font sizes in both EZ-Reader units but the jumps are not exactly the same as the difference in screen size. If the same pixel size font is use then you have exactly the same data on the screen on the 5" is smaller of course. Upping the size of the font will result in less data but bigger font. Since the font is variable width I can't even count characters and tell you the difference.

The only complaint on font sizes are generally aimed at the size of the font in the menu when you press the menu key on the 5" is too small. However, the new firmware is supposed to increase the size of the font on the menu for the 5" device to fix this problem.

Here is a sample of the various sizes:

1. 14 words (too small to read on a 5" device)
2. 12 words - sometimes difficult on a 5", ok on a 6"
3. 9-10 words - ok on a 5" generally.
4. 6-8 words
5. 5-6 words
6. 3-4 words.
7. 2-4 words.
8. 2-3 words.
9. 1-2 words.

Dale

[silverraven]

I have another question for all of you smart people out there. SD cards. Now, as I understand it the Pocket Pro is compatible with SDHC cards up to 16GB. Are the EZ Reader and Mentor Lite compatible with SDHC cards, or only SD cards? And, is this an actual device issue, or firmware issue?
Where would firmware upgrades for the Mentor Lite be found? Can you use other companies firmware (like Pocketbook) on it like you can the 6" EZ Reader? I've read both yes and no to this question.
Thanks again! Trying to make a decision this week while Newegg has them all on sale!
S
P.S. This would all be a lot easier if you guys would just tell me which one to buy, the Mentor Lite or the EZ Reader 6"!!