What are the advatages of the Pocket Pro over the Sony 505?

GA Russell · 09-03-2009, 09:53 PM

I see that for the time being, the price of the Sony 505 has dipped down to $200 (in the US). So if the price is the same as the Pocket Pro, I wonder what advantage each has.

The 505 has a 6" screen which is highly regarded. The Pocket Pro has a 5" screen with the latest Epson controller.

Too bad no Sony rep is here to tout the 505, but I wonder what the Astak fans feel about how the Pocket Pro compares to the 505 at the same price point.

By the way, I feel that price is important. Yesterday I saw someone compare the $200 Pocket Pro to an $800 iRex, and say that the Pocket Pro comes up short. In my view comparisons are valid only between comparably priced units.

SDRebel · 09-03-2009, 10:06 PM

I am a noob, but I can tell that the pp supports more formats, supports much bigger expansion cards, TTS, user-replaceable battery...what else am I missing?

GA Russell · 09-03-2009, 10:28 PM

SD, I forgot about the user-replaceable battery! That's what got me seriously thinking about the Pocket Pro in the first place.

SDRebel · 09-03-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

SD, I forgot about the user-replaceable battery! That's what got me seriously thinking about the Pocket Pro in the first place.

yup, you can get a couple extra batteries and be ready for a month-long vacation in the dessert .... well, don't know if a month, but certainly a lot

Bookathon · 09-03-2009, 10:48 PM

IMHO there is screen difference in prs 505 and pp, I think prs 505 screen is the best in the bunch, I have compared it to several other ebooks I got my hands on
And I am sure 6 inch screen is easier to read for visually challenged

HarryT · 09-04-2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookathon

IMHO there is screen difference in prs 505 and pp, I think prs 505 screen is the best in the bunch, I have compared it to several other ebooks I got my hands on
And I am sure 6 inch screen is easier to read for visually challenged

The PRS-505 has exactly the same screen as every other current 6" eInk device. They are all made in the same factory by the same company - PVI, in Taiwan.

JSWolf · 09-04-2009, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRebel

I am a noob, but I can tell that the pp supports more formats, supports much bigger expansion cards, TTS, user-replaceable battery...what else am I missing?

TTS doesn't work with ePub, so that's out. The PP is said to be slow, so that's out. That leaves nothing left. Oh well.

SDRebel · 09-04-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

TTS doesn't work with ePub, so that's out. The PP is said to be slow, so that's out. That leaves nothing left. Oh well.

Only one person said it is slow, so much for your leaving out pros, and TTS with some formats is better than nothing, plus we might get TTS with ePub in the future, which would be an extra bonus

emellaich · 09-04-2009, 12:30 PM

The 505 is a proven, solid device that gets very good reviews from its owners. But it is the last generation in terms of technology.

The pp has more features than the 505. But it is unproven at this time.

So, if you want a device that just works then go for the 505. If you want the latest features go for the PP.

I'm not trying to be silly here because given that statement the obvious choice would be the 505. However, I choose the PP. Given the nature of the device and this forum I suspect that we have many people who prefer to be at the leading edge -- even if it hurts a bit

.

Musicman · 09-05-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Too bad no Sony rep is here to tout the 505, but I wonder what the Astak fans feel about how the Pocket Pro compares to the 505 at the same price point.

Hmmm.... I'm not so sure there is no Sony Rep lurking and posting here.

A review of the posts will surely uncover likely suspects

wallcraft · 09-05-2009, 04:19 PM

These devices have very similar capabilities. Both have 8 grey levels, both have expandable storage, both support mobile Adobe Digital Editions. If you want portability, the Pocket Pro is significantly smaller and lighter. There is a significant difference between a 6" and a 5" screen, so here to nod goes to the Sony and this is particularly true if you care about illustrations in ebooks or comics (they do look better at 600x800 on a 6" screen). Finally the Sony has "collections" and the Pocket Pro has folders. Never having used a Sony, I prefer folders.

Kris777 · 09-06-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

These devices have very similar capabilities. Both have 8 grey levels, both have expandable storage, both support mobile Adobe Digital Editions. If you want portability, the Pocket Pro is significantly smaller and lighter. There is a significant difference between a 6" and a 5" screen, so here to nod goes to the Sony and this is particularly true if you care about illustrations in ebooks or comics (they do look better at 600x800 on a 6" screen). Finally the Sony has "collections" and the Pocket Pro has folders. Never having used a Sony, I prefer folders.

I prefer folders too

. Why Sony doesn't produce eBook readers with folders support?

HarryT · 09-06-2009, 04:48 AM

It has collections, which are very like folders.

JSWolf · 09-07-2009, 10:00 AM

One thing collections allows is for you to have eBooks in multiple collections without having to have multiple copies of the same eBook. That is the only adavntage collections have over folders.

09-03-2009, 09:53 PM	#1
GA Russell Ticats/Als, Riders/Lions Posts: 7,717 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	What are the advatages of the Pocket Pro over the Sony 505? I see that for the time being, the price of the Sony 505 has dipped down to $200 (in the US). So if the price is the same as the Pocket Pro, I wonder what advantage each has. The 505 has a 6" screen which is highly regarded. The Pocket Pro has a 5" screen with the latest Epson controller. Too bad no Sony rep is here to tout the 505, but I wonder what the Astak fans feel about how the Pocket Pro compares to the 505 at the same price point. By the way, I feel that price is important. Yesterday I saw someone compare the $200 Pocket Pro to an $800 iRex, and say that the Pocket Pro comes up short. In my view comparisons are valid only between comparably priced units. Last edited by GA Russell; 09-03-2009 at 09:57 PM.

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09-03-2009, 10:06 PM	#2
SDRebel Addict Posts: 294 Karma: 92 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: astak pro	I am a noob, but I can tell that the pp supports more formats, supports much bigger expansion cards, TTS, user-replaceable battery...what else am I missing?

09-03-2009, 10:28 PM	#3
GA Russell Ticats/Als, Riders/Lions Posts: 7,717 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	SD, I forgot about the user-replaceable battery! That's what got me seriously thinking about the Pocket Pro in the first place.

09-03-2009, 10:48 PM	#5
Bookathon Bookaholic Posts: 72 Karma: 142 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Kindle 1, 3, Ipad	IMHO there is screen difference in prs 505 and pp, I think prs 505 screen is the best in the bunch, I have compared it to several other ebooks I got my hands on And I am sure 6 inch screen is easier to read for visually challenged

09-04-2009, 12:30 PM	#9
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	The 505 is a proven, solid device that gets very good reviews from its owners. But it is the last generation in terms of technology. The pp has more features than the 505. But it is unproven at this time. So, if you want a device that just works then go for the 505. If you want the latest features go for the PP. I'm not trying to be silly here because given that statement the obvious choice would be the 505. However, I choose the PP. Given the nature of the device and this forum I suspect that we have many people who prefer to be at the leading edge -- even if it hurts a bit .

09-05-2009, 04:19 PM	#11
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	These devices have very similar capabilities. Both have 8 grey levels, both have expandable storage, both support mobile Adobe Digital Editions. If you want portability, the Pocket Pro is significantly smaller and lighter. There is a significant difference between a 6" and a 5" screen, so here to nod goes to the Sony and this is particularly true if you care about illustrations in ebooks or comics (they do look better at 600x800 on a 6" screen). Finally the Sony has "collections" and the Pocket Pro has folders. Never having used a Sony, I prefer folders.

09-06-2009, 04:48 AM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It has collections, which are very like folders.

09-07-2009, 10:00 AM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	One thing collections allows is for you to have eBooks in multiple collections without having to have multiple copies of the same eBook. That is the only adavntage collections have over folders.