Frontlit no WiFi reader

[AnotherWanderer]

Originally Posted by rcentros

The only one I know of (personally) is the PocketBook PB615 (Russian version). You may be able to find one in the used market — the only outward differences I can tell between it and the Basic Lux (also a PB615) is that the 4-way button "highlight" was green on the PB615 (Russian) and the PB615 Basic Lux had an orange "highlight." And, if you see the default screen, the Russian "PB615" is labeled that way, not as a "Basic Lux." That said, if you bought a PocketBook Basic Lux, you could open it up and disconnect the WiFi module from the main board. (I'm guessing you could probably do the same with the Basic Lux 2 and Basic Lux 3 — now the current model). Since PocketBooks are big sellers in Russia I'm guessing Cryllic wouldn't be problem.

This sounds perfect, thanks! I used a CIS market PocketBook Basic back in about 2014 and would be fairly happy with the same thing with a frontlight.

With a little bit of looking I've found a Russian market and CIS market 615. Both have the green highlight on the 4 way button. Any idea if both have a lit screen and no WiFi or only the Russian market one?

Buying an Android powered WiFi enabled reader, pulling the module and building Android to remove extra functionality was idea #1 for a homebrew device if the search failed.

Originally Posted by issybird

The Sony PRS-X50 line was a vast improvement over the 700. None of them had lights, but the PRS-350 which was not WiFi capable also had a lit case, so kinda, sorta what you’d like. The 350 is/was a lovely little device and there are probably some still out there. I think the battery’s replaceable? (People will be able to correct me on that.). Only 5”, but you said no bigger than 6”.

Getting one of the Sonys with a case light and replacing the wedge's cool white LEDs with warm white ones was my second homebrew idea, and I'd had my eye on a couple of eBay 350s. Smaller than 6" is fine as I just want it to be easily chucked in a small bag, thanks for the thought re: the 350




To address all the 'why no wifi' comments. I simply want a device free of distractions (hence minimal fluff also). To me the whole point of having a reader is to read without distraction and additional functionality invites idle playing. Even the addition of terminal access in PRS+ made me curious enough to see how functional it is. I'd rather not be able to do that at all and simply read books.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

There is one reader right now (the Kobo Sage?) that has a glitch that can kick on the WiFi when messing with the settings. But that is a software error rather than a nefarious plan.

Elipsa too. But it's obvious and easy to turn off.

If you have a proper firewall / router configured properly then even PCs need a browser with javascript and no protection to get hacked. It's the javascript via a website and the browser.
1) It's a hardly feasible attack on a browser on an ereader. Don't run the browser which is rubbish anyway compared to tablet or phone.
2) Maybe some Android based eink with Google Framework on (and some you can turn it off!) have a privacy issue. But not Kobo.
3) Even on Android it doesn't leak if data disabled on Mobile and WiFi off.

If you are really concerned, change the router WiFi password after initial registration. Kobo has never used my email address (I gave them a working one only used for the Kobo) and Amazon only for the notification of purchases.

But I don't turn on WiFi on any of my ereaders as it wastes battery and looking up Wikipedia or whatever is far better / faster on laptop, or even on tablet including wake and turning on WiFi. I only turn on Tablet WiFi when needing internet (real POP3 email, web, playstore, Belinda Borrow box for library or Viber chat).
Viber has same owner as Kobo. But you'd not guess.

I have one Android eink for reading library books and I only turn on the Google Framework for either Playstore access or (rarely) Google PlayBooks. I only turn on the Wifi for Pop3 email (K9 email), Playstore, borrow or return county library books or check for updates. A Boyue Mars.

I use Kobo Libra (original) for all most all bought or public domain ebooks or proofing unpublished work.
Started using an Elipsa as eWriter and occasional scanned PDFs too big for the Mars.

[Deskisamess]

The is zero distraction from the internet on an e-ink dedicated reader. The "browser" on a Kindle is basically worthless. Any attempt to use it would immediately result in the realization of that.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

The is zero distraction from the internet on an e-ink dedicated reader. The "browser" on a Kindle is basically worthless. Any attempt to use it would immediately result in the realization of that.

Agreed. I almost never turn wifi on on any of my eink readers and don't feel the slightest temptation to do so. Eink majorly sucks for web browsing.

[AnotherWanderer]

A CLI with the 505s refresh rate is also basically worthless, it took a good minute just to type uname. Nonetheless that's a minute spent on the reader not reading that would have been impossible without the CLI.

I'd rather not have the possibility.

This topic wasn't intended as a discussion on the merits of having internet connectivity on an ereader though, it was to find ones such as the RU/CIS PocketBook 615 suggested without it and with a frontlight.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by AnotherWanderer

This topic wasn't intended as a discussion on the merits of having internet connectivity on an ereader though, it was to find ones such as the RU/CIS PocketBook 615 suggested without it and with a frontlight.

Whenever someone asks for a reader without wifi or the need to register (and there have been many), a discussion inevitably follows as to why they would want it. People are curious and no one can stop that.

[AnotherWanderer]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Whenever someone asks for a reader without wifi or the need to register (and there have been many), a discussion inevitably follows as to why they would want it. People are curious and no one can stop that.

I did notice when I Googled the question, it almost put me off asking at first.

There are reasons that I'd want a reader with a browser no matter how terrible (web development, how will this render on eink?), but for the same reasons I'd want one with connectivity, as a daily driver for reading I want one without it. If my daily driver has the functionality I will end up wasting my reading time using it some time or another.

I'm at risk of pushing my own topic further off topic here though and am keen for more suggestions if there are more frontlit/no connectivity readers to look into.

[Deskisamess]

Seriously, you won't try the browser more than once. You can't waste time on something that doesn't work.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by AnotherWanderer

This sounds perfect, thanks! I used a CIS market PocketBook Basic back in about 2014 and would be fairly happy with the same thing with a frontlight.

With a little bit of looking I've found a Russian market and CIS market 615. Both have the green highlight on the 4 way button. Any idea if both have a lit screen and no WiFi or only the Russian market one?

I don't think any Russian PB615 had WiFi and I'm pretty certain that all PB615's (Russian or otherwise) had a front light. One thing you should be aware of, the PB615 used a Pearl screen instead of Carta. Looking at the PocketBook Russian site, I find that the PB616 (Russian version of the Basic Lux 2) also does not have WiFi. The advantage of this one is that it's new and uses the Carta screen.

https://pocketbook.ru/shop/ustroystv...k-616-chernyy/

Unfortunately (for you in this) the Russian PB617 (compare to the Basic Lux 3) does have WiFi. So you couldn't get the very newest Basic Lux without WiFi. This one has amber and white LEDs.

Originally Posted by AnotherWanderer

Getting one of the Sonys with a case light and replacing the wedge's cool white LEDs with warm white ones was my second homebrew idea, and I'd had my eye on a couple of eBay 350s. Smaller than 6" is fine as I just want it to be easily chucked in a small bag, thanks for the thought re: the 350

It should be noted that the Sony PRS-650 also did not have WiFi (only the 950 had WiFi in this line). So, if you wanted to use a Sony with a 6" screen the PRS-650 would work fine. Also, unlike the PRS-505, the PRS-650 did not use the "wedge" front-light case like the 505s. It used a built-in light that could be adjusted to certain positions (almost like a little, old-style desk lamp).

https://www.adorama.com/images/Large/soprsacl65b.jpg

Originally Posted by AnotherWanderer

To address all the 'why no wifi' comments. I simply want a device free of distractions (hence minimal fluff also). To me the whole point of having a reader is to read without distraction and additional functionality invites idle playing. Even the addition of terminal access in PRS+ made me curious enough to see how functional it is. I'd rather not be able to do that at all and simply read books.

I never worry about "why," I just try to find what someone is looking for.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Seriously, you won't try the browser more than once. You can't waste time on something that doesn't work.

Absolutely. Even on my Android based Mars with a choice of three browsers and email I'd not use any of it. Borrowing and returning a library book in Belinda Borrowbox is excruciating. So I borrow the book, turn off the Wifi and read it. The email address is unique and what the library has and is used for nothing else.

I simply wouldn't be turning on the WiFi on my Kobo.
Now, time for a 2 or 3 hours distraction free reading. I don't use the front light unless visiting somewhere dim. I have reading lamps suitable for old paperbacks!

[JSWolf]

I've owned a Kobo for just over 6 years. I've never once run the browser. The only time I've ever used the WiFi was to register and to update KOReader. Other then that, WiFi has been off. There is ZERO temptation to turn on WiFi and browse. The other good thing with a Kobo is that it's not Android so there is no temptation to try other browsers.

The other thing to note is you won't get a good Reader without WiFi.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Seriously, you won't try the browser more than once. You can't waste time on something that doesn't work.

I use the browsers on my PocketBook and Tolino for downloading Overdrive books. Since the PocketBook (especially) uses bookmarks and will keep me logged in, it's actually not that bad.

But, generally, I totally agree about the worthlessness of browsers in eInk eReaders.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The other thing to note is you won't get a good Reader without WiFi.

The Russian PB616 might be the exception. The current (until last December) Russian version of the Basic Lux 2.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rcentros

The Russian PB616 might be the exception. The current (until last December) Russian version of the Basic Lux 2.

But the problem with the 616 is that it has games and the OP doesn't want games. At least with Kobo you can hide the games with a patch.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But the problem with the 616 is that it has games and the OP doesn't want games. At least with Kobo you can hide the games with a patch.

You're probably right. I've never done anything with the games. I don't even think of them being there. Although the OP wanted as "little fluff" as possible, not necessarily none at all. The PB615 and PB616 fail on a couple of the "nice to haves" as well. No touch screen and no "forced" justification. If the book itself is not justified, the PocketBooks won't justify the text.

That said, the PB615 and PB616 (Russian versions) are about the only modern eReaders that meets the main requiresments of front-light, Cryllic support, no WiFi, no larger than 6" — plus I don't think of it as having "too much fluff." But that point would be up to the OP to decide.