Looking for a recommendation

powerhawk · 05-20-2009, 11:19 AM

Hello, I'm looking to buy my first ebook reader.
Here are my deciding criteria,
1) Ease of use with PDFs, all my books are PDF. I don't care if if I have to convert them if it all works out well... I like text about the size it is on the kindle 1 though.
2) Dictionary... a lot of the books I read use a very high level vocabulary and I have to look works up frequently
3) Cheapest price possible

Thanks for the help!

emellaich · 05-20-2009, 12:34 PM

Just, so I can understand your needs ...

You refer to PDF's and you talk about a high level vocabulary. What type of PDF's are these? Are they academic articles? Do they have equations, graphs, and diagrams?

powerhawk · 05-20-2009, 12:41 PM

They are mostly text based nonfiction. Some have pictures but the text is more important to me

.

emellaich · 05-20-2009, 05:31 PM

So pdf is a headache. pdf plus cheap is a bigger headache. The problem is that pdf's often don't resize well on a small screen. As a result you need a bigger screen reader so that you can see them better in their native size. This puts you in the category of more expensive devices like the Kindle DX or the Irex.

Here is what I would try. Download calibre to your computer. I don't have the link handy, but google it. It is a library management application for your PC, but it also has the ability to convert files to other formats. Then get a directory full of your pdf files. Tell Calibre to convert a few of them to another format: mobi (kindle), lrf (Sony), and epub are good choices. Finally, use Calibre's built-in viewer to view the converted files. Make sure you specify the converted version (ie the mobi version) instead of the original pdf. If everything looks clean then you are ready to come back here and discuss your results.

I'm not sure how pdf conversion works with some of these older academic style pdf's. I have a feeling that your documents are actually stored pictures (scans) of pages, not text. Because of this, I'm not sure that you can actually convert them. This would mean that you are 'stuck' with the larger format readers such as the DX.

Michael

powerhawk · 05-20-2009, 09:07 PM

Most of my files have been run through the software so that they are actual text instead of images.

I will try that out, I assume converting them to the player's typical format is preferable to reflow?

Also, I wanted to mention that I have no need for any of the wifi capabilities, so that may allow me to buy a cheaper device... I have enough to read as it is

.

Thanks again

EDIT: as a matter of fact, I could easily convert all the pdfs to doc files just by copying and pasting, they are that well formatted. So I'm more concerned with the price and dictionary

emellaich · 05-20-2009, 10:06 PM

So, since it is text, then I will assume that it can display just fine on a 6" screen. If price is your determining factor then you might concentrate on two current books:

Ectaco Jetbook - This unit has some fanatical users. It is the cheapest new unit out there at $199 on NewEgg. It has an LCD display instead of an eInk display, but since it is not backlit, many users feel that it is still easy on the eyes. I believe this is also a bit smaller (5 inches?).

Astak EzReader - Buy it on Frys.com and wait for it to show up on sale. You should be able to get it for around $230.

Now in terms of the wild card choices (I don't know much about them, but they may fit your criteria).

The Foxit eSlick Reader. Frankly this one is usually seen as a bit of a looser since it ony reads pdf's. I don't know anyone that has one. However, since your pdf's are text, they may reflow fine on the Foxit. Its possible it could be quite a bargain. I think the reader will either fade away or be significantly changed so there is a risk of obsolescence.

Upcoming 5" readers. There are a number of 5" readers expected in the next few weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these is under $200. Since these are a few weeks from announcement, you are probably seeing them a couple of months away from general availability.

daffy4u · 05-20-2009, 10:22 PM

For a low price with a dictionary, look for:

-Used Kindle 1 (one dictionary at a time and a limited selection of them)
-Used Cybook (multiple dictionaries at once)
-EBW1150 (I just learned about this from DixieGal - eBookwise-1150 Dictionary Support)

HarryT · 05-21-2009, 04:13 AM

The CyBook has excellent dictionary support. If dictionaries are important to you, that's certainly one to consider. Note, however, that it can only look up words in MobiPocket format books, so you'd need to convert your books to that format.

I believe that the iRex DR1000 allows you to use a Mobi dictionary with a PDF document, but that's a very much more expensive device.

powerhawk · 05-21-2009, 04:36 PM

I've narrowed it down to:

Ectaco Jetbook (not sure about the screen)
Sony PRS 505 (dictionary is an addon which is a bummer)
Astek EZReader
Bookwise (again not sure about screen, how does this compare to jetbook and e ink?)

daffy4u · 05-21-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerhawk

I've narrowed it down to:

Ectaco Jetbook (not sure about the screen)
Sony PRS 505 (dictionary is an addon which is a bummer)
Astek EZReader
Bookwise (again not sure about screen, how does this compare to jetbook and e ink?)

Where did you find a dictionary add-on for the 505?

gwynevans · 05-21-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Where did you find a dictionary add-on for the 505?

Probably this one at a guess...

daffy4u · 05-21-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynevans

Probably this one at a guess...

Wow, thanks. That was a new one. It does sound like it is very tedious to try to look up words on it.

powerhawk · 05-22-2009, 11:03 AM

OK, I'm probably going to get the sony... they are under $240 on ebay.

The only other ones I am considering are the cool-er and the jetbook. Nothing seems to fit exactly what I want (basically a sony with a dictionary for a reasonable price).

Thanks for all the help.

daffy4u · 05-22-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerhawk

OK, I'm probably going to get the sony... they are under $240 on ebay.

The only other ones I am considering are the cool-er and the jetbook. Nothing seems to fit exactly what I want (basically a sony with a dictionary for a reasonable price).

Thanks for all the help.

Why are you not considering a used Kindle 1 with a built in dictionary for roughly the same price at the Sony?

powerhawk · 05-22-2009, 12:21 PM

Kindle 1 is $60 more on ebay... I'm not sure I want to pay $60 just for an easier to use dictionary.

However, the jetbook looks good... if there is a way for me to convert my pdfs to a format that it allows you to play with the font sizes with.

05-20-2009, 11:19 AM	#1
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Looking for a recommendation Hello, I'm looking to buy my first ebook reader. Here are my deciding criteria, 1) Ease of use with PDFs, all my books are PDF. I don't care if if I have to convert them if it all works out well... I like text about the size it is on the kindle 1 though. 2) Dictionary... a lot of the books I read use a very high level vocabulary and I have to look works up frequently 3) Cheapest price possible Thanks for the help! Last edited by powerhawk; 05-20-2009 at 12:34 PM.

05-20-2009, 09:07 PM	#5
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Most of my files have been run through the software so that they are actual text instead of images. I will try that out, I assume converting them to the player's typical format is preferable to reflow? Also, I wanted to mention that I have no need for any of the wifi capabilities, so that may allow me to buy a cheaper device... I have enough to read as it is . Thanks again EDIT: as a matter of fact, I could easily convert all the pdfs to doc files just by copying and pasting, they are that well formatted. So I'm more concerned with the price and dictionary Last edited by powerhawk; 05-20-2009 at 09:18 PM.

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05-20-2009, 12:34 PM	#2
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	Just, so I can understand your needs ... You refer to PDF's and you talk about a high level vocabulary. What type of PDF's are these? Are they academic articles? Do they have equations, graphs, and diagrams?

05-20-2009, 12:41 PM	#3
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	They are mostly text based nonfiction. Some have pictures but the text is more important to me .

05-20-2009, 05:31 PM	#4
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	So pdf is a headache. pdf plus cheap is a bigger headache. The problem is that pdf's often don't resize well on a small screen. As a result you need a bigger screen reader so that you can see them better in their native size. This puts you in the category of more expensive devices like the Kindle DX or the Irex. Here is what I would try. Download calibre to your computer. I don't have the link handy, but google it. It is a library management application for your PC, but it also has the ability to convert files to other formats. Then get a directory full of your pdf files. Tell Calibre to convert a few of them to another format: mobi (kindle), lrf (Sony), and epub are good choices. Finally, use Calibre's built-in viewer to view the converted files. Make sure you specify the converted version (ie the mobi version) instead of the original pdf. If everything looks clean then you are ready to come back here and discuss your results. I'm not sure how pdf conversion works with some of these older academic style pdf's. I have a feeling that your documents are actually stored pictures (scans) of pages, not text. Because of this, I'm not sure that you can actually convert them. This would mean that you are 'stuck' with the larger format readers such as the DX. Michael

05-20-2009, 10:06 PM	#6
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	So, since it is text, then I will assume that it can display just fine on a 6" screen. If price is your determining factor then you might concentrate on two current books: Ectaco Jetbook - This unit has some fanatical users. It is the cheapest new unit out there at $199 on NewEgg. It has an LCD display instead of an eInk display, but since it is not backlit, many users feel that it is still easy on the eyes. I believe this is also a bit smaller (5 inches?). Astak EzReader - Buy it on Frys.com and wait for it to show up on sale. You should be able to get it for around $230. Now in terms of the wild card choices (I don't know much about them, but they may fit your criteria). The Foxit eSlick Reader. Frankly this one is usually seen as a bit of a looser since it ony reads pdf's. I don't know anyone that has one. However, since your pdf's are text, they may reflow fine on the Foxit. Its possible it could be quite a bargain. I think the reader will either fade away or be significantly changed so there is a risk of obsolescence. Upcoming 5" readers. There are a number of 5" readers expected in the next few weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these is under $200. Since these are a few weeks from announcement, you are probably seeing them a couple of months away from general availability.

05-20-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	For a low price with a dictionary, look for: -Used Kindle 1 (one dictionary at a time and a limited selection of them) -Used Cybook (multiple dictionaries at once) -EBW1150 (I just learned about this from DixieGal - eBookwise-1150 Dictionary Support)

05-21-2009, 04:13 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The CyBook has excellent dictionary support. If dictionaries are important to you, that's certainly one to consider. Note, however, that it can only look up words in MobiPocket format books, so you'd need to convert your books to that format. I believe that the iRex DR1000 allows you to use a Mobi dictionary with a PDF document, but that's a very much more expensive device.

05-21-2009, 04:36 PM	#9
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	I've narrowed it down to: Ectaco Jetbook (not sure about the screen) Sony PRS 505 (dictionary is an addon which is a bummer) Astek EZReader Bookwise (again not sure about screen, how does this compare to jetbook and e ink?)

05-22-2009, 11:03 AM	#13
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	OK, I'm probably going to get the sony... they are under $240 on ebay. The only other ones I am considering are the cool-er and the jetbook. Nothing seems to fit exactly what I want (basically a sony with a dictionary for a reasonable price). Thanks for all the help.

05-22-2009, 12:21 PM	#15
powerhawk Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Kindle 1 is $60 more on ebay... I'm not sure I want to pay $60 just for an easier to use dictionary. However, the jetbook looks good... if there is a way for me to convert my pdfs to a format that it allows you to play with the font sizes with.

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