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Old 01-13-2011, 10:58 AM   #16
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Sent mine back also

I had almost the same experience as the OP. I would add that the screen resolution for me, in my opinion, did not have sufficient resolution for a satisfactory eReader. Afterall, we are trying these things in order to read on them.

I bought a NookColor instead and rooted it. The screen resolution is much better than the Cruz and more responsive than the Cruz. Okay there are downsides to the Nook Color..... but that is for a different forum and thread.
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Old 01-13-2011, 10:58 AM   #17
tponzo
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I should have listened. I bought the Cruz tablet the other day on QVC. Was all excited when it came yesterday. I'm sending it back today. I like a touch screen but sometimes need the precision of a stylus. It doesn't support use of one. It only comes w/Android 2.0 but I figured (foolish me) that I would be able to upgrade the firmware - not! There are a very limited number of aps and I can't borrow library books.The screen is a total finger print magnet and finally no Adobe Flash. Many of my frequently visited websites, I can't even log on. This turned out to be a waste. Guess I'll keep looking for a cheaper ipad alternative cuz the velocity micro cruz ain't it.

Last edited by tponzo; 01-13-2011 at 11:39 AM. Reason: correction
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Old 01-17-2011, 02:19 PM   #18
mikescanes
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Device: Cruz reader 103
Bought a Cruz reader 103 for $99. Is much as described by others but I persevered with it and kinda got used to it.
i worked on the basis it was so cheap what the hell. Can now read ebooks easily, see photos but cannot find format to play videos. Somewhere in the net I did find a good manual but have lost it. Software icons not easy to understand their purpose, and some cause confusion.
Ayone else had same experiences? If so can we share experiences?

Mike
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Old 01-18-2011, 04:18 PM   #19
Killing Floor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikescanes View Post
Bought a Cruz reader 103 for $99. Is much as described by others but I persevered with it and kinda got used to it.
i worked on the basis it was so cheap what the hell. Can now read ebooks easily, see photos but cannot find format to play videos. Somewhere in the net I did find a good manual but have lost it. Software icons not easy to understand their purpose, and some cause confusion.
Ayone else had same experiences? If so can we share experiences?

Mike
Hi Mike,

I'm new to e-readers, and bought the Cruz 101 because of the price (on sale for $119), and the numerous formats it allegedly supported. I've had it for 2 days, and believe me, it's been a tough 2 days, but I think I almost have this figured out.

For the manual and firmware upgrade, you can get it from the Cruz site here: http://cruzsupport.velocitymicro.com...sp?deptID=5758 you'll need an external SD card to do the firmware upgrade. I really don't know if this improved things, but after researching the Cruz, it was mentioned that the first thing you should do is update the firmware.

I spent hours trying to connect to youtube, only to find Android doesn't support flash. I found an alternative browser called Skyfire. I downloaded it to my pc, then transferred the file to the internal SD card via the usb cable. I navigated to the file using Astro, the file manager, and after double tapping it, it installed the browser. It does a pretty good job of streaming the video.

Then, I found a problem reading digitally protected e-pub books. More googling, and I found a a free app called Overdrive Media Console (google it). Bliss. I was able to download digitally protected e-pub books borrowed from my local library. To do this, the "ticket" for the protected e-pub book is an .ascm file you have to transfer to the internal SD card. I put it in a folder I created called "downloads." Navigated to it using Astro, double tap, Overdrive opens up, and you're prompted to start the download. Before being able to use Overdrive, you need to get a digital ID from Adobe, so if you don't have one, you have to go to Adobe to register your name and email address.

Oh, I forgot to mention to read the manual, I had to get a pdf reader from the installed Cruz Market. I installed the Amazon Kindle app from the Cruz Market as well, and I'm now reading a book from Amazon. You can't read in landscape mode when using the Kindle app.

To convert videos, you need to convert whatever video to mp4 format- there's many free you can google. I use this: http://sourceforge.net/projects/akmeffmpeg/ Through some guesswork, I figured out the right setting to convert videos that's viewable on the Cruz.

I've since transferred photos, and mp3 music to the Cruz. Photos and videos can be found using the "Gallery" icon. For music, the music icon.

I've spent 2 long days fiddling with this, and believe I have most of the kinks worked out. I haven't tried opening any txt documents, as the included Office app is a trial only.

I've had pretty good luck in finding 3rd party apps when googling, if I add the words, "cruz android" to the query terms; e.g. "e-pub reader for cruz android reader."

The touch resistive screen is the major weak point in the Cruz. I've found that after calibrating the screen using the tip of a covered Bic pen, and using the very edge, the touch screen will be more accurately responsive.

I'm practically brain dead from 2 days of working with this thing. I'm still a bit undecided whether to keep this, but for the price, and as a reader only, it certainly does its job. The video and music are just extra perks. Being able to download books from my public library is a big plus for me. After all the work I've done, I almost feel I can't return this thing. Anyway, I posted to hopefully help anyone avoid the frustrations I did.
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Old 01-21-2011, 04:32 PM   #20
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Frys has the Cruz 7 (T301) for $109 today.
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Old 01-23-2011, 07:04 PM   #21
brfried
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I have a cruz reader R101 and I love it!!

It works well out of the box as a reader. But if you put some effort into rooting it, in my opinion it is awesome for the price.
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Old 01-24-2011, 08:24 PM   #22
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Smile Just got my VC T301

I find it is working great, came with a Kindle app, and I installed Overdrive, so now I can read library books as well. Like the other functions, too. I am not used to Android, but I find by taking my time, I can work through what I need to do. I am sure I will have it down quickly. I can see this will be a useful tool for me. I still love my Kindle 2i, though, and will continue to use that daily!
I am totally taken in by the whole ebook/ereader phenomenon.
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Old 01-25-2011, 12:17 AM   #23
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I just got my Cruz from Best Buy today. I figured, for $99, I would try it out before I invest the money in the Nook Color. A $150 price difference might not seem like much, but when you just made 2 college tuition payments in one month, it is! I had a $75 BB gift card, so I only paid $25 plus tax. It is a little sluggish, but I think I can work with this until I decide I can shell out the money for an iPad. That probably won't happen for another year or two.

So far, I'm liking it. I was able to add my husband's Kindle account to the Cruz and access his library. If I can get library books on here, that will be awesome! I have to get an external SD card so I can update the firmware. Wish I had realized that while I was still at Best Buy. But, oh well. I'll check them out at Target tomorrow.
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Old 01-25-2011, 01:37 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Killing Floor View Post
Hi Mike,

You can't read in landscape mode when using the Kindle app.
I've been reading my book in Landscape mode using the Kindle app. I've found that landscaping doesn't work tilting in both directions. Only works putting the Cruz in the horizontal position with the power button side to the right.
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Old 01-27-2011, 12:55 PM   #25
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Velocity Cruz Reader

I am happy with my Cruz Reader. I had a Kobo Wifi and took it back because it was so slow and the buttons "clicked". Not good for reading in bed while my wife is sleeping. I took it back after 3 days. I then bought a Literati and for the money, it was good. I saw the Cruz for $120 and figured I would try it for just $20 more than the Literati which I returned.

I just upgraded the firmware and can now log onto the internet at work. I have adjusted to the pressure needed. If I could just find the app for Kobo (have books that I purchased), I would be very happy. If I could have afforded another $130, I would have purchased the Nook Color. But for the money, I am very happy with the Cruz Reader.
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Old 01-31-2011, 03:13 PM   #26
celtica98
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Thumbs up Just got my VC T301 - update

About a week into using the Cruz tablet, and seems to be working fine.
I am adapting to the Android way of doing things, I guess. Worked out a
couple of things thanks to these forums, and I am very happy with my purchase. Can access my Kindle stuff (still like to read on Kindle, tho) and can download directly from Overdrive - a huge plus. I even got a $28 refund from Amazon, because I noticed a price drop the day I received this. What's not to like?
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Old 02-02-2011, 08:49 PM   #27
Killing Floor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aggiegirl92 View Post
I've been reading my book in Landscape mode using the Kindle app. I've found that landscaping doesn't work tilting in both directions. Only works putting the Cruz in the horizontal position with the power button side to the right.
Hi aggie. Yes, I discovered something in Settings, where, if you "check" it, it will go in landscape mode. Haven't noticed if it only works in one orientation though.

PS: I discovered when using Overdrive, instead of the Kindle app, the status icons don't pop up nearly as often.
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Old 02-04-2011, 10:48 AM   #28
mikescanes
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Bought the Cruz reader for $100 it was sluggish and poor. Finally in one week the battery refused to charge so I took it back. Bought a Sony much much better for $85 plus cost of case and charger.
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Old 02-11-2011, 11:09 AM   #29
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I'll have to chime in here as someone who likes their Cruz 101. I got it because I was unsure about buying e-books at their present prices, which I consider waaaay too high. I just didn't wish to buy an e-book reader for $150-250 when I wasn't sure if I would even use it very much. I got the Cruz for $109.

I updated the firmware, not that big of a deal, and easily connected to my network to access the internet as necessary. I don't use it for anything other than an e-reader. It can be used for other things, but not very well. As a cheap e-reader it works fine. I can access books from my local library using Overdrive Console, buy and read books from almost any vendor.

I was unsure about reading from an lcd screen but it is a non-issue for me. Plus I really didn't like the small screens available on any of the other common e-readers, just too small. At least the Cruz is a decent size, I simply can't imagine trying to read from a smart phone sized screen, not because of the print size but the pages are just too small. Kind of like the old childrens' books Big Little books. Yuck. I want a page size at least as big as a large paperback.

All in all the Cruz works very well as an e-book reader for me. It is not an Ipad competitor, you'll be disappointed if that is what you are wanting.
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Old 02-11-2011, 12:03 PM   #30
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So what kind of battery life does the Cruz really have (assuming ereading only, no web surfing, videos, etc.)? I see the specs say 10 hours, but compared to other similar tablets, that seems to be high.
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