Australian readers - which device do you use?

lene1949 · 10-30-2009, 03:02 AM

I'm interested in knowing which e-reader devices are used in Australia...

I find Australia is so far behind in the 'e-reading' world.... You can't buy an e-reader from Harvey Norman, Dick Smith etc - some of the leading electronic stores... In fact, they don't even sell PDAs anymore, since the i-phone came in.

I've been reading books on my Palm Zire72 for at least 5 years, but I would like something new

There's nothing wrong with my Palm, yet, and it has a backlit display, which is perfect for when I'm on night shifts (I'm a carer, and lights are off at night).. This device also has my calender, notes, memos etc on it...

Which device do you use and why?

Thanks
Lene

RobbieClarken · 10-30-2009, 03:29 AM

Recently I've been using the Kindle which is definitely my favourite of the devices I've tried. It has the biggest selection of ebooks*, the best prices, a great battery life and a nice interface. I love having access to the Kindle store from anywhere.

* If you set your address to the US that is.

RCR · 10-30-2009, 04:45 AM

I think you'll find there's one of everything being used by Australians. I've got a Sony 505.

With bit of fiddling around on ebook files and the help of the Calibre software, it's almost generic.

This model of the Sony is no longer made. I like it so much that I'm still trying to decide whether I should buy a back-up while they're still available.

There are other brands available in Australia. If you tell us where you are in Australia, someone might advise you on where you can see a demonstration.

lene1949 · 10-30-2009, 05:11 AM

I'm in Brisbane, Queensland..

owlrigh · 10-30-2009, 05:20 AM

I'm using a Sony PRS-505; before that I had a 700, but it didn't last long, what with my dropping it and all. In the bin it went :/

I also use an ipod touch, which is good for MOBI stuff and books on loan from the Fictionwise library.

AlexBell · 10-30-2009, 05:28 AM

I live in Launceston, Tasmania, and used to read the Cybook which I bought from the US. I now use the ECO Reader, available from Melbourne at the Reader's Feast bookstore or from http://www.ecoreader.com.au/

It is a version of the Hanlin 5 set up for Australia. It can read non DRM'd Mobipocket, and Adobe DRM'd ePub - and of course non DRM'd ePub - and has folders. And it has been reviewed several times on the forum, including by me.

The customer service is superb, and they expect to open an Australian based ebook store in November.

Regards, Alex

winbear · 10-30-2009, 05:31 AM

I have a Sony PRS-505 and my husband has a Sony PRS-700. I like the PRS-700 but I love my PRS-505 (it's Red!!)

montsnmags · 10-30-2009, 06:26 AM

I bought an Iliad online from Dymocks (not a recommended experience), but in future I'd go elsewhere, such as suggestions above, as well as DA Direct (a Melbourne company that's provided a few folks here with their devices).

Cheers,
Marc

Solicitous · 10-30-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montsnmags

I bought an Iliad online from Dymocks (not a recommended experience), but in future I'd go elsewhere, such as suggestions above, as well as DA Direct (a Melbourne company that's provided a few folks here with their devices).

Cheers,
Marc

Dymocks not a good company to deal with or the Iliad an average e-reader?

To get back on topic, I have an Astak Pocket Pro (bought from the US). Brilliant reader, damn happy.

montsnmags · 10-30-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Dymocks not a good company to deal with or the Iliad an average e-reader?
...

I find the shopping experience at Dymocks, online or in-real-life, to be a somewhat unsatisfactory experience.

DA Direct, although I've not used them, seems to be a better place to shop if you're after an Iliad or the other devices Dymocks and they also sell (there's an employee of theirs here at MR who has helped several people here, and I've not heard anyone complain about them yet).

My Iliad's been a total darl', so no complaints there. Stylus touch-screen, user-selected dictionaries-lookup...~sigh~...makes me a happy boy. 'Course, there's newer models since I bought it, and many new models from other manufacturers that I haven't much looked at, so there's that to consider when estimating the value of my opinion.

Cheers,
Marc

pikelet · 10-30-2009, 08:54 AM

I'm using a Sony PRS 300.
I chose it because I liked the design, and I just wanted a basic reader and it was at the right price point for me - it was around AU$270 including shipping from the US.

lmcgarry · 11-29-2009, 02:08 AM

One Bebook v1 here - purchased from Holland directly. So far, I'm happy with it, as well.

Katti's Cat · 11-29-2009, 09:17 AM

I have a Sony PRS-600. Not that long so I'm still in the discover period. But already in love with it. Getting Books is a bit of a pain but with the help of MR I got that sorted very quickly.

I opted against the Kindle even though the prices for books are good as I didn't want to be forced to by books there.

I got my reader from the US - I checked out the options to buy a reader from a company (various) here in Australia but it seems all rather expensive compared to the prices you pay overseas. Even with exchange rate and shipping I still got my reader cheaper than anything available here (that I would have been interested in).

paul1403 · 11-29-2009, 05:33 PM

I've had an Eco-Reader for a couple of weeks now... still can't find any down-side to it.

Paul
Canberra, Australia

snowcandy · 11-29-2009, 07:49 PM

I've got a Astak Pocket Pro and a Sony PRS-505. The Astak was recommended by a friend, but after using it for a while, I've decided that a 5" screen was just a tad smaller than what I'd like.

So I did a little research and heard great reviews about the Sony 505. Got one from eBay and am totally in love with my little device.

10-30-2009, 03:02 AM	#1
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	Australian readers - which device do you use? I'm interested in knowing which e-reader devices are used in Australia... I find Australia is so far behind in the 'e-reading' world.... You can't buy an e-reader from Harvey Norman, Dick Smith etc - some of the leading electronic stores... In fact, they don't even sell PDAs anymore, since the i-phone came in. I've been reading books on my Palm Zire72 for at least 5 years, but I would like something new There's nothing wrong with my Palm, yet, and it has a backlit display, which is perfect for when I'm on night shifts (I'm a carer, and lights are off at night).. This device also has my calender, notes, memos etc on it... Which device do you use and why? Thanks Lene

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10-30-2009, 03:29 AM	#2
RobbieClarken Addict Posts: 371 Karma: 1002274 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Device: Kindle	Recently I've been using the Kindle which is definitely my favourite of the devices I've tried. It has the biggest selection of ebooks, the best prices, a great battery life and a nice interface. I love having access to the Kindle store from anywhere. If you set your address to the US that is.

10-30-2009, 04:45 AM	#3
RCR Addict Posts: 334 Karma: 992487 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: 2 x Sony 505, iPad, Samsung 7 Tablet, ASUS Transformer, Nexus 7	I think you'll find there's one of everything being used by Australians. I've got a Sony 505. With bit of fiddling around on ebook files and the help of the Calibre software, it's almost generic. This model of the Sony is no longer made. I like it so much that I'm still trying to decide whether I should buy a back-up while they're still available. There are other brands available in Australia. If you tell us where you are in Australia, someone might advise you on where you can see a demonstration.

10-30-2009, 05:11 AM	#4
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I'm in Brisbane, Queensland..

10-30-2009, 05:20 AM	#5
owlrigh Bibliomanist Posts: 99 Karma: 26 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia, somewhere Device: [past:PRS-700, PRS-505, PRS-T2] Now: Kobo Glo HD, Samsung G7 Edge	I'm using a Sony PRS-505; before that I had a 700, but it didn't last long, what with my dropping it and all. In the bin it went :/ I also use an ipod touch, which is good for MOBI stuff and books on loan from the Fictionwise library.

10-30-2009, 05:28 AM	#6
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	I live in Launceston, Tasmania, and used to read the Cybook which I bought from the US. I now use the ECO Reader, available from Melbourne at the Reader's Feast bookstore or from http://www.ecoreader.com.au/ It is a version of the Hanlin 5 set up for Australia. It can read non DRM'd Mobipocket, and Adobe DRM'd ePub - and of course non DRM'd ePub - and has folders. And it has been reviewed several times on the forum, including by me. The customer service is superb, and they expect to open an Australian based ebook store in November. Regards, Alex

10-30-2009, 05:31 AM	#7
winbear Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Device: PRS-505	I have a Sony PRS-505 and my husband has a Sony PRS-700. I like the PRS-700 but I love my PRS-505 (it's Red!!)

10-30-2009, 06:26 AM	#8
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	I bought an Iliad online from Dymocks (not a recommended experience), but in future I'd go elsewhere, such as suggestions above, as well as DA Direct (a Melbourne company that's provided a few folks here with their devices). Cheers, Marc

10-30-2009, 08:54 AM	#11
pikelet girl from oz Posts: 67 Karma: 834 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: iPad, Sony PRS-650, Sony PRS-300, Cybook Gen3	I'm using a Sony PRS 300. I chose it because I liked the design, and I just wanted a basic reader and it was at the right price point for me - it was around AU$270 including shipping from the US.

11-29-2009, 02:08 AM	#12
lmcgarry Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia Device: Bebook	One Bebook v1 here - purchased from Holland directly. So far, I'm happy with it, as well.

11-29-2009, 09:17 AM	#13
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	I have a Sony PRS-600. Not that long so I'm still in the discover period. But already in love with it. Getting Books is a bit of a pain but with the help of MR I got that sorted very quickly. I opted against the Kindle even though the prices for books are good as I didn't want to be forced to by books there. I got my reader from the US - I checked out the options to buy a reader from a company (various) here in Australia but it seems all rather expensive compared to the prices you pay overseas. Even with exchange rate and shipping I still got my reader cheaper than anything available here (that I would have been interested in).

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11-29-2009, 05:33 PM	#14
paul1403 Exertion Avoider Posts: 40 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Device: Eco-Reader, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy S2	I've had an Eco-Reader for a couple of weeks now... still can't find any down-side to it. Paul Canberra, Australia

11-29-2009, 07:49 PM	#15
snowcandy Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: EzReader Pocket Pro, Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-650, Kindle Voyage	I've got a Astak Pocket Pro and a Sony PRS-505. The Astak was recommended by a friend, but after using it for a while, I've decided that a 5" screen was just a tad smaller than what I'd like. So I did a little research and heard great reviews about the Sony 505. Got one from eBay and am totally in love with my little device.