Whats the best choice for bible study?

AndyPost · 06-15-2010, 11:36 AM

Hey Thrill Seekers,
I'm keen to get an ereader specifically for bible study. I've read complaints that the Kindle will have you turning one page at a time to move through large texts (like the bible??)

Is there a device out there that would lend itself to jumping to a particular book/chapter in the bible more than others?

OR

Is that more dependent on how the publisher sets up the file.

Then of course, I'd like to add a concordance, thus more searching needs.

All of them look pretty much the same for daily reading.

I'd love to hear the thoughts of more experienced ereaders. I'm also wanting to get one for my son for his next deployment, and need to sell the ebook concept with the same capabililties.

Thanks for your input....

HarryT · 06-15-2010, 02:23 PM

You may wish to consider the Apple iPad. It has a number of bible apps which are a lot more sophisticated than simple eBooks.

AndyPost · 06-15-2010, 03:54 PM

Yeah, I did. But only for a short time. I'm looking for two, one for me, one for my son....then the two additional monthly charges.....

HarryT · 06-15-2010, 03:55 PM

What monthly charges are you referring to?

Elfwreck · 06-15-2010, 04:24 PM

A lot will depend on how the file is set up. The functions of the device will matter (especially if you want to make notes), and you'll want to find a digital bible that has the features that matter most to you.

Sounds like you're looking for:

Search ability
Annotations (maybe?)
Good indexing/table of contents (mostly matter of the file, not the device)
Quick skipping around
Bookmarking

If you don't care about making notes/annotations, you might look at the Jetbook or Jetbook Lite's features.

Otherwise, the Sony Touch or Kindle might work for you; they don't have quick page turning for flipping through lots of pages at once, but a good index will get around that need, and they do let you skip ahead/back many pages at once; it's just single-page flipthroughs that are slow.

I believe the Kindle doesn't have page counts; it has percentages.

Fbone · 06-15-2010, 06:17 PM

Are you looking for a convenient way to read the Bible straight through? Or using Bible as a reference? In other words, jumping from one verse to another?

Also, are you particular on which version of the Bible?

AndyPost · 06-15-2010, 10:39 PM

Data plan

AndyPost · 06-15-2010, 10:44 PM

Elfwreck
Yes,
I'm looking for all the things in your list.
I would like to make annotations (for teaching class, notes to self etc)

Fbone
I'm generally not reading straight through, but jumping around
ESV Study Bible

HarryT
Unless I miss my guess, the iPad requires a dataplan for internet access

tdmsu · 06-15-2010, 10:52 PM

If you get the wifi Ipad, there is no dataplan, but you only have internet where you have wifi access.
I think if I get an Ipad I would only consider the wifi version to avoid the monthly data fees. I have an iPhone for when I need internet on the go using 3g.

I've used the ESV Study Bible on my iPhone, but the screen is very small and it is not useful for making lots of notes and such. I think the iPad may be just the thing in this case.

Good luck in your search!

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-15-2010, 11:35 PM

Try e-Sword. It's a Bible reader for computers which means you would have to have a netbook, a laptop, or an i-Pad to use it. However, one can download many versions of the Bible to use on it, many free and the others very inexpensive. It will do most of what you want and then some. You can keep Scripture attached study notes, do searches, and display up to 4 versions side by side for comparison. The price is right; free although they do request a donation.

Dellaster · 06-15-2010, 11:53 PM

I think the enTourage eDGe would make a superb Bible study device. It's designed to be suited for academic uses.

Wouldn't be as hip and trendy as an iPad, however. (Note: I own both, like both, for different reasons.)

starrigger · 06-16-2010, 01:02 AM

For serious study, I would not recommend an e-ink device. Too slow. I have the TNIV on my Sony, and it's fine for going to a passage and reading. But for jumping around much or annotating? Way too cumbersome. Paper is better.

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-16-2010, 02:02 AM

e-Sword allows jumping around and annotating but has to be used on a computer of some kind.

Marcy · 06-16-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

For serious study, I would not recommend an e-ink device. Too slow. I have the TNIV on my Sony, and it's fine for going to a passage and reading. But for jumping around much or annotating? Way too cumbersome. Paper is better.

What he said.

A computer is doable too, if you can get the bible in a form where you can type in your own annotations. If you want something mobile, a cheap netbook or laptop would work better for this than any e-ink device.

If you're not reading straight through, the whole backlit debate should be a non-issue.

The only reason I could see for an e-ink device instead of a laptop/netbook is if you're going to be without access to power for a long time, say if you're doing missionary work somewhere remote. And in that case, you really can't beat paper.

-Marcy

Davimee · 06-16-2010, 02:56 AM

I agree with what others have said here... e-ink isn't the greatest for Bible study. It is a bit difficult to move around in the text. I bought an NIV for mine, and it used hyperlinks, which were so slow it locked up every time I used it. My netbook works great though, so when I want to read electronically, I use that. The best device I've had for Bible study would be my old Palm T/X. I bought Quickverse for it. I was able to jump around very easily, look up the commentary on any verse, take notes, highlight... it pretty much did everything it looks like you're looking for. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore, and as far as I know, the only way to get a Palm is as a phone. There might be other options though... do they still make pocket pc's? Something like that might work. I'd say you'll probably either want something with a touch screen, or a netbook. Oh, my Mom has an ipod, and she likes that pretty well to read her Bible. It would be a lot cheaper than an ipad, and more easily portable.

Good luck with your research, and decision! You'll have to let us know what you decide on!

06-15-2010, 11:36 AM	#1
AndyPost Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony Touch	Whats the best choice for bible study? Hey Thrill Seekers, I'm keen to get an ereader specifically for bible study. I've read complaints that the Kindle will have you turning one page at a time to move through large texts (like the bible??) Is there a device out there that would lend itself to jumping to a particular book/chapter in the bible more than others? OR Is that more dependent on how the publisher sets up the file. Then of course, I'd like to add a concordance, thus more searching needs. All of them look pretty much the same for daily reading. I'd love to hear the thoughts of more experienced ereaders. I'm also wanting to get one for my son for his next deployment, and need to sell the ebook concept with the same capabililties. Thanks for your input....

06-15-2010, 04:24 PM	#5
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,185 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	A lot will depend on how the file is set up. The functions of the device will matter (especially if you want to make notes), and you'll want to find a digital bible that has the features that matter most to you. Sounds like you're looking for: Search ability Annotations (maybe?) Good indexing/table of contents (mostly matter of the file, not the device) Quick skipping around Bookmarking If you don't care about making notes/annotations, you might look at the Jetbook or Jetbook Lite's features. Otherwise, the Sony Touch or Kindle might work for you; they don't have quick page turning for flipping through lots of pages at once, but a good index will get around that need, and they do let you skip ahead/back many pages at once; it's just single-page flipthroughs that are slow. I believe the Kindle doesn't have page counts; it has percentages.

06-15-2010, 11:35 PM	#10
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	Try e-Sword. It's a Bible reader for computers which means you would have to have a netbook, a laptop, or an i-Pad to use it. However, one can download many versions of the Bible to use on it, many free and the others very inexpensive. It will do most of what you want and then some. You can keep Scripture attached study notes, do searches, and display up to 4 versions side by side for comparison. The price is right; free although they do request a donation. Last edited by Lady Fitzgerald; 07-26-2010 at 01:45 AM.

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06-15-2010, 02:23 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You may wish to consider the Apple iPad. It has a number of bible apps which are a lot more sophisticated than simple eBooks.

06-15-2010, 03:54 PM	#3
AndyPost Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony Touch	Yeah, I did. But only for a short time. I'm looking for two, one for me, one for my son....then the two additional monthly charges.....

06-15-2010, 03:55 PM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	What monthly charges are you referring to?

06-15-2010, 06:17 PM	#6
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,230 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Are you looking for a convenient way to read the Bible straight through? Or using Bible as a reference? In other words, jumping from one verse to another? Also, are you particular on which version of the Bible?

06-15-2010, 10:39 PM	#7
AndyPost Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony Touch	Data plan

06-15-2010, 10:44 PM	#8
AndyPost Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony Touch	Elfwreck Yes, I'm looking for all the things in your list. I would like to make annotations (for teaching class, notes to self etc) Fbone I'm generally not reading straight through, but jumping around ESV Study Bible HarryT Unless I miss my guess, the iPad requires a dataplan for internet access

06-15-2010, 10:52 PM	#9
tdmsu Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Onyx Boox Nova2	If you get the wifi Ipad, there is no dataplan, but you only have internet where you have wifi access. I think if I get an Ipad I would only consider the wifi version to avoid the monthly data fees. I have an iPhone for when I need internet on the go using 3g. I've used the ESV Study Bible on my iPhone, but the screen is very small and it is not useful for making lots of notes and such. I think the iPad may be just the thing in this case. Good luck in your search!

06-15-2010, 11:53 PM	#11
Dellaster 本の虫 Posts: 242 Karma: 344 Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Device: Kindle3, DXG, Fire · iPad, iPod	I think the enTourage eDGe would make a superb Bible study device. It's designed to be suited for academic uses. Wouldn't be as hip and trendy as an iPad, however. (Note: I own both, like both, for different reasons.)

06-16-2010, 01:02 AM	#12
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	For serious study, I would not recommend an e-ink device. Too slow. I have the TNIV on my Sony, and it's fine for going to a passage and reading. But for jumping around much or annotating? Way too cumbersome. Paper is better.

06-16-2010, 02:02 AM	#13
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	e-Sword allows jumping around and annotating but has to be used on a computer of some kind.

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06-16-2010, 02:56 AM	#15
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	I agree with what others have said here... e-ink isn't the greatest for Bible study. It is a bit difficult to move around in the text. I bought an NIV for mine, and it used hyperlinks, which were so slow it locked up every time I used it. My netbook works great though, so when I want to read electronically, I use that. The best device I've had for Bible study would be my old Palm T/X. I bought Quickverse for it. I was able to jump around very easily, look up the commentary on any verse, take notes, highlight... it pretty much did everything it looks like you're looking for. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore, and as far as I know, the only way to get a Palm is as a phone. There might be other options though... do they still make pocket pc's? Something like that might work. I'd say you'll probably either want something with a touch screen, or a netbook. Oh, my Mom has an ipod, and she likes that pretty well to read her Bible. It would be a lot cheaper than an ipad, and more easily portable. Good luck with your research, and decision! You'll have to let us know what you decide on!