Two Questions about the PRS-ACL1 Light Accessory

[Ler0y Jenkins]

I'm contemplating purchasing a PRS-505 and I'm really interested in this light/cover combo but I have two questions:

1. What color is it? I've read some reviews that say it's blue and others that say it's black. There doesn't appear to be multiple model numbers so I'm not sure which is correct.

2. How durable is the light screen? I've owned a lightwedge for hardback books and the thing scratched so easily it was ridiculous. I haven't heard anything about this one scratching easily so I'm assuming it's not as bad as the traditional lightwedge??

Thanks,

Kevin

[JSWolf]

Given how much the 505 costs and then the cost of the light on top of that, you might be best looking at the 700 instead.

[tdanzie]

It came in both colors. I think the first ones that came out were blue, now there are black. I purchased mine back in July or August and received a black one.

[Ler0y Jenkins]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given how much the 505 costs and then the cost of the light on top of that, you might be best looking at the 700 instead.

That was my original intention but I don't like the screen contrast of the 700 or the touch-screen feature. I want to see one in person before deciding definitively, but for now I'm leaning toward the 505/light combo rather than the 700.

[Ler0y Jenkins]

Originally Posted by tdanzie

It came in both colors. I think the first ones that came out were blue, now there are black. I purchased mine back in July or August and received a black one.

Ok, thanks.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Ler0y Jenkins

That was my original intention but I don't like the screen contrast of the 700 or the touch-screen feature. I want to see one in person before deciding definitively, but for now I'm leaning toward the 505/light combo rather than the 700.

But, won't laying the light wedge on it cause the same slight dimming effect also? Granted you don't always use the lightwedge.

BOb

[shopintheusa]

ACL1 comes only in black.

[Ler0y Jenkins]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

But, won't laying the light wedge on it cause the same slight dimming effect also? Granted you don't always use the lightwedge.

BOb

That's a good question. I guess I planned on using the lightwedge only when needed. Also, I don't know if it would cause the same effect. To me it looks like the 700 has a different screen than the 505. I might be wrong but I don't think the contrast difference is only a result of the built-in light on the 700.

[135AV8TOR]

Originally Posted by Ler0y Jenkins

That was my original intention but I don't like the screen contrast of the 700 or the touch-screen feature. I want to see one in person before deciding definitively, but for now I'm leaning toward the 505/light combo rather than the 700.

I agree with this comment. I went to the Sony store and looked at both the 505 and the 700 and was disappointed by the 700. I found the 505 screen crisp and clear even in the somewhat dim "mood lighting" of the store. The 700 on the other hand seemed less crisp and almost a little blury due (I believe) to the touch screen film on top. And no - fingerprints were not the issue. The screen was just (to me) less readable in almost all lighting conditions and I wasn't too impressed by the lighting system. Also the sales rep told me they went to plastic casing on the 700 to save manufacturing cost so again I felt the 505 was the better product even though it does not have all the features and memory of the 700. Just my 2-cents.

[Ler0y Jenkins]

Thanks for the replies. What about durability? Does the lens scratch easily? What do people use to clean it?

[mgrunk]

I haven't scratched mine - but I don't leave it open unattended - it does get smudged and can be a bit of a PITB to clean off, but like I said no scratches. The light is a bit uneven? almost like it's paper underneat that is a little wavey? But, it's a much better experience than the 3 other lights I had previously. And, the batteries last a long time - and since they're AA, it's easy to use rechargeables.

[Ler0y Jenkins]

Thanks. I actually received mine a couple of days ago and have been using it ever since. It is definitely more durable than the p-book lightwedge. My p-book lightwedge looks like I took sandpaper to it even though I've always been very careful with it.