02-12-2009, 01:33 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Karma: 10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Germany
Device: Sony PRS 500
|
Help me justify an upgrade...
Hi there,
I have been using a PRS 500 for... erm... I don´t know 2 years? It accompanied me on at least two major vacations, so it must be 2 years... I can´t even remember when I last read a paper book. Anyway, now since the 700 has come out, I was thinking about an upgrade. There are several reasons why I would like to upgrade:
But the reports on here haven`t exactly been absolutely positive. Especially glare and contrast seem to be a bit on the bad side, when compared to the 505. But how about the 500? Is the screen better or worse? I found a side by side pic on http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadg...er-PRS-700.htm. But there it could be lighting or anything that makes the 700 look like it has a lot less contrast. It don´t trust pics all the way and would rather trust the mobileread-users. It´s the only thing holding me back... so I would appreciate it, if anyone could confirm or dispell my doubts. Thanks. Chili |
02-12-2009, 02:03 AM | #2 |
Member
Posts: 19
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Device: prs505(broken), Bebook
|
Its not good in person, its not worth the money.
|
Advert | |
|
02-12-2009, 02:09 AM | #3 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,101
Karma: 17249026
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: The Pacific NW
Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad
|
The 700 really does have less contrast. Is it a big deal? It depends....
If you hold it side by side with your 505, it's going to be very apparent. As much as you've already used your 500, even if you don't directly compare, it'll be very apparent. I had seen the 500, 505 and the kindle before I got my 700. I can tell the difference, and again direct comparisons make the 700 suffer. But when I read....it doesn't bug me in the slightest. On the other hand, I can't imagine $400 worth of reasons to upgrade from a 500 to a 700, unless you read in the dark a LOT. The page turn speed is a significant improvement from the 500, but it would have to really bother you now to make it worth it, in my opinion. |
02-12-2009, 02:27 AM | #4 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,279
Karma: 1002683
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York
Device: PRS-700
|
the contrast is a problem, but no worse than the 500..
its all in the Light. if you need the light, get the 700, if not. the 505 will do, if you buy books, get the kindle if you dont put it in your pocket. (i do with my 700, kindles dont fit) |
02-12-2009, 09:32 AM | #5 |
Tech Lust
Posts: 31
Karma: 10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-700, HP iPaq 210
|
I haven't had any glare problems with mine and since I've never owned a 500-505 before, the contrast is a non-issue as well. The light though is great. I love it.
Your best bet is to go to your local sony store and read on a demo for a bit. Do it without comparing the 700 side by side with the 505. After 15-20 minutes of reading, you'll know whether it's worth $400 to buy one. Note that it could go both ways. |
Advert | |
|
02-12-2009, 09:34 AM | #6 |
Addict
Posts: 207
Karma: 19597
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Device: Nook Glowlight Plus
|
I'm kinda in the same boat but the fact is I have a PRS-500 and I like it. I really don't have a reason to upgrade because my 500 works fine and there hasn't been a significant leap in the technology. When that happens or my reader breaks, then I'll upgrade but not before.
|
02-12-2009, 09:46 AM | #7 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,870
Karma: 27376
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Device: PRS-505
|
I'm not sure what to tell you. It's going to be tough for you to see a 700 since they aren't available where you are. If you can get an opportunity to check one out, take it. I saw one myself and I thought it looked great, but I know a lot of people who have had other eink devices find the contrast frustrating.
|
02-12-2009, 09:58 AM | #8 |
Tech Lust
Posts: 31
Karma: 10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-700, HP iPaq 210
|
I didn't check where you lived before I replied. I'm afraid that you'll have to go with features/benefits of both devices and make an educated decision based on that.
|
02-12-2009, 11:23 AM | #9 | |
Addict
Posts: 271
Karma: 332
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco, USA
Device: Sage, Elipsa, Oasis, Galaxy Tab 8U, S22U
|
Quote:
I use it few hours a day, in different places. It does have glare but I can always find a position where it's not a problem. |
|
02-12-2009, 12:05 PM | #10 |
Anti-Narcissist
Posts: 171
Karma: 307
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Somewhere Far, Nowhere Near...
Device: SØNY6
|
the way i see it;
If you have to pose the question in the first place, then stay where you are and enjoy your 505 because comparing the non-comparable will have you get all bent out of shape (sooner or later) there seems to be a problem with those who are in the 500 camp vs. new comers to 7series. |
02-12-2009, 12:57 PM | #11 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,624
Karma: 1008294
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Iowa, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch
|
save your $$ for another year, see what the next Sony brings
|
02-12-2009, 01:17 PM | #12 |
Junior Member
Posts: 9
Karma: 10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mexico City
Device: Sony Reader PRS505, Palm TX
|
I would buy a 505 again, just because I hate the way light reflects on the 700 when you read with strong external light sources, and the contrast does make a difference using certain fonts. I also don't like the mathematics:
PRS700 = $399.99 + S&H PRS505 = $269.99 (from Vanns.com, no S&H) Kingston 2Gb SD Card = $6.25 (from Amazon, you can use it with some other devices, so it's better than internal memory in terms of usage). Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light = $12.96 (from Amazon, you can use it with pBooks, doesn't drain your Readers battery, it's great when you are looking for those damn keys) Total: $289.2 (+ batteries for the lamp, and maybe a pen and a notebook for your annotations) |
02-12-2009, 01:29 PM | #13 |
Member
Posts: 10
Karma: 10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Device: Sony PRS-700BC
|
My opinion is, if you do not have any eBook reader, PRS700 is great. Since you already have 500, and this is a fast evolving market, I would wait. The benefits you are getting with 700 is not worth full price of $399 (IMO). There are lots of eBook makers who are coming out with innovative ideas and I'm sure, before end of 2009, we might see lot better models with more competitive pricing. I'm sure, no one wants to end up spending the $399 and then again, within few months, looking into another eBook reader which is lot better. But if someone does not have an eBook reader, I'm very happy with PRS700. Contrast issues are not that big of a worry, unless you are comparing with something else.
|
02-12-2009, 03:34 PM | #14 |
curmudgeon
Posts: 1,481
Karma: 5748190
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500
|
I upgraded from a 500 to a 700. In my experience the screen contrast and apparent resolution are about the same, but the UI and speed for loading books is VASTLY better on the 700. That improved speed is a really big deal if you are not a PC user. Sony's software on the PC pre-paginates LRF files; Calibre does not (because Kovid quite understandably does not wish to reverse engineer Sony's pagination algorithm). Thus, if you use Calibre, you find yourself waiting for pagination of any book when first opened. The 700 is 4x - 5x faster for the first opening of an LRF file (according to my stop-watch on a semi-random selection of large eBooks). This is the difference between being reluctant to open a different book (due to the delay) and just doing it without thought.
Of course, your mileage may vary. Xenophon |
02-12-2009, 03:56 PM | #15 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 55
Karma: 773
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ottawa Canada
Device: Sony Reader
|
I had the best of reasons to upgrade. I dropped my 500 and broke it. Honest my love, it was an accident, honest!
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Formatting an eBook - Left justify or Justified | simonroyle | General Discussions | 145 | 07-06-2020 07:38 PM |
Can you left justify text with the 360? | maxbookworm | PocketBook | 11 | 05-31-2010 10:49 AM |
Problems getting text to justify | ficbot | Calibre | 4 | 01-13-2010 02:27 PM |
Problem with justify | chlorine | Kindle Formats | 4 | 02-16-2009 04:20 PM |
Justify align in RTF? | griffbrad | Sony Reader | 6 | 11-27-2006 03:25 PM |