Need some advice.

whiskeyguy · 05-24-2011, 03:40 AM

First, sorry. I'm sure this has been asked before, but after an hour of looking I can't find exact answers to my question.

I'm looking for an ebook reader (obviously) and I want one with eInk (or whatever it's called) that can be read in the sun.

Requirement #1: It MUST accept side-loading books from epub, and preferably PDF (text-based), and .lit. I don't mind if I have to convert using Calibre, as long as it converts decently.

Requirement #2: There can't be "repercussions" for side-loading. I'm looking at getting a Kindle but have heard horror stories of Amazon turning Kindles into paperweights for whatever reason.

Preference: The ability to play music.

Preference: The ability to sync last page between devices (Windows, Android, ereader device).

Preference: Newer ebooks in store made available soon after publication (more important than massive library of older books).

Preference: Lightweight & Durable (may take hiking/backpacking).

Preference: Lots of accessories.

I don't need 3G, and wifi is absolutely necessary (although I realize most include it now).

Thanks for the help.

HarryT · 05-24-2011, 06:27 AM

It's absolutely fine to load your own docs onto a Kindle. I'm not sure what it is you've heard, but it's not true.

Sounds as if pretty much any device will meet your needs, but note that any eInk device needs to be treated with a certain amount of respect - the screen has a glass substrate which will break if twisted. So make sure you budget a good sturdy case into the case of your purchase.

I'm very happy with the Kindle, but there are lots of devices to choose from.

GeoffC · 05-24-2011, 06:31 AM

whiskeyguy Slainte and Welcome to Mobileread ....

Perhaps this link may help you - >>> ereader-matrix ...

zespectre · 05-24-2011, 06:42 AM

Sounds like a NOOK (classic) to me. Or it may be that you want whatever Barnes & Noble is supposed to be announcing/releasing today but of course we don't know the specifications for that yet <grin>.

speedlever · 05-24-2011, 07:44 AM

eInk, wifi, music, and sync between devices... sounds like the Kindle 3 to me. The Nook and Sony 950 have wifi and eInk, but I don't think there's any way to sync them between devices. Someone correct me here.

ProfCrash · 05-24-2011, 07:45 AM

It is hard to recommend something we don't know until after it is released.

zespectre · 05-24-2011, 07:56 AM

redacted

ProfCrash · 05-24-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedlever

eInk, wifi, music, and sync between devices... sounds like the Kindle 3 to me. The Nook and Sony 950 have wifi and eInk, but I don't think there's any way to sync them between devices. Someone correct me here.

The Kindle is the only one that syncs across devices. The synch works only for items purchased through Amazon. You can synch books not purchased using Calibre as long as you have the ASIN number which people tell me is automatically loaded when you add a book to Calibre. Since the poster has listed EPub and not a Kindle as the first two requirements, I think that those outweighs the syncing.

It sounds to me like right now is a good time to wait and see what is released. The new Nook is going to be announced today. There is a new Kobo that looks really nice. I have not looked at the new specs to see if it meets the OP's list of things he wants.

Sony seems to be very low on their X50 line which makes me think that they didn't produce enough or that Sony might be preping something new. Amazon sure seems like it will be launching something new by Christmas time.

The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of e-ink readers do their job very well and it really comes down to more subjective prefernces. There are very few real differences in what the devices do and how they work. Most come with dictionaries, allow highlighting, read PDFs, and you can change fonts.

Do you like a touchscreen? Do you want WiFi or 3G? Do you like how the ereader feels in your hands?

susan_cassidy · 05-24-2011, 12:24 PM

Well, .lit is pretty much a dead format now, isn't it? Isn't it Microsoft Reader only? None of the e-ink readers I know of do .lit.

ePub is fine, but that lets out the Kindle. Although almost all books available in ePub are available from Amazon or other sources in .mobi/.azw.

I've heard that the PDF rendering is better on the Sony than on the Kindle 3.

The only times I've heard of "bricked" Kindles is when people were hacking it and messed up. There are cases where stolen Kindles are not able to be registered, but if you buy new, that shouldn't be a problem.

I believe ProfCrash is right about the syncing across devices being Kindle-only.

speedlever · 05-24-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskeyguy

First, sorry. I'm sure this has been asked before, but after an hour of looking I can't find exact answers to my question.

I'm looking for an ebook reader (obviously) and I want one with eInk (or whatever it's called) that can be read in the sun.

Requirement #1: It MUST accept side-loading books from epub, and preferably PDF (text-based), and .lit. I don't mind if I have to convert using Calibre, as long as it converts decently.

Requirement #2: There can't be "repercussions" for side-loading. I'm looking at getting a Kindle but have heard horror stories of Amazon turning Kindles into paperweights for whatever reason.

Preference: The ability to play music.

Preference: The ability to sync last page between devices (Windows, Android, ereader device).

Preference: Newer ebooks in store made available soon after publication (more important than massive library of older books).

Preference: Lightweight & Durable (may take hiking/backpacking).

Preference: Lots of accessories.

I don't need 3G, and wifi is absolutely necessary (although I realize most include it now).

Thanks for the help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The Kindle is the only one that syncs across devices. The synch works only for items purchased through Amazon. You can synch books not purchased using Calibre as long as you have the ASIN number which people tell me is automatically loaded when you add a book to Calibre. Since the poster has listed EPub and not a Kindle as the first two requirements, I think that those outweighs the syncing.

It sounds to me like right now is a good time to wait and see what is released. The new Nook is going to be announced today. There is a new Kobo that looks really nice. I have not looked at the new specs to see if it meets the OP's list of things he wants.

Sony seems to be very low on their X50 line which makes me think that they didn't produce enough or that Sony might be preping something new. Amazon sure seems like it will be launching something new by Christmas time.

The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of e-ink readers do their job very well and it really comes down to more subjective prefernces. There are very few real differences in what the devices do and how they work. Most come with dictionaries, allow highlighting, read PDFs, and you can change fonts.

Do you like a touchscreen? Do you want WiFi or 3G? Do you like how the ereader feels in your hands?

Only the OP can determine the importance of those requirements. But looking at the first couple, the OP sounds comfy using calibre to convert epub to mobi... so epub is a moot issue.

The negative posted about the Kindle is that the OP's *heard* horror stories about Kindles becoming paperweights for unknown reasons. I am unfamiliar with this negative. I just know that I have d/l a variety of formats, mostly epub, and have used calibre to convert and email to my wifi-K3 without issue. I didn't get the sense that the OP was ruling out the Kindle because of this, but had a question about the validity of the negative.

If the OP is buying today, I think the Kindle is the only one that meets most or all the requirements and preferences.

Until this thread, I hadn't heard that Nook was coming out with something new today.. nor that Kobo had a new EBR out either.

I say *never* get in a hurry to buy.. especially a gadget. Take the time to educate yourself and make an informed choice. That has certainly worked for me.

ProfCrash · 05-24-2011, 01:02 PM

I tend to find that people who start off with a very negative opinion of one device are not likely to change their opinion no matter what is said. (shrugs)

I would hope that the OP is open to a Kindle, mainly because I think it is the best device out there, but that was not the impression I got.

The new Nook is basically a Sony at a much better price. It does not have 3G, a web browser, or an MP3 player.

ApK · 05-24-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedlever

I say *never* get in a hurry to buy.. especially a gadget. Take the time to educate yourself and make an informed choice. That has certainly worked for me.

Like with most tech, the only time to buy is when you really want it or need it. If you're just looking the best deal, they will ALWAYS get better and cheaper so you'll wait forever.

As for side loading to a Kindle, geesh, not only is there no negative, but, if you want, Amazon will convert your personal documents to Kindle format and deliver them to your Kindle via WiFi for free! No other dedicated reader is that side-load friendly as far as I know.

ApK

CRussel · 05-24-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Well, .lit is pretty much a dead format now, isn't it? Isn't it Microsoft Reader only? None of the e-ink readers I know of do .lit.

Worse, the DRM on it is not something you can get rid of to change formats. Totally unacceptable. I just found several books I wanted for my Kindle that are ONLY available in .LIT. Totally annoyed. Made me not want to read any of the author's books, since I'd have to start in the middle.

ApK · 05-24-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Worse, the DRM on it is not something you can get rid of to change formats. Totally unacceptable. I just found several books I wanted for my Kindle that are ONLY available in .LIT. Totally annoyed. Made me not want to read any of the author's books, since I'd have to start in the middle.

There are lit converters that will strip the DRM and change the format. You do need to have the books licensed and working in a reader app to use them, though...that seems to be the hard part. Microsoft's servers seem to be finicky about reauthorizing legitimate users. I'd say if you have any lit books, convert them now before those servers are gone for good.

whiskeyguy · 05-24-2011, 02:56 PM

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone. It appears I need to do a little clarification.

I am absolutely open to the Kindle, and I realize people have very positive feelings about it. I've heard a few horror stories of people trying to sideload books and it's bricked, but they are vastly outnumbered by positive reviews (apparent in this thread) and I absolutely realize the people who speak the loudest about a product are the minority that have had problems with it.

I don't need to retain the epub format, I just haven't used Calibre with a Kindle and wanted to verify that epub and (to a lesser extent) lit and text-based pdf can be converted to the Kindle decently. I've converted lit and pdf to epub to use with FBreader on my Windows tablet and it's worked fine, so I assume they can also be converted to mobi.

I've read that Nook will also sync with android, but only with their content. I've also read that the Kindle can syn sideloaded content if converted using Calibre, and if that's true then I am definitely leaning towards the Kindle. I was going to wait and get an android tablet (which I still might), but I'm now thinking a dedicated ereader is worth the money.

The ability to handle PDFs with a lot of images is a plus, but well below the other points I'm concerned with.

05-24-2011, 07:56 AM	#7
zespectre BookMonkey Posts: 90 Karma: 18008 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shenandoah Valley Device: NOOK, iPod Touch, Asus Netbook	redacted Last edited by zespectre; 05-24-2011 at 08:27 AM.

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05-24-2011, 03:40 AM	#1
whiskeyguy Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	Need some advice. First, sorry. I'm sure this has been asked before, but after an hour of looking I can't find exact answers to my question. I'm looking for an ebook reader (obviously) and I want one with eInk (or whatever it's called) that can be read in the sun. Requirement #1: It MUST accept side-loading books from epub, and preferably PDF (text-based), and .lit. I don't mind if I have to convert using Calibre, as long as it converts decently. Requirement #2: There can't be "repercussions" for side-loading. I'm looking at getting a Kindle but have heard horror stories of Amazon turning Kindles into paperweights for whatever reason. Preference: The ability to play music. Preference: The ability to sync last page between devices (Windows, Android, ereader device). Preference: Newer ebooks in store made available soon after publication (more important than massive library of older books). Preference: Lightweight & Durable (may take hiking/backpacking). Preference: Lots of accessories. I don't need 3G, and wifi is absolutely necessary (although I realize most include it now). Thanks for the help.

05-24-2011, 06:27 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's absolutely fine to load your own docs onto a Kindle. I'm not sure what it is you've heard, but it's not true. Sounds as if pretty much any device will meet your needs, but note that any eInk device needs to be treated with a certain amount of respect - the screen has a glass substrate which will break if twisted. So make sure you budget a good sturdy case into the case of your purchase. I'm very happy with the Kindle, but there are lots of devices to choose from.

05-24-2011, 06:31 AM	#3
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	whiskeyguy Slainte and Welcome to Mobileread .... Perhaps this link may help you - >>> ereader-matrix ...

05-24-2011, 06:42 AM	#4
zespectre BookMonkey Posts: 90 Karma: 18008 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shenandoah Valley Device: NOOK, iPod Touch, Asus Netbook	Sounds like a NOOK (classic) to me. Or it may be that you want whatever Barnes & Noble is supposed to be announcing/releasing today but of course we don't know the specifications for that yet <grin>.

05-24-2011, 07:44 AM	#5
speedlever Fanatic Posts: 592 Karma: 138200 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NC, USA Device: PW2014, PW2012, iPad Pro	eInk, wifi, music, and sync between devices... sounds like the Kindle 3 to me. The Nook and Sony 950 have wifi and eInk, but I don't think there's any way to sync them between devices. Someone correct me here.

05-24-2011, 07:45 AM	#6
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	It is hard to recommend something we don't know until after it is released.

05-24-2011, 12:24 PM	#9
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Well, .lit is pretty much a dead format now, isn't it? Isn't it Microsoft Reader only? None of the e-ink readers I know of do .lit. ePub is fine, but that lets out the Kindle. Although almost all books available in ePub are available from Amazon or other sources in .mobi/.azw. I've heard that the PDF rendering is better on the Sony than on the Kindle 3. The only times I've heard of "bricked" Kindles is when people were hacking it and messed up. There are cases where stolen Kindles are not able to be registered, but if you buy new, that shouldn't be a problem. I believe ProfCrash is right about the syncing across devices being Kindle-only.

05-24-2011, 01:02 PM	#11
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I tend to find that people who start off with a very negative opinion of one device are not likely to change their opinion no matter what is said. (shrugs) I would hope that the OP is open to a Kindle, mainly because I think it is the best device out there, but that was not the impression I got. The new Nook is basically a Sony at a much better price. It does not have 3G, a web browser, or an MP3 player.

05-24-2011, 02:56 PM	#15
whiskeyguy Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	Wow, thanks for the responses everyone. It appears I need to do a little clarification. I am absolutely open to the Kindle, and I realize people have very positive feelings about it. I've heard a few horror stories of people trying to sideload books and it's bricked, but they are vastly outnumbered by positive reviews (apparent in this thread) and I absolutely realize the people who speak the loudest about a product are the minority that have had problems with it. I don't need to retain the epub format, I just haven't used Calibre with a Kindle and wanted to verify that epub and (to a lesser extent) lit and text-based pdf can be converted to the Kindle decently. I've converted lit and pdf to epub to use with FBreader on my Windows tablet and it's worked fine, so I assume they can also be converted to mobi. I've read that Nook will also sync with android, but only with their content. I've also read that the Kindle can syn sideloaded content if converted using Calibre, and if that's true then I am definitely leaning towards the Kindle. I was going to wait and get an android tablet (which I still might), but I'm now thinking a dedicated ereader is worth the money. The ability to handle PDFs with a lot of images is a plus, but well below the other points I'm concerned with.