PRS-600 PRS600 vs PRS505

taurian · 10-17-2009, 10:10 PM

Hi,

I have been using my PRS600 for over a month and I absolutely love it! So much so that I'm now thinking of getting another one (cos I actually bought this for my wife but I have been monopolising it since day 1

) Other than reading books bought off the eBook store, I spend a great amount of time reading Chinese PDFs converted from html pages.

Thing is, I have actually seen a Kindle 2 and I can see that its screen is slightly better than my PRS600. But I'll never go for the Kindle due to it's fixed memory, proprietary format (I can borrow eBooks from my library

) and limited support for PDF (must submit to Amazon for a conversion that's not guaranteed to format properly

).

I have heard that the PRS505's screen is much better as it is not touch screen. So my question is: What will I lose out if I were to get a PRS505 instead of another PRS600? I stay in Singapore which does not offer the Sony readers locally so whatever I buy is simply a leap of faith which is why I'd like to get some opinions.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Stitchawl · 10-17-2009, 10:21 PM

Hi taurian! There is another MR member who lives in S'pore. If I'm not mistaken, he uses a Sony 505. You might try to get together with him and see it for yourself. Try making a post with "Singapore" in its subject line to get his attention and ask.

For what it's worth, I love my 505, and reading properly formated pdfs haven't been a problem. But they do have to be properly formated to work right.

Stitchawl

orion2001 · 10-18-2009, 04:16 AM

I think it depends on what features you like on the PRS-600 that aren't available on the PRS-505. I've seen reviews of the PRS-600, and while it looks good, the screen on the 505 is certainly better. I love the 505, and I'd strongly recommend it for a good, no-nonsense ebook reader with pretty decent multi-format support. It lacks, annotations/notes and a dictionary, but these are features that I don't really need on my reader. If that is okay, then it would be a great choice for you.

kezza · 10-18-2009, 02:30 PM

I think the 505 is a little bit more limited in its viewing of PDFs, since it doesn't do as many font sizes. Still, it can read reflowable PDF and ePUB, so it might suit your needs. I love my 505, and decided not to upgrade to a 600, as long as my 505 is still working. If you can find someone who has a 505, load one of your PDFs onto a memory card and stick it in the borrowed 505. You'll be able to see firsthand if the 505 will work for you.

dclavey · 10-19-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion2001

It lacks, annotations/notes and a dictionary, but these are features that I don't really need on my reader. If that is okay, then it would be a great choice for you.

Yeah I went through the same heart ache, do I want to 600 or a 505. In the end it was the ability to place multiple hyperlinks on the page (I create my own ePub's) that won the day. Even though the 505 is far more readable.

As for annotations/notes/handwriting - yes I do use these, but as with any handwriting device you need to be careful not to lean your hand on the screen. Which can be difficult when writing notes on the left hand side of the screen.

Anyway my findings were:

If you are only reading books and want compact reader = 300

If you read books and listen to MP3 (very unsocialable in company, but I have done it when there is a TV program I don't want to watch) = 505

If you read books, jump around books using hyperlinks (e.g. Study Bible) make notes and listen to MP3's = 600

benham · 10-20-2009, 10:25 PM

Just how much less readible is the 600 than the 505? There seems to be all sorts of opinions on that.

taurian · 10-20-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclavey

Yeah I went through the same heart ache, do I want to 600 or a 505. In the end it was the ability to place multiple hyperlinks on the page (I create my own ePub's) that won the day. Even though the 505 is far more readable.

As for annotations/notes/handwriting - yes I do use these, but as with any handwriting device you need to be careful not to lean your hand on the screen. Which can be difficult when writing notes on the left hand side of the screen.

Anyway my findings were:

If you are only reading books and want compact reader = 300

If you read books and listen to MP3 (very unsocialable in company, but I have done it when there is a TV program I don't want to watch) = 505

If you read books, jump around books using hyperlinks (e.g. Study Bible) make notes and listen to MP3's = 600

Well, one thing's for sure, I won't go for the 300 due to the smaller screen size and lack of memory expansion slots.

Haesslich · 10-20-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benham

Just how much less readible is the 600 than the 505? There seems to be all sorts of opinions on that.

The best suggestion I can give you is to walk into a Sony Store or any store which has a PRS-600 on display, then pull out your PRS-505 and compare to see whether it works for you or not.

Superlucky · 10-20-2009, 11:28 PM

I think it boils down to screen clarity. The 600 has more features (dictionary, note-taking, search function, etc.) and the 505's screen looks better.

The 505's screen is only slightly better than the Kindle's (both are non-touch screen e-ink), so if you've seen a Kindle you have an idea.

HarryT · 10-21-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superlucky

I think it boils down to screen clarity. The 600 has more features (dictionary, note-taking, search function, etc.) and the 505's screen looks better.

For me personally, the dictionary and annotation are very, very important features, since I use the 600 for proof-reading my eBooks, and the ability to mark errors on the screen is vital.

Quote:

The 505's screen is only slightly better than the Kindle's (both are non-touch screen e-ink), so if you've seen a Kindle you have an idea.

The Kindle and the 505 use the same screen. There may be a matter of personal preference due to the different fonts used by the two machines, but the actual screens themselves are identical.

ruth1304 · 10-21-2009, 07:46 AM

I've been using a 505 for about 6 months, and have seen a 600 in a sony store. I didn't think the screen was much worse, certainly perfectly readable for me, and I'm now waiting for my new 600 to arrive. When I've used both of them for a while I'll have to decide which one to keep in the longer term, but I ordered the 600 with no worries about the screen.

benham · 10-21-2009, 10:33 AM

I am really curious about this. Since both have 8 gray levels and both use the same operating system, shouldn't the clarity be the same? Slightly off topic but is the 900 due out before Christmas?

HarryT · 10-21-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benham

I am really curious about this. Since both have 8 gray levels and both use the same operating system, shouldn't the clarity be the same?

The touch-sensitive layer on the 600's screen slightly reduces the clarity.

Quote:

Slightly off topic but is the 900 due out before Christmas?

Not in the UK.

benham · 10-21-2009, 11:09 AM

How about the good ole US of A? I am debating if it is worth the wait.

Abqpete · 10-21-2009, 10:42 PM

I initially picked the 300 after comparing its screen side by side with the 600 in the store. I did this for about 30 minutes comparing the same text on both devices. I decided the increased clarity was more important than size or features. After living with it for a few days, the small screen started to bug me. So I purchased a 600. The interface (touch), speed and features were wonderful. I loved everything about it except for one thing: visual quality. I spent way too much time trying to find an angle so that the glare was not washing out the screen. I kept remembering how sharp and clear the screen of the 300 was. So instead, I looked all over the San Francisco Bay Area and managed to locate a new PSR-505. While it lacks the features of the 600, it gives me the two most important things: a big screen and incredible readability.

Good luck!

Regards, Peter

10-17-2009, 10:10 PM	#1
taurian Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony Reader	PRS600 vs PRS505 Hi, I have been using my PRS600 for over a month and I absolutely love it! So much so that I'm now thinking of getting another one (cos I actually bought this for my wife but I have been monopolising it since day 1 ) Other than reading books bought off the eBook store, I spend a great amount of time reading Chinese PDFs converted from html pages. Thing is, I have actually seen a Kindle 2 and I can see that its screen is slightly better than my PRS600. But I'll never go for the Kindle due to it's fixed memory, proprietary format (I can borrow eBooks from my library ) and limited support for PDF (must submit to Amazon for a conversion that's not guaranteed to format properly ). I have heard that the PRS505's screen is much better as it is not touch screen. So my question is: What will I lose out if I were to get a PRS505 instead of another PRS600? I stay in Singapore which does not offer the Sony readers locally so whatever I buy is simply a leap of faith which is why I'd like to get some opinions. Thanks in advance for your advice.

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10-17-2009, 10:21 PM	#2
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	Hi taurian! There is another MR member who lives in S'pore. If I'm not mistaken, he uses a Sony 505. You might try to get together with him and see it for yourself. Try making a post with "Singapore" in its subject line to get his attention and ask. For what it's worth, I love my 505, and reading properly formated pdfs haven't been a problem. But they do have to be properly formated to work right. Stitchawl

10-18-2009, 04:16 AM	#3
orion2001 Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 24658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	I think it depends on what features you like on the PRS-600 that aren't available on the PRS-505. I've seen reviews of the PRS-600, and while it looks good, the screen on the 505 is certainly better. I love the 505, and I'd strongly recommend it for a good, no-nonsense ebook reader with pretty decent multi-format support. It lacks, annotations/notes and a dictionary, but these are features that I don't really need on my reader. If that is okay, then it would be a great choice for you.

10-18-2009, 02:30 PM	#4
kezza Lowlife of the Party Posts: 266 Karma: 4038 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: seattle Device: nook, iphone	I think the 505 is a little bit more limited in its viewing of PDFs, since it doesn't do as many font sizes. Still, it can read reflowable PDF and ePUB, so it might suit your needs. I love my 505, and decided not to upgrade to a 600, as long as my 505 is still working. If you can find someone who has a 505, load one of your PDFs onto a memory card and stick it in the borrowed 505. You'll be able to see firsthand if the 505 will work for you.

10-20-2009, 10:25 PM	#6
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	Just how much less readible is the 600 than the 505? There seems to be all sorts of opinions on that.

10-20-2009, 11:28 PM	#9
Superlucky Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 5952 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-350	I think it boils down to screen clarity. The 600 has more features (dictionary, note-taking, search function, etc.) and the 505's screen looks better. The 505's screen is only slightly better than the Kindle's (both are non-touch screen e-ink), so if you've seen a Kindle you have an idea.

10-21-2009, 07:46 AM	#11
ruth1304 Addict Posts: 394 Karma: 1546 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bristol, UK Device: Waiting for a kindle!	I've been using a 505 for about 6 months, and have seen a 600 in a sony store. I didn't think the screen was much worse, certainly perfectly readable for me, and I'm now waiting for my new 600 to arrive. When I've used both of them for a while I'll have to decide which one to keep in the longer term, but I ordered the 600 with no worries about the screen.

10-21-2009, 10:33 AM	#12
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	I am really curious about this. Since both have 8 gray levels and both use the same operating system, shouldn't the clarity be the same? Slightly off topic but is the 900 due out before Christmas?

10-21-2009, 11:09 AM	#14
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	How about the good ole US of A? I am debating if it is worth the wait.

10-21-2009, 10:42 PM	#15
Abqpete Member Posts: 18 Karma: 28 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Device: PRS-950, Kindle DXG, Voyage, Oasis	I initially picked the 300 after comparing its screen side by side with the 600 in the store. I did this for about 30 minutes comparing the same text on both devices. I decided the increased clarity was more important than size or features. After living with it for a few days, the small screen started to bug me. So I purchased a 600. The interface (touch), speed and features were wonderful. I loved everything about it except for one thing: visual quality. I spent way too much time trying to find an angle so that the glare was not washing out the screen. I kept remembering how sharp and clear the screen of the 300 was. So instead, I looked all over the San Francisco Bay Area and managed to locate a new PSR-505. While it lacks the features of the 600, it gives me the two most important things: a big screen and incredible readability. Good luck! Regards, Peter

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