Need opinion on K3 for use with epub exclusively - Page 2

trekchick · 01-12-2011, 11:51 AM

It is pretty easy to convert ePub to mobi, and there are plenty of resources with good instructions for hacking Kindle. But, it would be easier to just buy a ePub-compatible device. I wholeheartedly recommend Sony PRS-x50 line. If price is a sticking point, you might look at the new Kobo wifi. It's not a Pearl screen (I don't think it is, anyway), but it is a better screen that the original version, and they've beefed up the hardware spec so it's no longer lethargic.

abookreader · 01-12-2011, 11:53 AM

Price would be my hang-up too. I think that the Sony is a really good option if you don't care about price.

When it comes down to best eReader for the money, right now I think that the Kindle 3 wins that battle hands down.

mdovell · 01-12-2011, 02:28 PM

I haven't tried sony as much but conversion with calibre is decent...now if you meant pdf's that's still a work in progress.

Also consider that there is text to speech and the wireless service. Even if you don't want to buy books from amazon you can still download preview chapters.

kmo_9000 · 01-12-2011, 11:03 PM

Although the Sony 350 and 650 both have e-ink pearl they really do lack some features the kindle 3's have such as wifi. They also are significantly more expensive even though they are missing wifi. Personally I find the touch screen a gimic and also would not want to have fingerprints all over my screen.

I talked to a guy in the sony store who showed me his 650 and sure enough it had fingerprints all over the screen. This man also told me that the kindle locks you in to amazons store and that you cannot pirate ebooks on the kindle, both of which any idiot can tell is completely false.

There are many options to format your converted e-pubs: you can format it to word, pdf and mobi. If one doesn't work then try another but Calibre does a great job at this task and it really doesn't require much thinking. Calibre makes this conversion task very simple to convert one or all of your ebooks effortlessly.

I say get a kindle, its probably the best value you can get in an ereader now.

ficbot · 01-13-2011, 07:29 AM

I use exclusively epub for purchased commercial books on my Kindle (I download mobi for non-DRM stuff). My reasons for going with the Kindle were that I wanted to use text to speech and non-English dictionaries and the Kindle was the only device that had both these features. If I did not have a need for those two features, I would have stayed with my Sony.

cfrock · 01-13-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I use exclusively epub for purchased commercial books on my Kindle (I download mobi for non-DRM stuff). My reasons for going with the Kindle were that I wanted to use text to speech and non-English dictionaries and the Kindle was the only device that had both these features. If I did not have a need for those two features, I would have stayed with my Sony.

I'm curious, what setting are your using for conversion of your epubs? I've been playing with Calibre a bit and at least with the built in viewer, there are major formatting issues.

I order my K3 and it should be here Saturday.

Snakey · 01-15-2011, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKindleWorm

Hi OP and welcome to mobileread

I've converted many drm-free epubs to mobi with very few issues. Why don't you try converting some of the books you have in Calibre to see how they look. You can view them in Calibre as well to check the formatting.

I'd make a choice after testing it first.

I have found that the Calibre e-reader does not accurately display Mobi files, I recommend using Kindle for PC to preview your Mobis after converting with Calibre. The Calibre e-reader ignores chapter points for example, while Kindle for PC will treat them properly as they would appear on the Kindle screen.

rhadin · 01-15-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmo_9000

Personally I find the touch screen a gimic and also would not want to have fingerprints all over my screen.

I have had both the older-style button changing device and the new touch screen. As between the 2, I'll take the touch screen any and every day. I actually find it a significantly more valuable feature for usability than the wifi/3G. Given the choice between touch screen and wifi/3G, I'd opt for touch screen.

As for fingerprints, I use my Sony 950 touchscreen about 4-5 hours every day and it is not loaded with fingerprints. About once a month, I use a cloth to clean the screen, just as I did with my prior button device, and even then it isn't loaded with fingerprints requiring the cleaning. If the salesperson's was loaded with fingerprints, it is probably because either he or the people he lets play with his device touched the screen with dirty fingers and hands.

To each his own, however. I like being able to hold my 950 in 1 hand. Using a finger from the same hand while holding the 950, I can turn the page.

rhadin · 01-15-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I use exclusively epub for purchased commercial books on my Kindle (I download mobi for non-DRM stuff). My reasons for going with the Kindle were that I wanted to use text to speech and non-English dictionaries and the Kindle was the only device that had both these features. If I did not have a need for those two features, I would have stayed with my Sony.

My Sony 950 came with both English and non-English dictionaries, but not with Text-to-Speech (at least I don't think so as I have never tried or desired it).

HarryT · 01-15-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhadin

My Sony 950 came with both English and non-English dictionaries, but not with Text-to-Speech (at least I don't think so as I have never tried or desired it).

No, the Sony doesn't have TTS. To be honest, I think it's a bit of a gimmick on the Kindle; I certainly can't imagine listening to a book with it. Perhaps it's aimed at blind users?

mdovell · 01-15-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, the Sony doesn't have TTS. To be honest, I think it's a bit of a gimmick on the Kindle; I certainly can't imagine listening to a book with it. Perhaps it's aimed at blind users?

Certainly that would help against any potential lawsuits.

I'm still amazed that with doukan it can do TTS in other languages! old talking dictionaries of the past were limited with the words and frankly didn't have much for screens. This could be a real Godsend as more languages are added.

In terms of for actual books it can be iffy. I'm sure some other TTS voices can be added.

cfrock · 01-16-2011, 11:35 AM

So I've been playing/reading with my K3 for about 24 hrs or 150 pgs (no easy feat with little ones). Anyway, I'm liking it but this unit will be going back. The right page turn button is softer than the other buttons and has a less significant click to it. It's also failed to turn the page twice after click. I really like the screen (I'm coming from a Nook) and thickness on K3. Converting my epubs to mobi with Calibre went flawlessly; no formatting issues as in the built-in viewer w/ Calibre. I'm guessing I'll skip Duokan for now. The power slide does concern me also as its fairly loose and slides very easily; I wish they had used a stiffer spring to avoid accidental movement in the slide.

How would you K3 users describe the durability of your K3's? The weakest link I see is either the power slide or the somewhat flimsy page turn buttons.

bhartman36 · 01-16-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrock

My Nook crapped out on me; though it was a great reader while it lasted.

I bought and returned the Nook Color since I found reading on e-ink is better for me personally. So here's my situation.. my e-library is all epub (drm free, after I paid for my books) and really only want an e-reader but would love the better screen and better battery of K3. My question is for those with experience with K3 and epubs.. I know I can use Calibre or Duokan but.. how is it in practice? Is there formatting issues?

Thanks in advance.

As long as there's no DRM, I'd say it's fine. I've converted non-DRM ePub in a matter of a few seconds, so if you multiply that by how many books you want to convert, that (i think) should tell you how long it'll take you to convert your library.

abookreader · 01-16-2011, 12:11 PM

I've had my K3 since the very first day they started delivery, I read daily, and I've had no problems.

I'm sorry to hear you got a wonky one. That does seem to happen occasionally.
Luckily they'll ship you the replacement before you return that one.

Grensgeval · 01-25-2011, 06:45 AM

cfrock, I would trade my K3 for yours, since I do have a rather significant "click" and late at night that can be quite annoying. I've learnt to press on the very edges of the buttons to keep it as quiet as possible.

Durability is tricky with the K3, since it's not been out in the wild for long enough, really. I can only say that mine feels sturdy even after having been dropped a few times (when it was in a cover, though) and with the page-turn buttons on both sides, I have no immediate fear of not being able to read my next page.

Assuming the build quality is comparable to that of the K2, maybe the durability experiences with that unit will tell you more.

01-12-2011, 11:03 PM	#19
kmo_9000 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: not sure yet	Although the Sony 350 and 650 both have e-ink pearl they really do lack some features the kindle 3's have such as wifi. They also are significantly more expensive even though they are missing wifi. Personally I find the touch screen a gimic and also would not want to have fingerprints all over my screen. I talked to a guy in the sony store who showed me his 650 and sure enough it had fingerprints all over the screen. This man also told me that the kindle locks you in to amazons store and that you cannot pirate ebooks on the kindle, both of which any idiot can tell is completely false. There are many options to format your converted e-pubs: you can format it to word, pdf and mobi. If one doesn't work then try another but Calibre does a great job at this task and it really doesn't require much thinking. Calibre makes this conversion task very simple to convert one or all of your ebooks effortlessly. I say get a kindle, its probably the best value you can get in an ereader now. Last edited by kmo_9000; 01-14-2011 at 11:17 AM.

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01-12-2011, 11:51 AM	#16
trekchick Lurker Posts: 226 Karma: 9245 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Walton, KY Device: Sonys and Kindles and Nooks, oh my!	It is pretty easy to convert ePub to mobi, and there are plenty of resources with good instructions for hacking Kindle. But, it would be easier to just buy a ePub-compatible device. I wholeheartedly recommend Sony PRS-x50 line. If price is a sticking point, you might look at the new Kobo wifi. It's not a Pearl screen (I don't think it is, anyway), but it is a better screen that the original version, and they've beefed up the hardware spec so it's no longer lethargic.

01-12-2011, 11:53 AM	#17
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Price would be my hang-up too. I think that the Sony is a really good option if you don't care about price. When it comes down to best eReader for the money, right now I think that the Kindle 3 wins that battle hands down.

01-12-2011, 02:28 PM	#18
mdovell Zealot Posts: 148 Karma: 3168 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle DX	I haven't tried sony as much but conversion with calibre is decent...now if you meant pdf's that's still a work in progress. Also consider that there is text to speech and the wireless service. Even if you don't want to buy books from amazon you can still download preview chapters.

01-13-2011, 07:29 AM	#20
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I use exclusively epub for purchased commercial books on my Kindle (I download mobi for non-DRM stuff). My reasons for going with the Kindle were that I wanted to use text to speech and non-English dictionaries and the Kindle was the only device that had both these features. If I did not have a need for those two features, I would have stayed with my Sony.

01-16-2011, 11:35 AM	#27
cfrock Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 1840 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook STR & K3	So I've been playing/reading with my K3 for about 24 hrs or 150 pgs (no easy feat with little ones). Anyway, I'm liking it but this unit will be going back. The right page turn button is softer than the other buttons and has a less significant click to it. It's also failed to turn the page twice after click. I really like the screen (I'm coming from a Nook) and thickness on K3. Converting my epubs to mobi with Calibre went flawlessly; no formatting issues as in the built-in viewer w/ Calibre. I'm guessing I'll skip Duokan for now. The power slide does concern me also as its fairly loose and slides very easily; I wish they had used a stiffer spring to avoid accidental movement in the slide. How would you K3 users describe the durability of your K3's? The weakest link I see is either the power slide or the somewhat flimsy page turn buttons.

01-16-2011, 12:11 PM	#29
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I've had my K3 since the very first day they started delivery, I read daily, and I've had no problems. I'm sorry to hear you got a wonky one. That does seem to happen occasionally. Luckily they'll ship you the replacement before you return that one.

01-25-2011, 06:45 AM	#30
Grensgeval Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	cfrock, I would trade my K3 for yours, since I do have a rather significant "click" and late at night that can be quite annoying. I've learnt to press on the very edges of the buttons to keep it as quiet as possible. Durability is tricky with the K3, since it's not been out in the wild for long enough, really. I can only say that mine feels sturdy even after having been dropped a few times (when it was in a cover, though) and with the page-turn buttons on both sides, I have no immediate fear of not being able to read my next page. Assuming the build quality is comparable to that of the K2, maybe the durability experiences with that unit will tell you more.

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