New Sony Reader

[rcr62]

A couple of weeks ago I introduced myself in the "Introduce yourself" thread. At that time I had just ordered a PRS-505. It took forever for it to be shipped to me, but I finally received it last Friday.

I can honestly say this device has exceeded all my expectations. The e-ink screen is truly wonderful. I can measure the total success of the device by one simple fact. I keep finding myself reaching to the top right corner and trying to turn the page.

In fact, using it to read has been such a joy, that I have breezed through re-reading Ringo's entire early Posleen series and half way through Ringo and Weber's Empire of Man series (what perfect timing for a vacation).

The only complaint I have is that I am terrified of breaking the screen. Well I also wish the buttons on the right hand side stood out a little more. Other than that, I find this to be a perfect (for me) device.

[Donnageddon]

The 505 is a great reader, but do treat it with reasonable care. I bricked a 500 model, before getting the 505. I did not understand at the time that the eInk screen has a glass substrate, and I twisted it beyond its limits (accidently, of course).

Have a great time with it!

Donn

P.S. The Kindle is the same. Reasonable care is a necessity.

[dhbailey]

I have had my 500 for 15 months now and in that time it has fallen short distances (with the cover on!) and has survived being packed for travel in suitcase and backpack and is still working fine.

Yes, you have to be somewhat careful of it, just as you should be with all your electronic devices, but I find I don't have to be overly careful with it to the point where I'm afraid to use it.

I handle it just as I do my notebook computers and even though I've owned three different notebooks in my life so far, none have had to be replaced because of damage I did to them. They just got old.

So my advice is to get over the nervousness about the screen and enjoy the reader -- not a day goes by where I haven't spent about an hour or so reading on it and it would be hard to imagine life without it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

P.S. The Kindle is the same. Reasonable care is a necessity.

Reasonable care - Yes.
Paranoia - No.

I fling all my bookreaders around with a fair degree of abandon and have yet to come to grief as a result, and I'm on my 4th eInk device (Sony Reader, iLiad, and two Gen3s). As long as you avoid torsion (ie twisting) or putting a lot of pressure on a single point on the screen, they are no more delicate than, say, the typical laptop computer. Certainly it's nothing to "worry" about.

[astrodad]

I travel nearly every week and I tuck my Reader in a home-made case and I've never had a problem. Once, when it was out of its case and only attached to the default cover, my 505 fell off my son's bed. The case was cracked at the hinge, but the Reader was fine.

Also, since buying it in January, I've only had one lockup of the Reader. I'd say in today's tech age that's very respectable.

[MickeyC]

Glad to hear you're so pleased with your 505. I read all the sad stories about screen damage here on the MR Forum and, consequently, opted for the warranty when I bought my 505. Normally, I wouldn't do that but I got nervous.

Needless to say, I've had my 505 for over six months and haven't dinged it up at all.

I did get the MEdge Leisure cover which seems to give it a lot of added protection for places like the gym or beach or travel.

[Ervserver]

enjoy the reader rcr62, I worry about breaking my screen too

[dordale]

Enjoy your reader rcr62!! I've had mine for a little over two months now and I still love it. I used to read books on my Sony Clie (palm pda) and the reader is so much better! I just wish I could easily download my contact/datebook information from Outlook. If I could do that, the Reader would be perfect.

dordale

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by rcr62

A couple of weeks ago I introduced myself in the "Introduce yourself" thread. At that time I had just ordered a PRS-505. It took forever for it to be shipped to me, but I finally received it last Friday.

The only complaint I have is that I am terrified of breaking the screen. Well I also wish the buttons on the right hand side stood out a little more. Other than that, I find this to be a perfect (for me) device.

I know the angst you feel. I cured mine by calling Sony and purchasing an accidental damage policy. Sony will repaire/replace my 505 regardless of what happens to it or how it happens. The policy cost me $70 for 3 years of coverage. Even if I buy a new device in a year or so, the 505 will continue in use by another family member, so I don't consider a 3-year policy a waste of money.

Several other MR members have purchased the insurance (this is where I learned about it) and have reported having to use it. If I recall correctly, one member's cat walked on the screen and broke it and Sony replaced the unit, no questions asked.

I highly recommend your checking it out, even if in the end it only serves to remove the angst.

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by rhadin

I know the angst you feel. I cured mine by calling Sony and purchasing an accidental damage policy. Sony will repaire/replace my 505 regardless of what happens to it or how it happens. The policy cost me $70 for 3 years of coverage. Even if I buy a new device in a year or so, the 505 will continue in use by another family member, so I don't consider a 3-year policy a waste of money.

Several other MR members have purchased the insurance (this is where I learned about it) and have reported having to use it. If I recall correctly, one member's cat walked on the screen and broke it and Sony replaced the unit, no questions asked.

I highly recommend your checking it out, even if in the end it only serves to remove the angst.

This is what I got with my 505 for essentially the same reasons. I normally don't get the extra warranty on items as it's usually just a profit booster for the seller but in this case I got it for the peace of mind.

[nathantw]

Originally Posted by rcr62

I can honestly say this device has exceeded all my expectations. The e-ink screen is truly wonderful.

Before I purchased the Reader I admit I didn't read much. In fact, I was still reading a Tom Clancey hard bound book I purchased in 1999! I was carrying that brick all over the place and it was probably the most traveled book ever. I just never had the time or patience to finish it. After getting the Reader, though, I was able to get an electronic copy of the book. Since the Reader was still "new" I had to make use of it so I read and read and read. I finished the book and started a couple more. It's actually gotten me reading a lot more than I would have previously.

Now that I can get newspapers and magazines on the unit, though, I sort of slowed down on reading fiction/non-fiction books. It'll probably pick up again sooner or later. I like the idea I have a variety of books at my fingertips though.

Overall, I love the screen as it's really easy to read. Too bad people who don't know the joys of e-ink think that reading on an iPhone, Palm Pilot or a laptop screen is the same thing or even better. Personally I don't think I'd be able to read an entire novel on something the size of my Blackberry or my AT&T Tilt. Plus the batteries might be dead when I finally get around to making a phone call.

Enjoy your reader!

Nathan

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by nathantw

Now that I can get newspapers and magazines on the unit, though, I sort of slowed down on reading fiction/non-fiction books. It'll probably pick up again sooner or later. I like the idea I have a variety of books at my fingertips though.

Sorry. I haven't been keeping up on developments. Did you say you can get newspapers and magazines on your PRS 505? How? I have a PRS 500. Can it do the same?

Betty

[nathantw]

Originally Posted by BettyE

Sorry. I haven't been keeping up on developments. Did you say you can get newspapers and magazines on your PRS 505? How? I have a PRS 500. Can it do the same?

Betty

Sure. Just download Calibre (formerly libprs500). You can find the link in the forum dedicated to Calibre on mobleread.com. You can then download the BBC, CNN, Newsweek, NY Times, etc.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by nathantw

Before I purchased the Reader I admit I didn't read much. In fact, I was still reading a Tom Clancey hard bound book I purchased in 1999! I was carrying that brick all over the place and it was probably the most traveled book ever. I just never had the time or patience to finish it. After getting the Reader, though, I was able to get an electronic copy of the book. Since the Reader was still "new" I had to make use of it so I read and read and read. I finished the book and started a couple more. It's actually gotten me reading a lot more than I would have previously.

I didn't know that any Tom Clancy books were available as e-Books! Which bookstore did you buy it from?

[jerryleejr]

Originally Posted by nathantw

Sure. Just download Calibre (formerly libprs500). You can find the link in the forum dedicated to Calibre on mobleread.com. You can then download the BBC, CNN, Newsweek, NY Times, etc.

I am assuming your are talking about saving them as an HTML and then converting them?

JJ