Sony PRS-505 Still the best?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Teddman

And when it comes to screen contrast, it's not debatable--the 505 is still the best or equal to anything else.

It's certainly better than any device with a resistive touch screen, since this inevitably degrades the image quality somewhat. It's nice to see so many new devices being released with capacitive and Wacom touch screens, which have no impact on screen clarity.

[LDBoblo]

Rather incredible and disappointing that the 505 has not been thoroughly humiliated on absolutely every possible technological front. Sure, it's been eclipsed a bit here or there, and I think Harry's comments on it are certainly worthy of consideration. But the fact that it's even considered a decent reader today is a rather depressing.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Rather incredible and disappointing that the 505 has not been thoroughly humiliated on absolutely every possible technological front. Sure, it's been eclipsed a bit here or there, and I think Harry's comments on it are certainly worthy of consideration. But the fact that it's even considered a decent reader today is a rather depressing.

Agreed! But I think, as I said, there are a number of devices waiting in the wings and will likely be released in the coming year.

[wn0x]

I want to thank everyone for their comments. What a great community!

My top priority was a high contrast, low glare screen. If the PRS-300 had been a 6" device I probably would have purchased that new, instead of looking for a used PRS-505 and just lived with lack of expandible memory.

My primary use for the device will be reading. I don't need the device to do much else..., so if it does that well, I'm happy.

I would love to get many of my favorite science fiction books on the device so I can keep my library with me. I have a few reference PDF's I would like to keep on hand as well. I volunteer as a HAZMAT technician and COM leader (OEC COML) for an emergency response team so wanted something I could throw in my Go kit on a moments notice for reference and for keeping entertained during down time. We do not count on having wireless of any kind at a destination.

I have looked at several different models, my purely subjective thoughts based on my needs are as follows:

Sony Pocket Edition - Pros: High contrast, easy to read display, navigation was intuitive, small size, good PDF support. Cons: Memory not expandible, no wireless option. I would have prefered a 6" screen.

Sony Touch and Daily Reader editions - Pros: Intuitive and responsive touch interface, expandible memory, wireless capabilities depending on model, annotation, great PDF support, standard Mini-USB connector and seperate charging port, field replaceable battery.

Cons: Screen contrast is poor compared to other models. I can't image reading a book on this device.

B&N Nook - Pros: Good but not great screen contrast, Wireless & WiFi capable, expandible memory, field replaceable battery.

Cons: Perfomance of device at store was sluggish. I found the second color screen distracting and the touch interface a bit difficult (sluggish) to navigate. Micro instead of mini USB port. I could really do without the second color screen and would rather have had a smaller profile device instead. Seemed "heavy" in my hands.

Amazon Kindle - Pros: Good high contrast screen, wireless & Wifi capabile, adequate PDF support.

Cons: Memory not expandible, limited electronic formats, I didn't care for the keyboard at the bottom of the unit. Screen and page navigation didn't seem as intuitive as the Sony devices, but much better than the Nook.

I am gambling on the reputation of the PRS-505 and comments by other posters that its screen is as good or better than the PRS-300. I have not used one however. The additional memory storage pushed me over the edge in terms of buying this device.

Thanks,

Rich

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I hate full justification, particularly for science reading where there tend to be large words, you end up with vast whitespaces between words and it makes reading a pita! If the software could handle it in the same say as print then I'd more approve of it, but as it stands any full justification on ereader devices sucks.

I second that.

Another thing to consider is the OP indicated he is older (like me) and requires a good screen, but he most likely requires a larger font size too.

The larger the font size the worst full justification looks. I know from experience of using larger fonts (to avoid reading glasses) that left justification provides a smoother reading experience.

[wn0x]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Personally, I'd suggest looking at the Pocketbook 360 for a 5" device, the BeBook Neo / Onyx Book 60 for a 6" device, or the iRex DR800SG as an 8" device. All are, IMHO considerably better than the Sony.

HarryT,

Do you happen to know how the contrast on the BeBook Neo compares to the PRS-505?

Rich

[Teddman]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Rather incredible and disappointing that the 505 has not been thoroughly humiliated on absolutely every possible technological front. Sure, it's been eclipsed a bit here or there, and I think Harry's comments on it are certainly worthy of consideration. But the fact that it's even considered a decent reader today is a rather depressing.

Why is it depressing? Nowadays when the latest electronic gadget seems to be out of date almost before you get home from the store, I find it encouraging that a well-built reader is still a viable choice two years down the road. And it's certainly a happy thing for the owners of the 505, who don't feel a need to replace what continues to be a perfectly fine reader.

I like the 505 so much that I actually bought a back-up unit while they can still be found for sale relatively cheap online.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by Teddman

Why is it depressing? Nowadays when the latest electronic gadget seems to be out of date almost before you get home from the store, I find it encouraging that a well-built reader is still a viable choice two years down the road. And it's certainly a happy thing for the owners of the 505, who don't feel a need to replace what continues to be a perfectly fine reader.

I like the 505 so much that I actually bought a back-up unit while they can still be found for sale relatively cheap online.

Simply put, the 505 is a pretty lousy piece of equipment, and reflects the incredibly underdeveloped state of the ebook industry. What's depressing is that there's been a broad proliferation of clone devices that offer virtually no actual innovation, but rather just a few lame gimmicks without fixing any fundamental problems.

It is not that the 505 is a rugged product that can stand the test of time...it is simply not a very good product. It should have been obsolesced in the 1990s. Then, to add insult to injury for the minority of ebook enthusiasts who have quality standards, nobody else has decided to actually develop anything good either. I'm aware that many people have no such expectations (as are the ebook reader manufacturers, apparently), but for those of us who do, it's very disheartening.

Originally Posted by kennyc

Agreed! But I think, as I said, there are a number of devices waiting in the wings and will likely be released in the coming year.

I've got my fingers crossed too.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Simply put, the 505 is a pretty lousy piece of equipment, and reflects the incredibly underdeveloped state of the ebook industry. What's depressing is that there's been a broad proliferation of clone devices that offer virtually no actual innovation, but rather just a few lame gimmicks without fixing any fundamental problems.

It is not that the 505 is a rugged product that can stand the test of time...it is simply not a very good product. It should have been obsolesced in the 1990s. Then, to add insult to injury for the minority of ebook enthusiasts who have quality standards, nobody else has decided to actually develop anything good either. I'm aware that many people have no such expectations (as are the ebook reader manufacturers, apparently), but for those of us who do, it's very disheartening.

I think it's fair to say that yours is a minority opinion around here .

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think it's fair to say that yours is a minority opinion around here .

Which I acknowledged in my post. It's unfortunate, but true that quality expectations are pretty rare in this community.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Which I acknowledged in my post. It's unfortunate, but true that quality expectations are pretty rare in this community.

I'm not sure where you're coming from on that. The 505 is quite high quality-wise compared to some of the other readers out there - the kindle with it's plastic case and buttons for example.

If you are talking about "features" that's a different matter which depends very much on user expectations. In my case I simply want to be able to read books (mostly fiction) and the 505 is exceptionally good at that task.

If you have other or unreasonable expectations then you are probably not actually interested in ebook readers, but some other device.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I'm not sure where you're coming from on that. The 505 is quite high quality-wise compared to some of the other readers out there - the kindle with it's plastic case and buttons for example.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the use of modern high-density plastics as a constructional material; they are every bit as good as aluminium, which the Sony is made from.

There is also the entirely practical point that the Kindle could not have a metal case unless it had some kind of external antenna, because the metal would block the 3G cellular signal.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the use of modern high-density plastics as a constructional material; they are every bit as good as aluminium, which the Sony is made from.

There is also the entirely practical point that the Kindle could not have a metal case unless it had some kind of external antenna, because the metal would block the 3G cellular signal.

I don't disagree, but I guess what I'm trying to understand is what LDBoblo means by "quality?" It seems to be something different than I have in mind.

[HarryT]

He's talking about the screens. He's not a fan of eInk screens.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I'm not sure where you're coming from on that. The 505 is quite high quality-wise compared to some of the other readers out there - the kindle with it's plastic case and buttons for example.

Don't tell Airbus that plastic is cheap and low quality. considering the make most of the air frame out of it.

BOb