Which 5-inch reader for ordinary reading?

[HarryT]

I have both the PB360 and the Opus. I'd definitely recommend the Pocketbook. Not only for the clip-on cover (which is great) but also for the much better firmware.

[WigglePig]

The PocketBook 360 looks good but I'd ideally like to have a look at one "in the flesh" before spending the cash on it.

As for the 511EB, it's just too bulky with the keyboard on the bottom. It's not much smaller than my Sony so wouldn't meet my requirement of being small enough to slip in my pocket.

Hohum...

[Graham]

Originally Posted by WigglePig

As for the 511EB, it's just too bulky with the keyboard on the bottom. It's not much smaller than my Sony so wouldn't meet my requirement of being small enough to slip in my pocket.

I must have bigger pockets... I regularly carry my 511EB in mine, though, yes, the PB360 is smaller. Your doubts about the keyboard are the same that I had when I was wondering whether to buy it, but the doubts never turned into actual problems.

The keyboard area means that the screen is a little higher when you're holding it, which works well in bed or when lounging around.

And the keyboard makes things like jumping to a specific page much easier, as well as offering the potential for searching and annotation with later firmware upgrades. The number keys are also used for quick navigation in menus.

I'm not saying that the PB360 isn't a wee bit better, but is the betterness of it worth £66?

Graham

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by WigglePig

The PocketBook 360 looks good but I'd ideally like to have a look at one "in the flesh" before spending the cash on it.

1- Physically it is the exact size and weight of a CD jewel case. Heft one and you'll see what it feels like.
2- Absent a hands-on-test, you might check a video review, of which there are quite a few floating around:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76899

3- I bought mine based on the detailed review Kacir posted in the PB forum here and I've no regrets. Stability with the 14.2 *and* 15.2 firmware has been rock solid for me. I had a couple minor issues (two crashes) with 15.1 but nothing compared to the issues I had (and have) with my Hanlin V3.

As to whether it's worth the added cost, that would be up to you. But you might want to subtract the price of the leather case you *don't* need to buy to get closer to an oranges to oranges price/feature comparison.

Me, I really like the form factor and ergonomics of the PB360. It's my go-to reader of the three I have.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

As to whether its worth the added cost, that would be up to you. But you might want to subtract the price of the leather case you don't need to buy to get closer to an oranges to oranges price/feature comparison.

Well, I made my own padded sleeve for the Elonex for free, but that's a reasonable point.

Graham

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Graham

Well, I made my own padded sleeve for the Elonex for free, but that's a reasonable point.

Graham

I thought so.

Mostly I was thinking that if portability is a requirement the added US$20-30 of the (more of less required case) makes a difference.

Like, for the US Market, the SONY 300 runs $149 vs $199 for the PB300. Factoring in even $20 for a Sony case brings it up to $170 vs $200 and the $30 differential buys you SD card, motion sensor, broader format support, (slightly) faster page turns, total formatting control, and (if such things matter) games and apps.
One of the things about the PB360 is that it runs the same software and has most of the capabilities of its larger siblings; it's not an entry level loss leader. It is a full featured reader that happens to be small.

Conversely, I'm looking forward to the upcoming PB901 because I already know what the software is like.

[HarryT]

One rather negative aspect of the Sony is that it's using an extremely early version of the ADE firmware that's used to render ePub and PDF files, which has a number of issues - most notably the lack of full justification in ePub files. ePub/PDF rendering on the PB360 is considerably better.

[Marcy]

I'll chime in and add my vote for the PB360. I love mine so much I now have two—my home reader and the one I keep in my bag for when I'm out and about. I left my reader at work once over a weekend and was lost without it.

I have never seen a Cybook or Elonex in person so I can't compare. But I do have/had a Kindle 1, Kindle 2, PRS-600, PRS-900 and Jetbook Lite and the PB360 is by far my favorite. I use it for my day-to-day reading over any of the larger screen devices. The only thing I miss on it is a touchscreen to double-tap a word and look it up in the dictionary.

I have never had a crash with my PB360, although I also am a chicken and didn't upgrade my totally stable 14.2 firmware. I won't be upgrading that until there is a new firmware version that brave souls try out and give several weeks of consistent stability reports.

If you use your reader heavily, spending extra money to get the right one for you is worth it. If it's only to be an occasional item, you should factor price more into the equation.

-Marcy

[Graham]

Originally Posted by HarryT

One rather negative aspect of the Sony is that it's using an extremely early version of the ADE firmware that's used to render ePub and PDF files, which has a number of issues - most notably the lack of full justification in ePub files. ePub/PDF rendering on the PB360 is considerably better.

I realise that the Elonex has been ruled out by WigglePig, but this has been a good thread and others could be interested, so apologies to continue banging the 511EB drum! ...

The ePub/PDF rendering on the Elonex is also excellent, with full justification in ePub. (Though reading a multi-column PDF on a 5" device isn't really viable. There is a reflow option, which works as well as could be expected.) Never had a crash on it either.

My main comparison when purchasing the 5" was between the Elonex and the slightly more expensive Sony, comparing both to my beloved Cybook Gen3, and the Elonex won pretty much hands down.

I'd love a PB360 as well, but I may have difficulty justifying that one to my wife. Hmm. Maybe I should buy her a PB360...

Graham

[tvpupsik]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'd love a PB360 as well, but I may have difficulty justifying that one to my wife. Hmm. Maybe I should buy her a PB360...

Excellent idea and I can confirm that based on my personal experience this approach is pretty successful

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'd love a PB360 as well, but I may have difficulty justifying that one to my wife. Hmm. Maybe I should buy her a PB360...

Graham

The XX crowd seems to favor the pearlescent "white" version of the PB360 over the rich dark chocolate "black" version.

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The XX crowd seems to favor the pearlescent "white" version of the PB360 over the rich dark chocolate "black" version.

I now have both colors. The ivory is much prettier, including the lovely floral scrollwork on the hard cover as compared to the diamonds on the black cover.

However, the black is much sturdier and doesn't show wear/scratches like the ivory. If you are going to throw the reader into a bag/purse/backpack and carry it around I'd recommend the black. The ivory will quickly show wear and damage to the casing if treated this way.

My black PB360 is my away reader and the ivory is my home reader that is treated much gentler because I don't want to ruin the lovely case.

-Marcy

[WigglePig]

Well, I think I'll go to Waterstones and have a look at the Elonex but I'm pretty sure it's not for me, what with the keyboard. The PB360 looks like the most likely outcome but I'll have to wait until after my next payday to place the order!

[Ea]

Originally Posted by WigglePig

Well, the PB360 looks pretty good but they don't ship to the UK.

/edit: I just spotted that you run an online store...I'll have a read!

I bought my PB360 here:
http://www.pocketgoods.de/index.php?language=en

Great service and cheap shipping.

My reason to choose a BP 360 over an Opus was the greater costumisability, and the price (and the integrated cover).

[daveps]

+1 to the Elonex, I also have one and have no issues with it.