Best PDF E-reader Under $200

Gerbilkit · 02-15-2013, 07:12 PM

Yes I know there are many threads about these. I'm sorry, I've been reading through many of them but have yet to find useful recent information. Many of the most useful threads are still referencing products such as the Kindle DX which is no longer available.

I would like an e-reader that can read scanned PDF documents efficiently. That is PDFs in which each page is a scanned image not a searchable text. These are mostly scanned books, journals, or historical documents for class, they rarely feature anything more complicated than text so I'm not worried about how to handle images etc. I have a Kindle 4 which doesn't really work because the screen is small + the zoom options are too limited + physical buttons with no touch screen really doesn't work.

Annotations etc would be nice. My kindle has this but it is too clunky to be of any use. I never make annotations more complex than just underlines though. If I'm keeping track of stuff I will just use a piece of paper with page number notes which reminds me.

One of my major complaints for my kindle is the complete lack of page numbers. It makes it completely useless for literary analysis because I can't cite anything, and it isn't very easy to navigate. I have often wished that the % progress bar was a slider (and that page numbers were included). Huge bonus for anything that has this.

I am fully aware that a tablet computer will work. I don't want one.

Finally I don't really want to spend more than about $200. Obviously less is better.

Maybe no such product exists. Which would be too bad. But I thought it would be worth a try.

susan_cassidy · 02-15-2013, 07:15 PM

The Kindle includes page numbers for books that have them.

thersites · 02-15-2013, 07:41 PM

Does it have to be new? A gently used IREX would be worth considering in that price range. Not the latest & greatest, but solid, big, and probably reasonably had on e-bay (I have no idea what a DR 1000 would go for, but that or the 800 should work for price & check all your boxes).

I still occasionally use my old Iliad when I want to read pdfs, and don't find it too slow at page refreshes. The 10" screen of the DR 1000 would be just about perfect, and the speed of either the DR 800 or 1000 would be better.

xendula · 02-24-2013, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Many of the most useful threads are still referencing products such as the Kindle DX which is no longer available.

You may be interested in a refurbished Kindle DX. This one is $139. I bought a refurbished Kindle Keyboard to keep in my car from this seller a few weks ago, and the item arrived quickly and welll packaged in great condition.
They sell quite a few, but, as you said, they don't always show page numbers.

Dr. Drib · 02-25-2013, 08:37 AM

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY:

Keep in mind that the Kindle DX was not the current model that was discontinued, but the previous model. [Both models, of course, are now discontinued.]

If you are seriously considering the larger Amazon unit, then you need to do some research on BOTH large-screen Kindles, in order to see if they will do what you need to do.

Don

Rizla · 03-01-2013, 11:51 AM

A tablet, I guess. The Nexus or a Fire (rooted, I imagine). I read pdfs on a sony 650 with prs+ and that works okay (has lots of zoom control options).

markom · 03-01-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY:

Keep in mind that the Kindle DX was not the current model that was discontinued, but the previous model. [Both models, of course, are now discontinued.]

If you are seriously considering the larger Amazon unit, then you need to do some research on BOTH large-screen Kindles, in order to see if they will do what you need to do.

Don

Basically, only difference between Kindle Dx White and Kindle DX Graphite is screen contrast, which is better in graphite version.

They say it's 7:1 on white and 10:1 on graphite.
In practice it means a whiter background.

Those who would like to read A4 sized pdf's on Kindle DX should also immediatelly install kindlepdfviewer because it is much better pdf reader than native one and it also reads djvu, epub, cbz and some other files.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=157047

alicepattinson · 03-01-2013, 05:14 PM

One of the best readers now is Kindle Fire HD

Rizla · 03-04-2013, 07:20 AM

If you are going to get a current e-reader by one of the big producers, get a Sony. They seem to be the only that support reflow of pdfs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the current Amazon releases support pdfs very poorly, and the same id definately true of Kobo.

Also, ezPDF for Android seems to work well for different sized screens. It might be worth rooting a Nook or maybe even a Sony to run it. But make sure it will work first.

xendula · 03-04-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

If you are going to get a current e-reader by one of the big producers, get a Sony. They seem to be the only that support reflow of pdfs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the current Amazon releases support pdfs very poorly, and the same id definately true of Kobo.

Also, ezPDF for Android seems to work well for different sized screens. It might be worth rooting a Nook or maybe even a Sony to run it. But make sure it will work first.

The OP stated that they need a reader for scanned images, basically, so a large screen is pretty much the only thing that would makes sense here.

Rizla · 03-04-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xendula

The OP stated that they need a reader for scanned images, basically, so a large screen is pretty much the only thing that would makes sense here.

I use a 650 to view scanned images, both text and comics. The best method where possible is to do it in landscape mode because the device splits the image in half and therefore conveniently magnifies. Admittedly its not ideal.

jojoba · 03-07-2013, 02:25 AM

I would look for some second hand tablets.

Dr. Drib · 03-10-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

If you are going to get a current e-reader by one of the big producers, get a Sony. They seem to be the only that support reflow of pdfs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the current Amazon releases support pdfs very poorly, and the same id definately true of Kobo.

Also, ezPDF for Android seems to work well for different sized screens. It might be worth rooting a Nook or maybe even a Sony to run it. But make sure it will work first.

No need to hack a Nook to run ezPDF: Just buy the program from B&N.

Don

Rizla · 03-10-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

No need to hack a Nook to run ezPDF: Just buy the program from B&N.
Don

Do you mean on the tablet or e-ink e-reader?

In any case, here is a video showing pdf reading on a stock and rooted nook using various apps. Interesting...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAcdHuI5hw

Prs+ on a x50 Sony is the only thing that might compare.

Dr. Drib · 03-11-2013, 08:58 AM

I have a Nook color and ezPDF, but it's now retired and used only by my 3-year old.

I now use the Kindle Fire HD with ezPDF.

Don

02-15-2013, 07:12 PM	#1
Gerbilkit Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2013 Device: Kindle	Best PDF E-reader Under $200 Yes I know there are many threads about these. I'm sorry, I've been reading through many of them but have yet to find useful recent information. Many of the most useful threads are still referencing products such as the Kindle DX which is no longer available. I would like an e-reader that can read scanned PDF documents efficiently. That is PDFs in which each page is a scanned image not a searchable text. These are mostly scanned books, journals, or historical documents for class, they rarely feature anything more complicated than text so I'm not worried about how to handle images etc. I have a Kindle 4 which doesn't really work because the screen is small + the zoom options are too limited + physical buttons with no touch screen really doesn't work. Annotations etc would be nice. My kindle has this but it is too clunky to be of any use. I never make annotations more complex than just underlines though. If I'm keeping track of stuff I will just use a piece of paper with page number notes which reminds me. One of my major complaints for my kindle is the complete lack of page numbers. It makes it completely useless for literary analysis because I can't cite anything, and it isn't very easy to navigate. I have often wished that the % progress bar was a slider (and that page numbers were included). Huge bonus for anything that has this. I am fully aware that a tablet computer will work. I don't want one. Finally I don't really want to spend more than about $200. Obviously less is better. Maybe no such product exists. Which would be too bad. But I thought it would be worth a try. Last edited by Gerbilkit; 02-15-2013 at 07:14 PM.

02-25-2013, 08:37 AM	#5
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,737 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY: Keep in mind that the Kindle DX was not the current model that was discontinued, but the previous model. [Both models, of course, are now discontinued.] If you are seriously considering the larger Amazon unit, then you need to do some research on BOTH large-screen Kindles, in order to see if they will do what you need to do. Don Last edited by Dr. Drib; 02-25-2013 at 09:03 AM.

03-04-2013, 07:20 AM	#9
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	If you are going to get a current e-reader by one of the big producers, get a Sony. They seem to be the only that support reflow of pdfs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the current Amazon releases support pdfs very poorly, and the same id definately true of Kobo. Also, ezPDF for Android seems to work well for different sized screens. It might be worth rooting a Nook or maybe even a Sony to run it. But make sure it will work first. Last edited by Rizla; 03-04-2013 at 07:36 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best $200 or less e-ink with epub + pdf + expansion please	sedition	Which one should I buy?	55	06-20-2011 03:16 AM
100% downloaded pdf's & djvu's - under $200	zedmin	Which one should I buy?	10	06-04-2011 11:13 PM
~£200 reader?	goblin1	Which one should I buy?	2	06-11-2010 07:06 AM
Reader replacement for up to $200?	deviant	Which one should I buy?	7	12-28-2007 04:04 PM
Ended Get a Sony Reader for (probably) less than $200	Nate the great	Flea Market	23	07-27-2007 11:03 PM

02-15-2013, 07:15 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	The Kindle includes page numbers for books that have them.

02-15-2013, 07:41 PM	#3
thersites Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 707044 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Iowa, USA Device: iRex iLiad & PocketBook 360	Does it have to be new? A gently used IREX would be worth considering in that price range. Not the latest & greatest, but solid, big, and probably reasonably had on e-bay (I have no idea what a DR 1000 would go for, but that or the 800 should work for price & check all your boxes). I still occasionally use my old Iliad when I want to read pdfs, and don't find it too slow at page refreshes. The 10" screen of the DR 1000 would be just about perfect, and the speed of either the DR 800 or 1000 would be better.

03-01-2013, 11:51 AM	#6
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	A tablet, I guess. The Nexus or a Fire (rooted, I imagine). I read pdfs on a sony 650 with prs+ and that works okay (has lots of zoom control options).

03-01-2013, 05:14 PM	#8
alicepattinson Banned Posts: 142 Karma: 2564052 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kindle Fire	One of the best readers now is Kindle Fire HD

03-07-2013, 02:25 AM	#12
jojoba Addict Posts: 277 Karma: 1039638 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Europe Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad 3gen, Cybook Odyssey FL HD	I would look for some second hand tablets.

03-11-2013, 08:58 AM	#15
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,737 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I have a Nook color and ezPDF, but it's now retired and used only by my 3-year old. I now use the Kindle Fire HD with ezPDF. Don

Advert

Advert