This is not about which screen is best for reading.

OK, lets get started.

There are lots of comments about what your screen preference is in a ereader. If you want one of those polls go here > What do you NEED for Display? (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71560)

What I really want to know is How many read a lot in the sun?

I remember seeing a guy's body being taken off a beach. Heat stroke, dead. Probably not too bad a way to die. Sleeping in the sun. And though I still enjoy the ocean waves, and a nice sandy beach I could never just sit out there and read.

So, do you read a lot in direct sunlight? Just a little? Almost never? Never?

I live in the desert where we receive a LOT of sun. I've already had several suspicious moles removed, two of which were precancerous (one had to have a second slice removed to make sure they got it all) so I don't need to be in the sun anymore than necessary. Besides, much of the time, it's too darned hot to be comfortable in the direct sun.

I never read a paper book in the sun. I have tried but it's too bright. Last week while waiting for a friend in a park I pulled out my Kindle and was surprised at how pleasant it was to read.

On nice days, my favorite spot is out on my deck with a nice tall, cool drink and my Kindle.

Well, I'm hardly ever outside for longer than it takes to walk to my car, anyway, so I may be a sort of outlier (I'm Irish-blooded, so I have an excuse! Sunblock is expensive!), but I never really understood the term beach-read. Vacation-read, sure. But beach? I dunno.

I always wondered how many people actually read specifically on the beach. Of course, I know, I'm splitting hairs and overanalyzing, but just for my sake, please do mention if you actually read on the beach. ;)

I always read a lot, when I'm on vacation - on the beach or at the swimming pool. I rarely read in the direct sun as I usually seek some kind of shade (don't want to get burned).
But I still am very glad for my e-ink reader (Kindle now and Cybook before) because reading on my LCD PDA was always a pain in the arse because of the bright environment even in the shade.
When its not so hot (as in e.g. spring or autumn - my favorite time of year) I like to sit in the sun and read, whenever I can.

My Diabetes meds make me kind of sensitive to sunlight, so I tend not to stay out in it very long, which is a shame, I'd love to sit out in the sun and read on a nice day.

I'm with jeannie. I haven't got skin cancer yet and don't want it. In direct sunlight here in Florida it reaches 120 degrees F.
Besides that, my PRS-300 screen fades in sunlight.

I'm with jeannie. I haven't got skin cancer yet and don't want it. In direct sunlight here in Florida it reaches 120 degrees F.
Besides that, my PRS-300 screen fades in sunlight.

I pretty well never read paper books in the sun before I got my kindle. Like patrickt says, it was just too bright. With the kindle, however, I often lay on the veranda and read in sunlight. It doesn't seem to reflect the light into your eyes.

I mostly read at home or if outside in our car while I wait for my hubby to wander the stores he likes.

It's great for those times when I'm at the grandkid's baseball/soccer games, and waiting for a new game to start or whatever. Good way to meet people, too. This whole ebook/ereader thing is new for a lot of people, gives you a chance to get them started in the right direction, gives them a chance to get "hands on" with the devices to see what it's like.

I've got to add that these are times I would be in the sun anyway. Might as well make the best use of the time!

Yes, on holidays.

My general problem is that I never get to direct sunlight. I'm always stuck in buildings, on trains or walking somewhere until just before sunrise or after sunset.
I'm somewhat pale.. :eek:

I like to read with my back to the warm fall sunshine but keeping my iPad in the shade of our deck. Been mighty nice here in PNW last couple of days with rain in the forecast for late week and beyond!

On nice days, my favorite spot is out on my deck with a nice tall, cool drink and my Kindle.

Dang! Same for me :thumbsup::book2:

On nice days, my favorite spot is out on my deck with a nice tall, cool drink and my Kindle.

Dang! Same for me :thumbsup::book2:

me too...heck, I built a new deck just for this purpose. That it began with me simply rebuilding the back stairs is a whole different story, that I shorted the deck about 15" in width because I forgot I changed the design and bought the wrong length lumber for the decking and realizing the mistake too late is yet another story..... ;)

I read as much as I can in direct sunlight. Winters are way too long here in Alberta to read inside in the summertime.

I read at the beach right at the water's edge ... until a big wave comes and washes my book away.

In the winter it is nice to sit outside in the sun on weekends.

Whenever I can...

Only during high summer, when the temps soar to about 30 degrees Celcius, will I sit in the shade. In nice spring and autumn days, I'll sit in the sun. Nothing feels better than sitting outside, while the air is still (or again) fresh and the sun feels warm.

Never. I hate sitting in the sun, it always makes me feel way too hot, so I sit in the shade. I like being outside because of the fresh air though, but I'm really not a warm weather person - and when it's not warm weather, it's too cold here to sit outside :p

No, I never read or sit in direct sunshine anymore.
I used to be a sun worshipper in my younger days until I got so badly burned I ended up with blisters on my back and had to attend the hospital. I do all of my reading in the cool and comfortable indoors.

I'm a bit like Cowboy, I live in North Dakota so many mornings are spent with me sitting in the sun drinking my morning coffee and reading. By afternoon when it gets warm my spot is in the shade, but thats good too.

This time of year I'll actually move around the deck to stay in the sunshine.

The difference between "just a little" and "almost never" is very small, I think. In my case, I have to avoid the sun as much as possible in the summer (considering where I live), that's roughly between May and September, both included. The rest of the time, I only read outside sometimes, when I'm in the countryside, and then I can stay in the sun if it's not too hot.

But, even when reading in the shade, it's often the case that my DS is almost unusable, if that means anything.

Can't say that I ever have with my e-readers, yet.

Sun, what's that? Actually I think it might be hiding somewhere today.

We had a lousy summer in London.

I did read on hols in Greece but always in the shade as it was 40 degrees C and just unbearable.

When I sit outside for more than a few minutes I will usually look for shade. However, based on my experience with my laptop, direct sunlight is not always necessary to be inconvenienced by reflections.

Well, I'm hardly ever outside for longer than it takes to walk to my car, anyway, so I may be a sort of outlier (I'm Irish-blooded, so I have an excuse! Sunblock is expensive!), but I never really understood the term beach-read. Vacation-read, sure. But beach? I dunno.

I always wondered how many people actually read specifically on the beach. Of course, I know, I'm splitting hairs and overanalyzing, but just for my sake, please do mention if you actually read on the beach. ;)

I don't know what "Irish-blooded" has to do with avoiding the Sun, has the Irish folk angered Apollo so much that he has forsaken that land of Sun?


Anyhow you need to visit us here in "Sun Diego" (San Diego), enjoy the Sun and see for yourself, it is a reading on the beach is very common activity for beach goers. A good amount of people that go to the beach do not actually get in the water, they hag out, sun bath, read, etc...

=X=

I don't know what "Irish-blooded" has to do with avoiding the Sun, has the Irish folk angered Apollo so much that he has forsaken that land of Sun?


Anyhow you need to visit us here in "Sun Diego" (San Diego), enjoy the Sun and see for yourself, it is a reading on the beach is very common activity for beach goers. A good amount of people that go to the beach do not actually get in the water, they hag out, sun bath, read, etc...

=X=

"Hag out?" Is that a crack against us old broads? ;)

Many Irish or people of Irish descent are fair skinned and easily sunburned.

I try to stay out of direct sunlight, to take care of skin and eyes.

I grew up in the tropics, usually within 10 minutes of a beach. It was nothing special to me. Beach vacations bore the crap out of me.

I would read outdoors more often but my screen fades badly in direct sunlight. I was just camping, and I had to keep changing my position to avoid direct sunlight on the screen. Very annoying.

I took "direct sunlight" to include sitting under a tree, which is not something that would work with my LCD laptop (screen totally washed out).
I wear a hat to protect my neighbors from the blinding glare :D

I live in the desert and you just don't stand around in the sun if you don't have too. I read when I go to the beach (which isn't very often) and even then, I'm under a shade. 99 % of my reading is done indoors. I'm sure I probably have read in the sun, I just don't remember it.

I prefer the lamp next to my relaxing chair. :)

I stay out of direct sunlight but from personal experience I know that eink screens work far better under the umbrella poolside/beachside than any backlit device I've used (including the iPad). Outside reading is why I moved from Palm to an eink reader.

I prefer the lamp next to my relaxing chair. :)

http://www.clusterballoon.com/UP/assets/UP_CarlRelaxingInChair_fullsize.jpg

We have a pool and sometimes I do read out in the sun.

On holiday my reader is always with me by the pool or on the beach.

And now I've emigrated to Australia and live by the beach I'm sure it will be used alot more, either on the beach or out on the deck.

http://www.clusterballoon.com/UP/assets/UP_CarlRelaxingInChair_fullsize.jpg

That movie was so sad :sad3:

That movie was so sad :sad3:

The movie had sad moments (yes, I cried) but it did have a happy ending.

I read a lot under the sun, either at the poolside or at the beach (when it's summer) or sitting on a green field in the mountains (when it's spring/autumn). I love it, especially if I choose an isolated place, where I can read in peace.

Direct sunlight, very rarely.
But in the train, my ds or cell phone sometimes become less readable, when my opus have no problem whatsoever ;)

I live in Ireland. What is this "sunlight" thing all of you are talking about? Sounds scary.... ;)

I travel for 4 hours on a train once a week, and bought my eReader because I found reading on an LCD screen to be impossible. The light coming in the window caused terrible glare, but not on my lovely eInk screen.

Maybe the poll should be changed to "Do you read in conditions where the lighting would result in glare on an LCD/iPad screen" :)

Ouside yes, in direct sun no.

I live in Ireland. What is this "sunlight" thing all of you are talking about? Sounds scary.... ;)

I travel for 4 hours on a train once a week, and bought my eReader because I found reading on an LCD screen to be impossible. The light coming in the window caused terrible glare, but not on my lovely eInk screen.

Maybe the poll should be changed to "Do you read in conditions where the lighting would result in glare on an LCD/iPad screen" :)

don't be skeer'd...it's the same stuff out there on all those lovely golf courses ya got up there....think of it as "luminous shade". :p

That movie was so sad :sad3:Yep, nothing like a kid's movie where all the adults are weeping through the first 20 minutes. :p

Yes I read outdoors. I take my nook when I go fishing with my husband. He fishes, I read although this is usually next to streams and not big bodies of waters. Not that we have large bodies in the US Mountain West.

When I go to the beach, I usually bring a regular book and not my nook because I wouldn't want sand to get in/on it. But, I very seldom like to just sit and do nothing. That's what books are for.

I responded "a little", because about 95% of my reading is not in direct sunlight. However, I went to the beach with my family this summer, and spent about 4 hours a day for a week reading in direct sunlight (with frequent liberal doses of 50spf sunblock). I loved it! Also, while the weather is still good, I sometimes will come home from work and (after dealing with the kids) sit out on the front patio with a cigar and a beer and read. So, late afternoon sunlight. I give the e-ink screen the big thumbs up - an LED screen would have been useless.

I used to take a book to the beach, but here where I live now, I walk down the beach with as little as possible (and for "secure your valuables" reasons, I wouldn't take an ereader). I am usually just going down there to catch waves and then recover and dry off by lying on the beach, eyes-shut or people-watching.

Nowadays I pretty much only read in bed (or very occasionally at the airport or on a plane).

Cheers,
Marc

There are...bugs!...outdoors. *shudder*

I don't go there unless I have to!

I would like very much to read on sunlight ... but since I bought a SONY product and their screen came faulty, I cannot accomplish this. My screen gets washed away ... even inside a car... anywhere where sunlight (or a strong enough light) touches the screen.

That sounds like a problem of the screen manufacturer (Vizplex), not Sony.

I’d suggest sending it back.

Hammock, shade, book, beverage; pick any 4.

For book, any format or technology is acceptable, including 'dead tree'.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Not intentionally. Occasionally I get stuck in the car and it's parked so that I'm right in the sun. If I'm lucky, on those occasions I'll have some knitting project with me. :D

On nice days, my favorite spot is out on my deck with a nice tall, cool drink and my Kindle.

I read on my patio as well....but in the shade. I never was one to do much reading sitting out in the sun.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31456741&l=22e1e2ffb9&id=1032275669

I read outside quite a bit with my iPad

Lee

"Direct sunlight" can vary a lot - I read in direct sunlight in winter but in our 40 deg (Celsius) summers I read anywhere cool and shady!

I read in direct sunshine in winter, when there is any sun. Also on trains - it's surprising how often the sun washes out an LCD screen (maybe not technically direct sunshine, but I think the spirit is there)

What is a difference between:

Just a little
and
Almost never

If we presume that Never is 0% and Yes, a lot is 100%, where would you place the other two.

What is a difference between:

Just a little
and
Almost never

If we presume that Never is 0% and Yes, a lot is 100%, where would you place the other two.

I forgot to put the reader down when I went to get the mail. Once :p

The only time that I read outside is on my lunch breaks at work but even then I sit in my car (it's because I can't smoke in the building but even if I didn't smoke I've found it to be a great way to minimize people coming over and bugging me while I'm trying to read).

I voted "Almost never." as I park facing the sun and use a window screen to block most of the light, so I was thinking of the times where I stuck my Reader into the sun light, which have been rare (mostly to check for sun fade). I forgot that in the winter I do not bother with blocking the sun, so perhaps "Just a little." would have been more accurate.

Either way I do my best to avoid sunlight, it's too hot, and much too bright.

What is a difference between:

Just a little
and
Almost never

If we presume that Never is 0% and Yes, a lot is 100%, where would you place the other two.

I will occasionally read in direct sunlight, but not as a first choice. I selected "Almost never".

"Just a little" would be for those that like being outdoors, but not in direct sunlight.

I will occasionally read in direct sunlight, but not as a first choice. I selected "Almost never".

"Just a little" would be for those that like being outdoors, but not in direct sunlight.

Ta.
Added my vote for Just a little.
I like reading outdoors, but usually in a shade. Only if it is cold I don't mind direct sunlight, otherwise I feel just like Lady Ea I hate sitting in the sun, it always makes me feel way too hot
It feels like it sucks all energy out of me. Like a day time vamp.

You two sound like me. Heat drags me down, makes me lethargic.

I worked with a Polynesian guy some years back. He was the opposite. Cold made him tired and sleepy.

If the sun is not too hot I like it. I get the impression of being recharged. I can have even a stronger sensation if I imagine that I am a solar cell. Indeed I have one of those funny hats with the propeller activated by a small cell that blows air in the face. Summer is almost over. SoS you are a sadist. Soon it will be winter, girls will wear coats, and cover everything. All the fun will move indoors. Well, I can play that also.

I try to get some sun every day, but not too much. Just enough to let my body turn some of it into vitamin D. In the heat of the summer, I rarely go swimming before 4 PM, and if I read outside, it will be in the shade inside the gazebo. Today it wasn't too hot, so I sat in direct sunlight for a short time reading my Kindle. I'd rather get too little than too much sun.

Soon it will be winter, girls will wear coats, and cover everything. All the fun will move indoors. Well, I can play that also.

Why do you think so many men commit suicide in winter. Women! They just don't care. :(

I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one who doesn't enjoy being out in the sun. Practically everyone around here, young and old, loves being outdoors soaking in the sunshine; I can't stand it. Doing yardwork is just the worst sort of chore for me and I try to wait as late in the day as possible so I can stay in the shade. I certainly don't go out in the sun if I don't have to as it has the same effect on me as it does on SOS and others.

WE'RE TWINS!!!

The house before this one had 13 BIG oak trees in the front and back yards. When we moved I vetoed any house with a lot of trees. The new one only has 2 maples.

That sounds like a problem of the screen manufacturer (Vizplex), not Sony.

I’d suggest sending it back.

The screen manufacturer is LG in my case ... and it is a problem of quality in Sony products ... the only ones to blame are the ones that build and sell the reader knowing that there is a problem in them.

The only time that I read outside is on my lunch breaks at work but even then I sit in my car (it's because I can't smoke in the building but even if I didn't smoke I've found it to be a great way to minimize people coming over and bugging me while I'm trying to read)...

Reminds me of several years ago when I used to have people bugging me while I tried to read before work and during lunch so I tried going to my van in ther parking lot during lunch. I still had people bugging me who then be amazed when I read them the riot act for doing so! I put a stop to it by charging my time (at time and a half since it was outside my normal working hours) to their work order number.

The screen manufacturer is LG in my case ... and it is a problem of quality in Sony products ... the only ones to blame are the ones that build and sell the reader knowing that there is a problem in them.

The Sony reader warranty used to be real short, but I don't remember how short. It was definitely not a good one though.

Early adopters often get burned. This year may bee a good time to get a new one.

I chose "just a little" because I read every day while commuting, and I don't control the weather :D

I read in sunlight sometimes usually when I am at the pool but sometimes on my porch. I have noticed my prs-300 has a slight fade in direct sunlight, but my old 505 has it real bad (wish I still had my 500 it did not have the issue but I took the tradein when it suddenly lost a line all the way across the screen).

I read in the sunlight during the summer/spring quite a bit, but as I don't read in the sun too much during the winter I felt that "Just a little" was the most honest way for me to vote.

Maybe I should have asked "Do you like to read in direct sunlight?"

I certainly do. Here in California, it's very nice in the Spring and Fall, but can be brutal during the Summer.

Maybe I should have asked "Do you like to read in direct sunlight?"
Maybe. I definitely don't unless it is cold and sunny :)
However to answer the hidden agenda behind your poll, when it is hot and sunny, I love reading in a shade and its works only with a certain type of ebook readers. There are situations when direct sunlight is unavoidable. When I went to North of Scotland I was travelling by train. It was very sunny and I had direct sunlight for at least 2 hours. It was fun to read. Warm and cozy :)

If you have a reflective LCD screen (I have an Aluratek) you better put away your polarized sunglasses. With polarized glasses all you will see is an almost black screen. On the other hand you could use it in landscape mode. This due to the way that LCD screens work. Not a problem with eink.

Ta.
Added my vote for Just a little.
I like reading outdoors, but usually in a shade. Only if it is cold I don't mind direct sunlight, otherwise I feel just like Lady Ea
It feels like it sucks all energy out of me. Like a day time vamp.
Maybe that's what I am :eek: I do certainly get hot in the sun :D

Mere seriously, getting overheated by the sun makes me feel lethargic, so like you, I stick to sitting in the shade. That's also gentler on the eyes.

Maybe I should have asked "Do you like to read in direct sunlight?"
That would probably have been a more accurate question, given our answers.

Living in the UK, and rainy Manchester at that, I'd hesitate to say we even get much sunlight. However, I read a lot at work in my job (train conductor) and the experience of reading e-ink in daylight is much, much better than off an LCD screen.

Ive been reading ebooks since the pda days, some kind of Palm or Handspring was my first iirc. Reading on my spiffy new Sony 650 (replacing my launch 505) is most pleasant in comparison :)

Rarely and never for long, my reader gets overheated and the display starts to act weird. I bet it's not healthy.

I never read on the beach. I just can't stand beaches for that kind of thing (summer and heat, sand reflecting the heat, small sand mounds that are annoying to walk on and sand everywhere).

But I do read in the sun. Especially when it's cold out, it's really nice to be able to stand or sit in the sun and get some warmth while reading something interesting. And since I can't read news papers (hypersensitivity issues), my ereader is just the thing.
I sometimes take a blanket with me, go for a row and stop somewhere and just sit there and read, drink a cup of coffee and enjoy myself.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af216/OneTrickHorse/Second%20trip%20-%20Furrow%20Lake%20and%20blowing/L1050415.jpg

Now, that's a very nice boat.

Thanks :)

I get kinda bothered when I read in the sun...But I would if I had a nice boat like that!

I get kinda bothered when I read in the sun...But I would if I had a nice boat like that!

[Off-topic]
Thanks.

I know it's off-topic, and that it's usually bad form to pimp a link etc., but if you want to see a few more pictures of it, I have a photobucket account with some more:

http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af216/OneTrickHorse/Arrival%20of%20boat%20and%20trip%20home/

http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af216/OneTrickHorse/Second%20trip%20-%20Furrow%20Lake%20and%20blowing/

[/off topic]

But really, in summer when it's really hot and humid it's very nice to be able to catch a breeze on the water. I guess one could fit an umbrella or some other form of shade, but I just use a hat. The boat makes reading in the sun so much more pleasureable.

I read on my deck and in the hammock when it is warm enough. I have read at the beach but a lot less frequently.