I like my Touch, but....

[ziegl027]

I've seen some other readers that make me jealous of screen contrast (I think my reader is actually defective, but got nothing but runaround from Sony--don't get me started). So I'm toying with the idea of getting another one. If I do, though, I would like a larger screen to make it easier to read some of the PDF scientific journal articles I read for work. Sometimes for recreational reading, I wouldn't mind a larger screen, too.

I've been a bit out of touch--is Kindle DX pretty much the only game in town these days for large-format readers? Looking at the MobileRead Matrix, it looks like everything else is vaporware (the Que), no longer sold (at least I couldn't find the iRex 800 on brief searching), or Sony (which I will not buy, see above).

Am I missing something somewhere? Do any of the non-Que "to be released" products actually show some promise of coming to market and staying there? I've looked at iPad's, too, and wasn't all that impressed--too heavy and I don't like the screen for reading.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by ziegl027

I've seen some other readers that make me jealous of screen contrast (I think my reader is actually defective, but got nothing but runaround from Sony--don't get me started). So I'm toying with the idea of getting another one. If I do, though, I would like a larger screen to make it easier to read some of the PDF scientific journal articles I read for work. Sometimes for recreational reading, I wouldn't mind a larger screen, too.

I've been a bit out of touch--is Kindle DX pretty much the only game in town these days for large-format readers? Looking at the MobileRead Matrix, it looks like everything else is vaporware (the Que), no longer sold (at least I couldn't find the iRex 800 on brief searching), or Sony (which I will not buy, see above).

Am I missing something somewhere? Do any of the non-Que "to be released" products actually show some promise of coming to market and staying there? I've looked at iPad's, too, and wasn't all that impressed--too heavy and I don't like the screen for reading.

PocketBook 902/903 look very promising.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by ziegl027

I've seen some other readers that make me jealous of screen contrast (I think my reader is actually defective, but got nothing but runaround from Sony--don't get me started). So I'm toying with the idea of getting another one. If I do, though, I would like a larger screen to make it easier to read some of the PDF scientific journal articles I read for work. Sometimes for recreational reading, I wouldn't mind a larger screen, too.

I've been a bit out of touch--is Kindle DX pretty much the only game in town these days for large-format readers? Looking at the MobileRead Matrix, it looks like everything else is vaporware (the Que), no longer sold (at least I couldn't find the iRex 800 on brief searching), or Sony (which I will not buy, see above).

Am I missing something somewhere? Do any of the non-Que "to be released" products actually show some promise of coming to market and staying there? I've looked at iPad's, too, and wasn't all that impressed--too heavy and I don't like the screen for reading.

what Sony do you have? The 700 (I think?), 600, 350 and 650 all have touch...

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

what Sony do you have? The 700 (I think?), 600, 350 and 650 all have touch...

I think, 350 is the successor of 300 = pocket edition = no touch screen.
600, 650, 700, 900 and 950 should be the ones with touchscreen.
The new ones = 650 and 950 should have great displays.

[ziegl027]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

what Sony do you have? The 700 (I think?), 600, 350 and 650 all have touch...

Sorry, it's the "600". It was officially marketed for a while by the name "Touch" rather than a model number. I got it January '10. The thing that really bugs me about the contrast is that my current unit is a replacement (and a refurb) for another unit with sun fade that I finally arm-wrestled Sony into sending. This one also has sun fade (but not as bad as the old one), but worse screen contrast and worse "ghosting" than the old unit had. Not that I'm bitter.

[Pagali]

I have a 600 "Touch" which is now loaned to a friend. I just recently got a 650 "Touch" and 350 "Pocket". The 650's screen brightness and contrast are MILES better than the 600!

@mgmueller: The 300, as you say, was not a touch screen model. However, I have a 350 right here, and it definitely has the same nice bright responsive touch screen as my 650. I love them both!

[frquixote]

ziegl027,

Sorry you have a 600. You need to check out the 650 ... its the machine the 600 should have been. I had purchased a 600 several months ago and returned it to Best Buy due to the poor screen. The 650 screen is crisp and clear with a nice white background. The touch requires only the lightest of touches to operate. Overall, a real winner.

[Squirsier]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I think, 350 is the successor of 300 = pocket edition = no touch screen.

The new PRS-350 is basically a 5 inch PRS-650, so it also has a touchscreen!

[ziegl027]

Thanks for the suggestions, but at this point

1) If I'm going to get another reader, I'm going to get one with a larger screen size AND better contrast.

2) After the runaround Sony gave me ("Go find some shade, sit under a tree or something" on the fading issue), I have no interest in giving Sony any more of my money.

So, back to my original question--is the Kindle DX pretty much the only game in town for large format readers, or is one of the "unreleased" items in the Matrix looking like it will really come to market in the US? I'm still sad the Que evaporated.

[ProfCrash]

I love my DXG. The screen is great, the organization works fine for me, and it is nice and lightweight.

What is it that you are looking for in an e-reader? The DXG's PDFreader might not be what you want for reading scientific journals. I don't use the PDF feature but I have read that the lack of reflor is problematic.

[bainsy]

I owned a prs600 for about 5 mins and returned it after I saw what a mess Sony did with the screen (that is what you should have done).

kindle DX or Sony prs-950

I feel your pain im in the same boat about which one to purchase next kindle 3 or prs-650 ?????????? anyway good luck

[Cocomaster]

Originally Posted by ziegl027

Thanks for the suggestions, but at this point

1) If I'm going to get another reader, I'm going to get one with a larger screen size AND better contrast.

2) After the runaround Sony gave me ("Go find some shade, sit under a tree or something" on the fading issue), I have no interest in giving Sony any more of my money.

So, back to my original question--is the Kindle DX pretty much the only game in town for large format readers, or is one of the "unreleased" items in the Matrix looking like it will really come to market in the US? I'm still sad the Que evaporated.

No, it is not the only one, soon pocketbook will realise the 902 and the 903, both will have a 9.7" screen. The 903 will have 3G and touchscreen, they seem very promising.

[ziegl027]

Originally Posted by bainsy

I owned a prs600 for about 5 mins and returned it after I saw what a mess Sony did with the screen (that is what you should have done).

The reasons why that didn't happen is an extermely long story that brings back painful memories of being on the phone with various and sundry "support" people. If you want the details, I'd be happy to share, but I would advise you skip it .

[ziegl027]

Originally Posted by Cocomaster

No, it is not the only one, soon pocketbook will realise the 902 and the 903, both will have a 9.7" screen. The 903 will have 3G and touchscreen, they seem very promising.

What sort of track record does pocketbook have in the US for support and such? Most of the references I find seem to be European?