Epson and 400MHz with ADE and TTS:$229

[rixte]

Originally Posted by Musicman

There is a flaw with all the math - Actually the Pocket Pro is $10.98 LESS than the equivalent Sony.

If you add the case to your Sony purhcase ($39.98) then the total cost for the Sony is now $239.98.

It seems only fair to add the case since one is included with the Pocket Pro.

I think the base price is really all you can look at - otherwise you have to start talking about the 12 dollars shipping for the Pocket Pro versus the unknown (depending on vendor) shipping for the Sony, etc, etc.

If you're going with the 'includes a case' rather than considering the case a bonus, I'd actually consider it a strike against the Pocket Pro (only because I don't like brown leather personally and in all my devices, I've always bought or customized an additional case no matter what, so I'm going to spend the extra money anyway)

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Griffon,

229 - 199 = 30

Not 20.

Minor difference maybe, but still a difference.

As to the 'plastic is better' example you gave earlier, ereaders are not phones. The Kindle 2 bodies have already had considerable trouble with cracking. I've dropped my Sony (in the M-edge case, admittedly) a couple of times, with no ill effects whatsoever.

On all other fronts, I do think the PocketPro is a better value (barring discounts as Christmas approaches), but $229 for something I have no faith will not break easily is $229 I'm not prepared to spend.

Not that I'm gonna buy a PRS-300, either, as I already have a 505 which I love. The only reason I brought it up in the first place is because the sturdiness of the casing is something that's often overlooked when people are comparing specs. And those screens are fragile - they need all the protection they can get.

Also, the PRS-300 has 440 mb of available memory, my 505 has 192. That's more than double the available memory, which does somewhat ameliorate the loss of an SD card slot.

When I first made that mathematical error, i was either in pain from a tooth (the absolute WORST kinds of pain), or doped up on Hydrocodone. It was a mathematical error on my part.

As for the phones not being the same as ereaders, the only reason I compared the two was that phones get way more mistreatment. Yes, you may occasionally drop an ereader, but how often do you slam the phone back in it's cradle after a bad phone call from the spouse or ex, or even a bill collector. If a plastic phone can take that much abuse, a well-made plastic shell should be able to handle an occasional drop better than could a metal-encased reader, and with much less visible wear and tear.

As for the faith in the pocket pro, if you simply look at the larger 6" EZ reader, and check out information from Frys's and go to the Hanlin forum here on MR, you can real all about how good the customer service is, how well the devices are made, and how quick they will respond to any problem you may have. This same determination and commitment, I am certain will roll over to the 5" Pocket Pro as well.

Thanks for the info on the memory of the 300 vs the 505. I figured it might have been more, but was relatively unsure. Even so, i still consider the price of 199 to be way too high for such a limited device.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Robertb

...

One of the blessings for Astak is that we are great corporate friends with PVI. This means that we actually are routinely the last to be hurt by screen shortages.

The price is $229 and no rise is even contemplated!!

I can't recall, does PVI own Astak, Astak own PVI, a parent company own both, ...?

I have heard very little about the Apple screen. The ONLY thing that appears somewhat creditable is that they are coming out with a TABLET in approximate 8 by 10 size.

I cannot imagine Apple even contemplating a 5 inch!

If you don't know plans for Apple's screen's then maybe you shouldn't have started the FUD about their contribution to screen shortages.

Sorry if I mistinterpreted your screen shortages/cost post.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Faenad

I like what I see. More please!

Are you gonna lend some units to website like MR for independent reviews?

Dear Faenad:

Yes, we are sending out 30 day evals IF they permit us. They have to let me know thay will accept them before I can send. I keep emailing them.

Certain people at the Washington Post, for example, do huge tech reviews but will NOT even consider Astak. They only think Amazon and Sony are worthy. I have written them fifty times and left comments all over the place... but the two people at Washington Post (Rob is one) refuse to admit that we exist!!

You would THINK that major reviewers would be more open to new devices. The truth seems very different. They stick their nose in the air and refuse to acknowledge that you are alive!

This Rob P. of Washington Post spent four days at CES and never would stop by. This year I am going to hunt him down personally!! I am coming, Rob, and you WILL know about Astak!

[frozennorth]

Robert you might want to change the mobiebook website in your sig to the new theezreader one (preferably the one with no flash ). The mobiebook one just redirects to astak.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Thanks for the info on the memory of the 300 vs the 505. I figured it might have been more, but was relatively unsure. Even so, i still consider the price of 199 to be way too high for such a limited device.

If depends on what you want, as do most purchasing decisions.

Would you rather have a stripped-down Volvo or a loaded Kia for roughly the same price? Depends on what's important to you.

Same reasoning here.

And no, I NEVER slam the phone down. Nor do I ever throw anything harder than a pillow when I'm mad, and I have to be REALLY mad then.

I do drug myself with chocolate if I've had a bad day, however.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by frozennorth

Robert you might want to change the mobiebook website in your sig to the new theezreader one (preferably the one with no flash ). The mobiebook one just redirects to astak.

Dear Frozennorth:

Thank you. I will try to do that now. I changed it on my email but forgot to do it here!

I appreciate your reminder!!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by khalleron

If depends on what you want, as do most purchasing decisions.

Would you rather have a stripped-down Volvo or a loaded Kia for roughly the same price? Depends on what's important to you.

Same reasoning here.

I can see a bit how you can compare the two like this, but without having every held onto an EZReader or taken one for a test drive, it's a bit premature to compare Astak to Kia. A quick jaunt over to Consumer Reports will get you the lowdown scoop on any vehicle, just as perusing through MRs forums will get you the same indiscriminate reporting on reading devices.

And no, I NEVER slam the phone down. Nor do I ever throw anything harder than a pillow when I'm mad, and I have to be REALLY mad then.

I've broken a phone once, slamming it down. Then again, it was my own phone. I am much more controlled when I am in possession of someone else's devices.

I do drug myself with chocolate if I've had a bad day, however.

I read this last line and I had just put a miniature Mounds in my mouth. Dark Chocolate and Coconut. Perfect combination!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by John F

I can't recall, does PVI own Astak, Astak own PVI, a parent company own both, ...?



If you don't know plans for Apple's screen's then maybe you shouldn't have started the FUD about their contribution to screen shortages.

Sorry if I mistinterpreted your screen shortages/cost post.

Dear John:

Under the terms of our NDA with PVI and others... I cannot disclose this info. I am sorry... but that all is private info and I already got yelled at for disclosing too much!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Faenad:

Yes, we are sending out 30 day evals IF they permit us. They have to let me know thay will accept them before I can send. I keep emailing them.

Feel free to send me an eval unit, although I cannot guarantee that it will returned

EVER!

[pbow9]

I have a question regarding the page turn buttons on the left side of the reader. In the pictures that RobertB posted it shows the page forward button on top and the page reverse button on bottom. In the pictures on theezreader.com however it shows the buttons in reverse order. How will they be oriented on the production model?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by khalleron

If depends on what you want, as do most purchasing decisions.

Would you rather have a stripped-down Volvo or a loaded Kia for roughly the same price? Depends on what's important to you.

Same reasoning here.

And no, I NEVER slam the phone down. Nor do I ever throw anything harder than a pillow when I'm mad, and I have to be REALLY mad then.

I do drug myself with chocolate if I've had a bad day, however.

Dear Khalleron:

While I do appreciate that people DO need to realize that a stripped Volvo is not much fun... could we please move up the Astak Pocket PRO to maybe a LOADED Buick? We are an American brand and proud of it!! While we are not very well known (YET) we make far better devices and have a better incidence of repair than the stripped Volvo. Also, I rented a Kia Rio once and it was ring-a-ting-ting all day when it ran.

The Pocket PRO is definitely a Buick at this point. Far more features, better colors, and should win the JD Powers survey award!

Would love the chocolate!!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by pbow9

I have a question regarding the page turn buttons on the left side of the reader. In the pictures that RobertB posted it shows the page forward button on top and the page reverse button on bottom. In the pictures on theezreader.com however it shows the buttons in reverse order. How will they be oriented on the production model?

Dear pbow9:

Good observation... but already caught. Yes, the buttons on the left side in the pictures are wrong. They are being made right and will ship right.

I appreciate your post!!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Feel free to send me an eval unit, although I cannot guarantee that it will returned

EVER!

Dear Griffonwing:

The Kromley 1 inch needs to be reviewed. We can send you a thirty-day eval of the infamous Kromley "Krummy" 1 inch! Let us know what you think of it. It comes in three colors: black, black, and black. The screen in black all the time. It has no USB... so getting eBooks into it is hard.

We are anxious to get it into your hands. Please send $92 for postage and handling!

"Kromley... the People who invented Darkness".

[griffonwing]

Check your email for my PayPal verification! Please have the unit ship last week so that I might have the review up and available yesterday morning.

Thanks!