Astak (V3) a scam or serious?

frankminus · 03-07-2009, 07:19 AM

I see the Astak EZreader pop up quite a lot on this forum. I like the idea of an "open format" reader and the huge number of file formats it supports.

But after a little investigation I found some weird stuff.

- The "official" website is mobiebook.com (mobi ebook) but the device doesn't read mobipocket books, though they sell them on their website. Weird. Why sell books you can't read on the device you sell?

- The price is higher than rebrands of the same price, but those readers DO read mobipocket content. (differs up to $50)

- Large parts of the website don't function, try the forum.

- The links to the software are all third party and not meant for the device itself, where other V3 versions offer monthly updates.

- The guy in the youtube promotional video is totally drunk. (no rant: check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gshDchF-o )

- The website looks really 'last century'.

Is this reader for real? Or should I order one abroad under a different brand name? (cheaper, but extra shipping cost, possible warranty issue)

EDIT : after another look:
The regular version $329 differs only from the 'new release promotion' ($369) on 2 added SD cards (valued by them at $12.84) and a cardreader (valued by them at $9.99) they both have the same case. No extra value there ... so added up the 'special deal' should be valued at $351.83 ....

What are they trying to tell me : let us rip you off, or buy the extra's elsewhere?

Marysart · 03-07-2009, 08:01 AM

Hmm, I'm never all that good in judging wether people are drunk or not, especially from this distance...Can't smell his breath

Maybe he's on some sort of medication? I mean, he could still spell....
But enough about that.

What strikes me as odd is all of these company's claiming to have created a new product, when it's just a rebrand of the same oem hardware.
They must think their customers are stupid. Ok I know the different company's choose different formats to support or not, with the bebook supporting the most formats from what I've gathered.
For DRM'd format support, you're gonna have to look at which format you prefer and which reader supports it.
Still to the op, if you order this reader from abroad, don't you have to pay a lot of import tax on it?

I do share your feelings of "shenanigens" (Sorry about the spelling) somewhat though. This is because of the 100+ pages thread about the Astak Mentor floating around here somewhere on the board.

slayda · 03-07-2009, 09:19 AM

Fry's usually has a better deal on the EZ Reader.

Ea · 03-07-2009, 09:32 AM

I think we can agree that the style and look of the web site has "issues", but it's my impression that they are quite genuine and that people who have bought from them have had good experiences. Their style of communication is from my POV rather loud and over-enthusiastic, rather "American", but that might simple be a style that works for them and their primary market.

matanic · 03-07-2009, 10:15 AM

The reader itself is great, and I know it says it doesn't read mobipocket on the website, but the one I bought at Fry's read mobipocket right out of the box. In fact it even came with some classics in .prc format already installed. Maybe they mean DRM'ed mobipocket, because I didn't try that. I know you can upgrade the firmware using any of the Hanlin V3 (and clones) firmware out there so that would fix the problem if it doesn't read DRM'ed mobipocket.

cvkemp · 03-07-2009, 06:16 PM

I got the EZ Reader yesterday at Fry's. I was a little disappointed in the fireware. Then I read that I could update the firmware with the latest BEBook firmware, which I did today. This lets the reader be seen by mobireader software on my computer without even having to manually enter the PID. Just make sure that you are running mobireader 6.2 build 614 which you have to get from the beta sites. I googled "mobipocket reader 6.2 build 614 to find it.
I have not tryed DRM books for the mobipocket yet. I have a lot of lit books that I have to read and it will read the non DRM directly and I have used convertlit to convert the DRM books to a format that I can use mobipocket creator to convert to prc.
I love it
Chuck

slayda · 03-07-2009, 08:42 PM

I like the Openinkpot firmware much better.

RickyMaveety · 03-07-2009, 09:41 PM

Well, all I can say is:

1. The guy in the video doesn't look drunk to me, exuberant maybe, but not drunk;

2. The Astak company is certainly not a scam;

3. The mobiebook site worked for me; and

4. If Fry's Electronics sells the product, then it's not a scam.

Indigo Ink · 03-07-2009, 10:17 PM

Have a look at the following thread and I think most of your questions would be answered

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22658

pilotbob · 03-07-2009, 10:44 PM

Also, keep in mind that this device was planned to be a mobipocket device. It is from Jinke and the same as the Hanlin V3 and BeBook... the most current firmware does support mobipocket.

However, for some reason amazon decided that they could not ship the mobipocket reader on the EZ Reader. Why, I don't know. So, they dropped it.

BOb

DaleDe · 03-09-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Also, keep in mind that this device was planned to be a mobipocket device. It is from Jinke and the same as the Hanlin V3 and BeBook... the most current firmware does support mobipocket.

However, for some reason amazon decided that they could not ship the mobipocket reader on the EZ Reader. Why, I don't know. So, they dropped it.

BOb

Actually, they will drop it in the future. The current products do support Mobi format and the firmware is compatible among all Hanlin clones so they can all be converted even it EZ Reader changes it in the future.

Dale

rosealee1118 · 06-14-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankminus

I see the Astak EZreader pop up quite a lot on this forum. I like the idea of an "open format" reader and the huge number of file formats it supports.

But after a little investigation I found some weird stuff.

- The "official" website is mobiebook.com (mobi ebook) but the device doesn't read mobipocket books, though they sell them on their website. Weird. Why sell books you can't read on the device you sell?

- The price is higher than rebrands of the same price, but those readers DO read mobipocket content. (differs up to $50)

- Large parts of the website don't function, try the forum.

- The links to the software are all third party and not meant for the device itself, where other V3 versions offer monthly updates.

- The guy in the youtube promotional video is totally drunk. (no rant: check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gshDchF-o )

- The website looks really 'last century'.

Is this reader for real? Or should I order one abroad under a different brand name? (cheaper, but extra shipping cost, possible warranty issue)

EDIT : after another look:
The regular version $329 differs only from the 'new release promotion' ($369) on 2 added SD cards (valued by them at $12.84) and a cardreader (valued by them at $9.99) they both have the same case. No extra value there ... so added up the 'special deal' should be valued at $351.83 ....

What are they trying to tell me : let us rip you off, or buy the extra's elsewhere?

you might be sorry if you do dont do the firmware update i did before i could read drm mobiepocket ebooks now it wont let me

smithno · 06-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Actually, any Hanlin V3 firmware will work on the EZ Reader. Just use one of the others that supports DRM Mobi. I have loaded BeBook, Hanlin, LBook, and OpenInkpot at various times on my EZ Reader. They all work.

Kris777 · 06-20-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithno

Actually, any Hanlin V3 firmware will work on the EZ Reader. Just use one of the others that supports DRM Mobi. I have loaded BeBook, Hanlin, LBook, and OpenInkpot at various times on my EZ Reader. They all work.

Is it means that EZ Reader firmware has no any DRM support?

wallcraft · 06-21-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris777

Is it means that EZ Reader firmware has no any DRM support?

The original EZ Reader firmware included MOBI support, but Amazon does not want any EInk reader marketed in the US to have MOBI DRM. I think it is the case that the current firmware still includes MOBI DRM, but Astak does not advertise this fact. The next version will drop MOBI DRM and include mobile Adobe Digital Editions (PDF and ePub DRM) instead. See Important update on DRM Astak.

All the firmware versions for the Hanlin V3 are interchangeable, so it will still be possible to use MOBI DRM on an EZ Reader if you want. One of the major downsides of DRM is that it always acts in the end to the detriment of ebook readers. It now seems likely that the MOBI format is dying (killed by Amazon) with Adobe ePub as the up and coming alternative and eReader as the old competitor with perhaps a 2nd wind coming soon.

03-07-2009, 07:19 AM	#1
frankminus Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	Astak (V3) a scam or serious? I see the Astak EZreader pop up quite a lot on this forum. I like the idea of an "open format" reader and the huge number of file formats it supports. But after a little investigation I found some weird stuff. - The "official" website is mobiebook.com (mobi ebook) but the device doesn't read mobipocket books, though they sell them on their website. Weird. Why sell books you can't read on the device you sell? - The price is higher than rebrands of the same price, but those readers DO read mobipocket content. (differs up to $50) - Large parts of the website don't function, try the forum. - The links to the software are all third party and not meant for the device itself, where other V3 versions offer monthly updates. - The guy in the youtube promotional video is totally drunk. (no rant: check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gshDchF-o ) - The website looks really 'last century'. Is this reader for real? Or should I order one abroad under a different brand name? (cheaper, but extra shipping cost, possible warranty issue) EDIT : after another look: The regular version $329 differs only from the 'new release promotion' ($369) on 2 added SD cards (valued by them at $12.84) and a cardreader (valued by them at $9.99) they both have the same case. No extra value there ... so added up the 'special deal' should be valued at $351.83 .... What are they trying to tell me : let us rip you off, or buy the extra's elsewhere? Last edited by frankminus; 03-07-2009 at 07:36 AM. Reason: added info and typo

03-07-2009, 10:17 PM	#9
Indigo Ink The curious one! Posts: 82 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: India Device: Kindle 3, Nook, Ebookman 901	Have a look at the following thread and I think most of your questions would be answered https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22658 Last edited by Indigo Ink; 03-08-2009 at 08:10 AM. Reason: can't type

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03-07-2009, 08:01 AM	#2
Marysart Member Retired Posts: 69 Karma: 588 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amsterdam Device: none	Hmm, I'm never all that good in judging wether people are drunk or not, especially from this distance...Can't smell his breath Maybe he's on some sort of medication? I mean, he could still spell.... But enough about that. What strikes me as odd is all of these company's claiming to have created a new product, when it's just a rebrand of the same oem hardware. They must think their customers are stupid. Ok I know the different company's choose different formats to support or not, with the bebook supporting the most formats from what I've gathered. For DRM'd format support, you're gonna have to look at which format you prefer and which reader supports it. Still to the op, if you order this reader from abroad, don't you have to pay a lot of import tax on it? I do share your feelings of "shenanigens" (Sorry about the spelling) somewhat though. This is because of the 100+ pages thread about the Astak Mentor floating around here somewhere on the board.

03-07-2009, 09:19 AM	#3
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	Fry's usually has a better deal on the EZ Reader.

03-07-2009, 09:32 AM	#4
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I think we can agree that the style and look of the web site has "issues", but it's my impression that they are quite genuine and that people who have bought from them have had good experiences. Their style of communication is from my POV rather loud and over-enthusiastic, rather "American", but that might simple be a style that works for them and their primary market.

03-07-2009, 10:15 AM	#5
matanic Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: iPad Air, Kobo Aura H2O	The reader itself is great, and I know it says it doesn't read mobipocket on the website, but the one I bought at Fry's read mobipocket right out of the box. In fact it even came with some classics in .prc format already installed. Maybe they mean DRM'ed mobipocket, because I didn't try that. I know you can upgrade the firmware using any of the Hanlin V3 (and clones) firmware out there so that would fix the problem if it doesn't read DRM'ed mobipocket.

03-07-2009, 06:16 PM	#6
cvkemp Loving life Posts: 1,430 Karma: 7991496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Device: PaperWhite 6 SE, Fire HD8	I got the EZ Reader yesterday at Fry's. I was a little disappointed in the fireware. Then I read that I could update the firmware with the latest BEBook firmware, which I did today. This lets the reader be seen by mobireader software on my computer without even having to manually enter the PID. Just make sure that you are running mobireader 6.2 build 614 which you have to get from the beta sites. I googled "mobipocket reader 6.2 build 614 to find it. I have not tryed DRM books for the mobipocket yet. I have a lot of lit books that I have to read and it will read the non DRM directly and I have used convertlit to convert the DRM books to a format that I can use mobipocket creator to convert to prc. I love it Chuck

03-07-2009, 08:42 PM	#7
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	I like the Openinkpot firmware much better.

03-07-2009, 09:41 PM	#8
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Well, all I can say is: 1. The guy in the video doesn't look drunk to me, exuberant maybe, but not drunk; 2. The Astak company is certainly not a scam; 3. The mobiebook site worked for me; and 4. If Fry's Electronics sells the product, then it's not a scam.

03-07-2009, 10:44 PM	#10
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Also, keep in mind that this device was planned to be a mobipocket device. It is from Jinke and the same as the Hanlin V3 and BeBook... the most current firmware does support mobipocket. However, for some reason amazon decided that they could not ship the mobipocket reader on the EZ Reader. Why, I don't know. So, they dropped it. BOb

06-14-2009, 05:17 PM	#13
smithno Groupie Posts: 152 Karma: 222484 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tenn., US Device: jetBook, jetBook Lite, Kindle 3, Galaxy Note II	Actually, any Hanlin V3 firmware will work on the EZ Reader. Just use one of the others that supports DRM Mobi. I have loaded BeBook, Hanlin, LBook, and OpenInkpot at various times on my EZ Reader. They all work.

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