need a reader,bells and whistles optional

Sandra · 11-09-2005, 10:35 PM

I want to get a device that allows comfortable reading of my ebooks and is very portable. It needs to cost less than 200 euros (the lesser the better!)

I had been considering the Franklin eBookMan 911. It seemed to fit the bill as far as reading goes and it has other useful features such as an organiser.

However having spent hours browsing these forums I can't find mention of it. Any advice would be welcome.

Laurens · 11-10-2005, 06:40 PM

You might want to consider the Palm Z22. It's probaby the cheapest handheld with a display suitable for book reading. Only reservation is that it's significantly more expensive in euros than in dollars. € 130 vs $99. Maybe you can find it cheaper, though.

rmeister0 · 11-10-2005, 06:50 PM

I have a Z22 myself, but I would not recommend it for book reading. The display is 160x160, and the screen door effect is quote pronounced.

It's still an option, but I wouldn't buy it unseen.

doctorow · 11-10-2005, 06:56 PM

An alternative would be to buy something from eBay... I assume for your location, eBay UK would be closest: eBay UK.

You probably want to go for a 320x320 display as it makes reading long text passages more pleasant.

Laurens · 11-11-2005, 03:41 AM

I find reading from a 320x320 screen not to be significantly better than from a 160x160 display. Sure, it looks better if you put them side-by-side, but for the purpose of actually reading texts, it makes no real difference to me. I can honestly say my reading experience has not improved since the days of the IIIc.

Actually, the Z22 can be had for approx. €110 if you look around on eBay, so my original statement about it being too expensive does not hold. That said, the T|E2 for €150 would be a better buy.

Sandra · 11-11-2005, 04:06 PM

The T E2 sounds well worth considering. I'll check it out. I'm still a bit curious about the eBookMan - has anyone tried one? http://www.ectaco.co.uk/E-BookMan-911/

Laurens · 11-12-2005, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandra

I'm still a bit curious about the eBookMan - has anyone tried one? http://www.ectaco.co.uk/E-BookMan-911/

I have the feeling there are very few MobileRead users who have a dedicated reader like the eBookMan. These devices just aren't as common as PDAs or smartphones.

cbarnett · 11-13-2005, 06:23 PM

There's a Fictionwise group on Yahoo which has a _lot_ of members using dedicated bookreaders. You might want to consider taking a look there and asking a few questions as they have a much larger base of book reader users.

Having said that, we're always keen to learn more about and discuss them here at Mobileread too

Jaapjan · 11-14-2005, 09:17 AM

I personally have a RocketBook 1100. A black & white screen but fairly large. I find it very pleasant to read with, mainly because of the size of the screen which, simply said, is good. I do read on my pocketpc but the rocketbook is very nice too.

That said, I would not recommend it simply because if you buy one, you do not know which version you get. Only the latest ones can run home-made content.

Vaporware · 11-15-2005, 09:21 AM

I have an ETI-2 (previously known as gemstar 1200) ebook reader. It will take HTML, txt, rb, a couple image formats and a couple others, but no PDFs or DRM content. So, if you like reading text files or webpages from the internet or old public domain books, track one down. I enjoy mine very much. I've read more books because it's just so easy to pick it up.

Sandra · 11-15-2005, 09:38 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Craig - I'll check it out. Jaapan, screen size is an issue for me. I think I would find the small screen on some devices frustrating. Colour or black and white is irrelevant to me - comfort is the main thing.

cbarnett · 11-15-2005, 06:55 PM

If you haven't had the chance to look at a VGA screen on a PPC (or the 480x320 screens on many Palm OS devices), you might want to try them out, as you'll be pleasently surprised at how clear and crisp the display really is.

I saw a workmate's ipaq 4700 displaying an ebook in the µbook reader, and new I could never put up with the 320x240 display of my h1930 again. The rest is history...

Jaapjan · 11-16-2005, 08:39 AM

I have to disagree with Craig, despite him being a mobileread editor. No matter how crisp the screen is, the device -stays- small. As does the screen. It is a pity you cannot get a eBookwise 1150 from Fictionwise, Sandra. But being in Europe has that effect. They only deliver to US companies. I had mine from eBay and had it sent over from the US. Do not regret it either. Those books I have read on it were very pleasant. Still, you might be better to try that ETI-2 Vaporware was talking about. Though, how you'll find it is beyond me. I also have no idea about how enjoyable it is. The 1100 has excellent battery time (more then 8) and a good size for reading, about the size of a novel.

cbarnett · 11-16-2005, 06:22 PM

Heh, you're allowed to disagree with me, you know

We're all entitled to our opinions, and to be honest I've never played with a dedicated book reader so I can't comment with surety on the quality of their displays. I _have_ had a lot of experience with Palm Hi res and PPC QVGA/VGA screens though, so I guess I'm inclined to lean towards them

Having said that, I'd still recommend going into a store or hassling friends/family/workmates with devices if you can and checking them out so you can make a decision based on which display suits you best, if your primary interest is ebook reading.

Jaapjan · 11-17-2005, 03:49 AM

Having a nice and crisp screen is very important off course, Craig. I agree. But, physical screen size is very important for book reading as well. And no matter how fine or lovely the resolution and colors of a pocket PC or palm are, it doesn't make them bigger.

Still, I agree with Craig about somethings, Sandra. Try and see how several different devices are to your liking if you can. Check many reviews about the Fictionwise 1150 (because it is about the same as the ETI-2 and 1100) and other reviews about other devices.

11-09-2005, 10:35 PM	#1
Sandra Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Device: still choosing	need a reader,bells and whistles optional I want to get a device that allows comfortable reading of my ebooks and is very portable. It needs to cost less than 200 euros (the lesser the better!) I had been considering the Franklin eBookMan 911. It seemed to fit the bill as far as reading goes and it has other useful features such as an organiser. However having spent hours browsing these forums I can't find mention of it. Any advice would be welcome.

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11-10-2005, 06:40 PM	#2
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	You might want to consider the Palm Z22. It's probaby the cheapest handheld with a display suitable for book reading. Only reservation is that it's significantly more expensive in euros than in dollars. € 130 vs $99. Maybe you can find it cheaper, though.

11-10-2005, 06:50 PM	#3
rmeister0 Addict Posts: 270 Karma: 298 Join Date: Mar 2005	I have a Z22 myself, but I would not recommend it for book reading. The display is 160x160, and the screen door effect is quote pronounced. It's still an option, but I wouldn't buy it unseen.

11-10-2005, 06:56 PM	#4
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	An alternative would be to buy something from eBay... I assume for your location, eBay UK would be closest: eBay UK. You probably want to go for a 320x320 display as it makes reading long text passages more pleasant.

11-11-2005, 03:41 AM	#5
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	I find reading from a 320x320 screen not to be significantly better than from a 160x160 display. Sure, it looks better if you put them side-by-side, but for the purpose of actually reading texts, it makes no real difference to me. I can honestly say my reading experience has not improved since the days of the IIIc. Actually, the Z22 can be had for approx. €110 if you look around on eBay, so my original statement about it being too expensive does not hold. That said, the T\|E2 for €150 would be a better buy.

11-11-2005, 04:06 PM	#6
Sandra Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Device: still choosing	The T E2 sounds well worth considering. I'll check it out. I'm still a bit curious about the eBookMan - has anyone tried one? http://www.ectaco.co.uk/E-BookMan-911/

11-13-2005, 06:23 PM	#8
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	There's a Fictionwise group on Yahoo which has a _lot_ of members using dedicated bookreaders. You might want to consider taking a look there and asking a few questions as they have a much larger base of book reader users. Having said that, we're always keen to learn more about and discuss them here at Mobileread too

11-14-2005, 09:17 AM	#9
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	I personally have a RocketBook 1100. A black & white screen but fairly large. I find it very pleasant to read with, mainly because of the size of the screen which, simply said, is good. I do read on my pocketpc but the rocketbook is very nice too. That said, I would not recommend it simply because if you buy one, you do not know which version you get. Only the latest ones can run home-made content.

11-15-2005, 09:21 AM	#10
Vaporware Not here yet. Posts: 49 Karma: 11 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: ETI-2 Ebook Reader	I have an ETI-2 (previously known as gemstar 1200) ebook reader. It will take HTML, txt, rb, a couple image formats and a couple others, but no PDFs or DRM content. So, if you like reading text files or webpages from the internet or old public domain books, track one down. I enjoy mine very much. I've read more books because it's just so easy to pick it up.

11-15-2005, 09:38 AM	#11
Sandra Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Device: still choosing	Thanks for the suggestion, Craig - I'll check it out. Jaapan, screen size is an issue for me. I think I would find the small screen on some devices frustrating. Colour or black and white is irrelevant to me - comfort is the main thing.

11-15-2005, 06:55 PM	#12
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	If you haven't had the chance to look at a VGA screen on a PPC (or the 480x320 screens on many Palm OS devices), you might want to try them out, as you'll be pleasently surprised at how clear and crisp the display really is. I saw a workmate's ipaq 4700 displaying an ebook in the µbook reader, and new I could never put up with the 320x240 display of my h1930 again. The rest is history...

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11-16-2005, 08:39 AM	#13
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	I have to disagree with Craig, despite him being a mobileread editor. No matter how crisp the screen is, the device -stays- small. As does the screen. It is a pity you cannot get a eBookwise 1150 from Fictionwise, Sandra. But being in Europe has that effect. They only deliver to US companies. I had mine from eBay and had it sent over from the US. Do not regret it either. Those books I have read on it were very pleasant. Still, you might be better to try that ETI-2 Vaporware was talking about. Though, how you'll find it is beyond me. I also have no idea about how enjoyable it is. The 1100 has excellent battery time (more then 8) and a good size for reading, about the size of a novel.

11-16-2005, 06:22 PM	#14
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Heh, you're allowed to disagree with me, you know We're all entitled to our opinions, and to be honest I've never played with a dedicated book reader so I can't comment with surety on the quality of their displays. I _have_ had a lot of experience with Palm Hi res and PPC QVGA/VGA screens though, so I guess I'm inclined to lean towards them Having said that, I'd still recommend going into a store or hassling friends/family/workmates with devices if you can and checking them out so you can make a decision based on which display suits you best, if your primary interest is ebook reading.

11-17-2005, 03:49 AM	#15
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	Having a nice and crisp screen is very important off course, Craig. I agree. But, physical screen size is very important for book reading as well. And no matter how fine or lovely the resolution and colors of a pocket PC or palm are, it doesn't make them bigger. Still, I agree with Craig about somethings, Sandra. Try and see how several different devices are to your liking if you can. Check many reviews about the Fictionwise 1150 (because it is about the same as the ETI-2 and 1100) and other reviews about other devices.