Do I need the cradle? Purchase advice in general

fekg · 05-24-2007, 03:08 PM

I'm about to order a PRS 500 with the help of a buddy in Florida (I'm in the UK).

I was in Seattle in March, in Borders, queued for ages only to be told they didn't have any in stock - I was not happy! - it's been quite a mission! Luckily I just found this forum.

So my question is - is the cradle worth getting? I assume I don't need it to use the reader?

many thanks!

lumi · 05-24-2007, 03:23 PM

Welcome!

You don't need the cradle; IMHO it's not worth it. It looks cool, but its functions - charging and USB connection - can just as easily be done with the cords that are already included with the reader. It's not like you'll need to spend much time charging the battery

RWood · 05-24-2007, 03:29 PM

I spend more time loading and deleting books than I spend charging. It is a nice addition to a desk that keeps a lot of cords out of the way. It is a perhaps want not a need.

NatCh · 05-24-2007, 03:33 PM

Welcome and congratulations, fekg.

I'd say that lumi has the general gist of the matter: you don't really need the cradle to use any function of the Reader, but some do find it a convenience not to have to futz with getting everything plugged in correctly. The cradle does offer a very visible charge indicator light,as the clear plastic part is lit when it's charging, and is visible from several meters away even in a lit room.

I'd say the real answer to your question of should you get one, is probably the counter question of how much do you, personally, value those conveniences?

fekg · 05-24-2007, 03:54 PM

Awesome!

Thanks for the warm welcome and speedy replies.

I think I'll probably go for the cradle for the convience factor more than anything.
Dang, I can't wait to get my hands on this thing!!!

Bob Russell · 05-24-2007, 04:05 PM

I think you'll be happy with the cradle. It works with or without a cover on the Reader, and it really is a feel-good item. Personally, I love docks and cradles instead of plugging in wire connectors. I probably would only connect my Reader to the PC when absolutely necessary if I didn't have it. But with a cradle, it's simple and aesthetically pleasing.

And that white glow when it's charging is really cool! ;-)

As mentioned by the others, however, it is most certainly not necessary, and some people even prefer just to use the two wires (USB connector and the A/C adapter) anyway. A cradle really does need a permanent spot on your desktop!

HarryT · 05-25-2007, 04:13 AM

If you're going for accessories, to my mind the #1 would be a leather case rather than the cradle. Not only does it provide much better protection for the Reader than the supplied vinyl cover, and look good too, but you can also get hours of pleasure from sniffing it

.

kacir · 05-25-2007, 05:15 AM

No you do not need it.

Charging: Just plug the Reader to the charger once a month.

Uploading books: How quickly do you read? You connect the reader to the PC and upload 10 books. How soon do you need to replenish your reading material?

And if you buy an SD card and an external card reader you will not need to plug your Reder to the PC. Unless you decide that you like the Connect software, that is ...

If you want to spend some money, the best place is a good cover and/or case.

astra · 05-25-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you're going for accessories, to my mind the #1 would be a leather case rather than the cradle. Not only does it provide much better protection for the Reader than the supplied vinyl cover, and look good too, but you can also get hours of pleasure from sniffing it

.

I am second to HarryT's POV.

Well. Maybe minus the sniffing part...

NatCh · 05-25-2007, 08:48 AM

Aw, sniffing the cover is half the point of having it!

lumi · 05-25-2007, 11:52 AM

Ahhh, the smell of leather ... I'm with HarryT and NatCh on this one

UncleDuke · 05-25-2007, 12:02 PM

i like leather, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

astra · 05-25-2007, 12:14 PM

I don't argue against

I just don't have the cover yet. When I get it....we will see

flumbo · 05-25-2007, 02:42 PM

I don't have a cradle, but when I first bought the reader I thought it would be useful because I would be updating RSS feeds every day. I soon found out the RSS feature is implemented poorly and don't use it at all.

I have too many docks sitting on my desk already (laptop, palm, phone, ipod, camera) so adding another doesn't excite me.

I agree with getting the leather case-- although I wish it was a nice smooth leather instead of the sueded surface.

05-25-2007, 12:02 PM	#12
UncleDuke books & doughnuts Posts: 882 Karma: 37857 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: usa Device: sony reader, kindle2	i like leather, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Last edited by UncleDuke; 05-25-2007 at 12:10 PM. Reason: i also like the cradle, its neat and tidy

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05-24-2007, 03:08 PM	#1
fekg Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh, UK Device: Sony PRS 500, 505 & 700	Do I need the cradle? Purchase advice in general I'm about to order a PRS 500 with the help of a buddy in Florida (I'm in the UK). I was in Seattle in March, in Borders, queued for ages only to be told they didn't have any in stock - I was not happy! - it's been quite a mission! Luckily I just found this forum. So my question is - is the cradle worth getting? I assume I don't need it to use the reader? many thanks!

05-24-2007, 03:23 PM	#2
lumi Member Posts: 19 Karma: 46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Sony Reader	Welcome! You don't need the cradle; IMHO it's not worth it. It looks cool, but its functions - charging and USB connection - can just as easily be done with the cords that are already included with the reader. It's not like you'll need to spend much time charging the battery

05-24-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	I spend more time loading and deleting books than I spend charging. It is a nice addition to a desk that keeps a lot of cords out of the way. It is a perhaps want not a need.

05-24-2007, 03:33 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Welcome and congratulations, fekg. I'd say that lumi has the general gist of the matter: you don't really need the cradle to use any function of the Reader, but some do find it a convenience not to have to futz with getting everything plugged in correctly. The cradle does offer a very visible charge indicator light,as the clear plastic part is lit when it's charging, and is visible from several meters away even in a lit room. I'd say the real answer to your question of should you get one, is probably the counter question of how much do you, personally, value those conveniences?

05-24-2007, 03:54 PM	#5
fekg Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh, UK Device: Sony PRS 500, 505 & 700	Awesome! Thanks for the warm welcome and speedy replies. I think I'll probably go for the cradle for the convience factor more than anything. Dang, I can't wait to get my hands on this thing!!!

05-24-2007, 04:05 PM	#6
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I think you'll be happy with the cradle. It works with or without a cover on the Reader, and it really is a feel-good item. Personally, I love docks and cradles instead of plugging in wire connectors. I probably would only connect my Reader to the PC when absolutely necessary if I didn't have it. But with a cradle, it's simple and aesthetically pleasing. And that white glow when it's charging is really cool! ;-) As mentioned by the others, however, it is most certainly not necessary, and some people even prefer just to use the two wires (USB connector and the A/C adapter) anyway. A cradle really does need a permanent spot on your desktop!

05-25-2007, 04:13 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you're going for accessories, to my mind the #1 would be a leather case rather than the cradle. Not only does it provide much better protection for the Reader than the supplied vinyl cover, and look good too, but you can also get hours of pleasure from sniffing it .

05-25-2007, 05:15 AM	#8
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,450 Karma: 10484861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	No you do not need it. Charging: Just plug the Reader to the charger once a month. Uploading books: How quickly do you read? You connect the reader to the PC and upload 10 books. How soon do you need to replenish your reading material? And if you buy an SD card and an external card reader you will not need to plug your Reder to the PC. Unless you decide that you like the Connect software, that is ... If you want to spend some money, the best place is a good cover and/or case.

05-25-2007, 08:48 AM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Aw, sniffing the cover is half the point of having it!

05-25-2007, 11:52 AM	#11
lumi Member Posts: 19 Karma: 46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Sony Reader	Ahhh, the smell of leather ... I'm with HarryT and NatCh on this one

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05-25-2007, 12:14 PM	#13
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	I don't argue against I just don't have the cover yet. When I get it....we will see

05-25-2007, 02:42 PM	#14
flumbo I got nothin... Posts: 127 Karma: 302 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hawaii	I don't have a cradle, but when I first bought the reader I thought it would be useful because I would be updating RSS feeds every day. I soon found out the RSS feature is implemented poorly and don't use it at all. I have too many docks sitting on my desk already (laptop, palm, phone, ipod, camera) so adding another doesn't excite me. I agree with getting the leather case-- although I wish it was a nice smooth leather instead of the sueded surface.