One thing worth mentioning with the Kindle, they do two version, one connects via WiFi only, the other also has a sim card in it and can be used over 3G/GSM, this connection is free of charge, no download limits, no monthly charges and no roaming charges either. At present it can be used FOC in over 100 countries, not just for buying books, but also as a device for browsing the internet.[/quote]

Although I prefer 'authentic', paper copies of books (and the smell - that's not too strange, right?!), from a space saving point of view, I'm liking the idea of the 3G Kindle. I have read that the browsing capabilities aren't that great - has anyone had any experience of this?

The browser on the Kindle is a little more limited than what you'll be used to on a PC or Mac (or even a smartphone) and obviously the display isn't colour, but it's not bad and certainly good enough for ad-hoc essential use while on the road.

I decided to bring along a Kindle 3 on my upcoming trip. I debated about bringing it for a long time because it is yet another bit of technology to care for, but what finally decided me was that I can use it as a reference library.

I have medical reference books in case of injury & illness.
I have a PDF version of my motorcycle shop manual.
I have dictionaries to look up foreign words.
I have guide books (Lonely Planet).
I have fiction books for entertainment.
I have a (primitive) web browser for emergencies.
Battery gets charged once every 2-5 weeks (depending on use).

All the above increases my resourcefulness while on the road and decreases the volume of what I carry.

The kindle web browser is primitive even compared to a smart-phone. But it is usually minimally capable for light use. I use it frequently for accessing gmail and wikipedia.

Just started to look into loading my new ipad with guide books and LP want the same price for there ebook as the paper copy.......great!

I'll definitely be taking a Kindle on my trans-african trip at the end of the year.

Space and weight is always important on long trips.

The kindle allows you you take workshop manuals, guidebooks and general reading whilst sacrificing minimal space and weight

How do these devices hold up in a adventure motorcycle environment anyway? I'm looking to get a Galaxy Tab instead of a netbook. But are they as sturdy? Not having a harddrive could make them actually tougher than netbooks. Has anyone any experience in it?

I've been using a 'Kindle' app on my iTouch 3G. While the screen is smaller, I prefer the discreetness of it. I store my bike's service manual on it as well. There's a secure app that allows me to store scanned copies of my passport, drivers license, jab record and more.

I'd get a IPad in a heartbeat if I could use it to upload or download waypoints, tracks and routes to my GPS.

daryl

I don't have one, and the idea of yet another thing that requires charging to use is a big put off unless at work or home.

Another thing that I believe is the case is you can't swap or share titles you've bought, its on your machine(s) only.

On the basis that every bit of kit should ideally serve at least two functions, this is one of the great benefits of eReaders - saves space, all your books, all your personal documents and a browser thrown in too.

Charging varies from device to device, but for the Kindle....

"A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off. Keep wireless always on and go for up to 10 days without recharging."

...which is probably way better than any other bit of electrickery you might take along.

Re: swapping titles.... Amazon has a lending scheme for US customers, which will probably get rolled-out to other countries in time, but other than that you're right that sharing is restricted.

The Ipad supports Ireader and Kindle apps for paid ebooks and you can download heaps of free books(especially the classics) through a number of different book apps.
If you have an Iphone the Apps are 100% better on the Ipad.
Its very versatile so would spend the extra instead of getting a Kindle IMHO

Jimmy

Hey there - I run an iPad, an iPad2, a Galaxy Tab a Kindle and a newer Sony eReader (it's my job, I'm not a geek, honest :innocent:)

From a build quality point of view the only thing I wouldn't take on the road would be the Tab - it's really badly put together and I would be very worried about the plastic breaking or the screen being killed.

The Kindle is a fab bit of kit and very sturdy. The Sony eReader is basically indestructible and the iPad could kill someone if you whacked them over the head.

From my point of view I'm taking the iPad 2. It's light (but not as light as the Kindle) - I can read on it (but not as comfortably as the Kindle) - I can watch TV & Movies on it (perfect for the plane), I can run all my Lonely Planet apps on there, visit websites as if I was in front of a 'real' computer, back up all my photos to its 64gb SSHD via SD card and edit my videos straight off my HD Cannon Camera via USB. I have a choice of connections (wifi and 3g) but the 3g connections can be expensive if out and about so I would buy a pre-paid data plan and sim from someone like ekit.

If I just wanted an eReader for PDFs and EPUB files (the most prevalent) then I'd go with the Sony eReader. Mainly because it's built incredibly solidly, has better wifi, a better refresh rate (easier to read and faster to turn pages) and has a better battery life. However, no decent web browser (just like the Kindle) and you cant buy books from Amazon, only retailers that sell EPUB (waterstones, WHSmith, Kobo and so on). But from a flexibility point of view you can put pretty much any type of file on an eReader (TXT, RTF, PDF etc) and it will work - the Kindle is a lot more selective.

m

I got a Kindle 3G recently and must admit, despite being dubious about ereaders, I LOVE it.

I love real books, but as we are moving to Rio in few weeks time I thought it would be easier to get a kindle rather than buy books via amazon and deal with customs everytime!

With Kindle I also manage to save files in PDF format (passport and other docs come to mind!). You can buy books very easily via the 3G immediately. The internet browser is not great so I have not used it too much.

It is definitely a good buy to carry with you to reduce weight on the bike.

Note also that with an Ereader (or tablet) you have access to thousands of free books via the Gutenberg project. (Restrictions may apply depending on local juridiction!) but rule of thumb all classics are available. Also Gutemberg is a good source for non english readers as there are starting to get some good selection of books in french and spanish.
Project Gutenberg - free ebooks online download for iPad, Kindle, Nook, Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, Sony Reader

Battery life in the Kindle is ok but when you switch off an image appear on the screen. This image is on all the time, it eventually drains the battery so you must remember to recharge regularly. Not a big issue, just annoying that you cannot switch off the screen image completely!

Kindle dwindle...
 

I found our new Kindle WiFi + 3G very useful for the first week of a 2 week cycling trip through France this July (email/twitter/facebook & finding a bike shop when I broke spokes). Unfortunately after a week on the road it refused to switch on or show a charge indication.

Received a warranty replacement from Amazon 2 days after getting home & reporting the fault.

I think it's probably no less rugged than any other electronic equipment on the road... careful handling and a waterproof bag (+dessicant) will always help, but these things are not as reliable as paper books/duplicate hard copies of important documents.

We did need to charge it every 2-3 days with internet use.

We will take the replacement Kindle on the next big trip, I guess using the old one in the tent when condensation was forming could have been a factor in it's demise. Hopefully with a bit more care the new one will last longer.

Kindle Indexing / Display Image
 

The screen only consumes energy when the image changes, so it is not this that is significantly draining your battery when switched off. A possibility is that new books you are adding are causing the battery to go flat.

When books are loaded the Kindle indexes them to enable content searching - a great feature that means, for example, you can type a place name such as Troy or Prague in and immediately pull up a list of references from Sam Manicom, Einstein, Voltaire, Tolstoy, Gordon Ramsey, Homer, Da Vinci, Oscar Wilde, etc etc along with whatever travel guide books you may have installed.

However, the indexing process runs when the Kindle is off & several hundred newly added books will take days to index and can completely drain the battery.