E-Book reader?

cooker3

I'm going on a RTW this October and was contemplating picking 1 up. I get the sense if I asked this in 3 or 4 years it would be an absolute no brainer decision to get it but currently the market is still maturing.
Has anyone brought 1 with them, if so what model and does it make a good travel companion?

yermanoffthetv

Dont have one but I hear these are good:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/?tag=gocous-20&hvadid=5266389317&ref=pd_sl_81tqyexam_e

killbillvol2

Bought a Sony Reader in June (after a lot of research) prior to travelling in China. Wasn't sure if I'd like it beforehand but carrying 8 or 9 books wasn't on. It's great - you get used to it quickly and the weight saving is a godsend.

natsuko

if your want to be cheap about it, and you have a phone with good reading size screen, and supports java apps, you can get free ebook readers on getjar.com. I have mobipocket, ive only downloaded the free ebooks so dont know the protocol for buying them. Manybooks.net is where id get a lot of mine, and project gutenburg.

breadmonkey

Sounds like a nice piece of kit to have but I'd be concerned that it would just be another expensive item to look after (like a camera, iPod or similar).

killbillvol2

There's a thread in Computers & Technology about the new Kindle. If it had been on the market when I was looking I would have bought it.

R.Shackleford

I personally dont think it would be a good idea bringing an e-reader on a RTW trip. Can you imagine pulling it out on a packed bus in one of the less developed countries. You will just make yourself a target for pick pockets.

killbillvol2

R.Shackleford wrote: »

I personally dont think it would be a good idea bringing an e-reader on a RTW trip. Can you imagine pulling it out on a packed bus in one of the less developed countries. You will just make yourself a target for pick pockets.

The fact that you're a Western tourist makes you a target for pickpockets. Pulling out an Ereader isn't going to make a lot of difference. In any case, they don't look particularly high tech and won't create much of a stir.

As regards generally looking after kit it really depends on where you're going, if you're travelling alone. type of transport you're using etc. and is a judgement call for each individual. Personally I carry a lot of expensive stuff when travelling but you'd never think so to look at me or my luggage.

RATM

OP I reckon e-readers will be free or virtually free in about the next 2-3 years,, maybe even less. Just as mobile phones once cost lots you can now get them for free with a contract and the same may go with e-readers (contracting you into buying only books from Amazon).

If its money you're looking to save and your first stop is KL/Bangkok/Singapore/Hong Kong then I'd wait till you get there. I bet there are loads of fake e-readers like the Kindle on the market there. You'll get one at a fraction of the price, it should last more than your trip and by the time it packs in hopefully they'll be for free A mate bought a fake Chinese iPhone in Bangkok there two years ago- it was 100 euro at a time when real ones were 500-600 and it still works.

center15

I have a Sony PRS600 and have just bought the new Amazon Kindle instead the wifi & 3G version is only €200 now. It comes with free global 3G so you can get a book anywhere in the world you are and also browse the web with the new built in web browser check it out here http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q/ref=amb_link_353643142_4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0M3FAYHZ4W6AXS0737E0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1274852602&pf_rd_i=507846

nibtrix

I have the Astak ezreader, it's one of the cheaper ones and very open format (so you can get books from a lot of places). Pretty sturdy too, I've dropped mine loads of times and it's fine!