Okay, who still LOVES their Sony?

[onizuko]

Solitaire1.
I just went from a 505 to a T3. Even though it's not the same I definitely wouldn't say it's worse. I guess it just takes some time to get used to a new ereader after many years of using one model. The touchscreen sony uses (with IR sensors on the screen borders) works excellent. It's not like phone or tablet screens which sometimes don't read gestures too well. I haven't had any problems so far and it's great that you can turn pages even if you're wearing gloves.
The only two things so far that I miss are physical page turn buttons on the right side of the screen and more customization (like with PRS-plus on the 505), but still the reading experience is as enjoyable as before.
Also, even though I liked that the 505 was heavy after many years it was becoming kind of bothersome to hold in some situations. The lightness of the T3 is great. It just takes time to get used to it to handle it firmly (alternative covers are the way to go for this).

I definitely will never forget my 505, but the T3 is everything that Sony has always been in ereaders. <3

[deadllama]

Late to this party, I guess, but I joined this forum specifically to see if there was anything cool I could do with my old PRS-600. I just dug it out while I was home for the holidays and charged it up for the first time in years.

It still works, and it was my first ebook reader of any kind. I moved on to Kindles pretty quickly, and I do a lot of reading in bed, so it's hard for me to live without a backlight, but I like the Sony hardware so much more than the Kindles. I have a Kindle 3 and a Paperwhite, and they just don't feel anywhere near as nice to use as the Sony.

The PRS-600 isn't perfect. The screen isn't sharp enough (I assume because of the extra layers added for the touchscreen stuff) and I hate the default font (and don't know how to change it). But I have an epub copy of everything I buy for Kindle (y'know, magically), and I will definitely keep playing with the Sony. I just love the hardware. It was the first electronic device I ever bought (right when they came out) that made me feel like I lived in the future.

[oldhaggis]

Another reason I love my Sony T1 2 and 3, is direct public library download built in,a brilliant Sony idea that maybe people don't use so much these days with cheap or free books on amazon.
It's not been mentioned in this thread, can't think of any other of the new readers that have this facility. sure I can side load a kobo or nook, but not to a kindle (UK libraries!), I borrow several books a month from my library straight to my readers,can also borrow audiobooks but alas only to my T1

[myrios]

I'm a very recent ereader convert, having picked up a PRS 350 and also a T1, each with a lighted Sony cover. Each is great in it's own way. I also use the T1 to practice singing for my band: load up the MP3 and lyrics.txt and it's perfect!! I don't choose to own an iPad...

[MickeyC]

I got a 505 back in Jan 08 and was perfectly happy with but managed to drop it while walking out of the gym so upgraded to a T1. Miss my 505 but like the T1 fine. It is starting to have problems but hopefully it'll hang on for a while longer.

[linereader]

love/hate PRS-T3
* love the MicroSD slot. Fixed storage is for cavemen.
* In general, I like using both buttons and touchscreen. Both have obvious advantages and I think having both is great.
* I like the amount of dictionaries on offer and their quality (but I don't have a reference point from other devices). To me it's a major selling point. I wish there were audio pronunciations but no we get no audio.
* I don't like how sometimes little insects landing on your PRS-T3 can register a page turn. I'd like the ability to selectively disable/enable the touch screen. Getting some dust or a speck off the screen would be nice without registering a page turn.
* don't know why they gave the white PRS-T3 a gloss finish (black unit is matte)
* don't know why companies insist on coating plastics with silver paint (buttons) like they do on the PRS-T3
* don't know why the buttons aren't made concave & round (more comfort). I'd like to meet the button designer. I don't think it was worth repeating in 2 generations of Reader (T2 and T3). I always found these buttons could use improvement with the way they feel and look
* I don't like that there is no audio support but I understand the economic considerations for taking it out
* I like the PRS-T2 Cover With Light ( PRSA-CL22 ) more than the PRS-T3 cover with light ( PRSA-CL30 ). Tthe PRSA-CL30 is better in one way: it has a warmer hue than the PRSA-CL22 LED; that might vary with the sample you get or it might not but making it warmer is good. The PRSA-CL22 is better to me in every other way except size. It's more flexible to position the gooseneck LED and get more good angles without the light shining in your eyes; the PRSA-CL30 is terrible just being in one fixed position but it's livable. I also like making use of AAA eneloop rechargeables with the T2 cover rather than use the unit's battery to power the LED. The PRSA-CL22 also gives far more protection to the unit rather than the faux protection of the slimmer cover. The T3 cover has the advantage of being slimmer & smaller which is nice if that's more important than protection.
* I like that the battery is more exposed with the snap-off covers. Battery replacement might be less of a chore but I'm not sure. Sony still refuses to go all the way & offer a proper battery compart:ment. Most other manufacturers aren't doing better here.
* [Edited: Politics and Religion discussion belongs in the P&R forum - MODERATOR]
* some people say the LED cover on the Sony is unneven compared to integrated lighting (it is) but some also say it's warmer: I don't know.

If somebody told me years ago that Sony would stop making e-readers largely due to Amazon I wouldn't have believed it. I like the T3 more than any other manufacturer's offering.

[kougei]

Unfortunately, took my T3 out of my pocket a few days back, and the screen looked like an Etch-a-sketch. I was near the Sony Store I got it from just under a year ago, so they confirmed still within warranty. They are sending it off, but suspect damaged screen, and claim warranty won't cover screen damage, but wait and see. It certainly wasn't dropped or anything by me, but I guess a knock could have happened through my coat pocket at some point, at the wrong angle.



I was sitting on a new Kindle Touch (unwanted gift) that I hadn't sold on yet, so using that now. I fear that even if they offer to repair at a fee, it won't justify the money, and I'll end up keeping the Touch until the Voyager comes down in price a bit more.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by kougei

Unfortunately, took my T3 out of my pocket a few days back, and the screen looked like an Etch-a-sketch. I was near the Sony Store I got it from just under a year ago, so they confirmed still within warranty. They are sending it off, but suspect damaged screen, and claim warranty won't cover screen damage, but wait and see. It certainly wasn't dropped or anything by me, but I guess a knock could have happened through my coat pocket at some point, at the wrong angle.



I was sitting on a new Kindle Touch (unwanted gift) that I hadn't sold on yet, so using that now. I fear that even if they offer to repair at a fee, it won't justify the money, and I'll end up keeping the Touch until the Voyager comes down in price a bit more.

Good chance I think that they will send you a recertified (refurb) at least. The Sony T3 refurbs I have bought for myself and for friends are all pristine and work great. Cheapest was $39.95.

Good luck

Helen

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by kougei

Unfortunately, took my T3 out of my pocket a few days back, and the screen looked like an Etch-a-sketch. I was near the Sony Store I got it from just under a year ago, so they confirmed still within warranty. They are sending it off, but suspect damaged screen, and claim warranty won't cover screen damage, but wait and see. It certainly wasn't dropped or anything by me, but I guess a knock could have happened through my coat pocket at some point, at the wrong angle.

I've been saying (ever since reading about Readers in pockets) that it's a very bad idea to put your Reader in any pocket. You could be bumped, you could unknowingly sit on it, could twist it, and in general, put more stress on it then you should.

Sony won't be covering this under warranty as it is a broken screen from having been kept in a pocket. You'll have to talk to Sony and see if they can do anything for you. But as for the warranty, it's toast.

[kougei]

I guess it's good or bad luck in regard of carrying in pocket. This lived in my bodywarmer pocket almost every day for 11 months 2 weeks without an issue, just using the default flip cover, no additional protection. So I was either lucky it lasted that long, or unlucky to damage it, or naïve not to better protect it with a shock-absorbing cover. The Kindle Touch will do the same albeit I have a quite thick leather book cover for it, so certainly better protection. I can't imagine 'not' carrying it everywhere in a pocket, what other option other than a small man-bag with you all the time?

[Ripplinger]

I carry mine in a pocket all the time without any problems and short of being hit by a bus, it won't get damaged there. I only use an inside pocket that's next to my ribcage, not a pants pocket. And nothing else is in the pocket to put any sort of pressure against the reader. Just depends on the pocket and how careful you are otherwise.

[JSWolf]

No pocket is a good idea. I've read of people getting bumped and the Reader getting damaged.

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

No pocket is a good idea. I've read of people getting bumped and the Reader getting damaged.

I strongly agree. Before buying a PDA, my first question after deciding on which one to buy is what type of hard cases were available for it. If a hard case wasn't available for it, I would give it a pass.

The only exception was the Handspring Visor (which I've recently returned to using again), which included an excellent snap-on plastic cover that completely protected the screen when not in use and could be snapped on its back for convenient storage when in use.

When I used to regularly carry a PDA (Palm OS PDA) I put it in a hard case made of thick aluminum that looked touch enough to survive being run over by a car, and I'm glad I did. I carried it in my front pocket and after a few months the case looked scratched and dented from being banged around while not in use, not intentionally but just as a matter of course during the day. However, the PDA inside was completely undamaged despite the damage to its case.

Sadly, I recently had a bad experience with my Sony PRS-505. I kept it in the standard cover which seemed to offer good protection. Unfortunately, I dropped it and when I turned it back on the e-ink screen was damaged. The upper right corner area was dead and there were thin lines at several place in the screen. Now it has grown worse and it seems like the entire screen is affected.

Fortunately, I have a good backup in the form of my NookColor. They've improved the software since I first purchased it (the PDF reading software is much better than the original out-of-the-box PDF reading software). While it's battery life isn't as good as that of any of my Sony e-readers (due to the non-eink screen), it is still enough to last me a couple of days (I'm at about 90% after about two days of moderate use).

For protection, I'd like to see them come up with a padded thick-plastic/metal slip case for ereaders to provide completely protection from damage while carrying it, while allowing you to easily to remove it for use. If well designed, it would protect the ereader from damage due to small falls (like the 3-foot fall that my Sony ereader took).

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

No pocket is a good idea. I've read of people getting bumped and the Reader getting damaged.

If anyone gets that close to me, they're doing more than just bumping me and at that point the reader is the least of my worries. I'm getting visions that you must live somewhere like Gideon. If I don't carry it in my vest pocket, then it's in a small purse, and that is just hanging from the side of my body in the same way and subject to being bumped the same way. Again, never a problem for me and it doesn't get broken in the way I carry it.

Since I don't leave home without my ereader, I do have to carry it somehow with me, and short of being hit by a bus (and in that event even it's encased in wood within a steel briefcase, it most likely will still be broken), my readers have always been perfectly safe the way I pocket them. I don't know what other options you suggest on how to carry a reader, other than just leaving it at home, and that's not an option. I use ereaders because they are so portable.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

If anyone gets that close to me, they're doing more than just bumping me and at that point the reader is the least of my worries. I'm getting visions that you must live somewhere like Gideon. If I don't carry it in my vest pocket, then it's in a small purse, and that is just hanging from the side of my body in the same way and subject to being bumped the same way. Again, never a problem for me and it doesn't get broken in the way I carry it.

Since I don't leave home without my ereader, I do have to carry it somehow with me, and short of being hit by a bus (and in that event even it's encased in wood within a steel briefcase, it most likely will still be broken), my readers have always been perfectly safe the way I pocket them. I don't know what other options you suggest on how to carry a reader, other than just leaving it at home, and that's not an option. I use ereaders because they are so portable.

I agree.
I see people out on the street carrying phones, tablets, readers etc. with and without cases.

My ereaders are probably the cheapest of my electronic devices. My ereaders are cheap compared to most of my electronic devices that I travel regularly with. Mostly I have been lucky, but a kobo mini got caught in a car door once. Doubt a case that wasn't armoured would have helped. My jacket, which was much more expensive was damaged as well. Should I buy a special jacket protector? Where will it end?

Helen