New(?) 4.3 inch ereader: B3404 ereader

[Quoth]

I beleive it's an old old model sold originally in Germany?

It's been on ebay for ages from several Chinese sellers, I bookmarked it thinking that if it was 70% off, it might be worth it.

It's too expensive and will incur import duty.
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/4-3inch-8GB-...0/174196948129

I'm thinking there is no touch either, but could be wrong.

A second hand PRS350 or Kobo mini is possibly better value, but really 800 x 600 isn't great for serious reading. I have the PRS350 and a Kindle Keyboard. I think they are both 800 x 600.

It's worth saving up for a Kobo Libra, 7" screen @300 dpi. Even a full price 6" PW4 would be better value (300 dpi), though not that much smaller than the Libra. I'd not buy the Kindle Basic, too low resolution compared to Kindle PW4 or Kobo. You might as well use a cheap phone with the brightness turned down.

I have also a PW3 and an original H2O. I've had a Story Cover and Nook Touch as well as a Kobo Simple Touch. I also have a DXG.
I've used a PW2 and older Kindle Basic.

I think overall this 4.3" screen eink might be LARGER than my 6" smartphone. It's not that old of a phone. I have an older Sony Ericsson phone, about 4.3" which is higher resolution and OK to read books on, I use it to test eBooks in Aldiko on the small screen.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

It's worth saving up for a Kobo Libra, 7" screen @300 dpi. Even a full price 6" PW4 would be better value (300 dpi), though not that much smaller than the Libra. I'd not buy the Kindle Basic, too low resolution compared to Kindle PW4 or Kobo. You might as well use a cheap phone with the brightness turned down.

Forget the full price PW4. The Kobo Clara HD with the same 6" 300DPI screen is cheaper.

Also, forget the B3404. It's old, slow, heavy, larger then it should be and the software may or may not be any good. Don't expect to read eBooks from Overdrive.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by azayn

Nearly the price of a Kindle Basic. Also, the dimensions for such a tiny device are ridiculous. Larger than my Kobo Mini with a smaller screen. At 210g is heavier than a Kindle Paperwhite.

I'm pretty sure that weight is for the BK4304 and its packaging (or possibly its case, see below). This is basically a Trekstor Pyro (or Liro) Mini and they weighed 110 grams (3.9 ounces).

As for selling for the same price as a Kindle Basic... that's if you buy it on Amazon. If you buy from a seller on AliExpress the price can be much cheaper.

Here's a seller that supposedly ships from the U.S. (package is supposed to arrive in 4 -13 days via USPS), 8 GB version for $43.14, plus $10.36 shipping.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...%2315176%23488

I think these also come with a cheap case (maybe that's how the weight gets up to 210 grams).

(If I can really get one of these shipped from the U.S. and recieve it in 4 - 13 days, I might look into getting one.)

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Quoth

I beleive it's an old old model sold originally in Germany?

It's been on ebay for ages from several Chinese sellers, I bookmarked it thinking that if it was 70% off, it might be worth it.

It's too expensive and will incur import duty.
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/4-3inch-8GB-...0/174196948129

I'm thinking there is no touch either, but could be wrong...

It's not touch and it's not front-lit (even though a lot of sellers seem to claim it is). Do you have to pay duties if it's shipped from the U.K.? If not, many sellers on AliExpress claim to ship from the U.K. now (but not to Ireland, just checked). If you know someone in England they might be able to forward it to you?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...%2315176%23488

[rcentros]

In case anyone is interested, here's a link to the company who makes the screens for this BK4304 (and several other "BK" eReaders). They are a much lesser known competitor to E-Ink, Inc. and they call their technology O-paper.

http://oedtech.com/English/support/i...?menuid=030301 (Intro)

http://oedtech.com/English/support/i...?menuid=030302 (more info)

http://oedtech.com/English/product/c...enuid=03020101 (products)

In the last link you'll see the BK4304 on the right edge of the picture. You'll also see the O-paper specs. I've read somewhere that they are basically the same as the E-Ink Pearl screens. (Same contrast ratio 12:1.)

Good information page on E-Ink (and O-paper) screens here. E-Carta has a 15:1 contrast ratio.

https://e-ink-reader.ru/display_en.php

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I'm pretty sure that weight is for the BK4304 and its packaging (or possibly its case, see below). This is basically a Trekstor Pyro (or Liro) Mini and they weighed 110 grams (3.9 ounces).

As for selling for the same price as a Kindle Basic... that's if you buy it on Amazon. If you buy from a seller on AliExpress the price can be much cheaper.

Here's a seller that supposedly ships from the U.S. (package is supposed to arrive in 4 -13 days via USPS), 8 GB version for $43.14, plus $10.36 shipping.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/ne...eply&p=4037882

I think these also come with a cheap case (maybe that's how the weight gets up to 210 grams).

(If I can really get one of these shipped from the U.S. and recieve it in 4 - 13 days, I might look into getting one.)

That link takes me to an open quote. (?)

[Dr. Drib]

I still have my working Pocketbook 360, with it's 5-inch screen, and it seems to work fine. This is the one with a detachable plastic cover that snaps onto the back of the device, if that is one's desire.

I would LOVE to buy a 5-inch ereader that is up-to-date and modern!

But, alas, I know of no device that is like that. And I'm not interested in phones that attempt to be ereaders.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by rcentros

It's not touch and it's not front-lit (even though a lot of sellers seem to claim it is). Do you have to pay duties if it's shipped from the U.K.? If not, many sellers on AliExpress claim to ship from the U.K. now (but not to Ireland, just checked). If you know someone in England they might be able to forward it to you?

UK Sellers are supposed to be registered and charge VAT if their turnover is more than a certain amount.
It's more complicated as to if UK or Irish VAT is charged.
There might be Irish VAT and/or import duty on the UK Price after December 2020, but then the UK company is absolutely cheating if they charge ANY VAT for export. As is the case if the UK sells outside the EU today.

Anyway, it's too expensive even without an extra 21% (I think top VAT has gone down from 23% to 21% since 1st September 2020).

I do know people in both the Mainland UK (outside of Kent!) and in the UK on the Island of Ireland. There are also multiple UK accommodation address Parcel Services in UK and USA for Irish people. The Irish Post Office, An Post, runs one in the UK and one in USA. The duty and shipping can add up from the USA. The eBay Global Shipping Program in the UK is actually simply a Pitney Bowes warehouse. It's the most expensive way and nearly x3 slower to get stuff from UK to Ireland. Often I persuade sellers to ship direct saving up to 1/2 the shipping cost and 2/3rds shipping time.

Just yesterday someone in N.I. said they weren't sure where the Border would be. Apparently there may be more than one, with one at Kent.

Anything imported from outside the EU is subject to VAT and an €8 handling charge if WORTH more (on their opinion) than €20, including shipping. Customs do demand PayPal invoices but reserve the right to put their own valuation. They say they don't actually collect VAT if the total is less than €26.
Larger value items and specific kinds of things attract Duty. Yes, VAT is on Sale price (or their estimated value) + shipping + duty.

Customs everywhere are pretty much like that. It was worse in the 1970s UK because there were also Exchange controls. I had a payment in Sterling blocked till I explained what it was for. It wasn't much money. I lived in the UK at that time.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

That link takes me to an open quote. (?)

Well, I certainly screwed that up. Here's the link... (I've corrected the original post as well)...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...%2315176%23488

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Quoth

...Customs everywhere are pretty much like that. It was worse in the 1970s UK because there were also Exchange controls. I had a payment in Sterling blocked till I explained what it was for. It wasn't much money. I lived in the UK at that time.

Sounds like a lot of work (and expense) to get anything sent to Ireland.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Well, I certainly screwed that up. Here's the link... (I've corrected the original post as well)...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...%2315176%23488

I like the form factor, but my god that text looks dim!

[Deskisamess]

Not a touch screen, and contradictory info as far as a "backlight" goes.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I like the form factor, but my god that text looks dim!

And that is one slow processor.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I like the form factor, but my god that text looks dim!

That could be because of glare from a poor photo setup.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I like the form factor, but my god that text looks dim!

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Not a touch screen, and contradictory info as far as a "backlight" goes.

Originally Posted by j.p.s

That could be because of glare from a poor photo setup.

It's like they don't want to sell these things. No touch screen. No front light. And no 3.5mm audio jack (which some claim). The jury is out on whether they have microSD slots or not. Some, at least, do. And the screen is better than the pictures EVERY seller uses. (Basically it's comparable to a 2013, not-lit Pearl E-Ink screen.) I've attached a couple pictures from a user (Mike) who bought one of these, that was posted on eBook Reader at the following link...

https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...-up-on-amazon/