Recommend Ebook Reader device - gamepark, other?

[EwJ]

Hi,
Looking for a device to primarily use as an ebook reader.  It would have to have a decent screen, resolution, backlight, preferably without proprietary battery system (i.e. would like one that uses rechargable aa's or something readily available).  Has anyone here tried something like this that they would highly recommend?
Is a gamepark or gp2x good for this?  A particular pda, or other pocket computer?

Any suggestions, reviews,etc,  appreciated.

Thanks.

[Samstag]

I use an Ipaq 2495. It's overkill for ebooks, but I really like reading on it (I never thought I'd read an ebook).  The battery is proprietary but it lasts forever and can charge over USB.  I'd think an older used PDA would do just as well.

I really only use Microsoft Reader.  When I've used Acrobat or other formats they don't seem to work very well.  That may be because they were things that don't format well ona small screen, or I just didn't know how to reformat them.  Reader takes care of the formatting and is very readable.  I haven't touched a paper book in months but I've been doing a lot of reading on the PDA.

[thennomeking]

Having used the GP32 and GP2X as an ebook reader, I would say go with a palm pilot.  I really liked the Zire71, but mine broke, so now I use a Zodaic2.  In the palm department I would say use a Palm E2 is your best bet for price and size.  As for pocket pcs I cant really say.

[Strokemouth]

I've actually looked into getting a Sony Reader for my wife. They are pretty expensive, but look very nice for someone who does a ton of reading.

[EwJ]

Thanks for the suggestions.  Keep 'em comin.

The sony looks like it employs some 'proprietary' 'digital rights' kind of things.  Or is that just the actual ebooks themselves?

[Strokemouth]

The DRM is on Sony's proprietary e-book format, BBeB. The reader itself supports txt, PDF, rtf, Word docs, and a bunch of other formats as well. It's a little too pricy for me right now, but it's definitely something I'd consider with a price drop.

[patrickl]

I use an old Sony Clie for reading books. Have been doing so for years actually. Before that I had a Palm Vx. The Clie is a clam shell whcih you can open so it stands with the screen up. Very practical if I lay on my side in bed and read.

Trouble with PDA's is indeed their battery but it comes with a charger.

[thennomeking]

Id wait on the Sony reader, colour ones should be out soon enough

[patrickl]

Does the Sony Reader have backlight though?

[thennomeking]

It utilizes eink - so in simple terms it is a lot like reading a normal book.  So lower eyestrain than reading a screen, but no backlight.

[patrickl]

Yeah I was afraid of that. Backlight is what I like about using an LCD. No need to bother the missus with a light when I'm reading in bed.

A screen is harder to read in sunlight though

[EwJ]

The Sony looks really sharp.  It looks like Panasonic is coming out with a nice one shortly too.
http://www.techjapan.com/Article1358.html
Right now, the Sony looks like it is the best of the best - razor sharp text, really good battery life.
The price is a bit much though. 
Don't know if i can wait for price drop - may have to settle for a cheaper, inferior device for now.
The next gen should be really good - colour display, razor sharp, long battery.  Might be a couple years though before a
'perfect' product is out that would be a decent, comfortable alternative/replacement to holding and reading a real book.
Thanks for all the suggestions/info.
Any updates, news, comments, keep em comin.