Best Ebook reader for displaying schematics/technical drawings?
Posted Thursday, October 8, 2009 by admin
I work on industrial equipment on offshore oil rigs. I frequently find myself lugging my laptop and/or cumbersome schematic books into bilges and other nasty places. I want to buy an ebook reader that will let me display schematics (PDF format) which are generally about twice the size of a regular 8.5″X11″ sheet. It will need to have 4 way scrolling so that I can view the whole page in full size (MUST). It must also have a search feature, as I also frequently find myself searching for a single word in 1500+ page manuals(MUST). It would be nice if it were small in size (hopefully small enough to fit into a large coveralls pocket)(WANT). Also, it would be good if the device is ruggedly designed (milspec, shock proof, water proof, etc)(WANT). ooh yeah, and a backlight would be handy for those dark cramped spaces(WANT). Thanks!
I think the Kindle DX is by far the best e-reader for your need. It is just released on 10th June, and is the most powerful ebook reader right now. It has screen bigger than other ebook readers, so it should be better for you to read large PDF. In addition, it has auto-rotating screen (like the function on iPhone), and it has functions like search, scroll, zoom, etc. There is an actual owner reviewing it, mentioning that it can handle complex PDF:
I’m a Kindle 2 owner myself, and I like it very much. I only read PDF files occasionally, however, and the Kindle 2 cannot handle complex PDF (On the Kindle 2, PDF file needs to be converted to Kindle format before reading on the device). The latest Kindle DX is designed to have native PDF support, so it can open PDF files directly.
If the Kindle DX still cannot match what you need, you’ll have to wait for new e-readers to launch… as the Kindle DX is already the most powerful ebook reader right now. However, I guess it will at least be a year for new models to launch, and even so it may add in new functions but not the function that are exactly what you want…
I think the Kindle DX should handle what you need though, it is now out of stock but will ship in 4 to 6 weeks if you order now.
Hope this helps.
I have a Kindle 2 and it’s great for pdf. But as far as I experienced, Sony eReader is better at displaying them. Kindle is the best for kindle format books.