7.8" or 8.0" e-ink as pdf readers?

MarjaE · 11-19-2020, 12:34 PM

I am still looking for an e-ink device to read pdfs.

I tried a conventional tablet instead, but got awful migraines, and am returning it.

Given the prices of 10" tablets, and compatibility issues reported with the ReMarkable 1, I am wondering how well 7.8" tablets such as the Boyue Mars work as pdf readers.

I have an astigmatism, and can't get perfect correction, so resolution isn't very important to me but size is critical.

I'd usually need to split the page. I'd probably want to switch between viewing quarters of the page, in portrait mode, and viewing halves, in landscape, when tables or text stretch across the page.

My preliminary tests here suggest that 7.8" may not be enough for some aggressively-styled pdfs: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...3&postcount=21 I would still need pre-processing and the larger Kindle Dx for those pdfs.

I am considering Boyue Mars + Orion Viewer.

JSWolf · 11-19-2020, 05:23 PM

I suggest a 10.3"Pocketbook or 10.3" Onyx Boox.

MarjaE · 11-19-2020, 06:41 PM

Boox is incredibly expensive, and Pocketbook's website mentions "You can check the possibility of delivering the goods to your town from our authorized online partners" but doesn't list any if I click the link.

Pajamaman · 11-19-2020, 09:10 PM

Onyx Nova is a good choice if you're limited to 7.8". The Neoreader app sets it apart because it allows you divide a page into a variety of section size and navigate between them quite easily. So a big page can be viewed quite easily. Onyx is pretty solid hardware and they can be found used on ebay for a good price if you're patient.

You could also get a Nook GlowLight Plus 7.8 and run Koreader on it, and read pdf in landscape. Same with a large Kobo. Though neither are as powerful as the Onyx. The Nooks are on ebay. Cranky device, but damn nice screen. I have a 6" and love the screen. But if you get a Nook, you have to root it and install Nook Manager. It's pretty painless if you have some knowledge.

IMO 7.8 is still a bit small for reading pdf in landscape. But it's doable. The Onyx is best at that size because the screen can be split into panes.

MarjaE · 11-19-2020, 10:39 PM

It's just that Boox tends to be a lot more expensive than Likebooks, Nooks, ReMarkables, etc. at each size range.

There's one big 10.3" exception on Amazon, but it seems too good to be true, and there are 2 sets of specs.

JSWolf · 11-20-2020, 05:35 AM

If you don't go for a 10.3" screen, then also forget a 7.8" screen. Go for the 8" Kobo Forma to read PDF. You can install KOReader and have as good a PDF experience as you can at 8".

MarjaE · 11-20-2020, 03:04 PM

I tried KOReader on the Kindle Dx. It probably *would* work on the Kobo Forma, but if it doesn't fit my needs, I would like to be able to use Orion Viewer or try other alternatives.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...01&postcount=9

JSWolf · 11-20-2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

I tried KOReader on the Kindle Dx. It probably *would* work on the Kobo Forma, but if it doesn't fit my needs, I would like to be able to use Orion Viewer or try other alternatives.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...01&postcount=9

You cannot compare some sold version of KOReader on an old slow, low-res Kindle DX to current KOReader on a Kobo Forma. They just don't compare. Orion doesn't run on a Kobo and the Kindle Oasis at 7" is not going to be nearly as good as KOReader and the Kobo Forma even if you could jailbreak the Oasis.

MarjaE · 11-20-2020, 04:32 PM

Well, I'm not planning on using a Kindle Oasis. I've already determined *that* screen is too small.

I'm mainly considering Likebook Mars. I think that would give me the option to try either Orion Viewer or KOReader or others still. While the Kobo would lock me into KOReader or the original Kobo reader.

Now one big sticking point on the Kindle Dx was that, by default, KOReader would ignore page breaks. (Another was its dependence on a touchscreen, so now that I've returned the Samsung, I can't test it on any of my devices.) So it would show page 1 and the top of page 2. Then the rest of page 2 and the top of page 3. My understanding was that I'd have to rewrite the config file to kill that nonsense.

Now if I'm moving to a smaller screen, I'm going to have to work with tiling. In Orion Viewer, I can adjust zoom settings without pinching or panning, and I can split pages into 2 or 4 tiles, and I can switch overlap and tile orders to follow columns or tables. So that looks like a decent option.

JSWolf · 11-20-2020, 06:52 PM

I would forget Likebook and go for Onyx Boox if you want an Android based Reader. There are some new 10.3" models that run Android 10.

MarjaE · 11-20-2020, 08:09 PM

Lowest prces tend to be on Amazon, higher prices at Best Buy, Ectaco, and so on.

Likebook Mars runs about $160 used, $220 new. Had bad experiences with Icarus, though.

Boox Nova 2 runs about $280 used, $310 new.

Boox Note Air, $480 new.

Kobo Forma, $250 from Rakuten.

If I order directly from Boox, they include a free stylus, but it's a random choice whether they ship a round one or a triangular one I can't use.

DaleDe · 11-23-2020, 12:04 PM

An 8" device can work well if you use it in landscape mode. Some PDF's don't lend themselves to landscape but many do.

Dale

rantanplan · 11-24-2020, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

An 8" device can work well if you use it in landscape mode. Some PDF's don't lend themselves to landscape but many do.

Dale

I use the Nova 3 in landscape for PDF magazines (especially the Nintendo Force magazine) and it's barely readable in landscape. If I was older, the font would be too fine to read. Even with the Boox Note Air I'd use landscape for PDF magazines I think

salamanderjuice · 11-24-2020, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantanplan

I use the Nova 3 in landscape for PDF magazines (especially the Nintendo Force magazine) and it's barely readable in landscape. If I was older, the font would be too fine to read. Even with the Boox Note Air I'd use landscape for PDF magazines I think

I find them readable in portrait on my Nova 2...it’s easier on my Note Air though. No complaints on that. Not really any different than an iPad and I don’t think most people read Zinio in Landscape on one.

rantanplan · 11-24-2020, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

I find them readable in portrait on my Nova 2...it’s easier on my Note Air though. No complaints on that. Not really any different than an iPad and I don’t think most people read Zinio in Landscape on one.

Maybe. And maybe I'm the odd one because I use my Galaxy Tab 6 (10.5 inch) in landscape for everything. Even comics & magazines.

11-19-2020, 12:34 PM	#1
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	7.8" or 8.0" e-ink as pdf readers? I am still looking for an e-ink device to read pdfs. I tried a conventional tablet instead, but got awful migraines, and am returning it. Given the prices of 10" tablets, and compatibility issues reported with the ReMarkable 1, I am wondering how well 7.8" tablets such as the Boyue Mars work as pdf readers. I have an astigmatism, and can't get perfect correction, so resolution isn't very important to me but size is critical. I'd usually need to split the page. I'd probably want to switch between viewing quarters of the page, in portrait mode, and viewing halves, in landscape, when tables or text stretch across the page. My preliminary tests here suggest that 7.8" may not be enough for some aggressively-styled pdfs: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...3&postcount=21 I would still need pre-processing and the larger Kindle Dx for those pdfs. I am considering Boyue Mars + Orion Viewer. Last edited by MarjaE; 11-19-2020 at 12:56 PM.

11-19-2020, 09:10 PM	#4
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,861 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	Onyx Nova is a good choice if you're limited to 7.8". The Neoreader app sets it apart because it allows you divide a page into a variety of section size and navigate between them quite easily. So a big page can be viewed quite easily. Onyx is pretty solid hardware and they can be found used on ebay for a good price if you're patient. You could also get a Nook GlowLight Plus 7.8 and run Koreader on it, and read pdf in landscape. Same with a large Kobo. Though neither are as powerful as the Onyx. The Nooks are on ebay. Cranky device, but damn nice screen. I have a 6" and love the screen. But if you get a Nook, you have to root it and install Nook Manager. It's pretty painless if you have some knowledge. IMO 7.8 is still a bit small for reading pdf in landscape. But it's doable. The Onyx is best at that size because the screen can be split into panes. Last edited by Pajamaman; 11-19-2020 at 09:23 PM.

11-20-2020, 04:32 PM	#9
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Well, I'm not planning on using a Kindle Oasis. I've already determined that screen is too small. I'm mainly considering Likebook Mars. I think that would give me the option to try either Orion Viewer or KOReader or others still. While the Kobo would lock me into KOReader or the original Kobo reader. Now one big sticking point on the Kindle Dx was that, by default, KOReader would ignore page breaks. (Another was its dependence on a touchscreen, so now that I've returned the Samsung, I can't test it on any of my devices.) So it would show page 1 and the top of page 2. Then the rest of page 2 and the top of page 3. My understanding was that I'd have to rewrite the config file to kill that nonsense. Now if I'm moving to a smaller screen, I'm going to have to work with tiling. In Orion Viewer, I can adjust zoom settings without pinching or panning, and I can split pages into 2 or 4 tiles, and I can switch overlap and tile orders to follow columns or tables. So that looks like a decent option. Last edited by MarjaE; 11-20-2020 at 04:46 PM.

11-20-2020, 08:09 PM	#11
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Lowest prces tend to be on Amazon, higher prices at Best Buy, Ectaco, and so on. Likebook Mars runs about $160 used, $220 new. Had bad experiences with Icarus, though. Boox Nova 2 runs about $280 used, $310 new. Boox Note Air, $480 new. Kobo Forma, $250 from Rakuten. If I order directly from Boox, they include a free stylus, but it's a random choice whether they ship a round one or a triangular one I can't use. Last edited by MarjaE; 11-20-2020 at 08:14 PM.

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11-19-2020, 05:23 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,364 Karma: 145488914 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I suggest a 10.3"Pocketbook or 10.3" Onyx Boox.

11-19-2020, 06:41 PM	#3
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Boox is incredibly expensive, and Pocketbook's website mentions "You can check the possibility of delivering the goods to your town from our authorized online partners" but doesn't list any if I click the link.

11-19-2020, 10:39 PM	#5
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	It's just that Boox tends to be a lot more expensive than Likebooks, Nooks, ReMarkables, etc. at each size range. There's one big 10.3" exception on Amazon, but it seems too good to be true, and there are 2 sets of specs.

11-20-2020, 05:35 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,364 Karma: 145488914 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you don't go for a 10.3" screen, then also forget a 7.8" screen. Go for the 8" Kobo Forma to read PDF. You can install KOReader and have as good a PDF experience as you can at 8".

11-20-2020, 03:04 PM	#7
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I tried KOReader on the Kindle Dx. It probably would work on the Kobo Forma, but if it doesn't fit my needs, I would like to be able to use Orion Viewer or try other alternatives. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...01&postcount=9

11-20-2020, 06:52 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,364 Karma: 145488914 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I would forget Likebook and go for Onyx Boox if you want an Android based Reader. There are some new 10.3" models that run Android 10.

11-23-2020, 12:04 PM	#12
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	An 8" device can work well if you use it in landscape mode. Some PDF's don't lend themselves to landscape but many do. Dale

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