Sony 505/700 or iLiad

[Wumps]

I'm looking to pull the trigger and get an eBook reader for myself in the next couple of weeks and am really at a standstill as to which of the 3 I've listed would be best.

I like the looks and features of the 700, the interface and speed seem to be very nice by comparison to the others, the built in light is nice but not a deal breaker. What concerns me is the visual quality issues that people are reporting with the plastic overlay.

The 505 seems to have a great screen and seems to be razor sharp, but an older interface, no touch capability and reportedly slower than the 700. Additionally the cost of a 505 with the light wedge is very near the cost of the 700.

The iLiad seems to be a whole different breed, larger, better support for PDFs than the Sony offerings, touch enabled, wi-fi depending on the version, and offering 16 shades gray-scale will be nice when reading graphic novels. The downside is cost compared to the others.

I have not used any of them, and only seen the 505 as a display. This would be my first reader and considering the substantial cost, I'd prefer to make the best decision so that I am not regretting it later.

As far as use goes, 99% of my reading will be done in bed, 1-2 hours at a time. I read just about everything imaginable. I like some of the enhanced features of the 700s operation from what I see described but am wondering how much of that will be replicated with the iLiad being open to devs.

/confused

[talaivan]

The downside to the Iliad is that you have to turn it on and off all the time, as the battery doesn't last very long. It takes almost a minute to boot up. The upside is that the screen is large and it's more comfortable (for me) to read text. I would NOT get the 700 under any circumstances, as the screen is simply not readable for long periods without strong light (I myself saw it, and have read many other accounts of this, though a very few seem to find the screen tolerable). The 505 is an excellent machine and will sleep, which means you don't have to keep turning it off and rebooting it. Depends on what you want -- if you just want to read books, the 505 is probably the best choice.

[mobelby]

Wumps,

You didn't say what format the majority of book files you'll be reading is ?
As Harry has said in numerous posts that has a dramatic impact on the choice you make - eg if you intend to buy new mobipocket novels.

The power consumption and price issues of the Iliad are the deal breaker for me on that one.

For six inch devices, all of the 505, Cybook and Hanlin/Bebook are good devices. Which one is suitable for you just depends on your particular usage.

[wallcraft]

I think you have to assume that nothing more will be done software-wise to the iLiad. If it is good enough "as is" then any advances will be a nice bonus, and you won't be disappointed if the new features you want don't come to pass.

I have a Kindle and an iLiad, and I use the iLiad around the house and for reading in bed. Its larger size makes all the difference over the Kindle, and the relatively short battery life isn't a factor since it can be charged easily (you can't really read while charging though). I use FBReader almost exclusively, which means DRM-free (or deDRMed) ebooks only. This is highly customizable for the page appearance you want, but page turns are slow. You won't need the WiFi, which I have found almost useless, so go for the Book Edition.

The Sony PRS-505 would also be a good choice, a 6" screen is acceptable for reading novels and the smaller size and long battery life is helpful when travelling.

There is no difference in screen quality between the Kindle and the iLiad, and my iLiad has the older EInk film (new ones come with Vizplex, like the PRS-505 and Kindle). Sixteen grey scales can make a difference some times, but 8 on the PRS-505 is probably enough.

[pilotbob]

You don't say if you are in the US but if so the Kindle has many of the features of the Sony 700 minus the touch screen... but still retains a nice clear Vizplex screen. Basically features like Highlight, annotate, clippings, searching can all be done. The Kindle also adds Dictionary lookup, wireless connectivity to browse ebooks stores and download books on the road. Also, the Kindle book store has much more content at a better price for contemporay books.

I wouldn't consider the iLiad if reading MMP type books is what you are after. But, if you want to do a lot of technical and non-fiction type books that you usually find as PDF then the iLiad or the Digital Reader from iRex would be of consideration.

BOb

[Wumps]

Thanks for the feedback gang. Much more helpful than a lot of other special interest sites I have been to in the past.

I am in the US and briefly considered the Kindle but I can't seem to get my head around the ergonomics or the feel.

As far as books go, I really don't have a large library so I would just be starting out. It seems that the Sony has an edge in the format area.

More and more I'm thinking that I'll get a Sony, now I just have to drive to my local Sony shop and compare the two for myself.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Wumps

I am in the US and briefly considered the Kindle but I can't seem to get my head around the ergonomics or the feel.

Ergonomics are about holding it and using it. Can you tell how comfortable a chair will be before you sit in it?

The nice thing about the Kindle is also that you can return it if you don't like it, no questions asked within 30 days. At this time if you get it you can return it up till Jan 31st under Amazon's holiday returns policy.

So, try it you might like it. If not... send it back and move along. It will have only cost you about $6 in return shipping fee. (If you don't buy any books and jsut read free samples or freely available stuff you download here.)

BOb

[Wumps]

I understand the definition of ergonomics. I'll ping some local resources and see if anyone I know has one that I can test out. By no means were my comments meant to put down the Kindle, it may very well be a fine device. Personally I have a hard time envisioning that it would be comfortable for me to hold and use in my usual reading situations.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Wumps

Personally I have a hard time envisioning that it would be comfortable for me to hold and use in my usual reading situations.

It is designed to be always used with a cover. Fold the book cover back and hold it by the cover. The really bad design flaw was that often the book cover does not hold the Kindle firmly enough, so I switched to a M-edge cover, but the covers work the same as far as holding for reading is concerned.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

It is designed to be always used with a cover. Fold the book cover back and hold it by the cover. The really bad design flaw was that often the book cover does not hold the Kindle firmly enough, so I switched to a M-edge cover, but the covers work the same as far as holding for reading is concerned.

I disagree. I much prefer to use my Kindle "nekid". I do not like reading with the cover on. I do not like it when I hover. I do not like in in a raft... I do not like it Mr. Wallcraft.

Once again, to each his own. I didn't mean to imply that the OP didn't know what ergonomics was... but was just commenting at how you think something will feel is not necessarily the case.

BOb

[Wumps]

All too true BOb I live with with that every day driving a Cooper

FWIW: I think I'm going to like it here

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Wumps

As far as books go, I really don't have a large library so I would just be starting out. It seems that the Sony has an edge in the format area.

I'm afraid that I have to disagree with you. The Sony is pretty much the only device on the market not to support MobiPocket, which is very much a de facto standard with numerous eBook stores available.

[Wumps]

Well after fidgeting around with a borrowed Kindle for a couple of days and seeing the 700 and 505 in the local Sony store I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the 505.

For me the Kindle just felt a bit clunky with regards to the ergonomics. The wi-fi is not critical to my usage, but I did like the preview feature.

The 700 was pretty and snazzy with the touch features but I did not like the washed out greyish appearance. I liked the speed and the light was a nice touch however I just could not get past the display.

The 505, a little slow but had the better contrast and display as compared to the 700 along with a form factor that felt comfortable to me. I'm happily awaiting my shipment to arrive since I purchased it online instead of at the store.

Thanks for all the feedback gang

[Sonist]

Right now, I have at home a PRS-700, a PRS-505 (just got one to try) and an iLiad Book Edition.

My wife, who doesn't seem to care much about e-ink technology, took one look at the PRS-700, and then went away. Pretty much the same reaction to the PRS-505. She thinks the screens are too small right off the bat, so she didn't even focus enough to discuss the contrast differences.

Today, I received the iLiad (I had told her that a slightly bigger screen is coming.)

She took one look at it, and said "I like it! It's perfect!"

And, I think so too (guess that's why she puts up with me:-)

But the screen size really does make a difference, at least here (I realize others may not mind, or may prefer, a 6" screen.)

The iLiad is not a perfect device. It has a slightly cheap-to-the touch feel compared to the Sony. The curved right-hand corner is a primary-grade design touch. It is not recognized by Vista Ultimate 64-bit (it appears on the desktop of my iMac though, so I can load books - I use a Mac mostly anyway:-)

It takes about 40 secs to boot, and it doesn't have Sleep mode. A related issue is the battery life, which is shorter than that of the Sonys. It does NOT charge through USB, which combined with the lack of Sleep capability, can be a huge problem, if one goes trekking, or to a Pacific island with no power (I am trying to figure out if there is a portable solar charger which might work with it.) iRex, even though having access to Philips' deep pockets, seems to have trouble producing any software which is beyond early Beta quality, and does not seem to be able to deliver on its promises.

BUT, that screen makes it worth it. It's the perfect size (IMO) - 10" would be too much, 6" too little.

Plus, it appears that the software has gone largely open-source, so I am really, really hopeful the people involved with it now will be able to improve it significantly. If they can update it to 2.6 kernel and implement Sleep, plus a few more integrated file-types, the iLiad is going to be the one to rule them all.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Sonist

Plus, it appears that the software has gone largely open-source, so I am really, really hopeful the people involved will be able to improve it significantly. If they can update it to 2.6 kernel and implement Sleep, plus a few more integrated file-types, the iLiad is going to be the one to rule them all.

Different people have different requirements. The main reason I sold my iLiad was that I found it too large to conveniently carry around with me everywhere, as I did with my former Sony and my current CyBook. For me personally (and many other people too), devices with 6" screens are the perfect size for reading fiction.

The other reason I sold it was that the MobiPocket Reader implementation for the iLiad is just horrible, and that won't get improved.