PRS-650 Some general questions, please!

sayhello · 07-26-2011, 05:58 PM

Hi, I've been away for a bit. I've been extremely happy with my PRS-505. Unfortunately, the battery gave out. I sent it to Sony back in May to have the battery replaced. They have finally admitted they do not have a replacement battery, so have offered me a refurbished 650 for $99. I took them up on it. I really haven't been following anything about the 650 (since our local Sony Style store closed!) but now I see that it's far superior to the 600, and really hard to come by.

So I'm assuming this was a good deal?

I've been reading back through a bunch of the 650 threads, and I have a question. (Sorry, I searched, I did!) I've seen a lot of references to the mini-USB plug. So am I correct in understanding that the USB cord from the 505 will not work on the 605? What about the mains wall plug? I've seen people mention a Blackberry plug working with it, but does the plug from the 505 work with it? I'm guessing not, as the pictures I'm seeing makes it look like there's no place to plug it. So is it a USB adapter that I need? Any specific type? Thanks for any info you can give me!

Sayhello

akais · 07-26-2011, 07:17 PM

Sayhello,
I see 505's going for $75 to $100 on Ebay and PRS-650's going for $250 up so I would say you got a good deal. I went from a 500 to a 600 and then sold the 600 to get the 650. The screen on the 650 is incredible! I would say the only screen that comes halfway close was your 505 screen but even between those 2 screens there is a big difference. That along with the touch and dictionary and I think you will be happy. You are correct about the charging plug. The new Sonys use micro-USB connectors and the older ones use mini-USB. The good thing is that almost everything is using micro-USB now so it is easy to come up with a charger. I use my Blackberry charger or my son's Droid charger. You should also be able to use a Kindle charger and if all else fails, you can plug it into your computer and charge it via USB. The drawback to that is if it senses that its plugged into the computer, it goes into a usb drive mode and you can't read while it's charging. Charging from an adapter will allow you to read it. Hope that helps,

Andy

elcreative · 07-26-2011, 07:43 PM

Just to clarify, the x50s all use a micro-USB not a mini-USB (it's too big and won't fit) so if you get an additional cable ensure that one end is micro-USB.

sayhello · 07-26-2011, 10:15 PM

Thanks, Andy & elcreative!

Sayhello

melkorbauglir · 07-27-2011, 12:27 PM

I have even some wall charger with output: female normal usb at 5v.Might be,it was for my external hdd,or something.

Angst · 07-27-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayhello

Hi, I've been away for a bit. I've been extremely happy with my PRS-505. Unfortunately, the battery gave out. I sent it to Sony back in May to have the battery replaced. They have finally admitted they do not have a replacement battery, so have offered me a refurbished 650 for $99. [snip]

I think my 505 is developing severe battery problems. I'm going to have to send it back to Sony for repairs!

pendragginp · 07-27-2011, 10:50 PM

Boy, that was really a deal!

And yes, the Kindle charger does work with the 650.

melkorbauglir · 07-28-2011, 05:25 AM

Sony himself not having batteries for older PRS is not good.Customers care only till warranty expires?I must order 2-3 backup batteries asap,it seems.

carpetmojo · 07-28-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melkorbauglir

Sony himself not having batteries for older PRS is not good.Customers care only till warranty expires?I must order 2-3 backup batteries asap,it seems.

1] Warranty periods vary greatly country to country - in UK , for example, it's usually 12 months, with the added protection of the Sale of Goods Act, - which retailers are a bit frightened of usually the mere mention of it brings them to heel! - which over-rides "warranties" by saying things must "be fit for the purpose they are sold for", and, "for a reasonable time", which applies if something conks out anything from a few days to months after the "official" guarantee ends.
Basically, manufacturer's guarantees are almost irrelevent here - as long as you have proof of purchase, and, naturally, a good reason, as the law of the country takes precedence over anything they want to limit.
Even small print can now be challenged, as well as "unreasonable " contracts.

2] Somewhere ( YouTube?), a while ago, I've seen a video of how to change the battery - obtained online I presume, from some specialist "pattern" producer ?) - and I think it was a 505.

It was mentioned here, but that's all that I can dredge up.

Praps googling it might turn it up ?

Sorry I went on a bit - but I am very keen that people know the rights they have, especially in consumer matters - and I run a "retail" business, so I'm not anarchic for the sake of it ! .......

elcreative · 07-28-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melkorbauglir

Sony himself not having batteries for older PRS is not good.Customers care only till warranty expires?I must order 2-3 backup batteries asap,it seems.

Li-poly batteries normally have a lifetime of around 400-500 recharge cycles up to 1,000 plus... at upwards of 3 hours reading per dat, I recharge around 7-10 days so even taking the most conservative view, 400 recharges for 7 days reading each gives 2800 days before failure which is around 7+ years. I think ordering 2-3 spares is a bit of overkill especially as you will need to remember to charge them somehow every few months or they'll die anyway... Li-poly batteries are very good bar the occasional failure but if it's faulty then it won't normally even last the warranty period. Paranoia doesn't mean they aren't out to get you but don't take it too far...

melkorbauglir · 07-28-2011, 12:25 PM

My original nokia batteries tired in 2 years or 2.5.Non nokia brand replacements arent even close to advertized level.

Knowing from firsthand experience....if you have thing,that might need serviceable parts later-buy,even if its nonbroken yet.

I have pair of RockShox Judy Race mtb forks,needing lower cast legs.They were on sale like 2-3 years,now impossible to find,cos fork is 10 y old model,now obsolete.If i damn bought those legs in time-id still ride them....open oil bath coil spring design is quite sturdy,if serviced.

Pinecone · 07-28-2011, 04:20 PM

You do have to watch aftermarket batteries.

I was looking are replacing the batteries one of my UPS units. Aftermarket batteries were a good bit cheaper, then I noticed they were 5 AH versus 7 AM. So 28% less capacity.

Phone batteries undergo many more charge cycles that readers. I chare me reader maybe once a week. I charge my phone almost every day. So I would expect the reader battery to last about 5 times as long as tehphone battery.

sayhello · 07-28-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angst

I think my 505 is developing severe battery problems. I'm going to have to send it back to Sony for repairs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pendragginp

Boy, that was really a deal!

And yes, the Kindle charger does work with the 650.

Quote:

Originally Posted by melkorbauglir

Sony himself not having batteries for older PRS is not good.Customers care only till warranty expires?I must order 2-3 backup batteries asap,it seems.

I don't know if it's because of the earthquake/tsunami, or just because they haven't made or stocked the 505 in quite a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

1] Warranty periods vary greatly country to country - in UK , for example, it's usually 12 months, with the added protection of the Sale of Goods Act, - which retailers are a bit frightened of usually the mere mention of it brings them to heel! - which over-rides "warranties" by saying things must "be fit for the purpose they are sold for", and, "for a reasonable time", which applies if something conks out anything from a few days to months after the "official" guarantee ends.
Basically, manufacturer's guarantees are almost irrelevent here - as long as you have proof of purchase, and, naturally, a good reason, as the law of the country takes precedence over anything they want to limit.
Even small print can now be challenged, as well as "unreasonable " contracts.

We don't have anything like that in the US. Warranty is warranty.

Quote:

2] Somewhere ( YouTube?), a while ago, I've seen a video of how to change the battery - obtained online I presume, from some specialist "pattern" producer ?) - and I think it was a 505.

It was mentioned here, but that's all that I can dredge up.

Praps googling it might turn it up ?

Sorry I went on a bit - but I am very keen that people know the rights they have, especially in consumer matters - and I run a "retail" business, so I'm not anarchic for the sake of it ! .......

I watched the video, and the chances of me screwing the reader up while changing the battery were extremely high. Sony said they could do it for not a horrendous amount of money. Oh, well! Hopefully my 650 fits in my 505 case...

Sayhello

banjobama · 07-29-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayhello

I see that it's far superior to the 600...

So I'm assuming this was a good deal?

IT IS. I feel like everything that was even mildly wrong with the 600 has been fixed in the 650. It's almost like someone from Sony was creeping the MR forums and reading all the complaints..lol

sayhello · 07-29-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

IT IS. I feel like everything that was even mildly wrong with the 600 has been fixed in the 650. It's almost like someone from Sony was creeping the MR forums and reading all the complaints..lol

Excellent! Thanks!

Sayhello

07-26-2011, 05:58 PM	#1
sayhello Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 373 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505 (Blue!), PRS-650 (Black), iPad, iPod Touch	Some general questions, please! Hi, I've been away for a bit. I've been extremely happy with my PRS-505. Unfortunately, the battery gave out. I sent it to Sony back in May to have the battery replaced. They have finally admitted they do not have a replacement battery, so have offered me a refurbished 650 for $99. I took them up on it. I really haven't been following anything about the 650 (since our local Sony Style store closed!) but now I see that it's far superior to the 600, and really hard to come by. So I'm assuming this was a good deal? I've been reading back through a bunch of the 650 threads, and I have a question. (Sorry, I searched, I did!) I've seen a lot of references to the mini-USB plug. So am I correct in understanding that the USB cord from the 505 will not work on the 605? What about the mains wall plug? I've seen people mention a Blackberry plug working with it, but does the plug from the 505 work with it? I'm guessing not, as the pictures I'm seeing makes it look like there's no place to plug it. So is it a USB adapter that I need? Any specific type? Thanks for any info you can give me! Sayhello Last edited by sayhello; 07-26-2011 at 10:17 PM.

07-26-2011, 10:15 PM	#4
sayhello Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 373 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505 (Blue!), PRS-650 (Black), iPad, iPod Touch	Thanks, Andy & elcreative! Sayhello Last edited by sayhello; 07-26-2011 at 10:18 PM.

07-28-2011, 12:25 PM	#11
melkorbauglir Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lahti,Finland Device: Sony PRS-650,LG G7 ThinQ,Samsung S5 Active,Pocketbook InkPad 3	My original nokia batteries tired in 2 years or 2.5.Non nokia brand replacements arent even close to advertized level. Knowing from firsthand experience....if you have thing,that might need serviceable parts later-buy,even if its nonbroken yet. I have pair of RockShox Judy Race mtb forks,needing lower cast legs.They were on sale like 2-3 years,now impossible to find,cos fork is 10 y old model,now obsolete.If i damn bought those legs in time-id still ride them....open oil bath coil spring design is quite sturdy,if serviced. Last edited by melkorbauglir; 07-28-2011 at 12:28 PM.

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07-26-2011, 07:17 PM	#2
akais Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Flourdough-The Shoeshine State! Device: Kindle 1st gen., Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony Prs-650	Sayhello, I see 505's going for $75 to $100 on Ebay and PRS-650's going for $250 up so I would say you got a good deal. I went from a 500 to a 600 and then sold the 600 to get the 650. The screen on the 650 is incredible! I would say the only screen that comes halfway close was your 505 screen but even between those 2 screens there is a big difference. That along with the touch and dictionary and I think you will be happy. You are correct about the charging plug. The new Sonys use micro-USB connectors and the older ones use mini-USB. The good thing is that almost everything is using micro-USB now so it is easy to come up with a charger. I use my Blackberry charger or my son's Droid charger. You should also be able to use a Kindle charger and if all else fails, you can plug it into your computer and charge it via USB. The drawback to that is if it senses that its plugged into the computer, it goes into a usb drive mode and you can't read while it's charging. Charging from an adapter will allow you to read it. Hope that helps, Andy

07-26-2011, 07:43 PM	#3
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Just to clarify, the x50s all use a micro-USB not a mini-USB (it's too big and won't fit) so if you get an additional cable ensure that one end is micro-USB.

07-27-2011, 12:27 PM	#5
melkorbauglir Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lahti,Finland Device: Sony PRS-650,LG G7 ThinQ,Samsung S5 Active,Pocketbook InkPad 3	I have even some wall charger with output: female normal usb at 5v.Might be,it was for my external hdd,or something.

07-27-2011, 10:50 PM	#7
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	Boy, that was really a deal! And yes, the Kindle charger does work with the 650.

07-28-2011, 05:25 AM	#8
melkorbauglir Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lahti,Finland Device: Sony PRS-650,LG G7 ThinQ,Samsung S5 Active,Pocketbook InkPad 3	Sony himself not having batteries for older PRS is not good.Customers care only till warranty expires?I must order 2-3 backup batteries asap,it seems.

07-28-2011, 04:20 PM	#12
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	You do have to watch aftermarket batteries. I was looking are replacing the batteries one of my UPS units. Aftermarket batteries were a good bit cheaper, then I noticed they were 5 AH versus 7 AM. So 28% less capacity. Phone batteries undergo many more charge cycles that readers. I chare me reader maybe once a week. I charge my phone almost every day. So I would expect the reader battery to last about 5 times as long as tehphone battery.