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31 May 2011
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The franglais-riders
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,190
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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!
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2 Aug 2011
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Contributing Member
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Denmark, Western Australia (previously Derbyshire, UK)
Posts: 94
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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.
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5 Aug 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian Bradshaw
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.
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I've been using a Kindle 3 (3G+WiFi) on the road for close to two months now and had no problems. I have a rubber "skin" to help absorb shocks when it is dropped and when packed. That stays on all the time. I put the kindle in a neoprene pouch most of the time when not in use (zippered) which helps a bit against random moisture and more vibration/impact resistance. If I'm going to be reading near water, I have a waterproof pouch I slide it in. But it is very annoying to use all the time. I also put on a screen protector to guard against scratches, dirt, etc. Sounds like overkill when I describe it like this, but it takes up relatively little space and I've found the Kindle an valuable addition. I would not buy one specifically for a trip, but having purchased it previously, I found it is worth packing.
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2 Aug 2011
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Denmark, Western Australia (previously Derbyshire, UK)
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Kindle Indexing / Display Image
Quote:
Originally Posted by maria41
[snip]
Note also that with an Ereader (or tablet) you have access to thousands of free books via the Gutenberg project.
[snip]
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!
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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.
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6 Aug 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maria41
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!
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You can switch the Kindle off completely - just hold the power switch across for 4-5 secs and the screen will go blank. It's hardly worth doing it though because, as other have said, it doesn't use power to maintain the screen, only to change it.
I've just used mine for three weeks in the US and it's been a godsend. There's no way I could have taken the number of paper books I had loaded onto it. Battery life is very good - as long as you have WiFi etc switched off.
Without some sort of protection though it is a little fragile and it needs some sort of case unless you're just using it at home. I went looking for cases before the trip and was staggered by the price of them - well over £50 for anything that might actually do the job. Even in the US I couldn't find anything significantly cheaper.
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6 Aug 2011
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
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I use a neoprene case designed for a netbook / tablet. £5 in Staples, and has lept mine safe and operating for the last couple of months including a beach holiday and transport in my bike panniers.
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8 Aug 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Brand new kindle bought, which then broke a week later only moments into arriving into Asia. Managed to get a new one sent over thats to the brilliant customer services who are used to this kind of thing. They must be as the second one broke a couple of weeks later. I got sent a third one which I didn't really want except to stamp it into little pieces. I reccomend getting hold of a nice paper book and exchanging it with someone when you have finished it.
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10 Oct 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: East Anglia/London, UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grizzly7
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.
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They are transferable with a kindle account. I read my books on my iphone whilst on the road, and at home on my laptop (stolen last week in Norwich :-( ) and then at work on my PC. Where-ever I have left off in the book, it knows when I log on another computer what page I was up to. Very clever.
I am looking at getting a notebook/little laptop with a solid state hard drive to use on the road, so I can read, back up photos, stay in contact, etc. Just got to figure out how to charge it from cig lighter.
I had all my docs scanned in PDF format on my iphone, via google docs as well, this means my next of kin has access to all copies of important documents.
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10 Oct 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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the only thing I was concerned about though, was Kindle/amazon I guess do take a larger cut of ££ from the author, and I prefer to buy books direct from the authors at talks etc, I'm sure they get a bigger slice this way.
Also, I read most of my dad's Ted Simon, Lois Pryce, etc... thats how I got interested, so this e-book thing means that the effect of leaving these 'dangerous  ' books lying around the house, or passing them on is less likely to happen.
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11 Oct 2011
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Registered Users
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Well, I'm quite a Kindle fan. I've the 3g model, and its never failed me with books or newpaper updates when travelling. You can transfer books in other formats (handy for manuals) and its got basic email and browser for emergencies. I work for a "technology" company and so see most "gadgets" in the office, as many of the techies seem to collect them. All have their place, but for a reader, the Kindle is hard to beat.
With the new colour one on the way, which looks to be Android based, there may be another interesting device on the way soon with more apps etc available.
Iain Nic
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
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Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
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"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Every book a diary
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Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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