Looking to replace my PRS-505

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

PRS+ will give you full folder support on the 350, I have it installed on mine and works wonderfully.

Yay! Definitely a strong mark in its favor. (How does it get installed? The instructions I had for PRS+ involve a memory card.)

But really, is there any reason you need to carry around more than 1000 ebooks with you at any time? Since you also have them backed up on your computer for safekeeping, it's simple enough to periodically swap which 1000 books you have on the reader at any time.

2gb internal should be fine; I'm just twitchy about it. I have several large PDFs in my collection--RPG books I keep in the reader for easy reference--and I don't want to run out of space for those. (My "gaming" folder currently has 18 files totaling 91mb. And some of those are the condensed versions where I've downsampled the images. I'd have more, but the 505 isn't really happy with large PDFs; it slows down when reading them.)

Not sure how you think the touch screen works and why you think you need to click and swipe, but you don't. It's not really a touch screen like you're used to on cell phones for instance;

Because the ones on cellphones are the only touch screens I've dealt with. And I don't like the cellphone ones. Husband has an iPhone. It drives me buggy when I try to use it.

What I most care about is that I can switch pages without having to lift my hand away from the device, because I'll be reading on crowded trains with shifting passengers. A few people have said this is not a problem.

Which filetype are you interested in reading that the Sony won't handle?

HTML and potentially DOC. I'm tired of having to convert files to RTF, which has annoying much larger filesize. And the Sonys don't support pictures in RTF files; for those, I have to get out the actual conversion software and make an epub. (Calibre's settings give me fits; I've never gotten comfortable with it. I want a conversion program that isn't attached to a library program.)

It's a minor nuisance; I'd just like my next purchase to be something better, in as many ways as I can arrange.

I'm not comparing potential new devices to my current device; I'm comparing them to the Astak Pocket Pro or Bebook Mini.

It's one of the better reader for various filetypes, also handles library books which are epub.

Irrelevant to me; I don't touch DRM. (In the case of library books, not because of any anti-DRM philosophy, but because of the nuisance factor of setting up the software on multiple computers used by multiple people. Not worth the hassle; I expect there's nothing the library's going to carry that's worth the effort, especially not when I factor in waiting times.)

But I really don't think the Sony software reorganizes the reader every connection to the computer, I never noticed it doing that before I discovered Calibre.

After every disconnect, it has to inventory its internal library. The 505 takes a long time once there's more than about 300 books, and having more than 700 can have a 15-minute wait before the reader is usable.

I keep my reader at 300-400 books, but that's because I get too frustrated at the wait when I get more than 400 loaded on it. With better organization & folder support, I'd probably run near a thousand, because AO3 allows its fanfic to be downloaded as ebooks. (Hm. Need to find out if the ones with pictures work on the 350. The don't work on the 505; the images cause the program to hang.)

It's the newest e-ink screen, so it is better than the Nook (still using first gen e-ink screen), and is the same screen as the Kindle uses. The text looks a bit sharper than on the 650 because of packing the same number of pixels into a smaller size screen.

You should try to find the ones you're interested in at a local store and try them out, but I really don't think you'd be disappointed with the 350 at all. I love mine and take it everywhere with me.

I'll see if I can get down to Fry's and try one out. I'm not sure there's a store in San Francisco that has display models.

You make a strong case; I'm seriously considering it, and I'd been dismissing the Sonys entirely because I didn't want something with all the flaws of my current reader just to get a sharper screen.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by =X=

If that is your main reason, you might want to consider an LCD device like Android or iOS.

Battery life is prime. I'm not willing to have to remember to recharge every night or have it die mid-book.

The reading apps for these devices are far superior than what exist for any eInk device. Pinch zoom on PDF is awsome, I spend 0% time now making my PDF readable on a 7" device just because the reflow is either 90% accurate or I can pinch to zoom.

I don't want a 7" device (I want smaller than I'm currently dealing with), and I'm not sure an iPhone-sized screen is best for reading. I don't think there's anything in between those sizes. But the iPhone-sized screen might be okay--if the battery lasted long enough.

eReaders link Moon and Alkdio have customization features that far exceed any eInk device. You can control margins, fonts, indents, word spacing, etc...

Nice, but not important to me. I was happy reading PDB text on a 320x320 pixel screen; I switched to e-ink almost solely for longer battery life. (File support was nice too, but when I switched, I was converting almost everything myself anyway, using PML and Dropbook.)

Giving up the backlight was hard--I loved being able to read in the dark--but I'm not willing to deal with a device that doesn't give a whole weekend's reading if I don't recharge it.

I'm sorry if I'm coming off as annoyingly picky. I've been reading ebooks almost exclusively for over 4 years, and I know what features I've been wanting to get, and what features I haven't cared about.

What I want is an upgrade to the PRS 505, with a faster processor & slightly better PDF support, so it removes the white margins on its own. Ideal would be that, with a 5" screen + HTML & Doc support, but I'm not going to get either of those, so I'm looking around at what else is available. And grumbling, because the industry has failed to provide exactly the features I want all in one device, dammit. (And while I'm at it, I want a pony.)

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

It still lacks both the filetype support and the folder structure support that I want. With the 505, I'm aware I could put PRS+ on it and get folder support; I don't think I can do that with a 350.

It also doesn't allow a memory card, but 2gb internal (if it is 2gb internal, not 1.5gb and its own software) is enough.

Currently, my Sony has problems if I put more than about 400 ebooks on it; I haven't heard that the new ones have fixed that problem, although they have gotten faster. I don't want to wait three minutes for the software to load after I put new books on it.

Click-swipe with my thumb means two hands; I'm often reading standing up on a crowded train. I need to not have to lift the top finger off the reader to change pages. I could tap a corner; I can't swipe a corner safely. (I have small hands. I know the 350 is tiny; I'd still be worried about dropping it if I have to lift my thumb and drag to change pages.)

I'd really really *like* to want the 350; the size is perfect. But the way it's set up--touchscreen, limited filetype support, no folders, Sony's library system that has to re-organize after every connection to the computer--I don't think I'd be happy with it.

I'm not at all convinced the better screen (I don't care about screen quality; I'd be quite happy with an LCD screen if it weren't for battery life) and faster processor are worth losing the traits that the Pocket Pro has that I want.

I'm here to tell you that the 350 is a one-hand EBR. You hold it with your thumb on top, & a small (direction adjustable) thumb flick in the lower corner works fine. Or you can hit a page button, but if you have small hands this might be awkward unless you are lefthanded.

Obviously, the 350 can't do the other things you want. Maybe those are deal killers for you. And you need to try it out, of course. But you really should before rejecting it on the assumption it won't work physically for you.

As for folders, why aren't Collections enough, given calibre? Do you want nesting folders?

edit: Ah, I see, you don't like calibre. Oh well. BTW, for file conversion purposes, maybe Stanza would do the trick.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Battery life is prime. I'm not willing to have to remember to recharge every night or have it die mid-book.

Yeah there is nothing at the moment that beats eInk in that area.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I don't want a 7" device (I want smaller than I'm currently dealing with), and I'm not sure an iPhone-sized screen is best for reading. I don't think there's anything in between those sizes. But the iPhone-sized screen might be okay--if the battery lasted long enough.

No I haven't forgoten your req. There are android devices with 2", 3", 4", 5", 7", 8",....etc you get my point size screens. I just happen to pick a 7" as an example since that was what I had. My requirement was the biggest screen that will fit in my back pocket. And the nook was it.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I'm sorry if I'm coming off as annoyingly picky. I've been reading ebooks almost exclusively for over 4 years, and I know what features I've been wanting to get, and what features I haven't cared about.

No your not and all of your requirements are all reasonable. But as I mentioned on my first post, you've spec'ed yourself out of an ebook reader. You're going to have to give on one of your requirements. I'm just trying to figure out what you are willing to give.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

What I want is an upgrade to the PRS 505, with a faster processor & slightly better PDF support, so it removes the white margins on its own. Ideal would be that, with a 5" screen + HTML & Doc support, but I'm not going to get either of those, so I'm looking around at what else is available. And grumbling, because the industry has failed to provide exactly the features I want all in one device, dammit. (And while I'm at it, I want a pony.)

Well honestly I think the EZ Reader 5" is the device for you, but honestly the PRS 350 is still a great device.

=X=

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Harmon

I'm here to tell you that the 350 is a one-hand EBR. You hold it with your thumb on top, & a small (direction adjustable) thumb flick in the lower corner works fine. Or you can hit a page button, but if you have small hands this might be awkward unless you are lefthanded.

Sounds good. I'm right handed but normally hold my ebook reader in my left. But it sounds like it's small enough that it'd work fine one-handed.

Obviously, the 350 can't do the other things you want. Maybe those are deal killers for you. And you need to try it out, of course. But you really should before rejecting it on the assumption it won't work physically for you.

I'll try one; I haven't decided how much "faster processor" would cover for "no new file support."

As for folders, why aren't Collections enough, given calibre? Do you want nesting folders?

I bounce between three computers--home desktop, home laptop, and work computer. I currently load books onto my reader with drag-and-drop Windows Explorer.

If Calibre had a way to deal with books already on the reader without removing & replacing them, I'd use it for library management. Since it doesn't, I'm not bothering; I often wind up picking up ebooks on my break at work, esp. since AO3 has ebook downloads.

I don't care about nesting folders, and tagging would be nicer than I current deal with--I'm just not willing to add a couple of minutes' delay to every ebook uploaded to my device. (Mostly, I'm to lazy to figure out Calibre, beyond default-setting conversions, which I still find frustrating.)

ETA: I love Calibre! I'm just no good at it; I find it frustrating to the point where, when I've got a Word file with essential pictures, I'll convert it to a custom-sized PDF rather than figure out the settings for a decent ePub file.

[Ripplinger]

The most recent version of PRS+ has its own installer now. So installation is download the PRS+ .exe file for the 350, plug in your 350 to the PC, install simply by double-clicking the .exe file you downloaded. And done. You no longer need another installer such as Boroda to install PRS+, it's a much simpler and easier process now.

When I first got my reader I used to drag and drop books to it. Then I discovered Calibre and that's the only way I now upload books. It sets up a file folder for each author and also will upload a nice cover if you have one within the Calibre library (which I MUCH prefer over a blank page with text on it for a cover which it would default to without a graphic cover). I really prefer the organization it has given to my reader compared to how it used to be, which gives more functionality to browsing by folder when you have one per author.

Calibre also never touches files on the reader and not within the Calibre library... it won't delete them, and it won't move them to the PC or copy them to the PC unless you tell Calibre to do it. Perhaps you had a very early version of Calibre? What it does when I plug in my reader which is very nice is show a green checkmark for all books on the reader, and in the reader pane will have the checkmark for all books on your PC in the Calibre library. Those not on the PC will not have the checkmark, making it very easy to see which books are not in both places if you want.

I also found using Calibre much better to keep all my ebooks in one location on my PC in the Calibre library now so it's easy to tell if I have a book or not. I want them all backed up anyway for safety, so I never rely on them being only on the reader for instance.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

When I first got my reader I used to drag and drop books to it. Then I discovered Calibre and that's the only way I now upload books.

I alternate between three different computers. I don't have a way to coordinate Calibre between all of them. Also, I think the one on the Vista machine makes an author folder for each author in My Documents, which is a lot of extra folders getting in the way of finding other files. I understand the "black box - do not touch" theory, but the box is scattered across the areas I need to use.

Calibre also never touches files on the reader and not within the Calibre library... it won't delete them, and it won't move them to the PC or copy them to the PC unless you tell Calibre to do it.

I know it won't touche the files on the Reader; that's the problem. I can't download to the Reader at work, and then insert those titles into Calibre when I get home. (Well. Can insert them; can't add them to collections, because the version on the Reader isn't part of the Calibre library.)

I also found using Calibre much better to keep all my ebooks in one location on my PC in the Calibre library now so it's easy to tell if I have a book or not. I want them all backed up anyway for safety, so I never rely on them being only on the reader for instance.

The only things I leave on the Reader only is fanfic I download from AO3; everything else is in at least one other place. (If I'm downloading at work, I also have a portable drive I use to transfer things to my PC.)

I keep meaning to figure out how to work with Calibre someday, but it changes too fast for me to get comfortable with it. I probably mostly just need to find someone local who's fluent in it, to walk me through setting up a library. So far, I've found it slow and cumbersome, and the switching between machines has made it not worth bothering to get better with it. Also, a substantial portion of my "ebooks" aren't "books" in the traditional sense,* and while Calibre's metadata setup would let me make custom columns and tags for them, it's a lot of work to do so.

* I have court rulings, bus schedules, lists that I edit, blog posts w/comments, fanzines, and collections of lyrics, among other things. "Author" is often a troublesome field for me.

[VicLavigne]

Elfwreck,
I feel for you. My first reader is the 505. Lately I have picked up both the Nook classic and color as well as an Android tablet. The 505 had a lot going for it, with the exception of being a bit sluggish. I still have my 505 but find myself using the Nook classic for regular reading anymore.... its speedier and has lots more storage space .... just sucky battery life in comparison to the 505.

[soilwork]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I alternate between three different computers. I don't have a way to coordinate Calibre between all of them.

Just out of curiosity, how about using Dropbox or Sugarsync to synchronize files across multiple computers? If you do, managing books across computers will be very simple and there is no need to rely on Calibre.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by soilwork

Just out of curiosity, how about using Dropbox or Sugarsync to synchronize files across multiple computers? If you do, managing books across computers will be very simple and there is no need to rely on Calibre.

* One of the computers is on dialup.

* One is a work computer. Ability to install software is limited. (I could install Calibre; there's no guarantee it wouldn't be removed some weekend by an IT sweep.)

* I have no idea how to use Dropbox etc. (Having high speed internet away from work is still very erratic for me.)

* I have barely any idea how to use Calibre. I find Calibre incredibly slow. I can't edit (or don't know how to edit) the files in Calibre--specifically, the PDFs, which I often custom-make and tweak to my preferences. Sometimes the tweaking happens later.

Other than converting .lit files to .epub, I haven't found Calibre greatly useful. I don't speak CSS and haven't figured out its settings; I've tried a few things (like adding chapter breaks) and they all failed. I've no idea how to set up a table of contents. I'm aware there are tutorials, and I could learn it--it just hasn't been worth my effort. I'm decent at doc conversion to get my ebooks the way *I* want to read them, and since many of them are not sharable, it doesn't matter if they work for anyone else.

I'm perfectly content to either throw RTF files onto the reader if I'm in a hurry to read, or to take the time to make PDFs for the 6" screen if I'm not. (I kinda wonder what my 6" PDFs will look like on a 5" screen; not sure if I'll want to remake them all with smaller pages, or if the sharper resolution will make up for the smaller size.)

ETA: I completely missed the "no reason to rely on Calibre" part.
I'm not sure what the point of synching book collections across computers would be. (Also. Not sure I want to upload my content to Dropbox etc. I'm comfortable claiming fair use rights to scan & convert physical books I own; less comfortable uploading them *anywhere.*) I don't need a synchronized collection; I need an ebook reader that sorts books in ways I can find them easily. I can't put tags/collections on the Reader unless I install books through Calibre or (yech) Sony's software, so I just deal with making the titles or authors sort them into groups.

[soilwork]

1.
After reading your post, I realized that I don't understand what you need or want from the new device clearly. From your previous posts, I got the impression that you don't use Calibre extensively but it seems that you use tag features of Calibre to organize books.

2.
I suggested syncing library across computers because I got the impression that you would like to do that from the following sentences.

I know it won't touche the files on the Reader; that's the problem. I can't download to the Reader at work, and then insert those titles into Calibre when I get home.

Assuming that you need to sync Calibre database across computers, I think you can do so by saving databases in one of the Dropbox directories. I don't have any personal experience but it seems that some people do that without any problem.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38511

3.
About dropbox being 'uploading anywhere', since I am the only person who has access to the uploaded files as long as you don't save files in 'Public' folder, I don't see any problem but you may feel different.

4.
However, given the connection speed and permission to install softwares, using Dropbox may not be very practical for you but it may worth a try. It seems like you have a quite complex situation with lots of constraints and hope you find the right solution.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by soilwork

1.
After reading your post, I realized that I don't understand what you need or want from the new device clearly.

I want an Astak Pocket Pro. They're not available. I'm looking for what else is closest to filling the niche I'd already decided on before they vanished.

From your previous posts, I got the impression that you don't use Calibre extensively but it seems that you use tag features of Calibre to organize books.

I don't use Calibre. I have used it a bit; I liked the tagging very much, but not enough to put up with what I perceive as its drawbacks.

2.
I suggested syncing library across computers because I got the impression that you would like to do that from the following sentences.
I know it won't touche the files on the Reader; that's the problem. I can't download to the Reader at work, and then insert those titles into Calibre when I get home.

I didn't understand the idea of using dropbox (or whatever) for synching; I'm not sure what needs to be synched. I go to work. On my lunch break, I visit Smashwords and download a new ebook. Load it on my reader & maybe my portable drive, maybe not. Go home. Finish new ebook; go to AO3 and look for new fanfic; load some onto reader. Take laptop to convention; friends mention hilarious blog post; copy it with comment threads into RTF file, save onto reader. (Ability to grab random content off the web & throw it on the reader easily is important to me. Which means I don't want to deal with anything that *only* does ePub, PDF and TXT. I get annoyed at having to make custom PDFs on the fly.)

The issue isn't how to manage my ebook collection; I'm doing okay with that. It's that any of the specific management programs that would allow them to be nicely sorted, tagged, and metadata'd don't work across several computers. (At least, not in a way that I understand. Since I can't get chapter breaks to work in Calibre, I'm not hopeful about my chances of being able to run it remotely.)

3.
About dropbox being 'uploading anywhere', since I am the only person who has access to the uploaded files as long as you don't save files in 'Public' folder, I don't see any problem but you may feel different.

I'm paranoid. Do they have a privacy policy that says "we won't release your data to anyone without a court order?" Will they start selling advertising aimed at me, based on what I upload?

4.
However, given the connection speed and permission to install softwares, using Dropbox may not be very practical for you but it may worth a try. It seems like you have a quite complex situation with lots of constraints and hope you find the right solution.

I'm sorting things out. I was looking for advice, not absolute answers, and I've gotten a lot of good things to think about. I'm a lot more confident about being able to find *something* I'll be happy with, if not the list of traits I'm specifically looking for right now.

Some reasons I don't want a PRS-350: I don't want to reward Sony for dropping what I consider their best product. I don't want to reinforce their belief that proper ePub support is irrelevant. And yeah, I'm willing to deal with less optimal features to avoid supporting a business I don't like; I don't shop at Walmart and don't buy Nestle-brand anything. I haven't decided if I'm that unhappy with Sony, but I'm definitely looking for something else.

I know I'm being picky. I've got time to decide, and lots of options; I'm probably not nearly as absolute as I'm coming across.

[doreenjoy]

From your original post, it sounds like the Sony 350 is the best bet, even though you're not keen on Sony or the touch screen. All of the key requirements you list are in the 350.

Just my .02 Euro.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

From your original post, it sounds like the Sony 350 is the best bet, even though you're not keen on Sony or the touch screen. All of the key requirements you list are in the 350.

Just my .02 Euro.

Sony doesn't read HTML. I've been coping with "doesn't read HTML natively," but that doesn't mean I'm happy to stick with it. And while I could cope with a touch screen, I definitely don't want one.

The 350 does look like what's easily available and closest to what I want. Which annoys me, because it's downgrading; it'd involve losing features I like in order to get bells-and-whistles I don't care about.

I may hold out for one of the Jinke devices, either a Pocket Pro from ebay (they show up now & then) or the Bebook Mini; I'm trying to decide if I'm willing to pay the international shipping-etc. charges for one.

After talking with my husband, it's possible that the battery in my 505 is dying, and that replacing it might fix the slow navigation that's annoying me enough to look for a replacement.

[MikeB1972]

http://mybebook.com/5-inch-ereaders/...duct_info.html
Same device as the pocket pro - not sure what they charge to deliver to US though.

My choices are pretty similar to yours for readers - I use either my 505 or Hanlin v3 for choice.

The 350 is a very nice machine, page turn buttons are in a good spot, but there is no way to turn off the %^&@&$ touch screen when reading (Brush some dust off the screen and you change page) so my other half has swiped it and I've gone back to the 300 for portable reading.