Delstar OpenBook at Walgreens - Page 8

Highroller · 03-15-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Anyone know how long the sale lasts? I thought it was only a week and the first post in this thread was on 7/7 ???
Price is still $99

Well I had heard it was ending 3/13 but yeah its still at that price...So no idea. It could end any time or they could continue to sell them cheap for a long time...

Danswatch · 03-15-2010, 06:28 PM

If you are an AARP member you can order it @ $94.99 and use the BASKET10 coupon code. Not sure how I found Walgreens AARP, but it was on google.

bryanzs · 03-15-2010, 06:46 PM

Any news from anyone yet? Did it arrive at anyone's doorstep today? Inquiring minds want to know! :-)

kennyc · 03-15-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danswatch

If you are an AARP member you can order it @ $94.99 and use the BASKET10 coupon code. Not sure how I found Walgreens AARP, but it was on google.

Oh, my even more tempting.....

Well I stuck one in my cart....haven't pulled the trigger yet though......sure would like to hear an initial review...

Highroller · 03-15-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Oh, my even more tempting.....

Well I stuck one in my cart....haven't pulled the trigger yet though......sure would like to hear an initial review...

Well don't wait too long. It could go back up to $150 at any time... I do understand wanting to see reviews though

)

kennyc · 03-15-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katelyn

I'll let you know my thoughts this evening!

UPS: 03/15/2010 6:57 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY

Well?

Highroller · 03-15-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Well?

Just because ups was SUPPOSED to deliver it today don't mean it actually happened :O)

kennyc · 03-15-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highroller

Just because ups was SUPPOSED to deliver it today don't mean it actually happened :O)

I know, it's happened to me too many times

I avoid UPS whenever possible!

My muse is whispering in my ear to wait... you have enough ebook readers already she says...

Katelyn · 03-15-2010, 10:09 PM

First thoughts but I wanted to get something posted tonight. I haven't had a chance to spend quality time with it yet!
.............

It finally arrived today! It came in a really nice box and includes the cover (in white, unfortunately) USB cable, AC charger and earbuds. The instructions are just a single sheet of paper but the reader itself is so simple it doesn't require much more.

The buttons are simple - on/off, zoom (3 levels), center button (4-way toggle), M (enter), and back. Four side buttons turn pages as does the center button. The back of the device is brushed metal which was a surprise.

It was fully charged when I turned it on. My first impression was that the screen is pretty dark though I was able to brighten it up in settings. The background is not bright white, it's a beige color. The screen is backlit and plenty bright enough to read in the dark. After looking at it for some time, I actually like that the screen is the color it is.

Now to the reader itself. It's basic. By that I mean BASIC. No jumping to a specific page, no table of contents, no bookmarking. Basic. It's also fast - well, some books can take a short time to open but page turns are immediate. I did have the screen scramble a couple times and the reader rebooted itself when that happened. I haven't been able to force it to happen again but it may be a quirk of the reader. Time will tell.

The menus are nice, easy to navigate and simple. And the reader supports folders. The reading font is a san serif font and there is no other option which is too bad because it's probably the worst thing about the reader. Well, that and the huge right-side margin on all books I've opened. It's tolerable but I'll use this reader until the expensive reader I'm waiting for is released. It's better than using my IPhone all the time.

I tested epub, FB2 and html and they all look the same. Same layout, margins, etc. The three font sizes are tiny, medium I see pic of a page below, and very large. No cover art made it to the reader. I'll have to check further to determine if that an issue for every book but so far, I've had no cover art.

Bottom line after only a very short evening of looking over the reader - this is not for everyone. It is a very, very inexpensive device that allows you to read non-DRM books. I'll use it and eventually give it to a niece or nephew. It is probably fine for a young teenager or someone who really wants an ebook reader but can't afford to spend more.

You can play music on it as well, but since that isn't something I care to do, I only tested that it worked and nothing more.

I couldn't find my digital camera so these we taken with my IPhone so the close-ups are a bit blurry.

In the dark

Sorry for the blurriness!

digid · 03-15-2010, 10:25 PM

I would be interested in how the display looks out in the daylight. I am really wanting an iPad as I have lots of PDF's and such, but would like something that is also cheap to take to the beach, camping, and not have to worry about as much for my epub reading. I seem to be stuck in this wait and see mode on the ebook readers. Waiting on the iPad PDF rendering, and waiting for a $100.00 epub reader that I can read in bed when the lights are out, and sitting outside in the sun. I hate the slowness of the eink displays, as well as the flash, and had great hopes for this 5 inch reader.

Dale

kennyc · 03-15-2010, 10:26 PM

Thank you Katelyn!

I'm still musing on it....

pendragginp · 03-15-2010, 10:30 PM

Katelyn, what is the weight?

And how is the color display?

bryanzs · 03-15-2010, 10:39 PM

Congratulations, Katelyn!

Now you get to be bombarded by questions

When you turn it on, does it turn on instantly, ready to read (like a dedicated ereading device), or is there a "boot up" time (like a Windows/Linux device)?

Thanks!

causticmuse · 03-15-2010, 10:39 PM

First off, THANK YOU for posting something so quickly! I think everyone in this forum appreciates your effort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katelyn

Now to the reader itself. It's basic. By that I mean BASIC. No jumping to a specific page, no table of contents, no bookmarking. Basic. It's also fast - well, some books can take a short time to open but page turns are immediate. I did have the screen scramble a couple times and the reader rebooted itself when that happened. I haven't been able to force it to happen again but it may be a quirk of the reader. Time will tell.

Are you sure there are no bookmarking and page jump functions? According to the PDF manual, those functions as well as the auto page turn should be accessible through the M button. The manual says that you can get to a menu with all of those functions as well as font color if you press the M button while on a reader page.

Also, is there any chance that you can test out a PDF (maybe even the device's manual, LOL) for us?

Highroller · 03-15-2010, 10:48 PM

First, many thanks for the quick review. I can see the right side margin is way too big (which is odd since the picture on the sales page clearly shows text going all the way to the right on the reader pic but then it is asci text or some format nobody is likely to use much)... It sounds iffy enough to be difficult. With Walgreen's if you open it, you can't return it, that is not so good. It still sounds possible but not as wonderful as I was hoping. First impression is its not a total lemon either... It is POSSIBLE that they will release a firmware update that will make it better of course. We can hope I suppose. No TOC and no page jumping sounds VERY basic. If you turn it off and back on does it maintain its position in the book? Do you know if it times out and turns itself off if you lay it down? Have you had success in rotating from port. to landscape? If its not bringing up covers it sounds like it may not do linked graphics at all. Which pretty much defeats a lot of the purpose of it being color at least for e-book purposes... Does the text look clear and crisp? Does it display italics in html files?

03-15-2010, 06:28 PM	#107
Danswatch Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: delstar openbook ereader	AARP discount If you are an AARP member you can order it @ $94.99 and use the BASKET10 coupon code. Not sure how I found Walgreens AARP, but it was on google.

03-15-2010, 10:09 PM	#114
Katelyn Addict Posts: 225 Karma: 342 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Device: Pocketbook 360, Iphone 3g, Sony 505, REB1200, GEB1150	I received my reader today First thoughts but I wanted to get something posted tonight. I haven't had a chance to spend quality time with it yet! ............. It finally arrived today! It came in a really nice box and includes the cover (in white, unfortunately) USB cable, AC charger and earbuds. The instructions are just a single sheet of paper but the reader itself is so simple it doesn't require much more. The buttons are simple - on/off, zoom (3 levels), center button (4-way toggle), M (enter), and back. Four side buttons turn pages as does the center button. The back of the device is brushed metal which was a surprise. It was fully charged when I turned it on. My first impression was that the screen is pretty dark though I was able to brighten it up in settings. The background is not bright white, it's a beige color. The screen is backlit and plenty bright enough to read in the dark. After looking at it for some time, I actually like that the screen is the color it is. Now to the reader itself. It's basic. By that I mean BASIC. No jumping to a specific page, no table of contents, no bookmarking. Basic. It's also fast - well, some books can take a short time to open but page turns are immediate. I did have the screen scramble a couple times and the reader rebooted itself when that happened. I haven't been able to force it to happen again but it may be a quirk of the reader. Time will tell. The menus are nice, easy to navigate and simple. And the reader supports folders. The reading font is a san serif font and there is no other option which is too bad because it's probably the worst thing about the reader. Well, that and the huge right-side margin on all books I've opened. It's tolerable but I'll use this reader until the expensive reader I'm waiting for is released. It's better than using my IPhone all the time. I tested epub, FB2 and html and they all look the same. Same layout, margins, etc. The three font sizes are tiny, medium I see pic of a page below, and very large. No cover art made it to the reader. I'll have to check further to determine if that an issue for every book but so far, I've had no cover art. Bottom line after only a very short evening of looking over the reader - this is not for everyone. It is a very, very inexpensive device that allows you to read non-DRM books. I'll use it and eventually give it to a niece or nephew. It is probably fine for a young teenager or someone who really wants an ebook reader but can't afford to spend more. You can play music on it as well, but since that isn't something I care to do, I only tested that it worked and nothing more. I couldn't find my digital camera so these we taken with my IPhone so the close-ups are a bit blurry. In the dark Sorry for the blurriness! Last edited by Katelyn; 03-15-2010 at 10:15 PM. Reason: clarification

03-15-2010, 10:48 PM	#120
Highroller Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 338 Join Date: Nov 2004 Device: Ebookwise 1150, Jetbook Lite, Slick Er-701	First, many thanks for the quick review. I can see the right side margin is way too big (which is odd since the picture on the sales page clearly shows text going all the way to the right on the reader pic but then it is asci text or some format nobody is likely to use much)... It sounds iffy enough to be difficult. With Walgreen's if you open it, you can't return it, that is not so good. It still sounds possible but not as wonderful as I was hoping. First impression is its not a total lemon either... It is POSSIBLE that they will release a firmware update that will make it better of course. We can hope I suppose. No TOC and no page jumping sounds VERY basic. If you turn it off and back on does it maintain its position in the book? Do you know if it times out and turns itself off if you lay it down? Have you had success in rotating from port. to landscape? If its not bringing up covers it sounds like it may not do linked graphics at all. Which pretty much defeats a lot of the purpose of it being color at least for e-book purposes... Does the text look clear and crisp? Does it display italics in html files? Last edited by Highroller; 03-15-2010 at 11:18 PM.

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03-15-2010, 06:46 PM	#108
bryanzs Zealot Posts: 119 Karma: 122 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Device: Nook HD+, Nook ST Glow, PocketBook 360, Nook Color	Any news from anyone yet? Did it arrive at anyone's doorstep today? Inquiring minds want to know! :-)

03-15-2010, 10:25 PM	#115
digid Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: iphone, ipad, kindle 3	I would be interested in how the display looks out in the daylight. I am really wanting an iPad as I have lots of PDF's and such, but would like something that is also cheap to take to the beach, camping, and not have to worry about as much for my epub reading. I seem to be stuck in this wait and see mode on the ebook readers. Waiting on the iPad PDF rendering, and waiting for a $100.00 epub reader that I can read in bed when the lights are out, and sitting outside in the sun. I hate the slowness of the eink displays, as well as the flash, and had great hopes for this 5 inch reader. Dale

03-15-2010, 10:26 PM	#116
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thank you Katelyn! I'm still musing on it....

03-15-2010, 10:30 PM	#117
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	Katelyn, what is the weight? And how is the color display?

03-15-2010, 10:39 PM	#118
bryanzs Zealot Posts: 119 Karma: 122 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Device: Nook HD+, Nook ST Glow, PocketBook 360, Nook Color	Congratulations, Katelyn! Now you get to be bombarded by questions When you turn it on, does it turn on instantly, ready to read (like a dedicated ereading device), or is there a "boot up" time (like a Windows/Linux device)? Thanks!

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