This review is from: EREADER 6IN WHITE (Electronics)
I bought my personal ereader from a vendor on this site about a month ago, and have been using it as a replacement for my old nook reader. I know I tend to break anything with eInk screens, so I wanted something cheap and light for my commute, which I can read in the daylight on the bus.
I don’t hate this ereader, in fact overall I do like it. Unlike my favorite ereader, TheBook put out by Augen last year, the internet browser can run pretty fast, and the touch screen operates with no difficulty. I find the type of eInk screen to be easy on the eyes, and the text rendering is great. Many of the other extras, the calendar, dictionary, sudoku puzzle, work without a problem.
My only issue is with the processor itself. Once you put in more than say, 500 files worth of books, music, etc., it slows down and the batteries drain. I know the specs say it has 2gb and it can take up to 32 gb on a microsd card, but it just slows down. Does not matter if I have it on the card, or on the onboard memory.
And believe me, I like the linux based budget readers, especially since I live with small kids and tend to break things. But I can even make the literati hold more than 500 files.
I am keeping it, but I thought I should post this review as a warning. It’s not a gripe against the People at Pandigital, and I would suggest this reader if the nook is too pricey for you. Just bear in mind, after 500 files, it slows.
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This review is from: EREADER 6IN WHITE (Electronics)
Despite almost EVERY review I’ve read about this reader being bad, I went against my better judgement, and picked one up anyway. This is one time that my instincts were wrong! The speed is comparable to any unit available, whether kindle, nook or kobo. All the monochrome dedicated e-readers are going to be slower than the best android tablet, smartphone or i-device. However, with a touch screen, epaper-type display, generous internal storage expandable with a micro SD card….there’s much to like about this unit. In 54 degree weather, I began the setup. Once you have time, date, etc. taken care of, it’s a simple matter to add a memory card, hook up to the computer and copy epub content over. The book list refresh for over 512 ebooks for this reader was a mere 3 minutes, compared to my Kobo’s 3 HOURS. This will open and load epubs that the Kobo won’t even recognize are on your device. For some reason, guess the Kobo doesn’t like Rene’ Descartes Discourse on the Method. For owners of Crossway epub study bibles such as the MacArthur or ESV Study, take heart. This will give you access to the single/double dagger links to study notes, whereas non-touch screen readers offer no way to do this! I find it both odd and unusual that Kobo’s own store sells books which aren’t compatible with all its readers! The links are still extremely hard to trigger until you get the feel of doing it on the touchscreen, but such is the case with those epubs and all other readers I’ve tried them on. In other words, it’s a publisher, not a reader issue. Overall, while readers that have the eink screen, as opposed to the SiPix epaper one that this one does have the edge on sharpness and visibility, the difference between those displays and the one the Pandigital aren’t that vast, and can be adapted to with relative ease. Having a dictionary that works with ANY book in your library, as opposed to the Kobo (where you only get dictionary support with books you buy from them) is a huge plus for the Pandigital. The on-demand sub-menu to access the dictionary, table of contents, font sizing, etc. is also helpful. The features are there at a button and screen press if you need them, out of sight and the way when you don’t. As far as wide compatibility with files, touch screen capability, and add-on applications that, while limited in their use, are good for what they are meant for-quick and dirty web and email access, the Pandigital 6″ Novel might just be your diamond in the rough of e-readers. Having found mine as a refurbished unit for $59.99 (I recommend you do a google search for refurbs for the best price) you can’t argue with the feature set, build quality, versatility and readability coupled with a reasonable price. I’m sure other reviewers on the net have had their bad experiences with this particular reader, but my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Enough so, that I chucked my Kobo, and now the Pandigital is my primary reader!
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This review is from: EREADER 6IN WHITE (Electronics)
The price of these Pandigital e-paper (no color) e-book readers is falling fast. I picked one up here in southwest Florida at a discount store for thirtyninedollars. It seemed new when I unpacked it although the charging unit and cord were not sealed in plastic film, like a new unit should be. The reader itself was solidly wrapped however and seemed brand spankin’ new, and it was packaged in a colorful, heavy cardboard box with a fold-out sheet of quick start instructions which were reasonably adequate to get you up and running fast. Everything seemed very professionally done. Nothing cheap-feeling about it at all.
You can read all the specifications and good and bad points on several other reviews listed here. Several reviewers do a great job explaining the features of this bargain-basement e-paper book reader in great detail, so I’ll just make some general comments.
I’ll mention here that I also have a Nook Color reader that cost about 250 bucks over a year ago. Can I make a comparison? An expensive Nook versus a cheap Pandigital reader? Yes, I think I can….In general, the Pandigital can do just about everything the Nook can do…. but with certain limitations. The Nook has a brilliant and stunning color screen and e-books can be read comfortably in reduced light or even in a darkened room. This is where the Pandigital really falls down. Like all e-paper units it requires a good ambient light source (daylight works great) for it to function (as a reader) properly.
So here’s my take on the Pandigital Reader.
Good: Small (6″ screen) Lightweight Long battery operation Has all the features of more expensive units.
Bad: E-ink display is dimmer and with less contrast than more expensive e-ink units. Requires better than average ambient light source (direct sunlight is great). Slightly slower page turns. Refreshes screen every few seconds under some conditions.(a fast “blink”). Touch screen a little insensitive.
All in all a very good product for the price I paid (Amazon’s price is pretty good too).
Here is an update after a few weeks of use.
I read free ePUB books from our local county library system with the Pandigital Reader via “Adobe Digital Editions” software. You simply download a library ebook from the ebook section of your local library to ADE (on your computer) then transfer the book over to the Pandigital Reader using the included USB cable. It’s really easy. You have 2 weeks to read a copyrighted library ebook before it literally “disappears”.
You can also pick from thousands of free ePUB ebooks that have expired copyrights at “Project Gutenburg” on the internet. These books remain on your reader for as long as you want them. Audiobooks can also be downloaded and listened to…through the Pandigital Reader speaker or via earphones. I can get my audiobooks through our local library. Again, copyrighted audiobooks can be kept only for a limited time.
The Pandigital Reader e-ink screen is only fair. A good ambient lightsource is really necessary for comfortable reading. This may be due to the touch screen.
But for the cost of a few hard-cover books, this e-reader can’t be beat.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Authors bio is coming up shortly. 
OK substitute for the 1st generation nook, but the processor is a little slow.,
I bought my personal ereader from a vendor on this site about a month ago, and have been using it as a replacement for my old nook reader. I know I tend to break anything with eInk screens, so I wanted something cheap and light for my commute, which I can read in the daylight on the bus.
I don’t hate this ereader, in fact overall I do like it. Unlike my favorite ereader, TheBook put out by Augen last year, the internet browser can run pretty fast, and the touch screen operates with no difficulty. I find the type of eInk screen to be easy on the eyes, and the text rendering is great. Many of the other extras, the calendar, dictionary, sudoku puzzle, work without a problem.
My only issue is with the processor itself. Once you put in more than say, 500 files worth of books, music, etc., it slows down and the batteries drain. I know the specs say it has 2gb and it can take up to 32 gb on a microsd card, but it just slows down. Does not matter if I have it on the card, or on the onboard memory.
And believe me, I like the linux based budget readers, especially since I live with small kids and tend to break things. But I can even make the literati hold more than 500 files.
I am keeping it, but I thought I should post this review as a warning. It’s not a gripe against the People at Pandigital, and I would suggest this reader if the nook is too pricey for you. Just bear in mind, after 500 files, it slows.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Not as bad as you’ve probably read about…,
Despite almost EVERY review I’ve read about this reader being bad, I went against my better judgement, and picked one up anyway. This is one time that my instincts were wrong!
The speed is comparable to any unit available, whether kindle, nook or kobo. All the monochrome dedicated e-readers are going to be slower than the best android tablet, smartphone or i-device. However, with a touch screen, epaper-type display, generous internal storage expandable with a micro SD card….there’s much to like about this unit.
In 54 degree weather, I began the setup. Once you have time, date, etc. taken care of, it’s a simple matter to add a memory card, hook up to the computer and copy epub content over. The book list refresh for over 512 ebooks for this reader was a mere 3 minutes, compared to my Kobo’s 3 HOURS. This will open and load epubs that the Kobo won’t even recognize are on your device. For some reason, guess the Kobo doesn’t like Rene’ Descartes Discourse on the Method.
For owners of Crossway epub study bibles such as the MacArthur or ESV Study, take heart. This will give you access to the single/double dagger links to study notes, whereas non-touch screen readers offer no way to do this! I find it both odd and unusual that Kobo’s own store sells books which aren’t compatible with all its readers! The links are still extremely hard to trigger until you get the feel of doing it on the touchscreen, but such is the case with those epubs and all other readers I’ve tried them on. In other words, it’s a publisher, not a reader issue.
Overall, while readers that have the eink screen, as opposed to the SiPix epaper one that this one does have the edge on sharpness and visibility, the difference between those displays and the one the Pandigital aren’t that vast, and can be adapted to with relative ease. Having a dictionary that works with ANY book in your library, as opposed to the Kobo (where you only get dictionary support with books you buy from them) is a huge plus for the Pandigital. The on-demand sub-menu to access the dictionary, table of contents, font sizing, etc. is also helpful. The features are there at a button and screen press if you need them, out of sight and the way when you don’t. As far as wide compatibility with files, touch screen capability, and add-on applications that, while limited in their use, are good for what they are meant for-quick and dirty web and email access, the Pandigital 6″ Novel might just be your diamond in the rough of e-readers. Having found mine as a refurbished unit for $59.99 (I recommend you do a google search for refurbs for the best price) you can’t argue with the feature set, build quality, versatility and readability coupled with a reasonable price. I’m sure other reviewers on the net have had their bad experiences with this particular reader, but my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Enough so, that I chucked my Kobo, and now the Pandigital is my primary reader!
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|Price Is Dropping Fast- A Bargain!,
The price of these Pandigital e-paper (no color) e-book readers is falling fast. I picked one up here in southwest Florida at a discount store for thirtyninedollars. It seemed new when I unpacked it although the charging unit and cord were not sealed in plastic film, like a new unit should be. The reader itself was solidly wrapped however and seemed brand spankin’ new, and it was packaged in a colorful, heavy cardboard box with a fold-out sheet of quick start instructions which were reasonably adequate to get you up and running fast. Everything seemed very professionally done. Nothing cheap-feeling about it at all.
You can read all the specifications and good and bad points on several other reviews listed here. Several reviewers do a great job explaining the features of this bargain-basement e-paper book reader in great detail, so I’ll just make some general comments.
I’ll mention here that I also have a Nook Color reader that cost about 250 bucks over a year ago. Can I make a comparison? An expensive Nook versus a cheap Pandigital reader? Yes, I think I can….In general, the Pandigital can do just about everything the Nook can do…. but with certain limitations. The Nook has a brilliant and stunning color screen and e-books can be read comfortably in reduced light or even in a darkened room. This is where the Pandigital really falls down. Like all e-paper units it requires a good ambient light source (daylight works great) for it to function (as a reader) properly.
So here’s my take on the Pandigital Reader.
Good:
Small (6″ screen)
Lightweight
Long battery operation
Has all the features of more expensive units.
Bad:
E-ink display is dimmer and with less contrast than more expensive e-ink units.
Requires better than average ambient light source (direct sunlight is great).
Slightly slower page turns.
Refreshes screen every few seconds under some conditions.(a fast “blink”).
Touch screen a little insensitive.
All in all a very good product for the price I paid (Amazon’s price is pretty good too).
Here is an update after a few weeks of use.
I read free ePUB books from our local county library system with the Pandigital Reader via “Adobe Digital Editions” software. You simply download a library ebook from the ebook section of your local library to ADE (on your computer) then transfer the book over to the Pandigital Reader using the included USB cable. It’s really easy. You have 2 weeks to read a copyrighted library ebook before it literally “disappears”.
You can also pick from thousands of free ePUB ebooks that have expired copyrights at “Project Gutenburg” on the internet. These books remain on your reader for as long as you want them.
Audiobooks can also be downloaded and listened to…through the Pandigital Reader speaker or via earphones. I can get my audiobooks through our local library. Again, copyrighted audiobooks can be kept only for a limited time.
The Pandigital Reader e-ink screen is only fair. A good ambient lightsource is really necessary for comfortable reading. This may be due to the touch screen.
But for the cost of a few hard-cover books, this e-reader can’t be beat.
Was this review helpful to you?
|