Leaning towards Sony PRS-505 & would like feedback

[katysax]

I have both the Kindle2 and the PRS 505. Reading is one of my favorite activities; I read a lot of books and documents. I use both ereaders constantly.

If I had to limit myself to one, it would be the Kindle2 without hesitation. I find the user interface much more intuitive and elegant. (I think the Sony Interface is ugly and overly complex). I like the dictionary. I prefer the way that it adjusts font sizes. Pdf conversion is OK using mobi software. Having 24/7 access to the Amazon store is fun, and prices are reasonable. In addition to the Amazon store I use the Mobi software to convert many books and documents and upload them via my computer.

The Sony screen is slightly more readable, and I like the smaller form factor. I appreciate that it has a native pdf capability but often find that the documents are so small I have to convert them anyway. I never use the Sony store. The Sony works seamlessly with my public library for book downloads.

For the wireless and cleaner interface I prefer the Kindle2, but they are both good readers. I'm looking forward to the DX though because I use my ebook readers in lieu of printing a lot of documents, and I'd really like a reasonably sized screen to view native pdf documents.

One thing I like about having two readers is that sometimes I get tired of looking at exactly the same screen. By switching readers I get the feeling of picking up a "different" book. Also, sometimes when I convert from other formats such as pdf or rtf, the readability of the document is better on one reader or the other. The Mobi conversions of rtf documents, for example, seem to space the paragraphs better than the lrf (sony) conversions via Calibre.

[Zapped]

Originally Posted by jj2me

You forgot metal. Otherwise, it's like you're the sales manager for the 505.

Too funny! My wife would be the first one to tell you that we engineers like to over-analyze everything. Although on a good day I can purchase a pair of underwear in less than an hour

[curtw]

Originally Posted by Zapped

Too funny! My wife would be the first one to tell you that we engineers like to over-analyze everything. Although on a good day I can purchase a pair of underwear in less than an hour

As an engineer, you should also appreciate that the PRS-505 (combined with cover) is the only one that will fit "properly" in the thigh pocket of your cargo shorts.

[dkosburn]

Originally Posted by curtw

As an engineer, you should also appreciate that the PRS-505 (combined with cover) is the only one that will fit "properly" in the thigh pocket of your cargo shorts.

How that didn't make the official features list I'll never know.

I originally bought a PRS-500 back in June '07, and just two weeks ago sent it in for repairs under my extended warranty and received a PRS-505 replacement unit. Apparently they don't service the 500 anymore, so that $35 extended warranty turned into a nice upgrade.

Having used the 505 for a couple weeks now and reading through about 7 books (still at 50% battery), it's an incredible upgrade from the 500 and I love it. Coupled with the excellent calibre software, which is basically iTunes for eBooks, I can't imagine having anything else though I do read more free books than anything.

I wasn't impressed with the Sony eBook store when they opened it, and it doesn't seem to have gotten much better in the past couple of years. That would be my only reason to look into a Kindle at this point.

[grooks]

Have you tried public library books?

[ficbot]

I have a Sony 505 and love it. There are many beautifully done free classics here. Also, if you buy the multiformat books at Fictionwise, you can download them as many times as you like, in as many formats as you like (Sony and ePub both available). So for me, this is most of my buying and I only buy a secure one when it is at 100% rebate and I really want to read it.

[davlewis]

Originally Posted by Zapped

Cost effectiveness - I'm "frugal" (cheap?) so this is a big factor too. $200 for the PRS-505 from sonystyle.com if I apply for and use a SONY Visa, vs $359 for the Kindle. A minor point is that the Sony includes a cover but the Kindle doesn't. Also a resale consideration: if a significantly better technology comes out soon I would imagine I could sell the Sony at a small loss - $50 to $75, but the Kindle has a much higher starting price and I wonder how it would hold that value if, say, Amazon decided to start subsidizing the purchase price of a newer Kindle.

- Jim in Austin

Your post was on 23 May, 2009, where did you see the offer for $200 on a PRS-505 if you use a Sony credit card? I have been all over the SonyStyle.com web site and I see nothing like that. If that is still available I'd take my PRS-505 back and get it from Sony to save the nearly $70!

Dave...

[DrunkenDonkey]

The offer is for $150 actually, take a look here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46753

[lyj898]

somebody just posted a thread yesterday about a website comparing readers... http://www.myebookreaderreview.com/ it has links to a bunch of reviews so that should be helpful.

i personally think 505 is probably the most value for money reader in the market right now although you might want to consider the new cool-er reader http://www.coolreaders.com/readers.asp

[Zapped]

Originally Posted by davlewis

Your post was on 23 May, 2009, where did you see the offer for $200 on a PRS-505 if you use a Sony credit card? I have been all over the SonyStyle.com web site and I see nothing like that.

I was quoting the price of the PRS-505 after the rebate, which I thought was $100. So $299 less the $100 rebate left a price of about $200 for the PRS-505.

That was before I knew there was still a $150 rebate available. I've gotten the credit card but they still won't let me buy the product more than 24 hours later.

[Zero9]

Originally Posted by Zapped

I was quoting the price of the PRS-505 after the rebate, which I thought was $100. So $299 less the $100 rebate left a price of about $200 for the PRS-505.

That was before I knew there was still a $150 rebate available. I've gotten the credit card but they still won't let me buy the product more than 24 hours later.

It was about 60 hours before I could register at Sony Rewards with my card info (and someone else on here said it was around 4 days for them). Remember, if you spend an average of $500+ per month on the card over the 1st three months you'll get a $100 credit, and again another $100 three months after that (for a total of $200's back for spending $3000 over 6 months).

[Zapped]

Well, it's been a little over 54 hours since I was approved for my Sony/Chase VISA card, and I was finally able to use the "redeem now >" button to get to the screen that let me select which color PRS-505 I wanted. After that, my credit card info was accepted in the system as well.

Now I want to ask if everyone had to "buy points" to complete this purchase? In other words, was your checkout screen asking for 29,850 points, which you didn't have, and then you needed to charge $298.50 to "buy those points"? Seems like a goofy way to handle it.

I do have the screenshot showing that I'd receive the $50 credit from Sony, the $2 shipping/handling refund from Sony, and the $100 credit from Chase, all within 8-12 weeks after this $299 purchase. So I'll definitely hold 'em to it if there's an issue later.

[Zero9]

Originally Posted by Zapped

Well, it's been a little over 54 hours since I was approved for my Sony/Chase VISA card, and I was finally able to use the "redeem now >" button to get to the screen that let me select which color PRS-505 I wanted. After that, my credit card info was accepted in the system as well.

Now I want to ask if everyone had to "buy points" to complete this purchase? In other words, was your checkout screen asking for 29,850 points, which you didn't have, and then you needed to charge $298.50 to "buy those points"? Seems like a goofy way to handle it.

I do have the screenshot showing that I'd receive the $50 credit from Sony, the $2 shipping/handling refund from Sony, and the $100 credit from Chase, all within 8-12 weeks after this $299 purchase. So I'll definitely hold 'em to it if there's an issue later.

Uh oh. I'm pretty sure the initial purchase made (the points you buy) has to be $299 or over to get $100 of the credit. I called customer service because I had 100 points for some reason, and the rep showed me how to put 50 of those points in limbo (on the main page, scrolled down to DEAL OF THE WEEK and wagered 50 points) so my Sony Card purchase amount would be $299.49. You MIGHT want to call customer service (#1 sends you to the Card people, #2 sends you to the POINTS people). Not sure what's the best thing to do. And maybe I'm wrong and you're fine...

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by curtw

As an engineer, you should also appreciate that the PRS-505 (combined with cover) is the only one that will fit "properly" in the thigh pocket of your cargo shorts.

I should also point out that for those of an Arthur Dent persuasion, it fits nicely into a dressing gown pocket.

[ritoroy]

Originally Posted by Zapped

Now I want to ask if everyone had to "buy points" to complete this purchase? In other words, was your checkout screen asking for 29,850 points, which you didn't have, and then you needed to charge $298.50 to "buy those points"? Seems like a goofy way to handle it.

I do have the screenshot showing that I'd receive the $50 credit from Sony, the $2 shipping/handling refund from Sony, and the $100 credit from Chase, all within 8-12 weeks after this $299 purchase. So I'll definitely hold 'em to it if there's an issue later.

My experience has been identical. However, I have received only a $100 credit from Chase, and Sony is refusing to honor the remaining $50 since the purchase price of the points needed to buy the Reader amounted to $298.50. Zapped, could you please post or PM me the screenshot of the offer (the webpage promoting the offer has been taken down), so I may follow-up with Sony on the exact terms of the offer. Your help will be much appreciated.