Is the Hanlin v3 too old?

[silverraven]

I'm debating between the Mentor Lite and the Hanlin V3. Would it be silly to buy 3 year old technology by getting the Hanlin v3, or does it still hold it's own? Is the Hanlin hardware better? I'm having a hard time (well, impossible) finding reviews of the Mentor Lite, even here. If the Hanlin hardware is better, but firmware isn't good, would putting on openinkpot, or some other firmware, be good? Does the faster processor in the Mentor Lite really translate to that much of a page turning difference?
Soooo many questions! They are both on sale this week at Newegg, so I need to make a decision.
Thanks for any imput.
S

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by silverraven

I'm debating between the Mentor Lite and the Hanlin V3. Would it be silly to buy 3 year old technology by getting the Hanlin v3, or does it still hold it's own? Is the Hanlin hardware better? I'm having a hard time (well, impossible) finding reviews of the Mentor Lite, even here. If the Hanlin hardware is better, but firmware isn't good, would putting on openinkpot, or some other firmware, be good? Does the faster processor in the Mentor Lite really translate to that much of a page turning difference?
Soooo many questions! They are both on sale this week at Newegg, so I need to make a decision.
Thanks for any imput.
S

If Hanlin V3 is a catch (in my opinion, would have to be below $ 200), you can go for it. There isn't very much progress, Hanlin V3 (I've got BeBook One) still is close enough to the actual state-of-the-art readers.
Personally, I find it "ugly and cheap looking", but its featureset still is quite impressive.
But to me, it really would be about the price. You can have recent models for $ 250, some even for $ 200. Hanlin V3 would have to be way below that, to still be interesting enough.

[silverraven]

What 6" readers would you (or anyone) suggest? I'm in the States, if that matters. And no, not under $200. The EZ Reader (Hanlin v3) is $239, and the Mentor Lite (EB600) is $199.
S

[wallcraft]

I have four ebook readers, and the Hanlin V3 (EZ Reader Basic) is the one I use every day. The device isn't pretty, but it is very robust and battery life is outstanding. I run OpenInkPot on mine, but the standard Jinke firmware is pretty good too. USB 1.1 is slow, 4 gray scales is too few, and 4 GB SD is way behind the times - but reading ebooks really does not require the latest and greatest. The Hanlin V3 is a known quantity, and I would pay the extra $40 over the Mentor Lite.

[silverraven]

Do you like Openinkpot? I did notice there is more than one 'homebrew' firmware available. Tirwal? I think is the name of another one.
I see you have the pocket pro too. If you don't mind telling me, why do you choose the 6" EZ Reader over the 5" Pocket Pro?
Man, I wish I could make up my mind!! I have had the Mentor Lite, the 6" EZ Reader, and the Pocket Pro all in my cart at Newegg.com about 100 times today!! When I finally do make a decision I swear I will go away and leave all of you alone!
Thanks.
S

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by silverraven

Do you like Openinkpot? I did notice there is more than one 'homebrew' firmware available. Tirwal? I think is the name of another one.
I see you have the pocket pro too. If you don't mind telling me, why do you choose the 6" EZ Reader over the 5" Pocket Pro?

See Review of Hanlin V5 for V3 owners, but note that there are now 9 font sizes on the Hanlins. The PocketPro is newer hardware, and the 5" screen is big enough (even though I like a large font), but OpenInkPot is only available on the Hanlin V3 and I really like FBReader's customization capability. Most of the custom firmwares and the standalone Hanlin apps are for the V3 only too.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by silverraven

What 6" readers would you (or anyone) suggest? I'm in the States, if that matters. And no, not under $200. The EZ Reader (Hanlin v3) is $239, and the Mentor Lite (EB600) is $199.
S

I've got a very clear ranking.
First of all, I'd recommend 6".
5", personally I do't like that much. To me, saving 1" doesn't make much of a difference, even when traveling. But it DOES make a difference on the screen.
On the other hand, I didn't find huge advantages of bigger screens - with the exception of reading "professional" PDFs.
Within the 6" readers, my personal ranking:
- nook as a casual reader. It's relatively cheap and many claim (I agree), it has the best contrast right now because of the font they chose. You can "hack" the firmware and add lots of tools. The community is very active and permanently adding features. You even can exchange the AT&T SIM and replace by your own.
- If you'd like to have a touchscreen unit: Sony 900, Onyx Boox (=BeBook Neo), iRex 800 (in that order). The Onyx Boox for example only is about $ 60 more expensive than the Hanlin V3 you found, but has tons of additional features: WiFi, touchscreen, way faster processor, ...

$ 239 for Hanlin V3 in my opinion is too expensive, seems to be the standard price, no catch at all.
The only real advantage of Hanlin V3 is the number of file formats it supports. Out of the box. And even more so with the various alternative firmwares. But I found, that I easily can live with 1 or 2 file formats.

[silverraven]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.
I think a 6" screen is what I need. I would have gotten a nook a while ago, but when I went to the store and held it, it was Heavy!! I'm not buying just for me. When we decide, I will be buying 3 units, one for me, one for my older sister, and one for my 83 year old mother with arthritis. Tech support (me) is just easier if everyone has the same device. I wish the manufacturers would realize that older people love to read too, and they are the ones that probably need a light weight, easy to use, 6" screen. And not one that the buttons are hard to push on,which I keep reading about the Mentor Lite. And touch screens are harder for old hands, they don't always hit where they are suppose to. Easy to push buttons are the way to go. And more than one place to page forware/back. Their hands get tired holding things the same way all the time.
OK, now that I have gotten that off my chest, I also agree that the Hanlin v3 at over $200 is still too much. I'm hoping with the release of the new 6" readers their price will drop. I found a used EZ Reader on Ebay today for $150 buy it now/free shipping, so I bought it. I am almost positive I will be putting on Openinkpot, or one of the other available firmwares. I figure for $150 even if I absolutely hate it my teenage son will enjoy playing with the different firmwares on it, and maybe even actually read a book on it!
So, after this entire fiasco I hopefully will at least know if mom wants a 5" (cause I've also got a Jetbook Lite) or a 6" screen, and which one I want. And I will know which we like better, the lcd screen or the eink. Then maybe we can get onto the actual reading of books! At least until the new ereaders come out!
Thanks again for everyone's help!
S

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

too few, and 4 GB SD is way behind the times

Note that the '4 GB' is just a advice (for some reason). Larger cards work fine; I have a 16GB one in mine and have no problems with it.

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

Note that the '4 GB' is just a advice (for some reason). Larger cards work fine; I have a 16GB one in mine and have no problems with it.

That's good to know. I have SDHC cards lying around the house, but no just SD cards. I was going to have to buy one.
S