Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[griffonwing]

Maybe a moderator needs to rename this "The Massive Astak EZ Reader Mondo-Thread"

[Robertb]

Dear All:

When last I said anything on the Cool-er thread I was told to butt out. So I did. Here is a most recent post:

Device: none Let me relate to you my epic tale of misery and woe.

I ordered a Cool-er the moment they were available. As soon as I got it (very quick) I put it through its paces. I loved the eInk display. The menus were a bit clunky but fine. Although PDFs weren't great, ePub was a dream.

But clicking that bloody button was agony.

What the hell were they thinking when they designed this? I had decided to test the ergonomics of the device by reading A Study in Scarlett in one session. I read it in 40 mins if you include interruptions. It wasn't frigging War and Peace. But by the time I was done I had shooting pains and pins&needles in my arms. The pins&needles continued for two days.

Now, to be fair, I do spend my whole day typing at work, so my daily "bad ergonomics allowance" gets used up there. Perhaps someone who spends their day doing something other than clicking a mouse wouldn't experience the same problem. Maybe.

I emailed Interead and requested a refund as the stiff buttons meant it was not a practical replacement for a paper book. They said the stiffness was a feature rather than a flaw (hah!) but agreed to the refund. I was sad, because I really loved the eInk display, but glad Interead's reasonable attitude meant I hadn't wasted €250.

Oh yeah, the review - it doesn't matter what the software is like if you can't turn the damn page. Don't buy it.

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

When last I said anything on the Cool-er thread I was told to butt out. So I did. Here is a most recent post:.

Dear Robert

We do have a link feature here on MR. With that you may refer to the post you want to talk about. Errm, did you have a point?

No?
Thought so!

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

Today I read the thread on the Ectaco Jetbook. Gee, it is so hard to bite my tongue and shut up.

I know the Jetbook well from FRY's Electronics. They tell me some about the unrush of returns on that model.

What I cannot figure out is WHY people rave about a device with an LCD screen that has 8 formats and sells for $259 (what they quoted in the thread) when the EZ Reader Bundle Pack is often selling for $229, has E-Ink, comes with free leather case and a free 2GB SD card and card reader/writer, and does 14 formats. I did NOT post on that thread; but it is VERY hard to hold back.

If you don't know the difference between LCD used by calculator and jetBook TFT screen this thread about jetBook screen will be helpful:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45593
The information about price is wrong too. jetBook is available for $169-$199

[griffonwing]

What I like about the Jetbook is the design. I like the buttons along the front right, similar to the 505.

I suppose my main gripe is the TFT screen. And this is only gathered by what I have read in the threads, so take it for face value. It's not backlit, and there's no light, so you can't read it in the dark. Same with ePaper. They are even on that score.

However, I have heard that it fades under direct sunlight, just like an LCD screen. So you have a device that you can only read in either non-direct light, or shade. For people who read while on the bus, in the office, inside a restaurant, etc.., it'll be fine. But for those who wish to go to the park, in the fresh air (which is me), it simply will not do.

I was tempted to purchase one, but the PEZ offers much more to me for only a few dollars more.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

Dear Robert

We do have a link feature here on MR. With that you may refer to the post you want to talk about. Errm, did you have a point?

No?
Thought so!

Dear mtravellerh:

My point is only that I feel the Pocket PRO does not have these problems, costs less, offers many more recognized beneficial features, and also comes in colors.

My point is also that I want to prevent feedback like this when the Pocket PRO comes out by ensuring we do a good job of explaining the device in advance.

Lastly, I am not happy to see anybody so unsatisfied with their purchase. I hope we can prevent that.

[Robertb]

Dear All:

I promised I would post additional pictures of the Pocket PRO showing: the device in the open case, the scroll wheel, one of the indents that holds the unit to the case, the SD card slot and USB port, the battery door with screw and the tiny external speaker, and the unit displaying horizontally.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

Dear Robert

We do have a link feature here on MR. With that you may refer to the post you want to talk about. Errm, did you have a point?

No?
Thought so!

mtravellerh, I got Robert's point but am entirely missing yours. I thought moderators were here to help keep things civil, not try to stir things up with personal innuendos.

Why are the moderators so dead set against Astak? Robert provides us (who are interested) good information. Pointing out that there are links and perhaps providing instructions on how to use them would have been much more welcome than snide remarks, IMHO. Personally I'm getting fed up with moderator snipes at Robert & Astak. I would much prefer a less biased set of opinions coming from the moderators.

Apologies to the many other moderators who seem (IMO) to come across much more professionally.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

I promised I would post additional pictures of the Pocket PRO showing: the device in the open case, the scroll wheel, one of the indents that holds the unit to the case, the SD card slot and USB port, the battery door with screw and the tiny external speaker, and the unit displaying horizontally.

Robertb,

If I could offer some marketing feedback. And if it doesn't bother you, it is fine. It's just something I noticed. You have eight pictures, which I will number like this:
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8

I find pictures 1,2, and 7 a bit distracting. The problem is that you have displayed a page that has hard page breaks in the lines. As a result, the lines wrap around, and then break about 2/3's of the way around each second line and you have very choppy lines. I prefer picture 8 where the text flows seamlessly. However, in the ideal world if I was restaging this I would probably want a sample page that was had a one or two paragraphs.

Look at the typical Kindle 2 picture and you will see it has a header line, a large block of text, and a new paragraph near the bottom.

If you have a photoshop guru you don't have to retake the px, just replace the screen with a new screen shot. Even if you just made this replacement in the first pic, the full on screen one, it might be helpful.

[emellaich]

Robertb,

Don't know if you ever got around to noticing my earlier question. I had noticed some concerns about the text size on epub on the Hanlin software. There have been reports that the first size was way too small and the next was way too big. Is there any feedback from the factory yet? Is this something they expect to fix?

Thanks

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Robertb,

Don't know if you ever got around to noticing my earlier question. I had noticed some concerns about the text size on epub on the Hanlin software. There have been reports that the first size was way too small and the next was way too big. Is there any feedback from the factory yet? Is this something they expect to fix?

Thanks

Dear emellaich:

I have taken a copy of this post and will forward all of it to the factory to get an answer.

I think, my less-than-bright personal opinion is that they only have three font sizes and they were trying to make a large jump to satisfy the needs of those with poor eyesite. What I would really like to see is 5 font sizes graduated at 1.5 larger each time. I do not have any answers if they can do this with a firmware upgrade but I can find out!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Robertb,

If I could offer some marketing feedback. And if it doesn't bother you, it is fine. It's just something I noticed. You have eight pictures, which I will number like this:
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8

I find pictures 1,2, and 7 a bit distracting. The problem is that you have displayed a page that has hard page breaks in the lines. As a result, the lines wrap around, and then break about 2/3's of the way around each second line and you have very choppy lines. I prefer picture 8 where the text flows seamlessly. However, in the ideal world if I was restaging this I would probably want a sample page that was had a one or two paragraphs.

Look at the typical Kindle 2 picture and you will see it has a header line, a large block of text, and a new paragraph near the bottom.

If you have a photoshop guru you don't have to retake the px, just replace the screen with a new screen shot. Even if you just made this replacement in the first pic, the full on screen one, it might be helpful.

Dear emellaich:

Your comments and opinions are always learned and I welcome help. I will also forward this entire post to our graphics person and see if we can improve.

Kindle has SO many professionals on the payroll to do almost anything. I envy that capability. They are a good role model from that standpoint!

We will learn! Thank you for some good and helpful feedback!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by slayda

mtravellerh, I got Robert's point but am entirely missing yours. I thought moderators were here to help keep things civil, not try to stir things up with personal innuendos.

Why are the moderators so dead set against Astak? Robert provides us (who are interested) good information. Pointing out that there are links and perhaps providing instructions on how to use them would have been much more welcome than snide remarks, IMHO. Personally I'm getting fed up with moderator snipes at Robert & Astak. I would much prefer a less biased set of opinions coming from the moderators.

Apologies to the many other moderators who seem (IMO) to come across much more professionally.

Dear Slayda:

I really appreciate you standing up for me. But, I tend to hope that our friend the moderator meant well. Even moderators have their bad days and no harm was really done. What I do not want is for any of us to get into any trouble. The moderator was right and I did not make a point. I take his comments as he and I have very much to learn to work together... and I know that Dale and Wallcraft and others are the kindest but most incredibly knowledgeable people.

I like to think that all the moderators are as great as Dale and Wallcraft... and I think we all gain by just being nice and friendly. For the most part, this thread has survived and is posted to often because I feel we are (to some extent) all family here. We do not all agree... but we agree to disagree and I am not very good at posting and knowing MR ways.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

What I like about the Jetbook is the design. I like the buttons along the front right, similar to the 505.

I suppose my main gripe is the TFT screen. And this is only gathered by what I have read in the threads, so take it for face value. It's not backlit, and there's no light, so you can't read it in the dark. Same with ePaper. They are even on that score.

However, I have heard that it fades under direct sunlight, just like an LCD screen. So you have a device that you can only read in either non-direct light, or shade. For people who read while on the bus, in the office, inside a restaurant, etc.., it'll be fine. But for those who wish to go to the park, in the fresh air (which is me), it simply will not do.

I was tempted to purchase one, but the PEZ offers much more to me for only a few dollars more.

Dear All:

I have had quite a number of PM asking me to post more pictures of Griffonwing. I will try to find some suitable ones. I had a request for Griffonwing wrestling alligators and Griffonwing with a Tennesee Toothpick (Bowie Knife). I do not think it appropriate to post Griffowing in the buff!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All: I do not think it appropriate to post Griffowing in the buff!

Is this close enough? I figure this is appropriate since it's a thread devoted to ASS-tak