Best way to purchase logos?
I have been looking at logos off and on for years, but the price has always kept me away. I used to use Gramchord for translation help, but that no longer became an option about a year ago when I upgraded my computer.
So here I am looking at Logos again, realizing its potential in being able to search all kinds of books for sermon prep. It looks exciting.
I understand that the base packages are a quick way to get into the Logos system, but would I miss out on anything if I downloaded the core engine and cherry picked the books and sources I wanted? Will books not link together if I purchase them individually? If I had the core engine and get a few english translations, a greek NT, BHS, BDAG, ect and a few commentaries will they cross link or is there something in a base package I would need?
I guess I would rather pick up pieces of the system bit by bit rather than a huge initial buy in and also get a bunch of sources I am not likely to use.
To throw another wrench into things what about logos now? How does this compare?
I am just trying to figure out the best way to get into this system, if that means saving up the cash for a lump buy in perhaps its time for me to do so.
Thanks for the advice/opinions
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You may want to take a look at a "core crossgrade" or "extended crossgrade".
The free engine combined with any resources you may purchase will work fine for reading, note taking, etc. However the core or extended crossgrade options will give you a number of resources as well as many of the tools and features that make Logos great.
Logos Now is not a substitute for your desktop software. It is simply an enhancement you can subscribe to in order to get some additional datasets, and features. Once you have decided what to do with your desktop, you can sign up for a free trial of Logos Now.
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Welcome Josh! Good to have you here and looking into Logos. I've really enjoyed it. the strength of the library and great package deals pulled me in initially. The tools and value added functioning has just gotten much better over the years.
Josh Walker said:So here I am looking at Logos again, realizing its potential in being able to search all kinds of books for sermon prep. It looks exciting.
No doubt! as I said above! . . .
Josh Walker said:I understand that the base packages are a quick way to get into the Logos system, but would I miss out on anything if I downloaded the core engine and cherry picked the books and sources I wanted?
What you might miss out on is if you did not buy resources that particular guides or tools drew upon, like lexical or exegetical works. You also get a greater overall deal on resources through the packages.
But you still could use search features, etc.
Josh Walker said:Will books not link together if I purchase them individually?
No, but you might have links in your own resources that will link to books you do not yet own. But you could always purchase those.
Josh Walker said:I guess I would rather pick up pieces of the system bit by bit rather than a huge initial buy in and also get a bunch of sources I am not likely to use.
It is a common dilemma. One way is to get a package like Gold that gives you a good cross section of resources and then add on particulars you like. You can also do payment plans to spread out the cash flow.
Josh Walker said:To throw another wrench into things what about logos now? How does this compare?
Logos Now is for people who own packages/resources, but want to experience the latest and greatest add on features "NOW" instead of waiting for the release of Logos 7, (for example).
What are you using your future Logos library for?
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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There is no quick easy answer. Some points to consider:
- Many features require nothing but the core engine
- Many Bible related functions require a reverse interlinear resource
- Many functions require specific dataset that are sold in base packages and cross-grades
- It is often much cheaper to buy a base package than to pick up the necessary resources and dataset individually even though it means getting resources you don't need
What I would do based on my personality
- I would download the free engine and a free resource or two and "play" with the system enough to get a basic sense of navigation
- I would then pick a full featured base package to use for 30 days ... at which point I could (a) return it (b) move to a lower package and get a refund for the difference (c) keep it (d) move to a higher package with more resources I wanted.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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Josh Walker said:
To throw another wrench into things what about logos now? How does this compare?
Logos Now is a subscription to services... it isn't a content subscription. It will do nothing for you currently.
Josh Walker said:I guess I would rather pick up pieces of the system bit by bit rather than a huge initial buy in and also get a bunch of sources I am not likely to use.
Josh Walker said:I used to use Gramchord for translation help
It would be good to consider what your needs and strengths of Logos are. I am not really into original language work... If that were ALL I was interested in, I might look at Accordance. In my opinion, the strength of Logos is its use as an "integrated search library." I want to be able to do a library search for a topic or word and be able to find it in my ENTIRE library. Logos excels at this.
The benefit of purchasing a base package is being able to have a large library. If you are needing to research a topic, would you rather have access to the Mayberry library or the Library of Congress? THAT is why I like having a large library, and the best way to get a large library is to purchase a base package. In addition to building your library, you also pick up the datasets needed to run various tools (including the original language ones).
In the long run, it will be more expensive to purchase things piece meal... but if that is your only need, it may be the best route.
Josh Walker said:I am just trying to figure out the best way to get into this system, if that means saving up the cash for a lump buy in perhaps its time for me to do so.
I don't normally advise going into debt, but it might be worth looking into a payment plan with Logos. They charge a $5 per installation fee. If you are a student, you should also look into academic discounts. That is how I purchased my base packages.
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Josh Walker said:
If I had the core engine and get a few english translations, a greek NT, BHS, BDAG, ect and a few commentaries will they cross link or is there something in a base package I would need?
Welcome [:D]
If qualify for Academic pricing, then consider Biblical Languages => https://www.logos.com/product/43566/biblical-languages
Logos 6 Core Crossgrade => https://www.logos.com/product/45040/logos-6-core-crossgrade has comparison => https://www.logos.com/compare/Logos%20Crossgrade
Josh Walker said:I am just trying to figure out the best way to get into this system, if that means saving up the cash for a lump buy in perhaps its time for me to do so.
Thankful for Logos payment plan that has no interest, but does have a $ 5 fee for each payment processed. Pay off balance early to avoid future monthly fee(s). All resources are unlocked for use when payment plan starts. Also have 30 days to "return" stuff.
Josh Walker said:I used to use Gramchord for translation help
Thankful for Logos visual filter highlighting so can "see" range of Greek verbal expression in English, Greek, and Spanish resources with appropriate tagging; wiki has => https://wiki.logos.com/Extended_Tips_for_Highlighting_and_Visual_Filters#Examples_of_visual_filters
Keep Smiling [:)]
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Josh Walker said:
I have been looking at logos off and on for years, but the price has always kept me away. I used to use Gramchord for translation help, but that no longer became an option about a year ago when I upgraded my computer.
I started off with a basic purchase of Logos 5 Anglican Bronze for $622. I was fortunate to buy it within the time that Faithlife upgraded to Logos 6, and so qualified for a free upgrade! I would very much advise you to google for a 15% discount if you are going to buy a base package, as there are some coupon codes around, and that will decrease the cost of the software quite a bit. If you're not Anglican, you could google for Lutheran Bronze or Reformed Bronze or ordinary Bronze or one of the basic Verbum packages. After that, I upgraded to Anglican Silver, picked up a bunch of free resources eg. books of the month, and then purchased a few dictionaries. Vyrso is also good for very cheap books, but the quality is mixed. Eventually, I decided to take the plunge and purchase a two year price plan for Anglican Diamond, along with a whole bunch of series of commentaries (it's cheaper to buy series at the same time as buying a base package as Logos can obtain some discounts).
A lot of reviews all advise stepping in at Gold Level, but actually, I don't think that's necessary unless you want the more advanced tools for reviewing Greek / Hebrew. The Bronze packages (with the 15% discount) will give you a good basic introduction to the software without, hopefully, breaking the bank. You could add a Bronze package to a price plan for $50 per month for a year.
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Josh, I've been using Logos for 12 years without buying a base package, just the core engine and lots of books and references.
"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected."- G.K. Chesterton
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