Almost jumped in

Rocketime · 06-04-2007, 11:15 PM

Have been reading everything about the Sony reader I can find lately. When I first started reading, I was pretty sure I wasn't goig to buy it. Then I started reading this forum and all the positive input convinced me to buy. I have been uisng a Palm T/X which has worked but I'm looking for a bigger display.

So I Drove to Fry's today all fired up to buy the Reader. They had one on display which allowed me to play with it. I was shocked how much I was disappointed in the screen. It was not the best lighting and I'm sure that had an effect but I did expect better. It looked slightly gray and the contrast of the lettering and back ground was less than I expected. All the reviews have been positive about the screen, in fact most have described it as awesome.

What am I missing? Is it the fact I'm overly used to my Palm's back light that is clouding my reaction to the Sony Reader? Has the back light spoiled me?

I love the concept and after discovering how many web sites offer books, I'm confused because it is well worth the price.

Help! What am I missing????

NatCh · 06-04-2007, 11:59 PM

I saw one at a Fry's in Arlington, TX that had perfectly lousy contrast on the screen, and one of the Fry's in Houston, was displaying a unit that had not so great contrast. After your comments, Rocketime, I'm wondering if they're doing something that affects it somehow.

Do you have a SonyStyle store anywhere near you? The ones I've seen there have all been pretty representative of what I get from my own Reader. Or you might try one of the other chains that carry them. I don't know how feasible that is for you where you are though ....

RWood · 06-05-2007, 12:08 AM

Welcome to MobileRead Rocketime. Glad to have you here.

If your Fry's is like the one I visited in Fountain Valley, CA I am surprised that you could see the Reader at all. You almost needed a lamp on your head to see the products.

Your reaction is not wrong. In dim light the screen is hard to read -- even when you enlarge the font. Have you been spoiled by the backlight of your Palm, yes but only in the brightness of the screen. When you have a good light source the Sony Reader provides a superior reading experience to every Palm I have ever seen. You will never be able to use the Sony to read at a concert (as a friend of mine does on his Palm.)

As the quality of the light increases the contrast of the screen also increases. There are several clip-on lights that people have used that will allow you to read in almost any situation. I find the overhead light in an airplane perfect for reading the Sony. At home I read in the same chair using the same lamp that I do for normal books. The Reader will also perform wonderfully in bright sun, something I have never been able to do with any backlit screen device.

I suggest that you try to find one in a place with reasonable lighting where you can properly evaluate it. I suspect that the Fry's you visited was not the best place to show off the Reader's capabilities.

dhbailey · 06-05-2007, 06:36 AM

Regarding your comment comparing the eReader to your Palm, yes, it is quite different. The Palm is LED and the eReader isn't, and it isn't even backlit or sidelit at all, so you need some other light source. Room light, sunlight or booklight. With that said, I find that I can read my eReader much longer than my Palm before eye fatigue sets in.

The grayness of the background is actually a bonus, once you realize it's not vivid black letters on a bright white background. It is much more gentle on the eyes and the screen doesn't reflect back its surroundings.

But it is different. And I find it quite wonderful.

My advice is to buy it from a store where they accept returns, get it home, charge it up without even installing any of the software and try reading what comes pre-installed on it, in the typical reading situations in which you find yourself.

I think you'll like it. I know I won't be parted from mine and if it ever needs to be repaired I'll be buying a second one so I can keep on reading!

LBalsam · 06-05-2007, 08:32 AM

My computer club gave a presentation on the Reader recently and I went around the audience when the lights were low to let people see the screen. Everyone I showed it to was disappointed by the contrast.

When we brought up the lights I showed the Reader to some of the same people and they were stunned. They loved it.

I think we are so used to electronics glowing, that we expect them to look good no matter what the light. The Reader needs good room lighting or a clip on light.

Because it is not backlit the battery life is much better than a lit device.

I suggest the comparison should be to a book, not to a Palm or laptop. The advantage over a book, is that you can enlarge the fonts.

athlonkmf · 06-05-2007, 08:43 AM

could it be that they're showing some oversized PDF? I've noticed that when I merel throw in some PDF to read, the contrast is far worse than LRF-files

yvanleterrible · 06-05-2007, 08:48 AM

All of the above.

And notice also that power drain is the smallest I've ever seen anywhere.

I had the same reservations you did until I tried it in full sunlight. It is the only device that works there.

Just find adequate lighting, for ex. an articulated lamp with a CF bulb or one with multiple LEDs, and you won't notice the lack of contrast.

I've read yellowish paper that had smeared ink with the back page seeping through that was much more difficult to read.

All in all it's a fantastic machine! Of course the technology could use bettering but it's a good first. Just take a look at your first LCD watch and compare it to your T3.

HarryT · 06-05-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

I had the same reservations you did until I tried it in full sunlight. It is the only device that works there.

Not entirely true. "Transflective" LCD displays, such as that on my HP iPaq, are superb in full daylight. Now, though, having become used to the Reader, reading on the iPaq is like reading on a postage stamp

.

JSWolf · 06-05-2007, 10:42 AM

You can also go to a Borders to have a look at the Sony Reader and see if that is any better. But seriously, the screen is not meant to be harsh. That is why the contrast is not a much as your palm. Once you really get into reading with the Sony, and then go back to the palm, you will find the palm kind of harsh.

Rocketime · 06-05-2007, 10:43 AM

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions to my reservations.

I believe I did not give the Sony Reader the benefit of the doubt while at Fry’s. The display was set up behind a large flat screen monitor and the cable attached did not allow me to move it out of the way of the shadows of the screen. Like most Calif. Merchants, Fry’s keeps lighting to a minimum to reduce energy cost. I like the idea of buying it, charging the battery and testing it in actual environments that I plan on using it in. Fry’s has a 15 day return policy. They are a bit difficult when it comes to returns (they make you feel like a criminal when you return something) but it will be worth the hassles.

I travel for a living (sales) and this device would be ideal for me. I’m always on the lookout for boredom fighting gizmos for my trips. I’m not one to always have my nose in a book but when I want to read, I’d like the convenience of having it available. This forum has provided the best insight into the reality of investing in this machine. I truly understand the value here. The cost is a mere pittance compared to the advantages of online book sharing and the convenience of having your entire library at your finger tips no matter where you are.

I’m on my way to Fry’s.

NatCh · 06-05-2007, 12:14 PM

Hey, since it's for business travel, can you get a tax deduction on it? :rolleyes2

Rocketime · 06-05-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Hey, since it's for business travel, can you get a tax deduction on it? :rolleyes2

Funny you should ask. My first thought is no tax deduction. Then my brain kicked in and I started thinking about being able to load PDF's and word docs. If I load my literature onto PDF's, I can use it as a show and tell for presentation purposes thus it could be construed as a work tool much the same way a computer, printer or fax machine are. I wouldn't actually use it for that as everything is color but the fact that it is capable and thus qualifies, I think I could write it off. Maybe we have a tax expert on the forum that could advise on this matter.

dhbailey · 06-05-2007, 04:46 PM

I'm a self-employed music teacher and instrument repairman and I've loaded some music textbooks and history books and theory books on mine and am planning on deducting it as a business expense.

Tax expert? no, but I've read up a lot and I can certainly justify this as an adjunct to my business.

Rocketime · 06-05-2007, 08:45 PM

Hi All,

Picked up my reader today. Went to a different Fry's with much better (normal) lighting and yes, what a difference a little light can make.

Rwood was right. I saw the first one at Fountain Valley, CA and their lighting is like being there at night without any lights on. I traveled down to San Marcos, CA and saw one in good light. I was sold as soon as I fired up the demo.

I bought their extended full replacement warranty at $29 for 2 years, . Was that a mistake? I see Sony's warranty only covers labor for 90 days. I thought $15 per year was pretty cheap for full coverage.

I'm charging the battery. How long for the first charge? Any advise for iinstalling the Connect software? Or is it pretty straight forward?

Thanks again for all the help. I wouldn't have bought it wihout all the friendly help I received here.

NatCh · 06-05-2007, 08:57 PM

The warranty thing seems to be largely a matter of opinion, so if you're happy with it, don't let someone else talk you out of it. Certainly you'll be happy with it if it happens that you end up needing it.

I'd let the thing charge until the charge light above the power slider goes out.

Installing the ConnSoft is pretty straightforward as long as you aren't using the 64 bit incarnation of Vista.

Glad we could be of help, and I hope you'll enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed my own. Stick around, there's still a lot of good stuff going on around here.

06-04-2007, 11:15 PM	#1
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	Almost jumped in Have been reading everything about the Sony reader I can find lately. When I first started reading, I was pretty sure I wasn't goig to buy it. Then I started reading this forum and all the positive input convinced me to buy. I have been uisng a Palm T/X which has worked but I'm looking for a bigger display. So I Drove to Fry's today all fired up to buy the Reader. They had one on display which allowed me to play with it. I was shocked how much I was disappointed in the screen. It was not the best lighting and I'm sure that had an effect but I did expect better. It looked slightly gray and the contrast of the lettering and back ground was less than I expected. All the reviews have been positive about the screen, in fact most have described it as awesome. What am I missing? Is it the fact I'm overly used to my Palm's back light that is clouding my reaction to the Sony Reader? Has the back light spoiled me? I love the concept and after discovering how many web sites offer books, I'm confused because it is well worth the price. Help! What am I missing????

06-05-2007, 08:32 AM	#5
LBalsam Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Area Device: Sony Reader	Light Makes a Big Difference My computer club gave a presentation on the Reader recently and I went around the audience when the lights were low to let people see the screen. Everyone I showed it to was disappointed by the contrast. When we brought up the lights I showed the Reader to some of the same people and they were stunned. They loved it. I think we are so used to electronics glowing, that we expect them to look good no matter what the light. The Reader needs good room lighting or a clip on light. Because it is not backlit the battery life is much better than a lit device. I suggest the comparison should be to a book, not to a Palm or laptop. The advantage over a book, is that you can enlarge the fonts.

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06-04-2007, 11:59 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	I saw one at a Fry's in Arlington, TX that had perfectly lousy contrast on the screen, and one of the Fry's in Houston, was displaying a unit that had not so great contrast. After your comments, Rocketime, I'm wondering if they're doing something that affects it somehow. Do you have a SonyStyle store anywhere near you? The ones I've seen there have all been pretty representative of what I get from my own Reader. Or you might try one of the other chains that carry them. I don't know how feasible that is for you where you are though ....

06-05-2007, 12:08 AM	#3
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	Welcome to MobileRead Rocketime. Glad to have you here. If your Fry's is like the one I visited in Fountain Valley, CA I am surprised that you could see the Reader at all. You almost needed a lamp on your head to see the products. Your reaction is not wrong. In dim light the screen is hard to read -- even when you enlarge the font. Have you been spoiled by the backlight of your Palm, yes but only in the brightness of the screen. When you have a good light source the Sony Reader provides a superior reading experience to every Palm I have ever seen. You will never be able to use the Sony to read at a concert (as a friend of mine does on his Palm.) As the quality of the light increases the contrast of the screen also increases. There are several clip-on lights that people have used that will allow you to read in almost any situation. I find the overhead light in an airplane perfect for reading the Sony. At home I read in the same chair using the same lamp that I do for normal books. The Reader will also perform wonderfully in bright sun, something I have never been able to do with any backlit screen device. I suggest that you try to find one in a place with reasonable lighting where you can properly evaluate it. I suspect that the Fry's you visited was not the best place to show off the Reader's capabilities.

06-05-2007, 06:36 AM	#4
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	Regarding your comment comparing the eReader to your Palm, yes, it is quite different. The Palm is LED and the eReader isn't, and it isn't even backlit or sidelit at all, so you need some other light source. Room light, sunlight or booklight. With that said, I find that I can read my eReader much longer than my Palm before eye fatigue sets in. The grayness of the background is actually a bonus, once you realize it's not vivid black letters on a bright white background. It is much more gentle on the eyes and the screen doesn't reflect back its surroundings. But it is different. And I find it quite wonderful. My advice is to buy it from a store where they accept returns, get it home, charge it up without even installing any of the software and try reading what comes pre-installed on it, in the typical reading situations in which you find yourself. I think you'll like it. I know I won't be parted from mine and if it ever needs to be repaired I'll be buying a second one so I can keep on reading!

06-05-2007, 08:43 AM	#6
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	could it be that they're showing some oversized PDF? I've noticed that when I merel throw in some PDF to read, the contrast is far worse than LRF-files

06-05-2007, 08:48 AM	#7
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	All of the above. And notice also that power drain is the smallest I've ever seen anywhere. I had the same reservations you did until I tried it in full sunlight. It is the only device that works there. Just find adequate lighting, for ex. an articulated lamp with a CF bulb or one with multiple LEDs, and you won't notice the lack of contrast. I've read yellowish paper that had smeared ink with the back page seeping through that was much more difficult to read. All in all it's a fantastic machine! Of course the technology could use bettering but it's a good first. Just take a look at your first LCD watch and compare it to your T3.

06-05-2007, 10:42 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,901 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	You can also go to a Borders to have a look at the Sony Reader and see if that is any better. But seriously, the screen is not meant to be harsh. That is why the contrast is not a much as your palm. Once you really get into reading with the Sony, and then go back to the palm, you will find the palm kind of harsh.

06-05-2007, 10:43 AM	#10
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions to my reservations. I believe I did not give the Sony Reader the benefit of the doubt while at Fry’s. The display was set up behind a large flat screen monitor and the cable attached did not allow me to move it out of the way of the shadows of the screen. Like most Calif. Merchants, Fry’s keeps lighting to a minimum to reduce energy cost. I like the idea of buying it, charging the battery and testing it in actual environments that I plan on using it in. Fry’s has a 15 day return policy. They are a bit difficult when it comes to returns (they make you feel like a criminal when you return something) but it will be worth the hassles. I travel for a living (sales) and this device would be ideal for me. I’m always on the lookout for boredom fighting gizmos for my trips. I’m not one to always have my nose in a book but when I want to read, I’d like the convenience of having it available. This forum has provided the best insight into the reality of investing in this machine. I truly understand the value here. The cost is a mere pittance compared to the advantages of online book sharing and the convenience of having your entire library at your finger tips no matter where you are. I’m on my way to Fry’s.

06-05-2007, 12:14 PM	#11
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Hey, since it's for business travel, can you get a tax deduction on it? :rolleyes2

06-05-2007, 04:46 PM	#13
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	I'm a self-employed music teacher and instrument repairman and I've loaded some music textbooks and history books and theory books on mine and am planning on deducting it as a business expense. Tax expert? no, but I've read up a lot and I can certainly justify this as an adjunct to my business.

06-05-2007, 08:45 PM	#14
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	Hi All, Picked up my reader today. Went to a different Fry's with much better (normal) lighting and yes, what a difference a little light can make. Rwood was right. I saw the first one at Fountain Valley, CA and their lighting is like being there at night without any lights on. I traveled down to San Marcos, CA and saw one in good light. I was sold as soon as I fired up the demo. I bought their extended full replacement warranty at $29 for 2 years, . Was that a mistake? I see Sony's warranty only covers labor for 90 days. I thought $15 per year was pretty cheap for full coverage. I'm charging the battery. How long for the first charge? Any advise for iinstalling the Connect software? Or is it pretty straight forward? Thanks again for all the help. I wouldn't have bought it wihout all the friendly help I received here.

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06-05-2007, 08:57 PM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	The warranty thing seems to be largely a matter of opinion, so if you're happy with it, don't let someone else talk you out of it. Certainly you'll be happy with it if it happens that you end up needing it. I'd let the thing charge until the charge light above the power slider goes out. Installing the ConnSoft is pretty straightforward as long as you aren't using the 64 bit incarnation of Vista. Glad we could be of help, and I hope you'll enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed my own. Stick around, there's still a lot of good stuff going on around here.