IREX DR800SG review - Page 4

badbob001 · 03-05-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Must be an intermittent bug - mine didn't go off to begin with, now it does, which is not to say that it will next time I charge it.

This is from a developer at IREX:

Quote:

There appears to be an issue with the green LED indication. It will turn green once the battery is fully charged, but immediately set to yellow/orange as soon as you do anything. This will be fixed in the next release.

So I'm guessing to get a green light, plug the device in but don't even breath on it until the light turns green.

TGS · 03-05-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbob001

So I'm guessing to get a green light, plug the device in but don't even breath on it until the light turns green.

That sounds about right. Noticed the green light after the unit had been charging all day, so I just unplugged it and so had no lights.

Incidentally, does anybody know whether it is "good for the battery" to let it discharge fully before recharging, as it used to be for old laptop batteries, or is it OK to keep it topped up?

mgmueller · 03-05-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

That sounds about right. Noticed the green light after the unit had been charging all day, so I just unplugged it and so had no lights.

Incidentally, does anybody know whether it is "good for the battery" to let it discharge fully before recharging, as it used to be for old laptop batteries, or is it OK to keep it topped up?

Thats what I understood from various threads:
For initial calibration, you should run through some cycles of full discharge/recharge.
"Calibration" I understand, simply means to adjust the battery meter, so the unit understands the difference between fully loaded and entirely discharged and the meter is correctly adjusted.
After those few cycles, perfect scenario would be, to permanently keep it about 40% charged. So, when not in use, I plug all my readers in once per week for a few hours. Seems favorable anyway, I've had some odd behaviors after full discharges.

That's not specific for iRex 800 or any other reader, but simply applies to the actual design of batteries.

Shaggy · 03-05-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

That sounds about right. Noticed the green light after the unit had been charging all day, so I just unplugged it and so had no lights.

Incidentally, does anybody know whether it is "good for the battery" to let it discharge fully before recharging, as it used to be for old laptop batteries, or is it OK to keep it topped up?

Standard 'best practices" for lithium ion batteries:

Small "top offs" are much better for them than full charges. Fully charging it is what reduces it's life expectancy, and they don't have a memory effect (which is why top offs used to be bad for older batteries).
Balanced with that is the issue of the meter calibration. The built in IC that reports on the charge level needs a full cycle every once in a while as a reference, otherwise the calibration can drift. That's why you've seen a couple reports that "out of the box" it will only charge up to around 95%. The calibration is slightly off.

Obviously, those two are at odds. Most recommendations are to top off for about 30 times or so, and then do a full charge/discharge cycle to correct the meter calibration.

For a brand new battery, you'll want to do a full charge/discharge cycle a couple of times to set the initial calibration. iRex used to say 5 cycles with their other devices, not sure if that still applies to the DR800, but I would assume so. The battery tech hasn't changed.

TGS · 03-05-2010, 04:05 PM

Thanks Shaggy and mgmueller for your answers - that's what I really like about this place - you have a question and somebody can always put you right.

superhero · 03-05-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

I posted this in another thread regarding Calibre settings for conversion:

I have two settings that I use, one gives 33 lines of text per page and the other gives 36 lines when set to the medium font size. Both of these fall between the small and medium settings on the 800. For 33 lines of text I use a base font of 11 and a font size key of 9,11,13,14,15,17,19. For 36 lines per page is us a base font of 10 with a key of 8,10,12,13,14,16,18.

I would love to see an additional value between the default small and medium settings, but for now the above calibre settings work perfectly.

Great!! Thank you.

snuffed · 03-09-2010, 02:50 AM

Something I've forgotten to ask all this time: is the irex able to read txt or .doc files?

pauli · 03-09-2010, 03:31 AM

txt, yes
doc, no
you can convert your doc files to pdf and read those on your dr800

snuffed · 03-11-2010, 01:56 AM

K thanks for that. I wonder why Irex left so many supported features out of their spec sheet (incl SDHC support and battery life etc).

Shaggy · 03-11-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snuffed

K thanks for that. I wonder why Irex left so many supported features out of their spec sheet (incl SDHC support and battery life etc).

MicroSD HC isn't officially supported. They say that there are too many "standards" by manufacturers that would make it difficult for them to guarantee that all of them will work. However, the device does recognize MicroSD HC and will accept it, provided that the particular card you get is compatible. They recommend testing a particular card first, or at least make sure you can return it if it isn't compatible.

As for battery life, there's a long history with iRex regarding battery life claims. They certainly seem to have gotten it right with the DR800, but I can also understand that they're a little gun shy in making any specific claims based on what has happened in the past.

jboardman · 03-11-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleidson

Hello folks, I'm a newcomer posting here, but I have already followed, for two months, a bunch of threads. My main intent on doing so is to reach the restless decision in choosing which eReader I should grab, Sony Daily Edition or Irex DR800SG. That said, I have followed mgmueller's always punctual and pertinent threads/posts, what has given me valuable points on.

I made a point of posting here for the first time inasmuch as this particular topic is a capital issue for my decision - dictionary. As I'm an English student and lover

(BTW, I do like to learn from my mistakes, so if I commit any, please, don't hesitate to correct them), this characteristic is mandatory. Thus, is there sure is this feature going with an ongoing firmware?

I purchased the Sony PRS800. I love it! It does EVERTYHING Sony said it would do, has a touch screen, note-taking ability, built in dictionary which can also be used as a stand-alone dictionary, large sceen (though not as large as the DR800), 3G connectivity and landscape orientation if you need it.

I read all the reviews of the DR800, and I guess, other than the larger screen, I'm not upset with my Sony purchase.

SCION · 03-11-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jboardman

I purchased the Sony PRS800. I love it! It does EVERTYHING Sony said it would do, has a touch screen, note-taking ability, built in dictionary which can also be used as a stand-alone dictionary, large sceen (though not as large as the DR800), 3G connectivity and landscape orientation if you need it.

I read all the reviews of the DR800, and I guess, other than the larger screen, I'm not upset with my Sony purchase.

I believe you mean the Sony PRS-900.

Gleidson · 03-12-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jboardman

I purchased the Sony PRS800. I love it! It does EVERTYHING Sony said it would do, has a touch screen, note-taking ability, built in dictionary which can also be used as a stand-alone dictionary, large sceen (though not as large as the DR800), 3G connectivity and landscape orientation if you need it.

I read all the reviews of the DR800, and I guess, other than the larger screen, I'm not upset with my Sony purchase.

Thanks for commenting, I'm about to buy the very Sony PRS-900. I reached the conclusion that's it has built-in everything a need; by contrast irex DR900GS is still rather raw for my taste!

rskolin · 03-12-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleidson

Thanks for commenting, I'm about to buy the very Sony PRS-900. I reached the conclusion that's it has built-in everything a need; by contrast irex DR900GS is still rather raw for my taste!

Let us know how it works out for you. I'm still on the fence on which e-reader to buy with so many more choices now and many more to soon follow.

jboardman · 04-17-2010, 08:03 PM

I have used the PRS900 for more than two months now. I still love it! I works perfectly, holds a charge, and is a pleasure to read on. I have probably read 10 books so far, and the New York Times is delivered wirelessly every morning. I replaced my Irex Iliad with the Sony, and the only thing I miss about the Irex is that it would give me the updated time every I turned the page. Now I have to look up at a clock (feel sorry for me?)!

Additionally, I have adorned my Sony with an Oberon cover, made for the Kindle 2. I had to modify the cover slightly, but it works well and looks great. If you want more information on the minor adjustments I made on the cover, email me and ask.

Again, I am completely satisfied with my Sony PRS900. I read the remarks and the slow progress being made at making the Irex DR800SG what it was advertised to be last August (2009), I'm happy I made the Sony leap!

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03-05-2010, 04:05 PM	#50
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	Thanks Shaggy and mgmueller for your answers - that's what I really like about this place - you have a question and somebody can always put you right.

03-09-2010, 02:50 AM	#52
snuffed Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: none	Something I've forgotten to ask all this time: is the irex able to read txt or .doc files?

03-09-2010, 03:31 AM	#53
pauli Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 119824 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: iLiad, DR1000S, HTC Hero, DR800SG	txt, yes doc, no you can convert your doc files to pdf and read those on your dr800

03-11-2010, 01:56 AM	#54
snuffed Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: none	K thanks for that. I wonder why Irex left so many supported features out of their spec sheet (incl SDHC support and battery life etc).

04-17-2010, 08:03 PM	#60
jboardman Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 62 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SW Michigan Device: kindle, sony PRS900, Irex Iliad	I have used the PRS900 for more than two months now. I still love it! I works perfectly, holds a charge, and is a pleasure to read on. I have probably read 10 books so far, and the New York Times is delivered wirelessly every morning. I replaced my Irex Iliad with the Sony, and the only thing I miss about the Irex is that it would give me the updated time every I turned the page. Now I have to look up at a clock (feel sorry for me?)! Additionally, I have adorned my Sony with an Oberon cover, made for the Kindle 2. I had to modify the cover slightly, but it works well and looks great. If you want more information on the minor adjustments I made on the cover, email me and ask. Again, I am completely satisfied with my Sony PRS900. I read the remarks and the slow progress being made at making the Irex DR800SG what it was advertised to be last August (2009), I'm happy I made the Sony leap!

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