PRS-505 Premium Cover mini-review (with pics!)

kezza · 11-15-2007, 08:21 PM

When I came home from work today my new, hot pink Reader cover was waiting on the front steps. It comes packaged in the dreaded blister-pack, which shouldn't surprise me. It also comes with a number of "pass it on" cards and a lifetime warranty card.

The cover itself is made of decent quality leather (I'd say shoe-grade), with a very soft matching suede interior. The rear has three pockets, one large (for a passport, boarding pass or small papers), one very small (for a memory card) and one medium with a vinyl window (for a business card). The thickness of the back cover makes the magnets I can feel under there hardly work at all. The front magnets work well, as long as I don't fold the cover all the way back, at least not yet. The cover made a distinct crunching sound the first few times I attempted to fold the cover all the way back, but now that sound has subsided and I suspect that over time the crease will soften and the cover will both open and close more easily.

With the back pockets full the Reader doesn't sit flat in the case, so I doubt I'll use the pockets everyday. I will probably take advantage at the airport, though, when ID and boarding pass have to be accessible all the time.

Overall I'm pretty happy with my purchase. It's thicker with a softer interior, and I feel like it'll be a teensy bit more protective of the device. Also, it's way cuter than the stock case.

NatCh · 11-15-2007, 09:33 PM

Nice write-up, kezza, thanks for sharing it.

JSWolf · 11-15-2007, 11:45 PM

I agree. Very nice! Almost makes me want to go out and get one.

da_jane · 11-15-2007, 11:56 PM

Love the cover. I'm sort of leaning toward getting a new Sony. Must. Resist.

mikolaj · 11-16-2007, 09:46 AM

Aren't you affraid that this metal flower-thingy on a string might damage your screen?

bjd · 11-16-2007, 09:56 AM

I've been meaning to chip in to this site w/ my own cover opinions. I've got the black leather cover, because I thought the stock tan was ugly. I like it; it's got a nice leather feel, and looks good. However, it does not fit as snugly as the stock cover, so the Reader is kind of "swimming" inside the cover. I don't have an easy way to attach a photo, but the problem is the "binding" edge, where the gray plastic Reader-holder is, seems to be about 50% wider than on the stock cover. Maybe that's to leave room for stuff in the back pocket? Anyway, I'm very glad I got it.

BTW, though, if you order from sonystyle.com, do NOT choose the cheapest shipping. It's USPS, and it took about twice as long to arrive as they claimed it would. The sonystyle.com web site said it was at the Post Office, and the Post Office said it wasn't. It did eventually arrive. I put in an email to Sony's "support", though, which never did arrive. My help ticket was immediately marked "solved", and I got an automated email telling me how to check the status on the web site. Thanks, but I knew that! I wrote back to them asking for more help, and never got a reply at all! Weak. Really weak. I love the Reader; Sony, not so much.

M0zza · 11-16-2007, 10:19 AM

I bought a Silver 505 with a pink cover for my wife (and bought a 505 for myself while I was at it). And Although I prefer the tan stock cover (easier to manipulate) I think that my wife is going to love it. Especially as it will complement her Pink passport cover and travel documents wallet.

kezza · 11-16-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikolaj

Aren't you affraid that this metal flower-thingy on a string might damage your screen?

Nah. It hangs down from the wrist strap loop, so it never comes in contact with the screen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjd

I don't have an easy way to attach a photo, but the problem is the "binding" edge, where the gray plastic Reader-holder is, seems to be about 50% wider than on the stock cover. Maybe that's to leave room for stuff in the back pocket?

Yeah, I noticed that, too. Also, the plastic holder is attached at an angle on mine, what I can only assume was a manufacturing error. (It passed QC, though.) It doesn't seem to have any effect on the functionality of the cover, so I'm just going to ignore it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjd

BTW, though, if you order from sonystyle.com, do NOT choose the cheapest shipping. It's USPS, and it took about twice as long to arrive as they claimed it would.

When I ordered mine Sony was doing free "standard" shipping (either FedEx or USPS). I opted for the FedEx and it took about a week to get to me.

PHugger · 11-16-2007, 11:32 AM

Here are some images of the black version. I agree with Kezza that the leather is heavier and stiffer than the standard pleather version. Notice the ugly creases on the spine that are a result of forcing it to flex. It still latches with the magnets OK though.

PCH

Nightwing · 11-16-2007, 12:25 PM

At least it better than that click it in and off kiltered one from the 06 model!

Never could find one that was correct!

nathantw · 11-16-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHugger

Here are some images of the black version. I agree with Kezza that the leather is heavier and stiffer than the standard pleather version. Notice the ugly creases on the spine that are a result of forcing it to flex. It still latches with the magnets OK though.

PCH

Thanks for the pictures. I like the way it looks and I think I'll spring for one of those.

JSWolf · 11-16-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_jane

Love the cover. I'm sort of leaning toward getting a new Sony. Must. Resist.

You could always sell the iphone and get the reader. The reader even works with no signal available.

mlove · 11-17-2007, 06:56 AM

I bought my black leather cover yesterday at Borders. It makes the reader feel more like a book. I don't care if it is stiff if you fold it back since I don't fold back the covers of regular books I read either. I also bought one of those book covers/cases that Borders sells for trade paperbacks (and bibles). That way I have space for the adapter (whenever it arrives), my clip-on light, and the cord when I travel. The light is a Mighty Bright and works well.

So far using my husband's PC for the Sony Connect software and using the Mac for everything else seems to be working quite well.

tidixon · 01-18-2008, 09:26 AM

So I've noticed that every time I make a purchase at borders I get a 20% off one item coupon valid starting a week from that date. The coupon doesn't specifically exclude accessories, so it should work for the deluxe leather case, but it doesn't, BUT the sales staff manually entered in a 20% discount for me so I ended up paying 31.99 + tax. I think this is better than you can find online.

Ferns · 12-20-2009, 08:05 AM

Kezza, can you, or anyone, tell me where to get one of the hot pink covers (for the PRS-505). I've been trying to get one for my daughters birthday but all I can find is candy pink and apparently, that's "just for little kids".

11-15-2007, 08:21 PM	#1
kezza Lowlife of the Party Posts: 266 Karma: 4038 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: seattle Device: nook, iphone	PRS-505 Premium Cover mini-review (with pics!) When I came home from work today my new, hot pink Reader cover was waiting on the front steps. It comes packaged in the dreaded blister-pack, which shouldn't surprise me. It also comes with a number of "pass it on" cards and a lifetime warranty card. The cover itself is made of decent quality leather (I'd say shoe-grade), with a very soft matching suede interior. The rear has three pockets, one large (for a passport, boarding pass or small papers), one very small (for a memory card) and one medium with a vinyl window (for a business card). The thickness of the back cover makes the magnets I can feel under there hardly work at all. The front magnets work well, as long as I don't fold the cover all the way back, at least not yet. The cover made a distinct crunching sound the first few times I attempted to fold the cover all the way back, but now that sound has subsided and I suspect that over time the crease will soften and the cover will both open and close more easily. With the back pockets full the Reader doesn't sit flat in the case, so I doubt I'll use the pockets everyday. I will probably take advantage at the airport, though, when ID and boarding pass have to be accessible all the time. Overall I'm pretty happy with my purchase. It's thicker with a softer interior, and I feel like it'll be a teensy bit more protective of the device. Also, it's way cuter than the stock case. Attached Thumbnails

11-16-2007, 11:32 AM	#9
PHugger Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 8443 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ Device: Kindle 3G, Sony PRS-505	Here are some images of the black version. I agree with Kezza that the leather is heavier and stiffer than the standard pleather version. Notice the ugly creases on the spine that are a result of forcing it to flex. It still latches with the magnets OK though. PCH Attached Thumbnails

11-17-2007, 06:56 AM	#13
mlove Cat-loving cyclist Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Champaign, Illinois Device: Sony PRS-505, IPhone	I bought my black leather cover yesterday at Borders. It makes the reader feel more like a book. I don't care if it is stiff if you fold it back since I don't fold back the covers of regular books I read either. I also bought one of those book covers/cases that Borders sells for trade paperbacks (and bibles). That way I have space for the adapter (whenever it arrives), my clip-on light, and the cord when I travel. The light is a Mighty Bright and works well. So far using my husband's PC for the Sony Connect software and using the Mac for everything else seems to be working quite well. Last edited by mlove; 11-17-2007 at 06:57 AM. Reason: typo

01-18-2008, 09:26 AM	#14
tidixon Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: PRS-505	heads up on borders coupons So I've noticed that every time I make a purchase at borders I get a 20% off one item coupon valid starting a week from that date. The coupon doesn't specifically exclude accessories, so it should work for the deluxe leather case, but it doesn't, BUT the sales staff manually entered in a 20% discount for me so I ended up paying 31.99 + tax. I think this is better than you can find online.

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11-15-2007, 09:33 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Nice write-up, kezza, thanks for sharing it.

11-15-2007, 11:45 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I agree. Very nice! Almost makes me want to go out and get one.

11-15-2007, 11:56 PM	#4
da_jane Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 692 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 \| Kindle Paperwhite \| iPad Mini	Love the cover. I'm sort of leaning toward getting a new Sony. Must. Resist.

11-16-2007, 09:46 AM	#5
mikolaj Member Posts: 21 Karma: 59 Join Date: Sep 2006	Aren't you affraid that this metal flower-thingy on a string might damage your screen?

11-16-2007, 09:56 AM	#6
bjd Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: PRS-505/SC	I've been meaning to chip in to this site w/ my own cover opinions. I've got the black leather cover, because I thought the stock tan was ugly. I like it; it's got a nice leather feel, and looks good. However, it does not fit as snugly as the stock cover, so the Reader is kind of "swimming" inside the cover. I don't have an easy way to attach a photo, but the problem is the "binding" edge, where the gray plastic Reader-holder is, seems to be about 50% wider than on the stock cover. Maybe that's to leave room for stuff in the back pocket? Anyway, I'm very glad I got it. BTW, though, if you order from sonystyle.com, do NOT choose the cheapest shipping. It's USPS, and it took about twice as long to arrive as they claimed it would. The sonystyle.com web site said it was at the Post Office, and the Post Office said it wasn't. It did eventually arrive. I put in an email to Sony's "support", though, which never did arrive. My help ticket was immediately marked "solved", and I got an automated email telling me how to check the status on the web site. Thanks, but I knew that! I wrote back to them asking for more help, and never got a reply at all! Weak. Really weak. I love the Reader; Sony, not so much.

11-16-2007, 10:19 AM	#7
M0zza Geek... Apparently Posts: 211 Karma: 51260 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Herts, UK Device: Sony PRS-505 (Silver), ASUS Transformer TF300T, IPAD Air 2	I bought a Silver 505 with a pink cover for my wife (and bought a 505 for myself while I was at it). And Although I prefer the tan stock cover (easier to manipulate) I think that my wife is going to love it. Especially as it will complement her Pink passport cover and travel documents wallet.

11-16-2007, 12:25 PM	#10
Nightwing Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 541 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Cowon A2 Dell x3i, Sony Reader & Eee PC!	At least it better than that click it in and off kiltered one from the 06 model! Never could find one that was correct!

12-20-2009, 08:05 AM	#15
Ferns Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Kezza, can you, or anyone, tell me where to get one of the hot pink covers (for the PRS-505). I've been trying to get one for my daughters birthday but all I can find is candy pink and apparently, that's "just for little kids".

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