Best 5" Ebook Reader?

Richwood · 03-11-2018, 04:23 PM

For now lets limit this to ones reasonably available in the USA. I have the Kobo Mini and the Sony PRS-300 and PRS-350 models.

Personally I think the Sony PRS-350 is my preferred model as I like the 5 switches across the bottom of the screen, the ability to handle and show photos and the mostly metal covers construction. The frame of the 350 is plastic. The note taking is also a nice feature. It, along with the PRS-300, is readily available at good prices on ebay typically.

The Kobo has the advantage of handling both Epub and Mobi book files but is touch screen only. It does have a accessory sleep cover originally made for it by Kobo if you can find one but both the reader and cover are much scarcer on ebay than the Sony models. The reader is typically more expensive too. I lucked into the reader in NOS condition and the cover a bit later, still in the original packaging.

I also have an Aluratek LCD screen 5" reader which I consider strictly a collectors item.

Any others I have not mentioned that I should look for? I would love to find a 5" model with illuminated screen. I have the Sony illuminated cover for one of my PRS-350 readers but while it works well it makes the reader about as bulky overall as the Sony PRS-T3 which is the lightest and most compact 6" e-ink reader I know of, even with it's lighted cover.

kacir · 03-11-2018, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Best 5" Ebook Reader?

PocketBook 360°.
Unfortunately they are not made anymore and the availability in USA has been problematic even at the height of its fame.

I am not aware of any less than 6" reader being manufactured nowadays.

I have been on the look out for a 5" front-lit e-ink reader for ages and there is no such device.

There is YotaPhone with AMOLED screen on one side and an e-ink on the back. Fantastic device, but expensive and not strictly a reader.
I own YotaPhone 2 that I purchased for a heavily discounted price a couple of years ago.

Barbara1955 · 03-11-2018, 06:00 PM

New ones are 7"+

rcentros · 03-11-2018, 06:30 PM

I like the 5" readers. I currently own (more than one) Sony 350 and 300 and an Astak EZReader Pocket Pro (just picked up) – this was one of the re-branded Hanlin V5s, along with BeBook Mini, Papyre 5.1 and Lbook V5. It's lighter and has more features than the Sony 300 or 350, but the build quality doesn't match up, nor does the screen seem quite as dark and sharp. They used that soft "rubbery" plastic for the case (which is nice when new, but can get tacky as it ages). But the Hanlin V5 had an SD Card slot, could play music, had justified text and nine font size choices. It also had a rocker switch on the right side for turning pages, two page turn buttons on the left side and the "9" and "0" buttons on the bottom also could turn pages (or go to the next footnote, kind of like the Sony). So that's kind of nice for page turning. The numbered switches worked kind of like the numbered switches on the Sony 300. The EzReader Pro is slightly smaller than the 300 and a good deal lighter at 5.6 ounces (about the same weight as the 350). If it had a little darker screen I would like it more, but it is still readable.

BTW, thanks for the Aluratek mention. These look pretty easy to find and relatively cheap.

Looking at Wikipedia, I see the following small eReaders (most of them probably really rare). (These are besides the ones mentioned above.)

Trekstor Pyrus Mini - 4.3" screen. Would like to find one of these.
Pocketbook 360 & Plus - 5" (look to be extremely hard to find)
txtr Beagle - 5" (ran on two double or triple AA/AAA (not sure which) batteries connected to smartphone via Bluetooth, originally sold for $15)
Bookeen Cybook Opus - 5"
Samsung Papyrus - 5" – This one looks really nice. I'm guessing very, very rare as it looks they only made them for a year.

(EDIT: Found another one not listed in Wikipedia, the PocketBook 515, which came out a little after the Trekstor Pyrus Mini.)

That's all Wikipedia shows. eBay doesn't have Pocketbook 360s, but they have replacement screens. What I find odd is that these screen assemblies are sold both for the 360 and the Sony PRS-300.

billthrow · 03-14-2018, 07:52 PM

Use your smartphone. They are more versatile and read Amazon books.

DaleDe · 03-15-2018, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billthrow

Use your smartphone. They are more versatile and read Amazon books.

Or, better yet, use a InkCase Plus as described in our wiki. This unit can be used independently or hooked to a smartphone giving you a screen on the back side along with a rugged case.

Dale

JSWolf · 03-15-2018, 03:29 PM

The best 5" Reader is the Kobo Mini unless a 5" Reader with front light, Carta screen, and touchscreen is released.

ZodWallop · 03-15-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The best 5" Reader is the Kobo Mini unless a 5" Reader with front light, Carta screen, and touchscreen is released.

Didn't you visit GoodEreader? The Kobo Mini 2 is on the way

JSWolf · 03-15-2018, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Didn't you visit GoodEreader? The Kobo Mini 2 is on the way

But Mother's Day has already come and gone.

ZodWallop · 03-15-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But Mother's Day has already come and gone.

Touche!

I wish their 'Ultimate Ereader' would have worked out better.

GlenBarrington · 03-16-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Touche!

I wish their 'Ultimate Ereader' would have worked out better.

So . . . it wasn't quite as ultimate as they had hoped?

ZodWallop · 03-16-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

So . . . it wasn't quite as ultimate as they had hoped?

It wasn't even penultimate.

JSWolf · 03-16-2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

So . . . it wasn't quite as ultimate as they had hoped?

It is an ultimate Reader. An ultimate disaster.

Richwood · 03-16-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The best 5" Reader is the Kobo Mini unless a 5" Reader with front light, Carta screen, and touchscreen is released.

If you mostly side load book files then I would say the Kobo Mini or Sony PRS-350 are about equal. The major advantage of the Mini is the wi-fi. The Sony has the advantage of the hardware buttons for several functions including page turns. So to me a bit of a wash to choose the :best" between the two.

What I want is a 300 DPI illuminated screen, communications, current Kobo font controls and choices as well as page turn buttons or sensors.

JSWolf · 03-16-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

If you mostly side load book files then I would say the Kobo Mini or Sony PRS-350 are about equal. The major advantage of the Mini is the wi-fi. The Sony has the advantage of the hardware buttons for several functions including page turns. So to me a bit of a wash to choose the :best" between the two.

What I want is a 300 DPI illuminated screen, communications, current Kobo font controls and choices as well as page turn buttons or sensors.

The software on the Mini is better than the software on the 350. The biggest problem I had with Sony Readers is the way it rescans the books every time you reboot or unplug from USB. WIth Kobo, it on;y scans new books and once done. it's done. Plus, the version of RMSDK on the Mini supports more features, better fonts, and hyphenation. So IMHO, the reading experience of the Mini is better than that of the 350. I have a 650 and I know the reading experience of the Kobo software is better. And the processor is faster and it handles hi-res images much better.

03-11-2018, 04:23 PM	#1
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Best 5" Ebook Reader? For now lets limit this to ones reasonably available in the USA. I have the Kobo Mini and the Sony PRS-300 and PRS-350 models. Personally I think the Sony PRS-350 is my preferred model as I like the 5 switches across the bottom of the screen, the ability to handle and show photos and the mostly metal covers construction. The frame of the 350 is plastic. The note taking is also a nice feature. It, along with the PRS-300, is readily available at good prices on ebay typically. The Kobo has the advantage of handling both Epub and Mobi book files but is touch screen only. It does have a accessory sleep cover originally made for it by Kobo if you can find one but both the reader and cover are much scarcer on ebay than the Sony models. The reader is typically more expensive too. I lucked into the reader in NOS condition and the cover a bit later, still in the original packaging. I also have an Aluratek LCD screen 5" reader which I consider strictly a collectors item. Any others I have not mentioned that I should look for? I would love to find a 5" model with illuminated screen. I have the Sony illuminated cover for one of my PRS-350 readers but while it works well it makes the reader about as bulky overall as the Sony PRS-T3 which is the lightest and most compact 6" e-ink reader I know of, even with it's lighted cover. Last edited by Richwood; 03-14-2018 at 08:23 PM.

03-11-2018, 06:30 PM	#4
rcentros eReader Wrangler Posts: 7,443 Karma: 48453105 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boise, ID Device: PB HD3, GL3, Tolino Vision 4, Voyage, Clara HD	I like the 5" readers. I currently own (more than one) Sony 350 and 300 and an Astak EZReader Pocket Pro (just picked up) – this was one of the re-branded Hanlin V5s, along with BeBook Mini, Papyre 5.1 and Lbook V5. It's lighter and has more features than the Sony 300 or 350, but the build quality doesn't match up, nor does the screen seem quite as dark and sharp. They used that soft "rubbery" plastic for the case (which is nice when new, but can get tacky as it ages). But the Hanlin V5 had an SD Card slot, could play music, had justified text and nine font size choices. It also had a rocker switch on the right side for turning pages, two page turn buttons on the left side and the "9" and "0" buttons on the bottom also could turn pages (or go to the next footnote, kind of like the Sony). So that's kind of nice for page turning. The numbered switches worked kind of like the numbered switches on the Sony 300. The EzReader Pro is slightly smaller than the 300 and a good deal lighter at 5.6 ounces (about the same weight as the 350). If it had a little darker screen I would like it more, but it is still readable. BTW, thanks for the Aluratek mention. These look pretty easy to find and relatively cheap. Looking at Wikipedia, I see the following small eReaders (most of them probably really rare). (These are besides the ones mentioned above.) Trekstor Pyrus Mini - 4.3" screen. Would like to find one of these. Pocketbook 360 & Plus - 5" (look to be extremely hard to find) txtr Beagle - 5" (ran on two double or triple AA/AAA (not sure which) batteries connected to smartphone via Bluetooth, originally sold for $15) Bookeen Cybook Opus - 5" Samsung Papyrus - 5" – This one looks really nice. I'm guessing very, very rare as it looks they only made them for a year. (EDIT: Found another one not listed in Wikipedia, the PocketBook 515, which came out a little after the Trekstor Pyrus Mini.) That's all Wikipedia shows. eBay doesn't have Pocketbook 360s, but they have replacement screens. What I find odd is that these screen assemblies are sold both for the 360 and the Sony PRS-300. Last edited by rcentros; 03-11-2018 at 06:38 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ebook reader for "Secure Palm eReader" books?	Alohamora	Which one should I buy?	1	11-24-2011 12:55 PM
New ebook reader software "libris Me" - looking for beta testers	irgendwienet	News	38	12-02-2010 03:32 PM
You Have Been Warned (ebook reader/tablet in "2012" movie)	tomsem	News	19	12-03-2009 08:27 PM
Plastic Logic says "Nope!" to those hoping for a color eBook reader by next spring	Ocean	News	5	10-13-2009 11:30 PM
"do you want to fix removable disc" vista and my ebook reader	persiphone	Sony Reader	5	04-29-2009 12:06 AM

03-11-2018, 06:00 PM	#3
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	New ones are 7"+

03-14-2018, 07:52 PM	#5
billthrow Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Prs 600 prs300 Prst-1 Kobo Mini Nook HD+	Use your smartphone. They are more versatile and read Amazon books.

03-15-2018, 03:29 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The best 5" Reader is the Kobo Mini unless a 5" Reader with front light, Carta screen, and touchscreen is released.

Advert

Advert