Got PRS-700 by mistake...should I send it back?

[djgreedo]

Hi,

I ordered a PRS-505 (after 2 failed attempts to buy one, so by now I'm at the end of my rope trying to get one - it's not available in my country).

Anyway, I finally had my package delivered and they've sent me a PRS-700 by mistake. I have read (mainly on here) that the touchscreen surface effectively ruins the e-ink screen. Is this true? (I don't want to open the package until I've heard back from the seller as to their returns policy).

I realise I got the PRS-700 relatively cheap (though still not cheap), and I really wanted this item in time for some travelling in a week (getting a replacement will mean I have to wait another month probablyto get my device, and I've been trying to get one since early February already).

So is the PRS-700 worth keeping or should I frustrate myself even more by demanding a replacement PRS-505 and waiting several weeks to send this one back and get the new one delivered?

I'm annoyed

[lilac_jive]

It doesn't ruin the eink screen at all, it has a protector (actually, I've heard there are barely ever and smudge marks). It does however, make it look a little blurry. If you're used to an eink screen, this may be a problem for you. Most are happy with it if they haven't spent time with a previous device though.

My suggestion is to turn it on and check out some of the preloaded books on it if it's not shrinkwrapped. Or, since it isn't available in your country, resell it after your vacation. Since they aren't available easily in your country, you'll probably still get a very good price for it (you can try selling it on here).

I think you'll like it though. Especially when you're travelling!!

[djgreedo]

Thanks for the reply lilac_jive. It is sealed with those little plastic tabs, so if I open it I will presumably lose any right to exchange it. I bought it from an ebay store, so I emailed them and am waiting for a response before I open it...I'm very impatient.

With the Internet it's difficult to tell if the complaints about the screen are exaggerated or not. I'm not used to an e-ink screen, but I've seen one and loved that it basically looks like paper. I'm sure I'd like the PRS-700, but for the money I paid I'm not willing to settle for something other than what I ordered.

thanks

[djgreedo]

Just heard from the eBay store. They will replace it regardless of whether I open it, so they will let me have a play.

Here I go...

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Thanks for the reply lilac_jive. It is sealed with those little plastic tabs, so if I open it I will presumably lose any right to exchange it. I bought it from an ebay store, so I emailed them and am waiting for a response before I open it...I'm very impatient.

With the Internet it's difficult to tell if the complaints about the screen are exaggerated or not. I'm not used to an e-ink screen, but I've seen one and loved that it basically looks like paper. I'm sure I'd like the PRS-700, but for the money I paid I'm not willing to settle for something other than what I ordered.

thanks

Since it's ebay...yeah you're probably right, they won't let you return it if it's opened. Do they have a good rating? You could ask if you could open it and play with it for a little while, and if you still like the device then you won't return it. It's worth a shot at least. They might go for it if it means you won't return it.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Just heard from the eBay store. They will replace it regardless of whether I open it, so they will let me have a play.

Here I go...

Oh sweet! Well I hope you love it and can take it with you!

[djgreedo]

So far I'm a little disappointed with the screen/glare thing, but I'm leaning towards keeping it. I need to read a few chapters, but I'm at work...

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by djgreedo

So far I'm a little disappointed with the screen/glare thing, but I'm leaning towards keeping it. I need to read a few chapters, but I'm at work...

Let us know what you decide. There were a few people on here who said they got used to the glare pretty quickly, others didn't. Don't get in trouble at work

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by djgreedo

So far I'm a little disappointed with the screen/glare thing, but I'm leaning towards keeping it. I need to read a few chapters, but I'm at work...

Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see any 'glare'!

[djgreedo]

The glare is nothing compared to an LCD screen, and I'm in an office with bright lights, so it will probably look fine when I get home. It's a pretty good device overall.

I've seen a PRS-505 and the screen really looked like paper. This screen looks like paper with a screen in front (but a very good screen for text).

[zelda_pinwheel]

i have a 700 too. the screen is definitely a step down from the 505 screen ; but, despite that, i've never had trouble reading it. the glare isn't a problem for me, and even in low light the contrast has been perfectly readable (i read a lot in bed in rather low light). and i love the ergonomy so much and the extra features like search and notetaking, and the improved navigation via the touch screen, that having used it for a few months now i could never go back.

i think in general the 700 users who are disappointed are the ones who have been reading on a 505 device and have gotten used to the screen, and are disappointed by comparison. on the other hand, people who used to read on an lcd device (my first one was an ebookwise 1150, which has a lot of the features that attracted me to the 700, like touchscreen navigation, search, highlight, notetaking...) or who have never had a dedicated device fall in love with it.

it's not perfect, and one day i'll upgrade for a device with a better screen, but i definitely won't upgrade if it doesn't have all the features of the 700 as well (well... i could probably live without the side lights. ).

i say, give it a try, and if you really dislike the screen, send it back. but you might discover that it's actually a great device.

let us know what you think !

[jbruce]

I love mine. I've read three books on it (Jekyll & Hyde, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Picture of Dorian Gray) - while still within the store's return policy - and I haven't thought about returning it once.

Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see any 'glare'!

From my experience - most people aren't referring to true glare. Rather, it's the higher reflectivity of the surface (which the 505 also has; however, it is dramatically less). This is most likely caused by the "night time window" effect - referred to in a few of the posts which discuss glare/contrast.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,
J

[mos]

I got mine yesterday. I live in Germany and had no way, to see it in real, since here you can only purchase the PRS 505.

I love mine! It is my very first reader and I'm totaly satisfied with it. I would never give it back, since it offers you a lot more value than the 505. OK, the screen is not as bright as the 505, but it is perfectly readable.

[djgreedo]

I'm keeping the PRS-700. It's great. The screen is a bit reflective, but under most conditions it's not a problem. The built-in lights are also just the right level to illuminte the page without straining the eyes. The touch screen is really good for turning pages. The screen is definitely not as good as the PRS-505, but it makes up for it on other areas.

It's heavier than I expected. What's inside there? The e-ink display must be more complex than I thought.

[jbruce]

I don't think it's necessarily the e-ink screen - due to the relatively lightweight nature of the 505. I think it is more the incorporation of the "extras" (touch screen, plexiglass, and probably a bigger battery).

Not really sure though.

J