Hanvon ebook readers

Nate the great · 01-08-2010, 07:14 PM

I visited this company's booth at CES. They are a Chinese company with 4 ebook readers on the market. They actually brought a fifth model that was new to me. Several different models are being distributed in Europe.

The 4 models are the N516, N518, N520, and the N526. All 4 use the same 5" e-ink screen and CPU. They also all use FBReader to display ebooks. The latter 2 models have keyboards, the first two do not. The N518 and the N526 also have touchscreens. As you can see, Hanvon has a nice balance between touchscreen and keyboard options.

I encountered a serious problem with the N520 and N526: I can't use the keyboard. I didn't realize until I had my hands on them but the keyboard buttons are too small. It's not obvious in a photo because the ratio between the keyboard and the screen appears to be about the same as on the Kindle, and that one was quite usable. But these 2 ereaders have a smaller screen.

I also don't like the N516 and N518, but this is really more of a personal preference. I think the buttons are too small. I also found it easy to miss the buttons when pressing while reading. BTW, I own a Jetbook (similar size), and I'm quite happy with it and its buttons.

bruiser · 01-08-2010, 09:30 PM

I am liking my n518 more and more - just got it yesterday. This is my first reader and the buttons are working good for me - so is the touch with the stylus. I wear large size in disposable gloves. The reader is cool that it is just like a little book with the side slit like pages. So far it has recognized all the files i have put in for books. It did not recognize an audio flac file, just mp3's.

Ea · 01-09-2010, 05:48 AM

I don't think I'd be able to use those keyboards either. The Kindle keyboard buttons are dome-shaped (or perhaps you could say bell-like dome-shaped) and spaced more far apart. These buttons are flat and with little space between. You'd need to use the tips of your nail, like with some phones, and they'd slip on that surface.

Pelesz · 01-09-2010, 11:58 AM

The n516 is a nice little device, i could finally replace my ancient Palm. The only drawback is that the factory firmware is a piece of... Crashes all the time, and supports only a really few formats. I couldn't bear it more than a couple of hours, flashed OpenInkpot into it. I'm just happy, its an excellent software on a decent hardware.

01-08-2010, 07:14 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Hanvon ebook readers I visited this company's booth at CES. They are a Chinese company with 4 ebook readers on the market. They actually brought a fifth model that was new to me. Several different models are being distributed in Europe. The 4 models are the N516, N518, N520, and the N526. All 4 use the same 5" e-ink screen and CPU. They also all use FBReader to display ebooks. The latter 2 models have keyboards, the first two do not. The N518 and the N526 also have touchscreens. As you can see, Hanvon has a nice balance between touchscreen and keyboard options. I encountered a serious problem with the N520 and N526: I can't use the keyboard. I didn't realize until I had my hands on them but the keyboard buttons are too small. It's not obvious in a photo because the ratio between the keyboard and the screen appears to be about the same as on the Kindle, and that one was quite usable. But these 2 ereaders have a smaller screen. I also don't like the N516 and N518, but this is really more of a personal preference. I think the buttons are too small. I also found it easy to miss the buttons when pressing while reading. BTW, I own a Jetbook (similar size), and I'm quite happy with it and its buttons. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nate the great; 01-08-2010 at 07:19 PM.

01-08-2010, 09:30 PM	#2
bruiser Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: arizona,usa Device: Hanvon N518, HTC TP2	I am liking my n518 more and more - just got it yesterday. This is my first reader and the buttons are working good for me - so is the touch with the stylus. I wear large size in disposable gloves. The reader is cool that it is just like a little book with the side slit like pages. So far it has recognized all the files i have put in for books. It did not recognize an audio flac file, just mp3's. Last edited by bruiser; 01-08-2010 at 09:43 PM. Reason: hand size

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01-09-2010, 05:48 AM	#3
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I don't think I'd be able to use those keyboards either. The Kindle keyboard buttons are dome-shaped (or perhaps you could say bell-like dome-shaped) and spaced more far apart. These buttons are flat and with little space between. You'd need to use the tips of your nail, like with some phones, and they'd slip on that surface.

01-09-2010, 11:58 AM	#4
Pelesz Member Posts: 11 Karma: 26 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Transdanubia Meridianus Device: Cybook Muse Light	The n516 is a nice little device, i could finally replace my ancient Palm. The only drawback is that the factory firmware is a piece of... Crashes all the time, and supports only a really few formats. I couldn't bear it more than a couple of hours, flashed OpenInkpot into it. I'm just happy, its an excellent software on a decent hardware.