Anyone buying back-up Readers?

[sharphamster]

My 350 has just started to noticeably lose battery life a few weeks after I put a skin on it (of course!) and I do want a backup 350 as I love pretty much everything about it. Just scored one of those Green standard Sony covers I've wanted for a while too.

I have a 'Like New' 350 coming from an eBay auction, and ordered a new battery for it from NewPower99. Here's hoping the battery swap goes as smoothly for me as it does in the Youtube video.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by sharphamster

I have a 'Like New' 350 coming from an eBay auction, and ordered a new battery for it from NewPower99. Here's hoping the battery swap goes as smoothly for me as it does in the Youtube video.

Please do report back on how it goes, and how long the new battery lasts.

[Latinandgreek]

My T1 seems to be acting up too much to use. I will probably try to get a backup 350 or 650 when I go to Canada next week.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

My T1 seems to be acting up too much to use. I will probably try to get a backup 350 or 650 when I go to Canada next week.

From where? They're not sold in stores anymore and if you do find one at a Sony store it'll be a return which you won't want. I've bought those before and there were problems with all of them - burn in, scratches, etc. I'd get the T3 if I were you.

[FinancialWar]

You can get a prs350 second hand for like $40. Much better than the stupid and ugly T3.

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

You can get a prs350 second hand for like $40. Much better than the stupid and ugly T3.

Please explain:
how is an 800 x600 screen "better" than a 1024 x 768 one
and a smaller+weaker + 3 year old battery "BETTER" than what the T3 has

[sharphamster]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

Please do report back on how it goes, and how long the new battery lasts.

Will do - I also ordered a new battery for my 300. Both say they are extended capacity (750 mAh/300, 900 mAh/350) so I'm curious to see how that all shakes out. If they fit the case/are the same size as the originals. The company does offer a 1 year warranty.

Right now, the 300 discharges after 3 days, and the 350 in about week, depending on usage, of course.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Please explain:
how is an 800 x600 screen "better" than a 1024 x 768 one
and a smaller+weaker + 3 year old battery "BETTER" than what the T3 has

The 350 is a great robust reader. The smaller screen means 200dpi compared to 160dpi of the older 6 inch models and 212dpi for the T3. The text looks nice. Some people prefer the 5 inch models. It also seems there are batteries available.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

From where? They're not sold in stores anymore and if you do find one at a Sony store it'll be a return which you won't want. I've bought those before and there were problems with all of them - burn in, scratches, etc. I'd get the T3 if I were you.

The Source outlet near my parents' house often has very cheap refurbished Sony Readers, and I can probably be able to have a look at the unit before I buy it, so I'm not too worried about it. I'll keep my eye out on deals on the T3, too.

[FinancialWar]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Please explain:
how is an 800 x600 screen "better" than a 1024 x 768 one
and a smaller+weaker + 3 year old battery "BETTER" than what the T3 has

Everything about the 350 is better that T3.

The build quality, portability, the looks, the buttons, the software.

[sharphamster]

Battery swap was successful on the 350, although I had much more glue on the trim/under the old battery compared to the video. Flossed it loose, and had to chase after one of the little screws, but that was the extent of the problems I encountered. The replacement was the same size and thickness of the old one - the wires were a bit longer, so there was a bit of coaxing them in alongside the battery. It had about a half-charge, so I was able to check right away that I had put it in properly.

The battery kit showed up the day after I ordered it, and has a 1 year money-back guarantee from NewPower99.

Pictures below -

[teija]

Originally Posted by sharphamster

The battery kit showed up the day after I ordered it, and has a 1 year money-back guarantee from NewPower99.

Just curious for future reference if/when my hubby's 350 needs a new one: how much did the new battery set you back?

Also, love the gel skin. Where did you get that, and do they have them for other Sony eReader models?

[sharphamster]

The battery plus tools & video was $29US with shipping. I came across other brands that were cheaper, but I paid extra for the warranty. Plus the little prybar was pretty handy.

Thanks teija - Love(d) that skin too, hated to peel it off. I got it from Decal Girl and it's called Sangria Flora. Can't decide if I want to replace it or pick a different one. What to do... what to do.

They carry skins for all the Reader models I think, except the T3. You can get them in a glossy finish or matte. I like the matte as it's a little grippy-er.

[FinancialWar]

Lol, what?

Here is what you should do. Peel it off and throw it away. Hope you didn't do the same thing to your MacBook.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

Lol, what?

Here is what you should do. Peel it off and throw it away. Hope you didn't do the same thing to your MacBook.

Skins are a very nice way to add your own touch to your reader and they're very nice to handle. For myself, reading out in the hot sun in the summer makes the metal front of my reader too hot for me to touch... the skin makes it bearable. And there's absolutely zero residue left on the reader when you remove the skins.

I put a solid navy skin on my original silver 350s to make them look more like the blue 350s. I won't put a skin on those though, they're too gorgeous . I'll just avoid touching the front when reading outdoors in the summer sun.