Onyx Boox 60 review

[sagiquarion]

I'm considering this as a replacement for my PRS-900. I can't stand the glare and the lower contrast not to mention how I hate having to fiddle around with finding an angle were the glare is not present. Granted, I haven't tried it with a proper reading light but I still expect it to be readable in decent light that one could read a book from. Real pity too because the PRS-900 does lots of things right but I don't think I can live with the screen quality.

I found the Boox by coming across the Bebook Neo which is the same hardware. Firmware differences aside, I'm not seeing much reason to get something that is $350 when it can be had for $299. I know the bebook firmware doesn't come with a dictionary but I hear it does support .dict so you could load your own from SD.

Does the dictionary on the Boox support word links? IE, I double click on the word and the dictionary definition displays said word if available?

[lionel47]

Originally Posted by sagiquarion

I'm considering this as a replacement for my PRS-900. I can't stand the glare and the lower contrast not to mention how I hate having to fiddle around with finding an angle were the glare is not present. Granted, I haven't tried it with a proper reading light but I still expect it to be readable in decent light that one could read a book from. Real pity too because the PRS-900 does lots of things right but I don't think I can live with the screen quality.

I found the Boox by coming across the Bebook Neo which is the same hardware. Firmware differences aside, I'm not seeing much reason to get something that is $350 when it can be had for $299. I know the bebook firmware doesn't come with a dictionary but I hear it does support .dict so you could load your own from SD.

Does the dictionary on the Boox support word links? IE, I double click on the word and the dictionary definition displays said word if available?

My thoughts exactly about the PRS-900. Having had one for a couple of days now, I know I am going to return it due to the screen. However, on another note, I am not finding much use for the ability to write on the screen. The touch-screen is nice for navigating, though. Anyone else find another reason for a touchscreen?

But I also have the same questions you do about the Neo versus the Boox. I am leaning toward the Neo even though I understand it doesn't come with a case.

It will be interesting to see what people think.

[GyGeek]

The browser needs improvement, but once they have a decent browser the stylus will be necessary to navigate. I tried navigating without it and it is too cumbersome.

[frozennorth]

Originally Posted by sagiquarion

I know the bebook firmware doesn't come with a dictionary but I hear it does support .dict so you could load your own from SD.

Does the dictionary on the Boox support word links? IE, I double click on the word and the dictionary definition displays said word if available?

I too would like to hear more about how well the dictionary works on the Boox (or Neo)?

[piglab]

Today I got my Boox 60!!! I ordered it 10 days ago from Dulin's store. It said "backorder" but today I got it despite terrible weather on the East coast. Thanks, Charles!

First thing I did was updating its firmware from 1.2 to 1.2.2 -- it was easier following the instruction (http://booxusers.com/viewforum.php?f=18). My Boox got frozen immediately after I added SD card for the first time and I had learned where was the reset button and how to access it through the manual that I got on this forum (thanks). After the firmware's update it works reliably.

Second, I added dictionaries following the instructions at http://booxusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=6 However, I experienced a problem with "Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)" -- it does not work well at all (only for very-very few words). Hopefully, I downloaded and installed "WordNet" and it works great. The Lookup function does not work for me, although. I wonder if is used for translators. By the way, where can I get an English-Russian translator? (UPDATED: I found a useful site for many translators for diverse languages at http://xdxf.revdanica.com/down/index.php -- use StarDict format. I tried several English-Russian dictionaries and they work well on my Boox60).

I REALLY like how it handles pdf files!!! I tried EPUB and it works well as well.

Browsing Internet via WiFi (and Google) is fun -- it's fast! I really like that it can download pdf file from the Internet and you can open a pdf file quickly.

I wish I can access the annotation and dictionary functions easier and faster than jumping through a menu. Bottom icons can be handy.

I have a few questions for experts, please:

1) I need to see annotations on my computer. I know where to find them (in .onyx folder .sketch file). But can somebody lead me to a simple Windows friendly program (for dummies) that I can see and export the content of the .sketch file to Word? I was directed to SQLite program on this forum, but it is not friendly for people like me.

2) How can I create Shortcuts? I cannot find any instruction in the manual.

3) Is it possible to type in a Note? It would be really handy.

4) Is it possible to make a Note and attached it to Annotation? Taking typed notes while reading an ebook is very important for academics and students.

5) Is it possible to connect to my iPhone through the tether function in order to access Internet when WiFi is not available? If so, how?

PS I have Sony PRS-900 that I like but I have to return it back because of its glare and reflection. Boox feels much-much better but I miss Sony's finger touch function (but glare is terrible!). For sagiquarion, I tried to experiment with "proper reading light" to avoid glare and it was useless.

[piglab]

Update on downloading annotations to a computer. I was able to open xxx.sketch file using "SQLite Database Browser" (http://en.kioskea.net/faq/629-graphi...ces-for-sqlite) on my computer. I can see the table but I found only page references (minus one) for the annotations there and not the quotes themselves. Any idea how I can download the annotations' quotes to my computer? Thanks!

[tommik]

In order to create shortcuts:
mark any folder or file and choose option "create shortcut" (or something like this) from main menu. It will be saved in "Shortcuts" folder.

So far, It is impossible to type in a Note.

[MikeOnyx]

Originally Posted by tommik

In order to create shortcuts:
mark any folder or file and choose option "create shortcut" (or something like this) from main menu. It will be saved in "Shortcuts" folder.

So far, It is impossible to type in a Note.

So far... hehe...

We're working on a digital keyboard that pulls up on command.

[sagiquarion]

PS I have Sony PRS-900 that I like but I have to return it back because of its glare and reflection. Boox feels much-much better but I miss Sony's finger touch function (but glare is terrible!). For sagiquarion, I tried to experiment with "proper reading light" to avoid glare and it was useless.

Ditto. While the mighty bright travelflex helped a great deal, the "damage" was already done as far noticing the glare and what not was concerned so the prs-900 is packed and ready to be returned tomorrow.

Hows does the dictionary look up work? Just double tap on a word? Dictionary look up is most important to me, secondary only to screen quality with format support a close third since many readers support various formats and calibre can take care of the rest.

I think I'm sold on this model, my only issue now is deciding if spending the extra money on the boox is worth it over the bebook one since they seem to be exactly the same; firmware aside.

Has anyone any experience with openinkpot working on this reader?

PIGLAB: I don't suppose you, or anyone here, have compared the screen quality of the boox to a sony prs-300 or 505? I'm sure the screen is significantly better than the touch models but is it as clear as the non-touch models, or at least close enough that it doesn't make much difference?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by sagiquarion

I think I'm sold on this model, my only issue now is deciding if spending the extra money on the boox is worth it over the bebook one since they seem to be exactly the same; firmware aside.

Has anyone any experience with openinkpot working on this reader?

You mean the BeBook Neo? Reports so far are that the Neo adds ebook shopping options but is otherwise using standard firmware. I suppose it isn't clear if Neo and Boox will always have comparable firmware, and if the respective firmwares will be interchangeable. This has certainly been the case with the BeBook 1 and Mini vs all other Hanlin V3s and V5s.

The Book 60/Neo are already using FBReader, so there is less reason than usual for wanting an OpenInkPot port. I think it is unlikely that there will ever be one.

[piglab]

Originally Posted by sagiquarion

PIGLAB: I don't suppose you, or anyone here, have compared the screen quality of the boox to a sony prs-300 or 505? I'm sure the screen is significantly better than the touch models but is it as clear as the non-touch models, or at least close enough that it doesn't make much difference?

Sagiquarion, I used to have Sony PRS505 and I think Boox60's screen is better for readability. However, it is a bit worse than Kindle2 that has slightly more contrast for me. Boox60 screen is greenish while Kindle2 is yellowish. I think that the latter is a bit better not the difference is not big to make much difference.

Thanks, MikeOnyx and tommik, for useful info.

I'm still struggling how to see blob data in the xxx.sketch annotation file on my computer. I can see some stuff in the 'data' field but I cannot read it yet... Any suggestions are welcome. I use add-on for Firefox "SQLite manager" for that. UPDATE: I could read it using SQLite manager and I found that the structure of Boox60 annotations is similar to Sony PRS ebooks: "#pdfloc(34af,115,24,0,2,0,1,1);#pdfloc(34af,115,2 8,0,2,0,0,1);" the first pointer indicates the beginning of the quote and the second pointer indicates its end. The first number is the document ID, the second is page number-1, the third is still a puzzle for me but I guess it somehow represents position on the page. In the example, I selected only 2-character word so I do not understand why there is the difference between the pointers 4 in the third position. I went to Sony ebook forum but I am not sure I got it (see https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55079). I hope ONYX will develop software for PC for exporting annotations. By the way, Sony keeps annotations as XML files.

[kibje]

Originally Posted by weedfreak

It would possible get it from DHCP if I used DHCP but for security and other reasons I do not use a DHCP server and need to (prefer to) manually configure all devices that connect to my networks, every device I have except the Boox allows me to enter a manual address or use DHCP.

I hope your other reasons are good, because not using DHCP is not a security measure.

[GyGeek]

Originally Posted by tommik

In order to create shortcuts:
mark any folder or file and choose option "create shortcut" (or something like this) from main menu. It will be saved in "Shortcuts" folder.

I think he is talking about bookmarking web pages. The only way I found to do this is use the history, bookmarking doesn't seem to work with the browser. I could be missing something though.

Originally Posted by sagiquarion

PIGLAB: I don't suppose you, or anyone here, have compared the screen quality of the boox to a sony prs-300 or 505? I'm sure the screen is significantly better than the touch models but is it as clear as the non-touch models, or at least close enough that it doesn't make much difference?

I have the Boox and my wife has a 505. The screens look the same to me; glare, contrast, no difference as far as I can tell.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by GyGeek

I have the Boox and my wife has a 505. The screens look the same to me; glare, contrast, no difference as far as I can tell.

There's no reason that there should be. The Wacom touch-screen on the Onyx is behind the eInk display, so it has no impact on screen clarity.

[piglab]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There's no reason that there should be. The Wacom touch-screen on the Onyx is behind the eInk display, so it has no impact on screen clarity.

I found an interesting discussion of a possibility for Onyx to increase the contrast on Boox 60: read here http://www.onyx-international.com/node/70