Sony PRS-505 Still the best?

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by wn0x

I am under the impression the PRS-505 screen is the 6" version of the same screen on the PRS-300 (Pocket Edition), which is 5".

Is the contrast on the PRS-505 as good as the PRS-300 (Pocket Edition)?
If so, I would gladly purchase the older product. As I near 50, readability is becoming more important than any other feature.

I'm a decade older than you, and agree with you about readability. I own both the 300 and the 505. There's no discernible difference between the two on that point, as far as I can tell.

I suggest you think a little more about the 300. It is more portable than the 505, and if you intend to buy books from Sony, it seems to me that the 505 has more problems with the newer version of Reader Library. In fact, right now, RL freezes when I connect my 505 to it. I question whether the presence of flash card slots on the 505 is all that important. Both devices hold tons of reading material.

The 300 fits easily into a jacket pocket, and some pants pockets, particularly cargo pockets. So if you plan to take the device with you, you may be more likely to take the 300 than the 505.

I am at the point where I need to use reading glasses to read comfortably. If you are at the same point then I believe you will find the smallest font on the 300 sufficient for your needs. But if you don't exactly need reading glasses, and want to read the device without them, it might be that you will need to set the font at the medium setting. If this is the case, go with the 505, because you will need the extra acreage to keep the pages from being too short - i.e., from containing too few words.

So my advice to you is to take a look at the 300 and see if you can read comfortably at the small font setting. If so, buy the 300. Otherwise, go with the 505.

[GraceKrispy]

I donʻt pretend to know all about the various readers out there. What I know, I learned from MR

That being said, my love affair with my 505 started 16mo ago. I do like to check and see whatʻs new out there and what knowledgeable people (aka MRites) have to say about them, and I am still very thankful my husband made the choice to buy me a sony 505. If I had made the purchase at the time, I would have most likely chosen Kindle, as thatʻs the reader that spent a lot of ad money, so thatʻs the only one I knew of.

Originally Posted by Teddman

I agree with that; if Sony had a non-touch reader that added hyphenation support in full justification, fixed the firmware support for ePub, and added a dictionary, I'd think about upgrading. I don't know why they abandoned their non-touch line of readers besides the Pocket, especially when it came at a cost to screen contrast.

I think the same thing... I really donʻt like to touch my electronics any more than necessary, and I really dislike touching the screens. Hence my blackberry curve, not my blackberry storm. Itʻs like smudges on my glasses-- clear was not meant to be touched

Anyway, to the OP, I just have an ereader to read read read. If I had different needs, the 505 might not be my best bet. As I love to read books (mostly fiction and nonfiction without images/diagrams), I just want a reader that does just that, and does it well. The 505 still fits that need. And it does it well.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I donʻt pretend to know all about the various readers out there. What I know, I learned from MR

That being said, my love affair with my 505 started 16mo ago. I do like to check and see whatʻs new out there and what knowledgeable people (aka MRites) have to say about them, and I am still very thankful my husband made the choice to buy me a sony 505. If I had made the purchase at the time, I would have most likely chosen Kindle, as thatʻs the reader that spent a lot of ad money, so thatʻs the only one I knew of.



I think the same thing... I really donʻt like to touch my electronics any more than necessary, and I really dislike touching the screens. Hence my blackberry curve, not my blackberry storm. Itʻs like smudges on my glasses-- clear was not meant to be touched

Anyway, to the OP, I just have an ereader to read read read. If I had different needs, the 505 might not be my best bet. As I love to read books (mostly fiction and nonfiction without images/diagrams), I just want a reader that does just that, and does it well. The 505 still fits that need. And it does it well.

Yes, if the Sony 900 had a Wacom screen I would have considered buying it. A touch screen does make navigation a lot quicker and the reader can be used as a notebook. But a regular touch screen for a reader and finger prints all over it? And reduced readability due to the touch screen layer on top of the reading screen? Yes, some people are fine with it, but it seems Sony is losing a lot of customers with that decision.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I have just got my new DR800SG and I must say it is much better than the 505. The screen does look even better. Characters are crisper, that is especially noticeable for small size Chinese fonts. The background is also lighter, though that may be an optical illusion due to the light grey bezel. Page turns and navigation are very fast and convenient and that extra screen space really makes a big difference, the Sony displays very little text per page except at the smallest font size -- which is almost unusable for me. Overall size is almost the same as the 505. And after the upcoming firmware upgrade functionality will be among the best of all readers. The only major gripe I have is that there is no pen silo.

Where are the PICS???

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I have just got my new DR800SG and I must say it is much better than the 505. The screen does look even better. Characters are crisper, that is especially noticeable for small size Chinese fonts. The background is also lighter, though that may be an optical illusion due to the light grey bezel.

I would expect this. The 505 is a 600x800 pixel display and the DR800Sg is 768x1024 so at the same font size (based on eyeballing it) I would expect more detail on the DR800SG.

If I had the money I would consider this device myself. Until then my 505 will be fine.

Originally Posted by HansTWN

The only major gripe I have is that there is no pen silo.

That is somewhat of an oversight on their part.

[mandyoz]

Originally Posted by Graham

Hi Mandy,

If you're not so computer savvy then the type of Digital Rights Management (DRM) that the device you choose supports will be a major consideration for you.

Any of the devices will read DRM-free books, such as those available from Project Gutenberg, but with the others your choice is:

a) Get the Kindle, and buy books from Amazon only.
b) Get one of the other devices and buy books from most other sites, but not Amazon.

The good news is that you'll be very happy with any of the devices. (Caveat: I don't know much about the Astak.)


You can do not-particulary-legal computer stuff and convert the books from one format to another, stripping the DRM, but my impression is that you wouldn't want to have to get involved in that. That mechanism is the only way you can use purchased books from Amazon on one of the other devices, or indeed purchased books from other stores on the Kindle.

Also, your forum name suggests you are in Australia, so check the extent of the Amazon support there if you do choose the Kindle.

Graham

Hi Graham Thanks for the reply.:
Yes I am Australian.
You said exactly what I am thinking the DRM looks like it could be an issue for me. I have been told that I could down load Amazon or B&N to my PC and then "fine tune" to upload on my Kindle. Is it easy to convert files? I don't know if I can actually understand how to do it.

I have narrowed my choice to either Bebook Neo, which I can see in a local store - I like the idea of local support with operating advice and help setting up. Or the Kindle2 international.

Both have pros and cons. I like the book selection on Amazon but there are plenty of my favourite books not available on them. I have looked at other book sites but they seem more expensive and don't have the selection of Amazon especially the Lonely Planet range. Kindle looks easy to use
Nearly there with the decision but still not 100% convinced on Kindle 2.

Any more advice would be appreciated

[Vienna01]

I have a Sony 500. Today I compared it to a Sony 300. I was surprised. The 300's contrast was much stronger. The 300's background was much whiter.
I don't know if it is a different eink screen or the age of the 500.
You may wish to have the ability to reject the used 505 or to return it if it has low contrast. The problem may be unique to my 500 not all 500's. Of course it may not apply to the later 505.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Where are the PICS???

What exactly would you like to see? Comparison of the same page of the same book with the 505? A lot of pics are already available in the 8+ readers comparison by MGMueller. If you want anything specific, let me know.

One thing that surprised me is that non-linear reading works really well. For example on the calibre newspapers switching from one article to the TOC and on to the next article is extremely quick and easy. The reader reacts very quickly and the touch screen helps, too. Would be a real pain on the 505.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

I would expect this. The 505 is a 600x800 pixel display and the DR800Sg is 768x1024 so at the same font size (based on eyeballing it) I would expect more detail on the DR800SG.

If I had the money I would consider this device myself. Until then my 505 will be fine.

But the screen is 8.1" compared to 6" so the DPI is about the same.

Yes, the money... I am still saving money because I am not buying an iPad

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

What exactly would you like to see? Comparison of the same page of the same book with the 505? A lot of pics are already available in the 8+ readers comparison by MGMueller. If you want anything specific, let me know.

One thing that surprised me is that non-linear reading works really well. For example on the calibre newspapers switching from one article to the TOC and on to the next article is extremely quick and easy. The reader reacts very quickly and the touch screen helps, too. Would be a real pain on the 505.

Just jerking your chain a bit. Always interested in seeing pics of peoples new devices -- or certainly side-by-side if possible.

Enjoy!

[BuddyBoy]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

There's almost no reason to move up from the Ebookwise. Ebook devices manufacturers have been doing a *terrific* job of ignoring how the public would like to use them. Every new round gets new bells & whistles, but nobody's bothering to figure out what readers liked with the previous versions & keep that, while adding new features they actually want.

I loved my GEB1150/eBookwise 1150. Despite being a but bulky, it had a great hand feel, the eronomics were second to none, the page turns a breeze and the categorized bookself menu a joy.

BUT... the battery lasted 8-9 hours tops, and the total memory capacity with an external card topped out at 192K. Not to mention it used SmartMemory cards which were becoming rare as hens teeth.

I moved to the 500 originally for the long battery life and the high capacity. The 505 improved the contrast and has been my main reader ever since. I'm secretly delighted that after 7 years of buying a new reader every year, I've been content with the same model for almost three years now.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Just jerking your chain a bit. Always interested in seeing pics of peoples new devices -- or certainly side-by-side if possible.

Enjoy!

You can see plenty of comparison pictures in other threads. Maybe I will make a comparison photo over the weekend. Or rather, have my wife make it.

[ShellShock]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Because they completely ignored the fact that most people don't touch the words part of books while they're reading. And that the ability to hold the book & turn pages with one hand is a strong feature of ebooks, and adding the ability to use two hands (one to hold the device, one to "flip" to the next page) is not an advantage.

They noticed how popular the iPhone is, and thought that everyone wants a touchscreen for all their computer-device activities. Or they think that the line "touchscreen, like the iPhone!" will help them sell readers. They're under the impression that buttons are archaic distractions that new hardware & software will eliminate, rather than navigation devices that don't interfere with the reading itself.

What he said, with bells on.

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by Vienna01

The problem may be unique to my 500 not all 500's. Of course it may not apply to the later 505.

I'm afraid that you can't judge 505's from 500's - they're quite different readers with different screen hardware & yes, there's a noticable difference (improvement) when you compare a 505 with a 500!

[Graham]

Originally Posted by mandyoz

You said exactly what I am thinking the DRM looks like it could be an issue for me. I have been told that I could down load Amazon or B&N to my PC and then "fine tune" to upload on my Kindle. Is it easy to convert files? I don't know if I can actually understand how to do it.

Hi Mandy,

We can't advise you how to strip the DRM or provide a link on these forums as it is illegal in many countries. Google is your friend here, and there are people who would be willing to help you through private messages.

Many people here believe that DRM is wrong and are willing to go to the extent of stripping the DRM off the file as long as it is only for the personal use of moving it between their own devices.

However, although this is a reasonably simple process it does require you to download and install other applications on your PC, and you do then have the hassle of going through the process each time. An advantage, however, is that if all your files are free of DRM you can manage your collection in a single library program on your PC, such as the excellent, and free, Calibre.

If you want a hassle free life and guiltless sleep then you may want to ignore the ability to strip the DRM for now and make your choice based on the factors we've outlined. As mentioned these are boiling down for you to the Kindle and Amazon, or the BeBook and most other stores. I don't know either device, but from what I've read I would go for the BeBook and the flexibility. I expect the other stores will grow to compete pretty well with Amazon on both stock and price. After all, with ebooks we're not looking at acres of warehouse storage, we're just looking at deals with the publishers.

Graham