I'm in Aussieland and need some help deciding on an eReader

[sabredog]

That PC user article is really biased towards the Kindle 2. To be fair, before the Kobo exploded onto the Australian market, it was about the easiest ereader to get hold of.

E-ink devices will read comics surprising well and Calibre can convert CBZ/CBR comic formats to LRF using a simple plug in. Though in that case you would need a Sony reader for LRF functionality. These can be purchased internationally with the added expense of postage costs. Look at the thread here;

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ewpost&t=11123

Geographic restrictions are the biggest concern for those living outside of the US/CAN locale and my belief is that it dwarfs DRM as a major problem and reason ebook piracy is increasing. VPN is a good friend to have to assist avoiding this restriction.

The Kobo is the best bet for a AU$200 reader that can display ePUB format ebooks. Alternatively wait until more cheap tablets like the Chinese android powered iPad knockoff appear.

I have heard some negative comments about the Officeworks ereader.

Also, the Kindle and Nook can still allow you to read books not purchased from the parent stores.

[jankrix]

about the sony reader, what are the cons and pros, maybe for the prs 300 since it's the cheapest model

regarding the android powered tablet, my consideration is the battery life, although I love the versatility of android devices.

I don't really in favor of having 2 weeks battery life or anything more, while it's good to have, for me, 4-5 days of battery life is perfectly adequate, so i guess I really wait for eInk devices

gotta check angus robertson tomorrow, hopefully they have a kobo demo unit there...been tempting to pocketbook also but the price is nowhere I can pay.

[HarryT]

The Kobo is cheap, but its firmware is just awful. It has major, major problems displaying ePub books unless they are specially tweaked to by-pass its display bugs. Personally I'd avoid it like the plague.

[jankrix]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kobo is cheap, but its firmware is just awful. It has major, major problems displaying ePub books unless they are specially tweaked to by-pass its display bugs. Personally I'd avoid it like the plague.

so henry, do you have suggestion of which ereader I hope I have enough money to get the pocketbook 302, watch their reviews but it's simply too expensive for my pocket

[jehane]

Hi jankrix

I bought the Sony 300 when I was travelling in the USA in May. I am really enjoying it so far. I read novels, including library books. It sometimes has problems with PDFs but ePubs display well. The only images I have seen are book covers, which seem to display well, although I don't pay a lot of attention to them, so I don't know whether they'd be good enough for your needs. If you are in the Canberra region we can arrange to meet up if you want to have a look.

[jankrix]

Originally Posted by jehane

Hi jankrix

I bought the Sony 300 when I was travelling in the USA in May. I am really enjoying it so far. I read novels, including library books. It sometimes has problems with PDFs but ePubs display well. The only images I have seen are book covers, which seem to display well, although I don't pay a lot of attention to them, so I don't know whether they'd be good enough for your needs. If you are in the Canberra region we can arrange to meet up if you want to have a look.

Thanks for the offer jehane , I'm in Sydney unfortunately...I'm now seeking the possibility to use freight forward (dunno if I use false term, new to this stuff) services such as priceUSA, comGateway, etc. to buy Nook wifi to australia.

Kobo is my only alternatives so far because of the price and I saw that the developer seems pretty active here in mobile read. Sony devices so far just another alternatives since I need to buy it overseas also...

[sabredog]

Try Borderlynx as well. Free and works similar to those you mentioned

[jankrix]

Originally Posted by sabredog

Try Borderlynx as well. Free and works similar to those you mentioned

my curiosity so far sabredog, if I'm buying from freight forwarder like borderlinx, and there's problem with the unit, how should I claim the warranty, having understand that BN will only ship to US address...I'm kinda confused with how I should work with this matter if it happen

[sabredog]

Therein lies the problem I guess. There is little choice available to Australians other than the Kobo and Kindle 2.

All the others need to be purchased "on the sly" from the US and thus the warranty does not apply.

The best thing to do is ask the distributor if they would sell to Australia and still honour a warranty. I decided that the risk was mine purchasing a Sony with no Australian warranty.

The PRS-300 is a great ereader, except it will not full justify ePUB's as it has an older version of ADE. appart from that, mine works a dream.

[kgn]

Originally Posted by sabredog

Therein lies the problem I guess. There is little choice available to Australians other than the Kobo and Kindle 2.

All the others need to be purchased "on the sly" from the US and thus the warranty does not apply.

The best thing to do is ask the distributor if they would sell to Australia and still honour a warranty. I decided that the risk was mine purchasing a Sony with no Australian warranty.

Well, buying from the USA or (anywhere else) is not really 'on the sly'. There is a still a valid warranty - you just have to get it back to the place that sold it to you. It will cost a bit more in freight, that is all.

I have found that the warranty problem is not an issue, at least not for me. The difference in price for the same object in Australia (if it is available, which is usually not the case) is so great, I can assume the cost of my own warranty.

For example, I recently bought a Pronto remote control from the USA for around $600. The local price in Australia (and there is only one dealer) is over $1800. I can afford to have TWO total write-offs of my Pronto before I even come close to what it would cost me here for one unit. ie warranty is NOT an issue - I simply chuck away the old one, and buy myself a new unit - it is still vastly cheaper.

eBooks are slightly different - we simply do not have that many here. Most are pretty basic units, and except for a couple of models, fairly expensive. The Kindle is so restrictive I would never buy one, but a good price.

I chose to buy from the USA - as I have a lot of other stuff. I have NEVER had a problem. It is often faster getting stuff from The USA than from Melbourne, so that is not an issue either. The exchange rate is not bad at the moment either - unlike with Europe.

And why use a freight-forwarder?? I have never used one. I bought my Pocketbook 302 (a truly top reader) through this forum. No problems at all.

[jankrix]

Originally Posted by kgn

And why use a freight-forwarder?? I have never used one. I bought my Pocketbook 302 (a truly top reader) through this forum. No problems at all.

well because BN is the sole agent of NOOK and they didn't sell it internationally lately, if I have family or friends in the state I'll ask for their help to get me one and ship it for me, but I have none, so the only way is to use other option which is freight forwarder, or maybe you have other idea?

[kgn]

Originally Posted by jankrix

so henry, do you have suggestion of which ereader I hope I have enough money to get the pocketbook 302, watch their reviews but it's simply too expensive for my pocket

I can recommend the 302. I am an Australian, and I got one a few weeks back through this forum. Top machine. It might be a bit dearer than some (around AUD$440 all inclusive), but it is around the same price (cheaper?) than getting a Hanlin locally. And of course it is a far better machine.

I had the view that I would be spending a LOT of time with this item - so I did not want a cheap unit that would annoy me every time I used it. After all, as they say, the cost is forgotten in days - the enjoyment lasts for years.

I also have a cheap Pico Stash that I bought in Officeworks (for $129). That is not a bad unit for the cost, but there is no comparison. The PB302 is in a different league.

I spend about 2-3 hours a day with my PB302. I have also been camping with it and used it 18 hours a day. The only problem I have found with the 302 is the cover it comes with. I replaced that with a cheap one from ebay (made for the Kindle), and now it is perfect.

[kgn]

Originally Posted by jankrix

so henry, do you have suggestion of which ereader I hope I have enough money to get the pocketbook 302, watch their reviews but it's simply too expensive for my pocket

Why not the PB 360 then?

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by kgn

Well, buying from the USA or (anywhere else) is not really 'on the sly'. There is a still a valid warranty - you just have to get it back to the place that sold it to you. It will cost a bit more in freight, that is all.

Using a US based forwarding address might be construed that way. Sony readers are not available for sale to Australia currently, though you can purchase via eBay or reseller.

Sony would well be within their rights to dishonour a warranty because you purchased a product not for the Australian market and used a third party to do so.

I have found that the warranty problem is not an issue, at least not for me. The difference in price for the same object in Australia (if it is available, which is usually not the case) is so great, I can assume the cost of my own warranty.

For example, I recently bought a Pronto remote control from the USA for around $600. The local price in Australia (and there is only one dealer) is over $1800. I can afford to have TWO total write-offs of my Pronto before I even come close to what it would cost me here for one unit. ie warranty is NOT an issue - I simply chuck away the old one, and buy myself a new unit - it is still vastly cheaper.

I chose to buy from the USA - as I have a lot of other stuff. I have NEVER had a problem. It is often faster getting stuff from The USA than from Melbourne, so that is not an issue either. The exchange rate is not bad at the moment either - unlike with Europe.

Certainly agree with you there and I do this myself regularly. I have purchased items from overseas now for over 10 years with the same belief that replacing an item purchased elsewhere is a far cheaper option than buying that item here from a sole trader who sells that item for an exorbitant price anywhere in Australia.

eBooks are slightly different - we simply do not have that many here. Most are pretty basic units, and except for a couple of models, fairly expensive. The Kindle is so restrictive I would never buy one, but a good price.

And why use a freight-forwarder?? I have never used one. I bought my Pocketbook 302 (a truly top reader) through this forum. No problems at all.

Sometimes you may well need to use a freight forwarder for any item you might wish to purchase, hence their reason for existence and Borderlynx even send out shopping catalogues! You cannot buy a Sony reader direct from Sony, but can through a reseller (eBay as well) who will send to Australia. The Astak you can buy direct and I believe, the Jetbook range. I have not looked at the Pocketbook or Nook and I am not too keen on them (a purely personal opinion)

Boils down to choice.

However I know one thing. The ereader has finally arrived in a big way here in Australia. With the Kobo there is no need to spend huge amounts on a specialist device or one format locked to one company. Better still, Sony are making a return now the Aussie market seems reader for ereaders. Such an offered range is a good thing!

[goodscoolwf]

Hi Kat
Maybe the BookCreator Tool v3.0 is what you find. Just have a try!