[Master Thief-117]

I am at a loss here. I am desperate for a free PDF viewer for my Blackberry as my company mainly uses PDFs. I cannot believe with how popular Blackberry is that no one has made a free PDF viewer (I am absolutely disappointed with the amount of free third-party apps when compared to Window's mobile). I tried Mobipocket Reader and I converted a few PDF's with that, but that app is annoying. You cannot change pages without having to go back, scroll to the page you want, then click it. Plus the words are small and hard to read.

If there are no free PDF viewers that can also read PDF attachments in an email, then I am willing to settle for a cheap one.

I have a 8330 with OS 4.5

[John Clark]

There are no free ones that I'm aware of. It's not a simple application to write. BeamBerry has one but the one I like the best is the one included in the Premium Edition of Documents To Go. It's not real cheap but it works simple and smooth.

[Master Thief-117]

Wow. Documents To Go is over 60 bucks and BeamSuite is 50 bucks. No way I am spending that when I only need the PDF support.
Is there anything else that is cheaper?

[John Clark]

There is no free solution at this time. Of the ones I've used, I like the new Docs To Go version. You also get the other features in Docs To Go unlocked.

[UncleMike]

RepliGo Reader is $30. There is a thread somewhere (maybe on another site) where it was speculated that the PDF to Go module of Docs to Go is a stripped down version of RepliGo Reader (based on the copyright notice contained in PDF to Go).

If you're just concerned with attachments, you can view PDF attachments without any additional software. PDF attachment support in OS 4.3 and earlier is pretty feeble (IMO), but in OS 4.5 (or higher) it is much improved. In both cases though, RIM's servers render a JPG image of the current page and send the image to your device for viewing.

If you need to view PDF files that are stored on your device (not received as an attachment), third party software is required.

I personally use RepliGo Reader, and got it for $20 during their introductory period using a coupon code which has since expired.

Also, the BeamReader beta is free, but I believe the betas expire and you'll be forced to pay for continued use once it is out of beta. But the free BeamReader beta may be a good interim solution while you weigh your options.

[Master Thief-117]

Originally Posted by UncleMike

RepliGo Reader is $30. There is a thread somewhere (maybe on another site) where it was speculated that the PDF to Go module of Docs to Go is a stripped down version of RepliGo Reader (based on the copyright notice contained in PDF to Go).

If you're just concerned with attachments, you can view PDF attachments without any additional software. PDF attachment support in OS 4.3 and earlier is pretty feeble (IMO), but in OS 4.5 (or higher) it is much improved. In both cases though, RIM's servers render a JPG image of the current page and send the image to your device for viewing.

If you need to view PDF files that are stored on your device (not received as an attachment), third party software is required.

I personally use RepliGo Reader, and got it for $20 during their introductory period using a coupon code which has since expired.

Also, the BeamReader beta is free, but I believe the betas expire and you'll be forced to pay for continued use once it is out of beta. But the free BeamReader beta may be a good interim solution while you weigh your options.

Interesting. I did not know that about the PDFtoGo was that.
Also, when I try to open PDF's from Messages, it gives me an error that "More request cannot be completed. Service book information not found."
It is REALLY bothering me.

[John Clark]

Do you have the BlackBerry Attachment Service Installed? Look in Options >Advanced Options >Applications. If it's there then I'd resend your email service books.

[Master Thief-117]

How would I resend those service books?

[John Clark]

Use the Manage Internet Email icon on your home screen.

[Master Thief-117]

I resent the service book info, but I still cannot open PDF attachments. Is it anything like the HTML update where you cannot see emails in HTML if they were received prior to the 4.5 update?

[Master Thief-117]

I just bought RepliGo Reader and it is pretty nice, but limited in some more complicated PDF files, like ones with many charts an pictures.

EDIT: The more I use it, the more I hate it. I wish it would not try to 'optimize' the page. It ends up distorting everything. I want something that will show the whole page and I can zoom in and out and scroll through the page regardless of the width. Also, 'zoom' does absolutely nothing. Literally, I click it and it does not do anything. Well, it does, it selects 'Whole Page' and then it does nothing.
I am about to get my money back.

[John Clark]

Can you download pdf email attachments to your SD card with it?

[Master Thief-117]

No, I cannot.
I am trying Beamberry and that also does not seem to work with my emails.
Also, it seems to have a limit on the size of PDF document it can open, which is annoying.

I should have just gotten a Pocket PC. Not only are there loads of more apps on it, it already has native PDF support, for free I may add.

[John Clark]

Wirelessly posted (BB 11020)

Most of those apps should give you a short trial version so you cab try before you buy.

That being said, DTG is the best I've used. I realize its not cheap but it works great for me.

[John Clark]

Seriously...with Documents To Go, you can download the attachment to the card (you can do this with the free version.) Then you can use the pdf viewer to read them right from the card. I tried the BeamBerry version when it was in beta and didn't find it that great but, to be honest, I never tried the release version.

[Master Thief-117]

I tried using the trial PDF viewer from Docs2go, but it is saying it won't work unless I have the full version of the Docs2Go

[John Clark]

yes, you have to have the Premium version of DTG. I was referring to the other readers and their trial versions.

[Master Thief-117]

Ugh, this is so annoying having to jump through all these hoops to get something to view PDF's on my Blackberry.

[SteveO86]

You've already tried BeamReader? It's currently free. (It was mentioned in some of the above posts.)

[Master Thief-117]

Wow. BeamReader is pretty much EXACTLY what I am looking for (although a bit slow on image heavy documents, but I cannot blame them). When this come out, I am going to buy this in a heartbeat. As for now, I am using the beta.
Thank you for everyone who helped and dealt with my hard-to-meet demands. I just have to figure out how I am going to get a refund from RepliGo Reader. If they won't do it, I will get PayPal to or my credit union to reverse the charges.