IREX DR800SG review - Page 5

Drop Bear · 04-17-2010, 10:25 PM

I was looking at the PRS900 but opted for the iRex. Clearly the Sony has a more comprehensive and complete OS. The one thing that has made me not regret buying the iRex over the Sony (other than telling people 'It's Dutch') is forums such as these where the developers listen (and hopefully implement) deficiencies recognised in their product. Plus, they openly encourage 3rd party hacking and experimenting. I like it and since the 2.0 beta (and hopefully a much more refined gold release) said deficiencies are less and less.

Mike_73 · 04-25-2010, 06:17 AM

I've just checked some video reviews of the irex. I'm not sure how old they were, but I cannot believe that it works pdfs so well on one side (fast, clear) but there's no zooming for the pages (I think I would miss this greatly, and I prefer a finished product).
Having no zoom seems just unfinished. Will they (seriously, not just promising) provide an update for this ?

TGS · 04-25-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_73

I've just checked some video reviews of the irex. I'm not sure how old they were, but I cannot believe that it works pdfs so well on one side (fast, clear) but there's no zooming for the pages (I think I would miss this greatly, and I prefer a finished product).
Having no zoom seems just unfinished. Will they (seriously, not just promising) provide an update for this ?

There's a beta version of the firmware upgrade out at the moment, which has pdf zoom - a number of people on here have been using it and feeding back to IREX. I suspect the public release of the new firmware is immanent but there is no definite date that I know of.

Mike_73 · 04-25-2010, 06:47 AM

Thanks for the info. I did some more checking, and I find it astonishing that you can take notes but cannot get the notes off to a pc. Hmm.
Anyways, if I were in the US for vacation, I would surely have a look at the device.
If the firmware gets to a point where it's more comparable to the Sony, I guess I'll have a friend pick up one for me and send it via mail. I mean there's a 200Euro difference between the European and the US model.
I don't get behind irex pricing poitics. I mean (maybe it isn't like it looks, but....) the European model seems like a stripped down model to the US one.

rhari79 · 04-25-2010, 08:03 AM

Hi,
I have been out of the Irex forums for a while. My IliadBE is in India and I am stuck with a sturdy but boring KDX.

I did like my IliadBE, but some of the shortcomings reduced its usefulness: battery life, slow, Not sturdy build quality, Line Out errors and many many more h/w issues. It spent a lot of time hopping across continents.

The DR800 review seems to show the device a new one, not much as an evolution.
Is it possible for anyone who has an iliad/BE and a DR800 to post a comparison?
Basically, from an existing Iliad user perspective, what does DR800 improve on?
Pros--there are quite a few, any cons?

Also is it wise to trust Irex on their word about firmware updates? They have a history of ditching their products.

TGS · 04-25-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhari79

Basically, from an existing Iliad user perspective, what does DR800 improve on?
Pros--there are quite a few, any cons?

Also is it wise to trust Irex on their word about firmware updates? They have a history of ditching their products.

My DR800 was my first reader so can't really compare it to the Iliad - but from what I hear battery life is much improved, which I think was a major bugbear with earlier devices - certainly I have no problems with battery life. Being a creature of habit I tend to charge it overnight on the same night every week. It gets pretty heavy usage - 3 hours a day on average - and it has never shown below 40%.

IREX developers take an active part in discussions on Mobileread - I've yet to encounter another company that is so involved with its users. IREX said the firmware update would be out in April - the beta version certainly was and the public version may well be. But if it runs into May before it's released that's fine - given that they are listening to users and not hiding themselves away.

I can understand users of Iliads being somewhat pissed at IREX, but for me they are doing a good job.

Mike_73 · 04-25-2010, 11:02 AM

I'll wait until I see posts that it's good for general reading and good pdf support. But maybe, in the meantime, there'll be other readers out doing the same so that there's finally some competition, too. I'm looking either at the ASUS line with bigger readers or some of the displays showing color. I'm really curious what comes next.

rhari79 · 04-26-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

I can understand users of Iliads being somewhat pissed at IREX, but for me they are doing a good job.

The DR800 was released say a couple of months ago. So of course IRex will be jumping to support it now.
I can see that Sony is still trying to recognize the PRS500 as their device after maybe 3-4 yrs of life(Libre forgotten though), through exchange offers etc.,

Ignoring software updates, The iliad as a device felt like some semi-cheap plastic bounding a fragile but beautiful screen.
Too many hardware issues..line out errors, lose battery, easily broken screen, battery, crazy bulky accessories, and all this gathering frequent flyer miles.

The best selling point of DR800 is its vastly improved battery life.

But I would really like to know what else apart from this? Any improvements on the above shortcomings in the iliad?

The boring KDX really feels solid. It just needs some waking up via a few updates.

Shaggy · 04-26-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_73

Thanks for the info. I did some more checking, and I find it astonishing that you can take notes but cannot get the notes off to a pc. Hmm.

I believe there is already an application that does that. I don't know if it's 100% working yet, or if it's still being tested. There are other threads on here talking about it.

Franky · 04-30-2010, 02:57 AM

i took a couple with me to europe. de price difference is madness and doesn't make any sense at all. besides that, I'm absolutely happy with the dr800sg, even if i can't use the 3g function. the missing function is a go-to function. yes, you can search a word, but not jump to a certain page. very strange that such a function is not there. our sony prs505, what is a great device to for starters, will leave the house soon.

Mr. Goodbar · 04-30-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franky

i took a couple with me to europe. de price difference is madness and doesn't make any sense at all. besides that, I'm absolutely happy with the dr800sg, even if i can't use the 3g function. the missing function is a go-to function. yes, you can search a word, but not jump to a certain page. very strange that such a function is not there. our sony prs505, what is a great device to for starters, will leave the house soon.

The "go to" function is there in the beta 2.0 release. I've been using this release since it's launch and I would characterize it as a great improvement and the most stable beta release of any software I've ever used. Great job iRex.

Franky · 04-30-2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

The "go to" function is there in the beta 2.0 release. I've been using this release since it's launch and I would characterize it as a great improvement and the most stable beta release of any software I've ever used. Great job iRex.

wow, that means i'm missing something here. now, i did 2 updates via my laptop. that is 1.0-build1000 and default-content. for both i was instructed by the Irex website. could you tell me when this beta 2.0 release will be official? i would like to get that option to.

Mickey330 · 04-30-2010, 09:09 AM

Hey, Franky -

If you go to the i-to-i blog, there's a post there that details where to to to download a copy of the beta to put on your DR800. It also contains instructions on HOW to do the download and transfer to your device.

The link is here (apologies if it doesn't post as a clickable link - if it doesn't, please just cut'n'paste): http://i-to-i.irexnet.com/

And yes, the beta has the go-to function ... which works very well (and is quite welcomed).

Happy reading!

Marilyn

Franky · 04-30-2010, 09:37 AM

excellent. thank you very much, Marilyn. great help and it works perfect.

i also added a line in the dr-file, but that doesn't show up anymore. i mean, the line is there, but on the reader the pictogram is gone. is that correct?
this line I mean: /apps/er/sys/ctb/showdir=sdcard what give you an extra pictogram.

Bic · 04-30-2010, 02:42 PM

Have they installed a dictionary yet?

04-30-2010, 09:37 AM	#74
Franky Nameless Being	excellent. thank you very much, Marilyn. great help and it works perfect. i also added a line in the dr-file, but that doesn't show up anymore. i mean, the line is there, but on the reader the pictogram is gone. is that correct? this line I mean: /apps/er/sys/ctb/showdir=sdcard what give you an extra pictogram. Last edited by Franky; 04-30-2010 at 02:22 PM.

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04-17-2010, 10:25 PM	#61
Drop Bear Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: dr800sg	I was looking at the PRS900 but opted for the iRex. Clearly the Sony has a more comprehensive and complete OS. The one thing that has made me not regret buying the iRex over the Sony (other than telling people 'It's Dutch') is forums such as these where the developers listen (and hopefully implement) deficiencies recognised in their product. Plus, they openly encourage 3rd party hacking and experimenting. I like it and since the 2.0 beta (and hopefully a much more refined gold release) said deficiencies are less and less.

04-25-2010, 06:17 AM	#62
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I've just checked some video reviews of the irex. I'm not sure how old they were, but I cannot believe that it works pdfs so well on one side (fast, clear) but there's no zooming for the pages (I think I would miss this greatly, and I prefer a finished product). Having no zoom seems just unfinished. Will they (seriously, not just promising) provide an update for this ?

04-25-2010, 06:47 AM	#64
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	Thanks for the info. I did some more checking, and I find it astonishing that you can take notes but cannot get the notes off to a pc. Hmm. Anyways, if I were in the US for vacation, I would surely have a look at the device. If the firmware gets to a point where it's more comparable to the Sony, I guess I'll have a friend pick up one for me and send it via mail. I mean there's a 200Euro difference between the European and the US model. I don't get behind irex pricing poitics. I mean (maybe it isn't like it looks, but....) the European model seems like a stripped down model to the US one.

04-25-2010, 08:03 AM	#65
rhari79 Addict Posts: 375 Karma: 2200000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Device: .*	Hi, I have been out of the Irex forums for a while. My IliadBE is in India and I am stuck with a sturdy but boring KDX. I did like my IliadBE, but some of the shortcomings reduced its usefulness: battery life, slow, Not sturdy build quality, Line Out errors and many many more h/w issues. It spent a lot of time hopping across continents. The DR800 review seems to show the device a new one, not much as an evolution. Is it possible for anyone who has an iliad/BE and a DR800 to post a comparison? Basically, from an existing Iliad user perspective, what does DR800 improve on? Pros--there are quite a few, any cons? Also is it wise to trust Irex on their word about firmware updates? They have a history of ditching their products.

04-25-2010, 11:02 AM	#67
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I'll wait until I see posts that it's good for general reading and good pdf support. But maybe, in the meantime, there'll be other readers out doing the same so that there's finally some competition, too. I'm looking either at the ASUS line with bigger readers or some of the displays showing color. I'm really curious what comes next.

04-30-2010, 02:57 AM	#70
Franky Nameless Being	i took a couple with me to europe. de price difference is madness and doesn't make any sense at all. besides that, I'm absolutely happy with the dr800sg, even if i can't use the 3g function. the missing function is a go-to function. yes, you can search a word, but not jump to a certain page. very strange that such a function is not there. our sony prs505, what is a great device to for starters, will leave the house soon.

04-30-2010, 09:09 AM	#73
Mickey330 Addict Posts: 378 Karma: 1107420 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Western New York state (USA) Device: Kindle Oasis & the Kindle app on iDevices	Hey, Franky - If you go to the i-to-i blog, there's a post there that details where to to to download a copy of the beta to put on your DR800. It also contains instructions on HOW to do the download and transfer to your device. The link is here (apologies if it doesn't post as a clickable link - if it doesn't, please just cut'n'paste): http://i-to-i.irexnet.com/ And yes, the beta has the go-to function ... which works very well (and is quite welcomed). Happy reading! Marilyn

04-30-2010, 02:42 PM	#75
Bic Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 2340 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle or Sony	Have they installed a dictionary yet?

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