Still using the PRS-500 - Page 3

Cthulhu · 12-16-2016, 12:47 PM

Thanks all.

Yes, I did indeed let the PRS-500 sit around for a good long while without a charge.

And I certainly noticed the low contrast of the screen compared to modern phones.

Would love to see a new color e-ink reader when/if they come out.

Figured that I would have a nice device to catch up on some reading this winter.

I will let everyone know how that plays out.

revmike · 12-18-2016, 12:12 AM

Still using my 505 that I bought back in March of 2008. I use it everyday and it still preforms like a champ. I did buy a refurbished T2, as a reserve some time ago but it's still in the box, I do update and check it's charge when I update the 505.

JSWolf · 12-18-2016, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revmike

Still using my 505 that I bought back in March of 2008. I use it everyday and it still preforms like a champ. I did buy a refurbished T2, as a reserve some time ago but it's still in the box, I do update and check it's charge when I update the 505.

(IMHO), you'd be best to put the 505 in the box as a spare and use the T2. The T2 at least can do justified with ADE even though it cannot do hyphenation.

JSWolf · 12-18-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

And I certainly noticed the low contrast of the screen compared to modern phones.

This is eInk. You cannot compare to an LCD screen on a phone. Compared to current eInk Readers that use a Carta screen, the 500 will look very dark and muddy,

Quote:

Would love to see a new color e-ink reader when/if they come out.

Color has come out. But it's using a filter that lowers the resolution and the colors are a bit washed out. Forget waiting for color. Just get a good Reader with a Carta screen and I think you'll be happy. If you are in the US, your easiest to get choices are Amazon, B&N, or Kobo. Personally, I'd forget B&N.

If you want waterproof and/or ePub, go with Kobo. If you don't want either, then you can also look at the Kindles (don't bother with the Oasis (overpriced and not well designed)).

luvduchovny · 12-21-2016, 05:06 PM

You know what is funny? I was just thinking about my old 500 today. I have been using my T3 for a few years now. Over the holidays maybe I will pull out the 500, give it a good charge and play with it. I also still have the 650 which weighs a ton, and I remember if I was reading in bed not to hold it over my face because if my grip slipped it hurt when it would land on my nose.

I don't download Kobo books on the T3 much and I kind of miss the old Sony Reader Store, but dang Sony, you do have long-lived reading devices.

issybird · 12-22-2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you want waterproof and/or ePub, go with Kobo.

I think someone who wants waterproofing should consider seriously the Nook Glowlight Plus. It's much cheaper than the Kobo options and has a higher resolution than the H2O (and the non-waterproof Aura Two, Kobo's 6"option.)

JSWolf · 12-22-2016, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I think someone who wants waterproofing should consider seriously the Nook Glowlight Plus. It's much cheaper than the Kobo options and has a higher resolution than the H2O (and the non-waterproof Aura Two, Kobo's 6"option.)

The nook uses MTP. That means it doesn't show up on the computer as a removable drive. For a lot of people, this could be an issue if they don't use Calibre and want to side load. Has B&N fixed the awful UI the previous nooks used?

rem736 · 02-03-2017, 04:13 PM

i've noticed lately that on my PRS-500, the screen is very hard to read now due to residual e-ink from a previous page appearing on the current page. it wasn't great before, but at least it was readable. now, e-ink from the previous page is coming through dark enough to prevent the text from the current page to show clearly. the temperature in socal has been lower than normal lately, so i was wnodering if the lower temperature could be a factor in the sub-par screen refresh behavior.

JSWolf · 02-03-2017, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem736

i've noticed lately that on my PRS-500, the screen is very hard to read now due to residual e-ink from a previous page appearing on the current page. it wasn't great before, but at least it was readable. now, e-ink from the previous page is coming through dark enough to prevent the text from the current page to show clearly. the temperature in socal has been lower than normal lately, so i was wnodering if the lower temperature could be a factor in the sub-par screen refresh behavior.

Why are you using your 500 when you have better Readers available? The 500 screen is awful compared to newer screens. The 500 is very slow and unless you've already sent it to Sony, it won't handle ePub. Plus, even if it did handle ePub, the version of ADE would be rather old. I don't recommend the 500 to anyone anymore.

rem736 · 02-03-2017, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why are you using your 500 when you have better Readers available? The 500 screen is awful compared to newer screens. The 500 is very slow and unless you've already sent it to Sony, it won't handle ePub. Plus, even if it did handle ePub, the version of ADE would be rather old. I don't recommend the 500 to anyone anymore.

not actually using it. i do have better devices. i just want to keep the 500 because it's the first one i got way back when and it's also the first commercially released e-book reader in the u.s. basically, i want to keep it for historical purposes. and it has been updated to read epubs. i also changed out the battery. and despite the fact that i don't actually use it, i want it fully functioning as it was intended to function when it was released.

JSWolf · 02-03-2017, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem736

not actually using it. i do have better devices. i just want to keep the 500 because it's the first one i got way back when and it's also the first commercially released e-book reader in the u.s. basically, i want to keep it for historical purposes. and it has been updated to read epubs. i also changed out the battery. and despite the fact that i don't actually use it, i want it fully functioning as it was intended to function when it was released.

Given that it's the first generation eInk screen, I would not be surprised that screen is having issues after so long.

rkomar · 02-03-2017, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem736

i've noticed lately that on my PRS-500, the screen is very hard to read now due to residual e-ink from a previous page appearing on the current page. it wasn't great before, but at least it was readable. now, e-ink from the previous page is coming through dark enough to prevent the text from the current page to show clearly. the temperature in socal has been lower than normal lately, so i was wnodering if the lower temperature could be a factor in the sub-par screen refresh behavior.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was temperature related. Who knows how the gel in the pixels behaves as it gets colder.

My 505 screen still looks as good as new (used indoors), so I'm not sure if the age is a factor.

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12-16-2016, 12:47 PM	#31
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	Thanks all. Yes, I did indeed let the PRS-500 sit around for a good long while without a charge. And I certainly noticed the low contrast of the screen compared to modern phones. Would love to see a new color e-ink reader when/if they come out. Figured that I would have a nice device to catch up on some reading this winter. I will let everyone know how that plays out.

12-18-2016, 12:12 AM	#32
revmike Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 5282 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: hanford, ca Device: Sony Readers 505 \ T-2, Nook Glowlight Plus 7.8	Still using my 505 that I bought back in March of 2008. I use it everyday and it still preforms like a champ. I did buy a refurbished T2, as a reserve some time ago but it's still in the box, I do update and check it's charge when I update the 505.

12-21-2016, 05:06 PM	#35
luvduchovny Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 137186 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500, PRS-600, PRS-650, PRS-T1, PRS-T3	You know what is funny? I was just thinking about my old 500 today. I have been using my T3 for a few years now. Over the holidays maybe I will pull out the 500, give it a good charge and play with it. I also still have the 650 which weighs a ton, and I remember if I was reading in bed not to hold it over my face because if my grip slipped it hurt when it would land on my nose. I don't download Kobo books on the T3 much and I kind of miss the old Sony Reader Store, but dang Sony, you do have long-lived reading devices.

02-03-2017, 04:13 PM	#38
rem736 purpose priority passion Posts: 645 Karma: 9002000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: socal, usa Device: sony prs-350, b&n ngp, rM2, kindle scribe, boox poke5	i've noticed lately that on my PRS-500, the screen is very hard to read now due to residual e-ink from a previous page appearing on the current page. it wasn't great before, but at least it was readable. now, e-ink from the previous page is coming through dark enough to prevent the text from the current page to show clearly. the temperature in socal has been lower than normal lately, so i was wnodering if the lower temperature could be a factor in the sub-par screen refresh behavior.