Questions on Sony Reader

[darkstar]

Now that I checked the lower left disc is better on the 500- gives more feedback if you pushed it. The 505 is not so nice, less "clicky" feedback and does not always seem to work (you push in for page turn, think you got feedback but the page does not turn). Its just not as crisp- too mushy. I end up pushing a little harder on the 505( as compared to the 500) and it always works, maybe it needs a break-in period. Mainly I use the page turn button on the right edge. But I didn't even think of the disc being a problem till I read the above post
( now I see the problem for me is I switch back and forth between the two units and the switch is different - if I just use the 505 I adjust to how the disc switch works and it is fine, no extra pressure )

[kacir]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I hate to say this, but I will, you will hate the new cover on the 505. The cover is flimsy in comparison to the 500. ... The cover for the 500 is way better.

Please note that I was not talking about the cover itself, but about the way the cover is attached to the device. PRS 500 system makes it almost impossible to make my own cover without disassembling / destroying the original cover.
I wanted to make a new cover using combination of high quality leather and an carbon/aramide composite. I do not want to destroy the original cover and that stupid snap-in round connector is almost impossible to manufacture at home. (No I can't order a new cover. I do not have a credit card and I live in Central Europe) One member of the forum told us a story how he extracted that snap-in round connector from a damaged cover and glued it into a stiff piece of board. He damaged the connector on the reader when he tried to pry it off after snapping the reader to his new cover. In other words the back side of the cover for PRS 500 HAS to be flexible if you want to remove the reader.

[RWood]

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

Do you mean to say you can't charge from an AC outlet at all? Does it have a jack so I could use the 500 wall charger?

If not, that means that if you are out somewhere where no computer is available to charge, you are SOL? That would be totally idiotic if it can only be recharged with a computer's USB port.

Let's see, if somebody only has a desktop, they will have to go buy a laptop and take it everywhere they go with the 505, just to be able to charge it.

Tell me it ain't so, Joe.

I ain't Joe, but it ain't so.

Sony is just not including the line (or mains) charger in the retail package as they did on the 500. There is still a plug for a 5.2V charger and any PSP charger will work. I use a 3rd party universal charger called "Juice" (NatCh also uses the same charger) and it works great. The 500 needed a line charger because if the battery was fully discharged it would not recharge from the USB. From what I have read (correct me if I'm wrong on this one) the 505 will recharge from a USB connection even if the battery is completely drained making the requirement for a line charger obsolete.

[rgd]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

My brother mentioned to me yesterday that he had heard about the Sony card offer and the Reader. He applied for the card at the end of September but the Reader was out of stock. He told me it's back in stock but it's the older model.

Do you guys think he should go ahead and get the old version?

[rgd]

Originally Posted by RWood

rdg, welcome to MobileRead, glad that you're here. (BTW: that's NatCh tipping his hat to you as a new member. I don't wear a hat.)


As for gray levels, you do not adjust them, it is internal and determines how the unit renders graphics.

Rwood, thanks for the welcome message! Nice hat, Natch.

And also thanks for letting me know how the gray levels work. I am assuming the more grey levels, the higher the contrast?

[MikeF74]

Originally Posted by rgd

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

My brother mentioned to me yesterday that he had heard about the Sony card offer and the Reader. He applied for the card at the end of September but the Reader was out of stock. He told me it's back in stock but it's the older model.

Do you guys think he should go ahead and get the old version?

He definitely shouldn't let the offer go to waste. Spend the $60 to get the PRS-500. Then sell it on eBay for $270 or so. Put that money towards a PRS-505. Total cost for the new PRS-505 after doing all of this, about $100.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by rgd

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

My brother mentioned to me yesterday that he had heard about the Sony card offer and the Reader. He applied for the card at the end of September but the Reader was out of stock. He told me it's back in stock but it's the older model.

Do you guys think he should go ahead and get the old version?

If he only applied for the card, that offer may not be available. You have to be approved and receive the card before you can register it and order the Reader. I thought the offer was expired already.

If it's still available, that's a no-brainer. SIXTY DOLLARS for a Reader. Plus, he might want to just keep the 500. It really works just fine. The 505 doesn't appear to be a major step up. (And with the 500 model hacks, incl. joystick page turns and direct page control, I like the 500 control layout.)

btw, # of gray levels doesn't affect contrast. Illustrations may be more detailed (less dithering), but text is still black and white, and contrast is determined by the screen itself.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by RWood

(BTW: that's NatCh tipping his hat to you as a new member. I don't wear a hat.)

Thanks, RWood -- I'm not on-line much on the week-ends these days. Got a yard to mow and laundry to do since we moved, but I'm sure loving not being in an apartment!

And, as the certified hat-wearing greeter around here, let me add my own greetings to everyone else's: welcome to MobileRead, rgd!


It looks like you've been pretty well answered on the question you asked, rgd, All I'd add is that for $20 difference, I'd go for the 505 if I were you ... unless you particularly want the buttons on the left rather than the right.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by rgd

Do you guys think he should go ahead and get the old version?

Get it and RUN!!!

Reader for 60 bucks is an offer you can not miss.
For me, personally, a dolar means much more money than to you - USA citizens.
My salary is fraction of what I would be paid on the same position in USA. Yet for $60 a pop I would purchase at least two of them IMMEDIATELY.

Some of the features of the new model are very tempting, but even "good ole" PRS 500 is GREAT for fiction reading.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by rgd

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

My brother mentioned to me yesterday that he had heard about the Sony card offer and the Reader. He applied for the card at the end of September but the Reader was out of stock. He told me it's back in stock but it's the older model.

BTW, I checked on the $60 deal. You have to open the card account AND purchase the Reader on their site no later than Sept. 30 to get the $50 (plus s/h) price. So if he didn't already order it, it's too late according to Sony's posted info.

[rgd]

I called my brother and he said he applied before Sept 30. He told me he got the card but since the Reader was out of stock, he didn't bother with it anymore.

I will tell him to try to get it. Maybe he can give it to me if he is not interested anymore

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by rgd

I called my brother and he said he applied before Sept 30. He told me he got the card but since the Reader was out of stock, he didn't bother with it anymore.

I will tell him to try to get it. Maybe he can give it to me if he is not interested anymore

He can try, but the offer required that you receive and register your card, and order the Reader on the Sony site, by Sept. 30. Merely applying for the card is not sufficient.

If he hasn't registered and ordered the Reader, I'm pretty sure it's too late. But you can always try. Great offer for those who jumped on it. (In retrospect I wish I had my SO sign up for a CC and get herself a Reader, because she wants mine now!!)

[JTravers]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

He can try, but the offer required that you receive and register your card, and order the Reader on the Sony site, by Sept. 30. Merely applying for the card is not sufficient.

If he hasn't registered and ordered the Reader, I'm pretty sure it's too late. But you can always try. Great offer for those who jumped on it. (In retrospect I wish I had my SO sign up for a CC and get herself a Reader, because she wants mine now!!)

Not quite true.

[phrodod]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

He can try, but the offer required that you receive and register your card, and order the Reader on the Sony site, by Sept. 30. Merely applying for the card is not sufficient.

If he hasn't registered and ordered the Reader, I'm pretty sure it's too late. But you can always try. Great offer for those who jumped on it. (In retrospect I wish I had my SO sign up for a CC and get herself a Reader, because she wants mine now!!)

Because the rewards site didn't have the reader for several weeks leading up to the expiration of the offer, they extended the time to order the reader. It's now back on the web site, and as long as they coded the card correctly, you'll be able to take advantage of the offer. Add the reader to your cart, because the price listed in the store is much higher. Once you've added it to your cart, you should see the 5,999 points price for the reader (=$59.99 at a penny a point).

Note that you can boost your point balance prior to ordering by 1) creating the Sony Rewards account (50 points), 2) creating your wish list (50 points), and 3) taking a poll (25 points?). OK, I'll grant that it's not much, but it's better than a sharp stick in the eye

My wife ordered hers last night, and the deal was definitely still available then.

Phrodod