eBooks, eReaders and Tablets
 

Hi All,

The number of adventure motorcycle travel authors publishing eBooks seems to be increasing pretty rapidly. A quick browse on the Amazon Kindle Store, for instance, shows Ted Simon, Sam Manicom, Carla King, Paddy Tyson, Lois Pryce and plenty of other well-known names.

I'm wondering how many HU folk own eReaders (e.g. Amazon Kindle, Sony eReader, B&N Nook, etc.) and/or tablets like the iPad?

For those that do, how useful have you found them on your travels? Any recommendations about the different devices, reading apps, eBook stores or the specific adventure travel eBooks you've downloaded?

Not looking for recommendations/advice for myself by the way - just throwing it open for discussion....

Thanks

Iain.

Interesting to see this post from you Iain. My books have only just gone into e-book format on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk For a long while I was very sceptical about doing so - I like books! That I can hold that is.

But having now played with a Kindle, I can really see it's benefits. I haven't played with an i-pad yet but I hear good stuff about them too. And from my books point of view it really helps potential readers around the world to get hold of copies, where its difficult to snag a paperback version in particular.

The system is really easy to use too, and it has the benefit of potential buyers being able to read a good chunk of the first chapters before buying. Like the read? Buy it. Think its grim, no money spent, just a little time. Phew, I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot with that comment!

I'll be interested to see what people think about e-books. Good idea? Paper books better?

I have found a couple of old motorcycle books on Amazon that were very good.
Those British riding around before Ewan and Thingy.


Adventures of a Motorcycle Despatch Rider During the First World War [Kindle Edition]
By: W.H.L. Watson

Across America by motor-cycle (1922) [Kindle Edition]
By: C. K Shepherd

Being new to the whole e-books idea I would say it almost entirely depends on the book.

If it's a reading book then I prefer the e-book approach, partly because of space (no need for huge bookshelves) but mostly for the convenience that it brings when purchasing books. Not only the convenience of being able to sample a book first, but it is so much easier to buy an e-book than a regular one, they are always in stock (assuming that an e-book version exists) and buying and receiving the book takes what, thirty seconds?

The only time I would prefer a paper book over an e-book would be if the book placed as much emphasis on photographs as it did on the written word. In that instance a paper book wins hands down.

I rode from Alaska to Panama with just books. I've bought a kindle for my Africa trip and so far I've been very happy with it. It saves a lot of space. You can load lots of books which means you don't HAVE to read the book you have or try to find someone to swap it with. And the battery lasts for ages.

A good buy in my opinion.

Important point that one, the thread is call eBooks, eReaders and Tablets - I own and use both a tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab) and an eBook reader (Kindle) and they are very very different beasts with respect to battery life. If the choice was between using eBooks on a tablet or paper books then paper books would win hands down. Tablets are only good for use as an eReader if you can charge them every few days or so (depending on use).

Pictures are an issue. We looked hard at that before we put the books up as e-books. We tried to get round that by, within the e-books, pointing people at the website for the books where there are stacks of pictures.

You know, the only thing that kept popping into my mind as we were going through the process was that on the road we'd have missed out on some friend making opportunities. We are still friends with people we met as a result of looking for a book to swop. Then again, some of the available swops.... hmmmm.

And I'm told you can fit 300 e-books plus onto a Kindle. Now that's useful no?

My wife and I were discussing this just the other day. We are both avid readers and like books and as such have not taken much interest in E book readers.

When we spent a year on the road travelling from the UK to South Africa nearly 20 years ago pre internet, mobile phone, digital cameras and GPS we always had a selection of books with us but even so there were ocassions where we would run out and swops weren't always possible. We concluded that for the next trip we'd probably take something like an I pad a piece as we now need to check e mail frequently, my wife likes to write and I like to use the internet. We'd probaly combine 'phone and camera and not bother with GPS (although most smart phones have GPS facilities using google maps for emergencies). This combined with no camping and cooking means the luggage is getting less all the time :clap:

Up to three thousand 500:innocent:


John

Like some who posted, I like the printed book. But I also recognise the future and the sheer handiness of these gismos. A few years ago I lugged 1000 of my books to a new home out of the UK. Maybe I shouldnt have bothered!

Can anyone tell me how you get a new book on your chosen gismo?
Of the gismos mentioned, any opinions on the 'best'?
How much does it cost to get a book?
Are there free, out of copyright books to get?
Are people offering books in the way you can download a free CD?
Are the books available usually just pulp fiction?

I note that Sam's book is available and that's certainly not pulp and is the kind of thing I want to get. For example how much is Sam's book in comparison to a paper book? Is there a financial saving?

I also note that the Municipal Library of Lyon in partnership with Google is scanning 500,000 books. Now that seems tasty if it doesnt cost the earth. Maybe the British Library has /will do the same.

As with any kind of 'gismo', opinions will vary greatly about which one is the 'best'. To answer your other questions I'll use the Amazon Kindle as the example (which has something like 40%+ share of the eReader market)....

Once you've got a Kindle device and the associated Amazon Kindle account (free - just part of the setup), you browse the eBooks part of the Amazon website to find an ebook you want - exactly like you would for buying a printed book.

When you decide to purchase an eBook, it gets automatically downloaded to your Kindle device. You don't have to do anything clever - it just happens.

Prices for eBooks are generally a lot lower than for their printed equivalents. Sam's for example are 13.99 GBP for the paperbacks, but only 8.04 GBP for the eBooks.

Yes - there are loads of free/out of copyright books available. You get a few pre-loaded on the Kindle (e.g. Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice).

eBooks published as PDFs can be downloaded (to put on CD or whatever you like) although these aren't really eBooks in quite the same sense. You can read PDFs on the Amazon Kindle, but the quality is nowhere near as good as genuine eBooks that are produced specifically for the purpose.

Are they all pulp fiction? In a word, no. :)

There are lots of other places where eBooks can be purchased other than Amazon by the way.

Iain.

I knew there was a 3 in there somewhere! Must get my hearing aid recharged!!! : )

As Iain mentioned, buying new books is easy, it's also worth pointing out that the download size of books is very small, so they download very quickly. As an example I have just fired up the Kindle application on my Galaxy Tab to purchase Sam's book 'Into Africa' - The entire process from entering the Kindle Store, finding the book, buying the book and then downloading it to the device took less than 30 seconds to complete. There is certainly a no more convenient way to shop for books.

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.

Thanx to those who gave info.

I'm looking for the cheapest options as I dont earn money. And it seems that there's stuff out there to suit this...

It's looking interesting!.....

I love printed books and have a massive collection of factual books on history, geography, geology, travel and other 'serious' books. Nevertheless I've looked at the Kindle and I'd agree that if it's a straightforward read-and-discard type of book that you take on holiday and throw before you fly back then the eBook concept is fine. And I like the idea of being able to read out-of-copyright books FOC.

But the moment it's a book you want to keep and read again, or use as reference, then I'm afraid I want paper. And if it's a reference book I might want to use Post-it tabs to quickly delve to sections. I also have a habit of writing 'corrections' in the margins (lol).

I have a couple of old travel books in PDF format that I really want to read, but I can't be bothered sitting at a computer screen to do this. Maybe I should print them out!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 :nono: ' books lying around the house, or passing them on is less likely to happen.

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

got a kindle and loved it on my last trip to alaska. saved a lot of room. main thing is dont leave it plugged in charging at a motel. Others liked it also and had a hard time getting it back from staff but luckly one honest employee told me where to find it . In the laundry room.

Kindle
 

I have been using a tablet Galaxi on the road and they are great the internet is really great help on it and even the GPS integrated is working fairly well , the books you can load are identical that on the kindle and on the top of it you can use SKype phone . What else a man can ask.
one week battery life if you disconnect the GPS and the wifi after using it.

I'm waiting for the day when they become compatible with the Public Library system

Forgive me for being thick, but I'm confused (not for the first time!).

A number of people mention using their Kindle for internet emergencies; I was told that the Kindle could ONLY connect to the amazon site, and not browse the internet generally (for instance, I couldn't view this site). I was told this at PC world in the UK, so I'm not that convinced at its validity! To what extent could I surf the net generally? I realise it will be limited by the spec of the equipment, but could I view any sites in a limited format?

Sorry to be (potentially) thick . . . .

My wife's will work for any site, sadly I've not got it with me, but I think it's in experimental features...

Never believe a word anyone at PC World tells you!

Assuming you have the 3G version of the Kindle (and enough coverage wherever you're using it), the built-in browser is unrestricted in terms of the sites you can browse. As per a previous post, the functionality isn't up to the standard of the browser you're probably used to using, but it's certainly good enough for most on-the-road requirements.

Case in point... just earlier today, Jupiter's Traveller Robert Wells posted on Twitter....

"Kindle to the rescue..iPhone battery is dead but the kindle 3g is allowing me to surf! My back up plan works pretty well."

Kindle Power - and more!
 

Hi Maria and everyone .....

I have a kindle and love it, using it for techy books, newspapers and novels. I don't treat it as a TOTAL replacement for books, just another way to read them.

First point to make is that I had the same problem as Maria, the battery appearing to drain when switched off. I spoke to Amazon and they recognised the problem straight away. It was caused by the cover, which can cause the battery to drain. They send out a better replacement and this fixed the problem. The replacement came with a light that is powered by the kindle, which again is great, but the cover is much heavier.

Secondly I have just discovered some great free, open source software, Calibre, which is a bit like the iTunes of the ebook world. Not only can you catalogue and browse all your titles in a more sex way, but you can also automatically download and newspapers that are pinged to your kindle. This is FREE and the service is as good as the paid for versions - and is LEGAL. It is purely using their own RSS feeds.


Enjoy!!

Kindle - WiFi and 3G
 

Bought my wife a Kindle WiFi-only version for her birthday last month but I have been using it almost 100% :innocent:. Great for general reading although I think it would be a pain to use for any kind of reference book where you would normally do a lot of jumping back and forth. The WiFi browser does seem to be totally unrestricted but because the version I have is not a Touch model, the browser is a bit awkward as basically you are using the arrow keys to get around.

For my next trip, however, I will seriously consider getting myself a WiFi-3G version. If the browser truly is unrestricted in 3G, with no additional charges, it could be a great piece of backup for being along the road, or in a hotel or in camp where no wireless is available. 3G isn't available everywhere obviously, but this map off the Amazon site suggests that it is not bad coverage in NA, Europe and western Russia: http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1 Alternatively, I had looked into getting a 3G dongle for my EEE PC that I carry with me and some plans were ridiculous... $1/MB !!!!! Using the 3G browser on the Kindle (which I would probably like to take along anyway) just seems like the way to go.

Battery life has been great so far as I keep the WiFi off. I use it every day and only charged it once after a month's use. Highly recommended.