Australian readers - which device do you use?

[Laura81]

I recently bought as Astak Pocket Pro and love it. Would recommend it to anyone. I also have an eBookwise but wouldn't really recommend it as it doesn't support many formats.

[Speedy eReader]

What is the state of eReaders in Australia? I am doing some research and would be interested in hearing about which major retailers carry Readers & accessories and which don't.
Are there devices that are difficult to come by? And what about if you need customer service. What has your experience like?
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[elvee]

I have a bebook 1 which I got directly from bebook in holland, I received the bebook in 4 days, so I was really happy with that. I've also got a bebook mini which I bought from an Australia distributor.there are certainly not enough businesses selling ereaders at the moment and that enables the few that are selling them to have rather high prices. Once they start to appear in Harvey Norman and the like, I think that prices will be more competitive. We also need more ebook stores to buy from. They are starting to appear and that can only be an improvement. I'm looking at the Sony prs-600. I really like the look of it, but I'm finding it hard to justify another purchase.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Speedy eReader

What is the state of eReaders in Australia? I am doing some research and would be interested in hearing about which major retailers carry Readers & accessories and which don't.
Are there devices that are difficult to come by? And what about if you need customer service. What has your experience like?
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Well the two that I know of are DADirect (www.dadirect.com) and www.ebookbop.com.au. I can't speak personally in regards to their customer service but all of those who have bought from DADirect appear REALLY happy with the service.

Unfortunately the current state of ereaders in Australia is essentially non-existent. It is sad as there is a big market, but for some unknown reason ereaders just aren't being pushed as a product for Australia.

[Alcuith]

Just book a Cooler reader, shipped in about a week from o/s and so far so good.

[RTownsend]

Hi, I am in Victoria. I bought a BeBook 2 years ago (v1) direct from Holland (very speedy). I then gave that to my mother and bought V2 BeBook (still my favourite for reading pdf books). I have an iRex that I bought through Dymocks (really do not like this reader and think that it was $1200 wasted). I am now using the Amazon Kindle2. Love it. I personally think the BeBook is the best bet if you do not want wispernet tech. BeBook reads all files types that I use and keeps the text clear, large and formated well.

My favourite at the moment is the Kindle, but I acknowledge that it really has some limitations that the BeBook just does not have. The BeBook allows me to store my files in folders (I store each book under the authors names). The Kindle does not allow this and I REALLY miss it.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by Speedy eReader

What is the state of eReaders in Australia? I am doing some research and would be interested in hearing about which major retailers carry Readers & accessories and which don't.
Are there devices that are difficult to come by? And what about if you need customer service. What has your experience like?
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

I checked with every retailer when I was looking to buy a reader for myself a few weeks ago. None of the major electronic device retailers sells eBook readers. I got a lot of confused looks or some 'knowing' headshake (not sure what they meant with that.

Kindle has received a lot of publicity lately as they launched the international Kindle recently. Sony has no intention it seems to sell the reader here in Oz (I've asked them and got a non-commital reply) but that makes sense as they have their own eBook shop and the geographical restriction seem to be a bit of a nightmare.

Dealsdirect sells them on their website (as mentioned previously) but they have to import them as well.

Dymocks sells the Hanlin and BeBook eReader on their website.

As to service and support - not sure. Haven't needed it and trying my hardest to keep it that way. My reader is an import and I think I would buy a new one rather than send it back & forth to the US for repair.

[Speedy eReader]

Hey RTownsend:

I personally think the BeBook is the best bet if you do not want wispernet tech. BeBook reads all files types that I use and keeps the text clear, large and formated well.

My favourite at the moment is the Kindle, but I acknowledge that it really has some limitations that the BeBook just does not have. The BeBook allows me to store my files in folders (I store each book under the authors names). The Kindle does not allow this and I REALLY miss it

Are you interested in doing a review of the Bebook or Kindle for me? Your post is a good start. visit www.e-readerfeeder.com and then leave a message at ereaderfeeder@live.ca.
Thank you so much.

[lene1949]

I have downloaded Kindle for PC to my computer and my Dell Mini. I don't want to buy a Kindle, but there are some Kindle books I would like to read... and my Dell Mini will be OK for that.

My next reader will probably be the ECO Reader, although I find it rather expensive.

[PDS]

I use a Sony PRS-505 and my iphone using ereader. Love reading on both of them.

[grimo1re]

Have a Sony PRS-500. Love it, planning on buying a PocketBook 360 as soon as my budget isn't as tight

[Laura81]

Originally Posted by lene1949

My next reader will probably be the ECO Reader, although I find it rather expensive.

You can buy the U.S. version of the ECO Reader from Astak for significantly less. It sells for $199US.

[alvico]

Originally Posted by lene1949

I'm interested in knowing which e-reader devices are used in Australia...

I find Australia is so far behind in the 'e-reading' world.... You can't buy an e-reader from Harvey Norman, Dick Smith etc - some of the leading electronic stores... In fact, they don't even sell PDAs anymore, since the i-phone came in.

I've been reading books on my Palm Zire72 for at least 5 years, but I would like something new There's nothing wrong with my Palm, yet, and it has a backlit display, which is perfect for when I'm on night shifts (I'm a carer, and lights are off at night).. This device also has my calender, notes, memos etc on it...

Which device do you use and why?

Thanks
Lene

Did you end up buying something to replace your Zire72?

Like you, I have a Palm (LifeDrive), which as you say has all the Office compatible apps plus some on it. It's served me well and I'll stick with it until it carks it. When that happens, I hope to replace it with something not too dissimilar. I really don't want a dedictated ereader and any handheld that I buy must have the backlit display for reading at night. From all accounts, the iPod Touch will do that.

Cheers
Vicki

[lene1949]

Originally Posted by alvico

Did you end up buying something to replace your Zire72?

Like you, I have a Palm (LifeDrive), which as you say has all the Office compatible apps plus some on it. It's served me well and I'll stick with it until it carks it. When that happens, I hope to replace it with something not too dissimilar. I really don't want a dedictated ereader and any handheld that I buy must have the backlit display for reading at night. From all accounts, the iPod Touch will do that.

Cheers
Vicki

Hi Vicki

Yes, I bought a Hanvon N516... It's very slow compare to my Zire, and of course it's not backlit... I read a lot on night shifts, and tried a booklight with the Hanvon... Did that for 2 nights, then went back to using the palm. My palm is still in exceptional good condition, even though it's close to 6 years old. The batterylife is the same as it was, when new.

Now, when I download books from Smashwords I download both formats.

Does the Ipod Touch have a fairly good screen (sizewise)?

[alvico]

Originally Posted by lene1949

Hi Vicki

Yes, I bought a Hanvon N516... It's very slow compare to my Zire, and of course it's not backlit... I read a lot on night shifts, and tried a booklight with the Hanvon... Did that for 2 nights, then went back to using the palm. My palm is still in exceptional good condition, even though it's close to 6 years old. The batterylife is the same as it was, when new.

Now, when I download books from Smashwords I download both formats.

Does the Ipod Touch have a fairly good screen (sizewise)?

Hi Lene

My Palm LifeDrive is still in excellent condition, too.

I believe the iPod Touch has a good-sized screen -- 3.5" according to the Apple site, so only marginally smaller than the LifeDrive 3.8" screen (I think the Zire 72 is under 3"). Whatever reader I buy, a back light is a prerequisite.

Cheers
Vicki