is the DR800 better than Iliad, any other alternatives?

xxtraloud · 10-14-2012, 08:30 AM

I have been thinking of selling my Iliad and buy a DR 800. I am getting really tired of how slow the Iliad is. I am just using it for PDFs and even if the column function is quite nice it feels like using a piece of electronics from the 80s. Just so slow and sluggish. I was wondering if the DR 800 it is any faster and does a better job when browsing and managing files. I am just reading double column scientific publications. It also looks like it is lighter which for me it would be a big plus.

I do not see that many other alternatives aside from the pocketbooks but I really like how the 8.1 inch screen is a perfect compromise of portability and usability for PDFs.

What do you guys think?

fekhner · 10-14-2012, 05:53 PM

For your needs, the DR800 sounds like the perfect device if you can get it at a reasonable price, otherwise I would probably go for a pocketbook as well.

repods · 10-21-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fekhner

For your needs, the DR800 sounds like the perfect device if you can get it at a reasonable price, otherwise I would probably go for a pocketbook as well.

don't fool him..
the dr800 is dead ... no more usable with pdfs
just buy a pb or a boox

fekhner · 10-25-2012, 07:17 PM

It is not completely clear to me what you mean "no more useable with pdf's" ? The DR800 is dead for sure in the sense that there is no longer development for it, but concerning the intended use, reading of 2 column pdf's with this form factor and a fast boot time, plus good annotations on pdfs, relatively fast navigation of files, and with all the development that had been done in the past, it is in my opinion still an extremely good e-reader.

xxtraloud · 10-25-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fekhner

It is not completely clear to me what you mean "no more useable with pdf's" ? The DR800 is dead for sure in the sense that there is no longer development for it, but concerning the intended use, reading of 2 column pdf's with this form factor and a fast boot time, plus good annotations on pdfs, relatively fast navigation of files, and with all the development that had been done in the past, it is in my opinion still an extremely good e-reader.

I like the form factor and weight. So the DR800 is superior on all the things you mentioned to the iliad? That's all I really need, but the iliad feels like a dinosaur.

fekhner · 10-25-2012, 08:41 PM

It is, the form factor is great and the suspend, which makes it rather fast, is the reason one of the main developers switched from the illiad to the DR800. But then again, there are indeed newer readers, so all probably depends on the price you can get it for.

xxtraloud · 10-27-2012, 02:33 PM

I think I might have found the commercial version of the DR 800, the solid FX 8. I understand it is the same device but it is made for airplanes maps or something like that. Should I go ahead and buy it? Will I be able to still load the custom software that it is available on this message board?

HansTWN · 10-29-2012, 06:16 AM

I don't think it is worth the risk. My DR800 still works, but has several flaws. 2 small blemishes on the screen and every time the pen touches the screen part of the screen turns a medium dark brown. So when you buy one you are buying a 2 year-old product with no service, doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I love the size, love the concept, the 3rd-party add-ons. Keep using it if you have one, that makes sense, though.

And the battery life really sucks for e-ink.

xxtraloud · 11-04-2012, 11:45 AM

I bought it for $50. At the moment I can't afford $300 for a pocketbook.

fekhner · 11-04-2012, 05:40 PM

If it works alright and you manage to install all the third party applications, I am convinced that you will have a very good e-reader.

xxtraloud · 11-04-2012, 05:46 PM

I will report back once I get it ;-)

Iñigo · 11-05-2012, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxtraloud

I bought it for $50. At the moment I can't afford $300 for a pocketbook.

You got a very good deal!

xxtraloud · 11-06-2012, 04:50 AM

well unfortunately the owner tested it before sending it to me and it doesn't turn on. It seems rather odd. I have asked him if he is willing to sell it to me for cheap. Maybe it's a dead battery? What could it be?

Iñigo · 11-06-2012, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxtraloud

well unfortunately the owner tested it before sending it to me and it doesn't turn on. It seems rather odd. I have asked him if he is willing to sell it to me for cheap. Maybe it's a dead battery? What could it be?

Make him connect to the power for 1 hour, then press on button for 30 seconds.

MrWarper · 12-16-2012, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxtraloud

[...]FX8[...] Will I be able to still load the custom software that it is available on this message board?

Definitely yes, you will. The FX8 is just a regular DR800 that comes with an extra custom application (FXView) to use Jeppesen navigation charts on the device. What's more, unless you're a pilot or something, it will be probably easier for you to get a DR800 WITHOUT their FXView application from them, and save money.

10-14-2012, 08:30 AM	#1
xxtraloud Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: DX	is the DR800 better than Iliad, any other alternatives? I have been thinking of selling my Iliad and buy a DR 800. I am getting really tired of how slow the Iliad is. I am just using it for PDFs and even if the column function is quite nice it feels like using a piece of electronics from the 80s. Just so slow and sluggish. I was wondering if the DR 800 it is any faster and does a better job when browsing and managing files. I am just reading double column scientific publications. It also looks like it is lighter which for me it would be a big plus. I do not see that many other alternatives aside from the pocketbooks but I really like how the 8.1 inch screen is a perfect compromise of portability and usability for PDFs. What do you guys think? Last edited by xxtraloud; 10-14-2012 at 06:03 PM.

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10-14-2012, 05:53 PM	#2
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	For your needs, the DR800 sounds like the perfect device if you can get it at a reasonable price, otherwise I would probably go for a pocketbook as well.

10-25-2012, 07:17 PM	#4
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	It is not completely clear to me what you mean "no more useable with pdf's" ? The DR800 is dead for sure in the sense that there is no longer development for it, but concerning the intended use, reading of 2 column pdf's with this form factor and a fast boot time, plus good annotations on pdfs, relatively fast navigation of files, and with all the development that had been done in the past, it is in my opinion still an extremely good e-reader.

10-25-2012, 08:41 PM	#6
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	It is, the form factor is great and the suspend, which makes it rather fast, is the reason one of the main developers switched from the illiad to the DR800. But then again, there are indeed newer readers, so all probably depends on the price you can get it for.

10-27-2012, 02:33 PM	#7
xxtraloud Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: DX	I think I might have found the commercial version of the DR 800, the solid FX 8. I understand it is the same device but it is made for airplanes maps or something like that. Should I go ahead and buy it? Will I be able to still load the custom software that it is available on this message board?

10-29-2012, 06:16 AM	#8
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I don't think it is worth the risk. My DR800 still works, but has several flaws. 2 small blemishes on the screen and every time the pen touches the screen part of the screen turns a medium dark brown. So when you buy one you are buying a 2 year-old product with no service, doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I love the size, love the concept, the 3rd-party add-ons. Keep using it if you have one, that makes sense, though. And the battery life really sucks for e-ink.

11-04-2012, 11:45 AM	#9
xxtraloud Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: DX	I bought it for $50. At the moment I can't afford $300 for a pocketbook.

11-04-2012, 05:40 PM	#10
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	If it works alright and you manage to install all the third party applications, I am convinced that you will have a very good e-reader.

11-04-2012, 05:46 PM	#11
xxtraloud Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: DX	I will report back once I get it ;-)

11-06-2012, 04:50 AM	#13
xxtraloud Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: DX	well unfortunately the owner tested it before sending it to me and it doesn't turn on. It seems rather odd. I have asked him if he is willing to sell it to me for cheap. Maybe it's a dead battery? What could it be?

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