Question for Kindle 1 and 2 owners re: direct sunshine

[sailorman]

I also experienced the screen fading (right side only) in direct sunlight. I called CS and they indicated they would get back to me but fired out a new unit the same day. The new K2 works fine and like others seems to have better contrast. Just out of currosity I measured the temp (IR) of the Kindle (both) while in direct sunlight and it was 95 deg or more which is right at the upper limit of the operating range. I have not had any fade on the New Kindle regardless of temp, even when I have left it laying in direct sunlight.

[AnemicOak]

I just talked to Aria in Kindle CS and did you guys know it's the users causing the problem. They've "researched the problem" and when this happens it's screen damage from people holding the Kindle by the screen and breaking it or damaging it by trying to use a stylus on it. So apparently the sun problem is now imaginary. I'm sure this is just her not understanding the actual issue because when I asked how the screen could go back to normal after being out of the sun if it was broken she didn't know what to say.


Anyway, mine has a slight problem like this (nothing like the OP's) and I'd have actually been fine keeping it, but mine's being replaced because the longest the battery will hold a charge is about 36 hours with Whispernet turned off. I hope the new one doesn't have a big case of this "non existent" screen problem.


All in all I do have to say that my experience with CS was nothing but pleasant though.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I just talked to Aria in Kindle CS and did you guys know it's the users causing the problem. They've "researched the problem" and when this happens it's screen damage from people holding the Kindle by the screen and breaking it or damaging it by trying to use a stylus on it. So apparently the sun problem is now imaginary. I'm sure this is just her not understanding the actual issue because when I asked how the screen could go back to normal after being out of the sun if it was broken she didn't know what to say.

Maybe she was just joking with you. I hope she was just joking with you.

What's with the stylus?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Maybe she was just joking with you. I hope she was just joking with you.

What's with the stylus?

She got pretty serious about it so I don't think she was joking.


As to the stylus she said some people thought they could use a stylus on it like with their PDAs even though it doesn't come with one. Having worked doing PC support years ago I can see this actually happening.

[Sydney's Mom]

I have a kindle 1, and it works at -20F. And in direct sunlight. Now if I just didn't hate Amazon . .

[catsittingstill]

Checked the new Kindle 2; sunlight doesn't appear to be a problem. But I'm glad I knew this could be an issue, so thanks much to the original poster and those who responded!

[Starhawk]

How quickly does this happen? 10 seconds in direct sunlight? 20 seconds? 2 minutes? 20 minutes?

Also, since we've mentioned "direct sunshine", does that mean the sunshine does need to be literally direct? Sunshine through a window does not cause this reaction?

I just want to make sure that I have all the info I need to verify whether a Kindle 2 does or does not have this problem...

Thanks!

[MatthewH]

My Kindle 2 had this same issue. I didn't even realize it until an airplane flight last week where I happened to be by a window. Basically whenever I would refresh the screen (page forward, page back, alt G) with bright sunlight hitting it the newly drawn ink would be mostly faded. This happened immediately on refresh.

I called Kindle Support and they overnighted another unit out to me with no hassle. Now I just have to transfer over my Baen books that aren't attached to my Amazon account.

[sirbruce]

Originally Posted by Starhawk

How quickly does this happen? 10 seconds in direct sunlight? 20 seconds? 2 minutes? 20 minutes?

It happens as soon as you hit the next page button. The new page text will be "washed out".

Originally Posted by Starhawk

Also, since we've mentioned "direct sunshine", does that mean the sunshine does need to be literally direct? Sunshine through a window does not cause this reaction?

Through the window is fine; the important thing is to be *in* the bright "shaft of light". If you are worried it's still not bright enough then go outside. My intuition tells me that it's a UV-light issue.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Starhawk

How quickly does this happen? 10 seconds in direct sunlight? 20 seconds? 2 minutes? 20 minutes?

Also, since we've mentioned "direct sunshine", does that mean the sunshine does need to be literally direct? Sunshine through a window does not cause this reaction?

I just want to make sure that I have all the info I need to verify whether a Kindle 2 does or does not have this problem...

Thanks!

This thread, says it happens right away. I was reading in direct sunlight for an hour yesterday out near the beach and had no fading problems. I've also tested mine by just leaving it in direct sunlight until it goes to sleep with no fading.

So it seems, if you have the fading issue, it's really noticeable and immediate. If you don't, you'll see no fading at all. In fact, the Kindle will look its best in direct sun.

[sailorman]

When my K2 experienced the sun fade it was it was with the sun to my back shining on the page I was reading. It was immediate, right side only, within seconds but the print contrast would restore when taken out of the direct sunlight and the page was changed or restored.

The new K2 they sent me has worked flawlessly. I use it daily, in the morning outdoors often in direct sunlight with no problems.