Which 5-inch reader for ordinary reading?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by daveps

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

I'd say the only issue I have with the Elonex is something that others may consider to be a benefit.

By default the Elonex does quick screen refreshes on page turns, without a full blank and rewrite of the eInk screen. This makes page turns much quicker, but does mean that the text contrast gradually degrades (though it takes a lot of page turns before it gets really bad). There is a button on the keyboard that you press to do a full screen refresh.

I typically find that I press the refresh button about every tenth page, and it's become habitual so I don't really notice it while I'm reading. For a lot of people this will actually be preferable to the slow page turn full refresh that's typical of eInk.

There is a setting in the options to make the Elonex do a full refresh every time, like most eReaders, but this setting doesn't work at the moment. I raised this as a bug with support and I hope it will get fixed in a future firmware upgrade.

Graham

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by ninpuukamui

For all of you that like the 360 best, could you please let me know why you like it better than the Opus?

For what I can gather, these are the pros for the 360:

• Highly customizable
• Clip on cover
• More RAM
• More formats, according to the official specs.

Cons:

• Slightly bigger
• Maybe TOO customizable, i.e. too complicated
• Many reported crashes

If there is anyone that prefers the Opus, it would also be great to know why

Thank you very much for your answers.

I prefer Cybook Opus over PocketBook 360 in almost all aspects (there's a big "but" coming"):
- In my opinion, PocketBook 360 has a serious design flaw: The "butterfly buttons" are neither aesthetic nor ergonomic.
- Because of the "butterfly buttons", it's relatively wide, Opus in my opinion is more convenient to hold in one hand.
I could go on quite some time. Basically, I prefer Cybook Opus' design...

BUT: There's a phantastic modification of FBReader for PocketBook 360. You can turn pages, without using those ugly "butterfly buttons". Just briefly turn your wrist, then pages turn via auto-rotation. Works like a charm. And it perfectly makes sense: Usually, I only use 5" readers in "crowded places", for example on the train. Then it really is helpful, being able to hold the reader conveniently in one hand, without caring about the button placement. You can do this with Cybook Opus as well, but I find PocketBook 360 slightly more comfortable. Especially, when putting the reader in a bag, to protect from water, sand or suncream at the beach.

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'd say the only issue I have with the Elonex is something that others may consider to be a benefit.

By default the Elonex does quick screen refreshes on page turns, without a full blank and rewrite of the eInk screen. This makes page turns much quicker, but does mean that the text contrast gradually degrades (though it takes a lot of page turns before it gets really bad). There is a button on the keyboard that you press to do a full screen refresh.

I typically find that I press the refresh button about every tenth page, and it's become habitual so I don't really notice it while I'm reading. For a lot of people this will actually be preferable to the slow page turn full refresh that's typical of eInk.

There is a setting in the options to make the Elonex do a full refresh every time, like most eReaders, but this setting doesn't work at the moment. I raised this as a bug with support and I hope it will get fixed in a future firmware upgrade.

Graham

This is an option with the PB360 using FBreader. I tried it out and quickly decided it wasn't for me. I don't even notice the flash anymore, but the degradation of page legibility quickly irritated me. FBreader also lets you choose after how many page turns it will flash to reset the screen.

-Marcy

[Graham]

Yes, I think something like flash every fifth page turn would be ideal.

Graham

[JSWolf]

Why buy a 5" reader for more then you can get a 6" reader for? You can get a Kobo, nook or 600 for less then the cost of a PB360.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why buy a 5" reader for more then you can get a 6" reader for? You can get a Kobo, nook or 600 for less then the cost of a PB360.

Because the 5" reader, being just that little bit smaller, is a wee bit easier to carry around and hold while you're travelling. If most of my reading was at home I would always want a 6" reader, but owning both a 6" and a 5" I have to say that there are times when carrying the 5" is easy, while the 6" would be a pain. I can stuff the 5" into my trouser pocket if necessary, and certainly in a coat pocket.

If you've always got a bag with space with you, wherever you go, then get the 6".

Graham

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why buy a 5" reader for more then you can get a 6" reader for? You can get a Kobo, nook or 600 for less then the cost of a PB360.

I prefer a 5" reader to a 6" one, although it can be more expensive. It's more confortable for me and I don't care about a bigger screen.

[JSWolf]

By putting the eink screen in your pocket, you run a greater risk of breaking it. So being able to put it in your pocket is not a good thing at all.

[luqmaninbmore]

For you, John. We don't all live in the JSWolf universe.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

By putting the eink screen in your pocket, you run a greater risk of breaking it. So being able to put it in your pocket is not a good thing at all.

Which is where the rigid, snap-on plastic cover comes in.
The PB360 is very rigid and the cover is very well-conceived and built.
Being able to put it in my front pants pocket is *to me* a very good thing.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why buy a 5" reader for more then you can get a 6" reader for? You can get a Kobo, nook or 600 for less then the cost of a PB360.

because none of those is as good of an ebook reader as the PB360

[oncdoc]

what about astak pocket pro?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by oncdoc

what about astak pocket pro?

I don't like it personally. It tries to be "all things to all men" and ends up not being terribly good at anything.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by oncdoc

what about astak pocket pro?

The OP is in Europe - importing from USA would add tax and import fees to the price.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ea

The OP is in Europe - importing from USA would add tax and import fees to the price.

The same device is available in Europe as the BeBook Mini. But I still wouldn't recommend it.