Should I buy V1 or V2

Benji99 · 05-17-2008, 04:50 AM

Hi guys, I'm very very tempted in finally buying my first e-book reader.
The iliad in particular is very interesting to me for various obvious reasons. (Mainly PDF support, WIFI and really interesting possibilities due to it's Linux OS)

I've noticed that there are some new V1 Iliads for sale on eBay at a significant 200$ or so discount over brand new V2 models.

here

I understand that software wise, I can make the V1 identical to the V2 and that the differences therefore would only the battery and small modifications to the casing. Oh, the V1s in question don't seem to have any kind of warranty.

My questions is to the users familiar with both versions. Is the 200$ extra for the V2 really worth it in your opinion? Should I be really worried if there's no warranty or do Iliads rarely fail?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Sebastien

HarryT · 05-17-2008, 05:18 AM

Hi Sebastien,

One thing to be careful of is that iRex have made a number of "custom" versions of the iLiad, and these sometimes show up on eBay, etc. They do NOT have the MobiPocket Reader on them! caveat emptor!

Provided it's a "legit" v1 then the battery really is the only difference; the v2 has a battery life that's about 20% greater than the v1.

Benji99 · 05-17-2008, 05:28 AM

Thanks for the quick response!

Is there any way to know if it's the case?
For example, in the above auction, the following part # is provided: Part number ER0100 001A18-24

If it's just a question of a custom firmware with the mobipocket reader, can I not simply re-flash with the current standard firmware to get the mobipocket reader?

daudi · 05-17-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benji99

...I understand that software wise, I can make the V1 identical to the V2 and that the differences therefore would only the battery and small modifications to the casing. Oh, the V1s in question don't seem to have any kind of warranty.

My questions is to the users familiar with both versions. Is the 200$ extra for the V2 really worth it in your opinion? Should I be really worried if there's no warranty or do Iliads rarely fail?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Sebastien

There have been people who have had line-outs and other issues that are covered by the warranty, enough to make me think that I personally would want to have the warranty. If it has to go back a couple of times, for example, you'd soon eat up the $200 difference (I think, depending on what is wrong).

If you do decide to go for the one on ebay I recommend making sure you get shell access as soon as possible so that you are able to reflash it yourself if necessary. I see that you are interested in its "interesting possibilities" which implies you'll be doing that anyway, but I just wanted to emphasize this.

wallcraft · 05-17-2008, 05:46 AM

These do seem to be legit V1s, see I found what looks to be a good deal on some iLiads.

axel77 · 05-17-2008, 05:47 AM

If you don't really need wifi the new book edition is IMHO a good bargain to go for.

Also note that the v1 is not only a weaker battery, it also aprox. already 2 years old, when you buy it. Depends on how well the previous owner treated the battery, and at which temperature it was stored...

orcinus · 05-17-2008, 10:49 AM

My V1 seems to work just fine (*knocks on wood*). Battery and all.
Got it from the ARINC eBay auction...

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but i just have to commend their communication, responsiveness and speed.

Edit: And i'd never trade the WiFi away. Having the iLiad sync itself wirelessly at predefined times is more than convenient. It's addictive

Josh · 06-21-2008, 07:22 AM

Can anyone confirm that the model being discussed (Part number ER0100 001A18-24) can be loaded with the Mobipocket DRM version? I am about to bid on one but need to access Mobipocket DRM books via Dymocks www.dymocks.com.au for text books.

Thanks

Josh

JSWolf · 06-21-2008, 09:36 AM

The V1 and V2 can read DRM laden Mobipocket eBooks.

HarryT · 06-21-2008, 09:50 AM

Be careful - iRex have produced some "custom" versions of the iLiad which don't contain the MobiPocket Reader. Make sure that it's not one of these that you're buying!

It's perhaps worth noting that the iLiad has an extremely poor implementation of the MobiPocket Reader - eg, it has no bookmark capability, which is a "show-stopper" for me. If reading MobiPocket books is a priority for you, it might be as well to consider and compare other devices with MobiPocket support.

JSWolf · 06-21-2008, 10:29 AM

If you are purchasing the iLiad for Mobipocket support, you could wait for one of the new 9.7" eink devices to come out with Mobipocket support. Supposedly sometime later this year.

Josh · 06-23-2008, 05:28 AM

I seem to be winning the eBay bid so far, and it is a local pick up only which tends to keep the prices down. I have read around and it is definately a 'custom' version. I will be pretty happy if the price is right.

As it is mainly for university textbooks, I don't mind Mobipocket not having a bookmark function. I think I would trade that for the Wacom pen and annotation.

As far as the 9.7inch goes, I can't wait for those to be mass produced but I note that Jinke has suspended. They are stating that the mass production of the screen has been delayed: http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/E...pro/newpro.asp . I would love one but I don't know that I want to wait for an undetermined period. I will go for an Iliad and trade up to a 9.7 - 10 inch when they hit the streets (probably have to wait 9-12 months after the US release for Australia to get them).

RobertJSawyer · 06-23-2008, 10:18 AM

HarryT is right that the Mobipocket implementation on the iRex iLiad is extremely weak. Not only is it missing bookmarking, it's also missing searching: there is no way to search for text in a Mobipocket document. And the pen-annotation stuff does NOT work with Mobipocket ebooks on the iRex; that functionality is available only when reading PDFs.

===

ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
*** Hugo Award winner for HOMINIDS ***
http://sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com

Josh · 06-24-2008, 02:15 AM

Harry and others,

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I have done some further reading and may wait for the 9.7 inch Netronix to hit the shelves. Although, the main attraction to the Iliad is the strong developers community and the ongoing updates, which may not be as prevalent with other brands. I will try to con the wife into letting me get both.

Cheers

Josh

joblack · 06-24-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you are purchasing the iLiad for Mobipocket support, you could wait for one of the new 9.7" eink devices to come out with Mobipocket support. Supposedly sometime later this year.

I don´t believe in that time table.

But a bigger Iliad would be fun (I remember that an iLiad developer said that they need at least 2 years to redesign a bigger device).

05-17-2008, 04:50 AM	#1
Benji99 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: None	Should I buy V1 or V2 Hi guys, I'm very very tempted in finally buying my first e-book reader. The iliad in particular is very interesting to me for various obvious reasons. (Mainly PDF support, WIFI and really interesting possibilities due to it's Linux OS) I've noticed that there are some new V1 Iliads for sale on eBay at a significant 200$ or so discount over brand new V2 models. here I understand that software wise, I can make the V1 identical to the V2 and that the differences therefore would only the battery and small modifications to the casing. Oh, the V1s in question don't seem to have any kind of warranty. My questions is to the users familiar with both versions. Is the 200$ extra for the V2 really worth it in your opinion? Should I be really worried if there's no warranty or do Iliads rarely fail? Thanks in advance for the help! Sebastien

06-21-2008, 07:22 AM	#8
Josh Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: iRex Iliad	V1 - Mobipocket DRM compatibility Can anyone confirm that the model being discussed (Part number ER0100 001A18-24) can be loaded with the Mobipocket DRM version? I am about to bid on one but need to access Mobipocket DRM books via Dymocks www.dymocks.com.au for text books. Thanks Josh

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05-17-2008, 05:18 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Hi Sebastien, One thing to be careful of is that iRex have made a number of "custom" versions of the iLiad, and these sometimes show up on eBay, etc. They do NOT have the MobiPocket Reader on them! caveat emptor! Provided it's a "legit" v1 then the battery really is the only difference; the v2 has a battery life that's about 20% greater than the v1.

05-17-2008, 05:28 AM	#3
Benji99 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: None	Thanks for the quick response! Is there any way to know if it's the case? For example, in the above auction, the following part # is provided: Part number ER0100 001A18-24 If it's just a question of a custom firmware with the mobipocket reader, can I not simply re-flash with the current standard firmware to get the mobipocket reader?

05-17-2008, 05:46 AM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	These do seem to be legit V1s, see I found what looks to be a good deal on some iLiads.

05-17-2008, 05:47 AM	#6
axel77 Fanatic Posts: 584 Karma: 914 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: iliad	If you don't really need wifi the new book edition is IMHO a good bargain to go for. Also note that the v1 is not only a weaker battery, it also aprox. already 2 years old, when you buy it. Depends on how well the previous owner treated the battery, and at which temperature it was stored...

05-17-2008, 10:49 AM	#7
orcinus Gadgeteer Posts: 222 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Croatia Device: iRex iLiad, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770, BB 7200, Samsung i600, iPhone	My V1 seems to work just fine (knocks on wood). Battery and all. Got it from the ARINC eBay auction... I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but i just have to commend their communication, responsiveness and speed. Edit: And i'd never trade the WiFi away. Having the iLiad sync itself wirelessly at predefined times is more than convenient. It's addictive

06-21-2008, 09:36 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The V1 and V2 can read DRM laden Mobipocket eBooks.

06-21-2008, 09:50 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Be careful - iRex have produced some "custom" versions of the iLiad which don't contain the MobiPocket Reader. Make sure that it's not one of these that you're buying! It's perhaps worth noting that the iLiad has an extremely poor implementation of the MobiPocket Reader - eg, it has no bookmark capability, which is a "show-stopper" for me. If reading MobiPocket books is a priority for you, it might be as well to consider and compare other devices with MobiPocket support.

06-21-2008, 10:29 AM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you are purchasing the iLiad for Mobipocket support, you could wait for one of the new 9.7" eink devices to come out with Mobipocket support. Supposedly sometime later this year.

06-23-2008, 05:28 AM	#12
Josh Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: iRex Iliad	I seem to be winning the eBay bid so far, and it is a local pick up only which tends to keep the prices down. I have read around and it is definately a 'custom' version. I will be pretty happy if the price is right. As it is mainly for university textbooks, I don't mind Mobipocket not having a bookmark function. I think I would trade that for the Wacom pen and annotation. As far as the 9.7inch goes, I can't wait for those to be mass produced but I note that Jinke has suspended. They are stating that the mass production of the screen has been delayed: http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/E...pro/newpro.asp . I would love one but I don't know that I want to wait for an undetermined period. I will go for an Iliad and trade up to a 9.7 - 10 inch when they hit the streets (probably have to wait 9-12 months after the US release for Australia to get them).

06-23-2008, 10:18 AM	#13
RobertJSawyer Guru Posts: 730 Karma: 3871570 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Libra 2, Clara 2E, and Clara HD; Kindle PaperWhite	HarryT is right that the Mobipocket implementation on the iRex iLiad is extremely weak. Not only is it missing bookmarking, it's also missing searching: there is no way to search for text in a Mobipocket document. And the pen-annotation stuff does NOT work with Mobipocket ebooks on the iRex; that functionality is available only when reading PDFs. === ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer * Hugo Award winner for HOMINIDS * http://sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com

06-24-2008, 02:15 AM	#14
Josh Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: iRex Iliad	Harry and others, Thank you for the words of wisdom. I have done some further reading and may wait for the 9.7 inch Netronix to hit the shelves. Although, the main attraction to the Iliad is the strong developers community and the ongoing updates, which may not be as prevalent with other brands. I will try to con the wife into letting me get both. Cheers Josh