First thoughts on my new Pocket Pro

[skoobwoman]

I sold my Sony 700 and bought one of the new 5" Pocket Pro readers. It just arrived today. Some thoughts:

Positive:

1. I was impressed that for $199 it came with both a decent case and a 2 gb memory card and even earbuds.
2. It's so very tiny and light!
3. FOLDERS!!!
4. It does PDF reflow very well--much better than the Sony Reader did
5. It seems to read HTML files well also

Negative:

1. Nothing is intuitive--you have to read the manual and try to remember which button to press when. The buttons are numbered and you have to know to press #8 to increase font, for instance.
2. It doesn't do very well with word files surprisingly. When I tried to increase the font size enough to read the file, it automatically flipped to landscape view which I found uncomfortable. It didn't just reflow like it does with the other files I tried. I figure since I can easily reformat Word files myself, this isn't a big deal just annoying.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. PDF, Word and HTML files are the only formats I've tested out. I'll post when I've had a chance to try out other formats--particularly PRC/Mobi

[DaleDe]

Study the icons next to the numbers to learn what to do. The magnifying glass on the 8 key is zoom (magnify).

The fact that it even reads word files in a decent fashion is amazing. No other reader does as well. Yes there are only 2 zoom levels as it maintains the page format from the word file. I agree that it could learn to wrap the paragraphs but this support has not changed in several years. You can certainly make word files with larger font that will work very well in this reader, as apposed to the Sony 700 that can't read them at all.

Each format is a bit different and a few don't work all that well with larger files but all in all the mobi works well. Palm DOC works well. Check my Hanlin eBook formats in the wiki for a start on the differences.

Dale

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Each format is a bit different and a few don't work all that well with larger files but all in all the mobi works well. Palm DOC works well. Check my Hanlin eBook formats in the wiki for a start on the differences.

Dale

Try Epub and FB2 - I thought they worked about the best.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by skoobwoman

I sold my Sony 700 and bought one of the new 5" Pocket Pro readers. It just arrived today. Some thoughts:

Positive:

1. I was impressed that for $199 it came with both a decent case and a 2 gb memory card and even earbuds.
2. It's so very tiny and light!
3. FOLDERS!!!
4. It does PDF reflow very well--much better than the Sony Reader did
5. It seems to read HTML files well also

Negative:

1. Nothing is intuitive--you have to read the manual and try to remember which button to press when. The buttons are numbered and you have to know to press #8 to increase font, for instance.
2. It doesn't do very well with word files surprisingly. When I tried to increase the font size enough to read the file, it automatically flipped to landscape view which I found uncomfortable. It didn't just reflow like it does with the other files I tried. I figure since I can easily reformat Word files myself, this isn't a big deal just annoying.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. PDF, Word and HTML files are the only formats I've tested out. I'll post when I've had a chance to try out other formats--particularly PRC/Mobi

One option is to edit your doc files. Open the file in Word, change the page size to 3"x4", decrease the font size, perhaps to 8-10pt. Make sure each Chapter pages-breaks onto a new page, then save.

I did this, then exported it to a PDF and it worked brilliantly. I have not checked to see how well it reads the reformatted DOC file yet.

[ferossan]

Originally Posted by skoobwoman

I sold my Sony 700 and bought one of the new 5" Pocket Pro readers. It just arrived today. Some thoughts:

Positive:

1. I was impressed that for $199 it came with both a decent case and a 2 gb memory card and even earbuds.
2. It's so very tiny and light!
3. FOLDERS!!!
4. It does PDF reflow very well--much better than the Sony Reader did
5. It seems to read HTML files well also

Negative:

1. Nothing is intuitive--you have to read the manual and try to remember which button to press when. The buttons are numbered and you have to know to press #8 to increase font, for instance.
2. It doesn't do very well with word files surprisingly. When I tried to increase the font size enough to read the file, it automatically flipped to landscape view which I found uncomfortable. It didn't just reflow like it does with the other files I tried. I figure since I can easily reformat Word files myself, this isn't a big deal just annoying.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. PDF, Word and HTML files are the only formats I've tested out. I'll post when I've had a chance to try out other formats--particularly PRC/Mobi

In regard to Word documents. Using OpenOffice.org you can open and save them as ODT (Write) then use Calibre to export to any format of your choice.
Epub could be a nice one. That would be a lot much better than reading the Word files directly.

[tamzilla]

I'm glad that you are happy (so far) with your Pocket Pro. I love mine!

Most of my books are in Mobi and ePub formats, both of which work well on the Pocket Pro. I've had the fewest problems with the ePub format, the only negative I can think of is that there isn't a 'back' feature after you follow a hyperlink. Mobi works well but occasionally I'll have a mobi book freeze up on me. Holding the 'exit' button down usually fixes the problem.

The user interface does take a little getting use to, mostly because almost every format does things differently (like bookmarking), but it's not too bad once you get use to it.

If you decide to use the mobi format and want to use a custom font, make sure you read the following wiki entry. This information is not in the Pocket Pro's manual or in the online FAQ at the EZreader website. The wiki is for the Hanlin V3 (same as the 6" EZreader), but the information is similar for the Pocket Pro. You have to use the same naming criteria for the font files as shown in this wiki article or you won't see the fonts listed in the mobi reader on the PP. You do not need to have an /index subdirectory in your /fonts directory as stated in the wiki article (that's only required for the 6" model).

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Hanl..._in_MOBI_files

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by skoobwoman

I sold my Sony 700 and bought one of the new 5" Pocket Pro readers. It just arrived today. Some thoughts:

Positive:

1. I was impressed that for $199 it came with both a decent case and a 2 gb memory card and even earbuds.
2. It's so very tiny and light!
3. FOLDERS!!!
4. It does PDF reflow very well--much better than the Sony Reader did
5. It seems to read HTML files well also

Negative:

1. Nothing is intuitive--you have to read the manual and try to remember which button to press when. The buttons are numbered and you have to know to press #8 to increase font, for instance.
2. It doesn't do very well with word files surprisingly. When I tried to increase the font size enough to read the file, it automatically flipped to landscape view which I found uncomfortable. It didn't just reflow like it does with the other files I tried. I figure since I can easily reformat Word files myself, this isn't a big deal just annoying.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. PDF, Word and HTML files are the only formats I've tested out. I'll post when I've had a chance to try out other formats--particularly PRC/Mobi

Dear skoobwoman:

I always try to let people know first that I work for Astak. That way they know I may be biased; but I try not to be.

I congratulate you on getting a Pocket PRO. One of the best things of owning an Astak product is we do monitor all these threads to reach out to you!!

I agree with you that the automatic landscape mode on the large font level is not always welcome.I am trying to get a change made so the scroll wheel can control the landscape mode. I want the decision to be the end user's.

As mentioned, there are icons on the numbered keys 6, 7, 8. Note the #8 shows a magifying glass icon meaning font increase. The #6 shows an icon of a book with an "M" meaning book mark. I know, maybe not completely intuitive. Did you read the three page FAQ sheet on our website (www.theEZreader.com) under "support"? That is a real help (in my humble opinion). Please try that!! User Manuals are always written 3-4 months before the device sells and before we (Astak) really understand the device fully. The FAQ sheet is mainly kept current!!

Anyway, thank you for your purchase!! Enjoy it. We did put a lot of love and pride into the Pocket PRO!!

[Laura81]

All these great reviews makes me want one now! It's killer I have to wait until Christmas!

[oncdoc]

Originally Posted by Laura81

All these great reviews makes me want one now! It's killer I have to wait until Christmas!

I really like my maroon one a lot. you wont regret it.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by Laura81

All these great reviews makes me want one now! It's killer I have to wait until Christmas!

49 days to go for you Laura!
I am very sure you will be happy with the Pocket Pro.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by Laura81

All these great reviews makes me want one now! It's killer I have to wait until Christmas!

I couldn't wait like that. It'd kill me too!

[Javed]

Another review on youtube that may be of interest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkJ7F...eature=related

And incase some people haven't seen the Astak one with Amy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlVJLQ0rjGA

[skoobwoman]

Thanks everyone for your posts. Robert-I have to say that that is one of the reasons I decided to go with Astak and not the Nook--It bothered me how "absent" the B & N people seemed from all the conversation and how unable they were to answer basic questions.

I'm still getting used to the small screen but I like how light it feels--I think the cover adds to the weight but I ordered a Neoprene case I think might fit (if it does, I'll let you know). I don't like the click sound from the page turning--it sounds louder to me than even the Kindle's click--but I just use the scroll wheel instead. Overall, I'm happy with it--the #1 thing I wanted from it was a good PDF reader.

[suzymca]

I was bothered by the 'click' too, until I realised that if I click on the very upper or very lower part of the buttons, it doesn't make a sound at all