Astak Mentor Lite 6" - First Impressions

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by rxsz

The 6" one has 4-level gray scale, USB 1.1 and supports up to 4GB SD

The 5" Pocket Pro has 8-level gray scale, USB 2.0 and supports up to 16GB SD.

Not difficult to figure out which is the newer hardware. No amount of firmware change after the fact is gonna upgrade to USB 2.0, etc.

Robert mentioned in an earlier thread some time ago that the Mentor line has been updated and now support 8-level grey scale (not sure about USB2.0). I know their website isn't update as yet.

[El Macho]

I see. What caused my confusion is that on the Astak website they have the stats listed as 8-level. (Still a 4 GB limit on the memory.) Perhaps Newegg is selling the older model, then?

I have other questions, but I probably should start my own thread, don't want to derail this one.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by El Macho

I see. What caused my confusion is that on the Astak website they have the stats listed as 8-level. (Still a 4 GB limit on the memory.) Perhaps Newegg is selling the older model, then?

See Mentor Lite Version 2. I'm sure the 4 greyscales is just a typo, and Newegg has a good price because they don't sell as well as the EZ Reader Basic.

The Mentor Lite is essentially the same as the Cool-er from the UK, which had some teething problems early on but now seems like a viable option in the UK. So the Mentor Lite should be similarly stable. This also means that Netronix is getting bug reports and feature requests from a relatively large user base - which is important for long term viability. The device with this firmware has other names worldwide, and the hardware (EB600) is very widely used.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by rxsz

The 6" one has 4-level gray scale, USB 1.1 and supports up to 4GB SD

The 5" Pocket Pro has 8-level gray scale, USB 2.0 and supports up to 16GB SD.

Not difficult to figure out which is the newer hardware. No amount of firmware change after the fact is gonna upgrade to USB 2.0, etc.

you are talking about the EZ Reader basic vs. pocket pro. These are jinke devices but the original user was talking about Mentor which is a netronix device. It has 8 levels and newegg got it wrong.

Dale

[Tom2112]

Originally Posted by rxsz

The 6" one has 4-level gray scale, USB 1.1 and supports up to 4GB SD

The 5" Pocket Pro has 8-level gray scale, USB 2.0 and supports up to 16GB SD.

Not difficult to figure out which is the newer hardware. No amount of firmware change after the fact is gonna upgrade to USB 2.0, etc.

That's not correct. The 6" Mentor that I bought had 8 levels of grey.

[rxsz]

My apologies on my confusion. Since theezreader.com and astak.com shared the same physical address I figured they were the same company.

Bummer that theezreader.com did not list the Mentor line when I was trying to figure out which ereader to get.

Oh well, the Pocket Pro will just have to do till Apple's tablet comes along.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by rxsz

My apologies on my confusion. Since theezreader.com and astak.com shared the same physical address I figured they were the same company.

Bummer that theezreader.com did not list the Mentor line when I was trying to figure out which ereader to get.

Oh well, the Pocket Pro will just have to do till Apple's tablet comes along.

There are more than one companies operating out of the address.
Team Research is another one.

They are separate for business reasons (not an unusual practice for Wholesale and Retail operations)

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by theducks

There are more than one companies operating out of the address.
Team Research is another one.

They are separate for business reasons (not an unusual practice for Wholesale and Retail operations)

Well, actually they are one in the same in so far as eBook readers go. Astak markets both the Mentor line and the EZ Reader line of eBooks. Both web sites have the EZ Reader on them but the EZ Reader web site only has the EZ Reader. I would expect the Mentor to get its own web site sometime next year particularly as they get another model to sell.

Dale

[Tom2112]

Well, I just got my Astak Mentor back from "repair". I can't say that I'm impressed. The item appears to have shipped directly from Astak in San Jose California. There was a tiny note scrawled on a copy of the RMA. It reads:

To: Thomas
Replaced 1 set 6" Mentor to you.
S/N # EB4298V01079
Thanks!
12/21/09

Is that even English? What does that mean?

I opened it up, and tried out the "new" Mentor, and the SD card reader in it works EXACTLY the same as the one that I returned!

Did they even read my complaint?

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I got the exact same reader back. When I went to plug it in to charge it, the charger cable was still twist-tied in the exact length I had left it when I charged it the first time - the distance from the wall outlet in my living room to the arm of my couch. Hmmm...?

OK, since I went through the normal vendor channel last time, and it didn't appear to work, I'll ask RobertB for help. Maybe he can give me some answers.

Robert?

[Robertb]

I do not have all your info... but I hope I have enough. Could be that we did not get your note... I do not know yet. I will post what I find out on this and will get to the bottom of this.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Tom2112

Well, I just got my Astak Mentor back from "repair". I can't say that I'm impressed. The item appears to have shipped directly from Astak in San Jose California. There was a tiny note scrawled on a copy of the RMA. It reads:



Is that even English? What does that mean?

I opened it up, and tried out the "new" Mentor, and the SD card reader in it works EXACTLY the same as the one that I returned!

Did they even read my complaint?

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I got the exact same reader back. When I went to plug it in to charge it, the charger cable was still twist-tied in the exact length I had left it when I charged it the first time - the distance from the wall outlet in my living room to the arm of my couch. Hmmm...?

OK, since I went through the normal vendor channel last time, and it didn't appear to work, I'll ask RobertB for help. Maybe he can give me some answers.

Robert?

Dear Tom 2112:

We repair the EZ Reader line here. With the Mentor Lite, we cannot do the repair so we replace with a brand new one every time.

Yes, Elliott did remember you and did get your note. He took your unit and replaced it with a brand new one. We know you did get a new one.

The "click" when you go to seat the SD card is normal. ALL Mentor Lites do that. The factory wanted to ensure that people heard a positive click when inserting so they would know the card was seated properly. Elliott showed me on another new Mentor Lite and it also clicks. It works fine... it just will give a positive click. This is the way that particular SD card slot works. SD card slots are made by numerous manufacturers all over the world. The factory that makes the Mentor Lite researched until it got an excellent sub-vendor that builds SD card slots. It will give that positive "click" when you insert the card!

Not at all trying to argue, Tom. Just trying to help. I do want you happy.

I am sorry for the poor English on the note. Elliott is a fine tech who does a great job. He just is a bit limited when writing notes. I will talk to him and ensure a proper note in the future. That is a valid point!

[Tom2112]

Thanks a bunch for your diligence and the explanation, Robert. I appreciate it. I guess I could have avoided the whole issue if I had know that it was designed to work that way. I still think it is hard to get the card out, but as long as I'm assured that my sister won't break the SD card slot by using it, I'm fine with it, extra clicks and all.

Please tell Elliott thanks for the new Mentor!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Tom2112

Thanks a bunch for your diligence and the explanation, Robert. I appreciate it. I guess I could have avoided the whole issue if I had know that it was designed to work that way. I still think it is hard to get the card out, but as long as I'm assured that my sister won't break the SD card slot by using it, I'm fine with it, extra clicks and all.

Please tell Elliott thanks for the new Mentor!

Dear Tom:

It is always a pleasure to try to get answers. Sometimes I fail... but I do try to make people happy.

I figure Astak will never be a Kindle or Sony. We will and do have better devices... but will never have Payton Manning to speak for us on TV commercials. The ONLY way that I can figure that Astak can succeed is that we try to do a better job of using our smaller size to be more approachable and personable... and be faster to make changes and better our device line.

Sometimes, however, even I do not understand our ways. Why in heck we would have three devices and only list two on our main website is a challenge to me. The fact is that we have two factories manufacturing lines for us. Neither loves the idea that we are not solely for them. So we use the two website approach to keep peace.

The poor Mentor line will grow. CES will bring several new devices in that line. But, for right now, it is difficult to give enough spotlight to Mentor and it deserves it.

Thank you for your reply. I am grateful!

[Tom2112]

Five month update:

Well, I shipped the Mentor to my sister in Lebanon, and she loved it. She's been using it frequently since.

Unfortunately, the Mentor started giving her grief a little while ago - behaving strangely, and needing to be rebooted. Well, last week it finally died. The device only shows either a blank screen or the grey-scale bars "test image" that normally shows up during boot. It never makes it past the bars.

She contacted Astak customer support via email, but didn't get a response. (Maybe lost in her spam filter?) So I'm contacting them too. I'll post how it goes.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Tom2112

Five month update:

Well, I shipped the Mentor to my sister in Lebanon, and she loved it. She's been using it frequently since.

Unfortunately, the Mentor started giving her grief a little while ago - behaving strangely, and needing to be rebooted. Well, last week it finally died. The device only shows either a blank screen or the grey-scale bars "test image" that normally shows up during boot. It never makes it past the bars.

She contacted Astak customer support via email, but didn't get a response. (Maybe lost in her spam filter?) So I'm contacting them too. I'll post how it goes.

Dear Tom:

If your sister can do so, try the instructions I posted today on HOW to do a Firmware Upgrade on the Mentor LITE and where to find it. This may help.

If not, Ruby is standing by for your email! I sent you a PM on this.