So there's no backlight at all?

gamoses · 12-22-2006, 10:12 PM

I'd really, really like one of these new e-ink readers, but I do 99% of my reading in bed at night while falling asleep. I don't want to attach a book light. I want a real backlight. Like the ancient grayscale Palm I'm still using for reading. But it's my understanding that none of the e-ink readers have one. Is that right? Are there any plans for future models that do?

Thanks!!

igorsk · 12-22-2006, 10:43 PM

Backlight is simply impossible with E-Ink as the display is opaque. Front- or side-light could be done, or a LightWedge-type attachment. However, there's no word on any of those so far.

Bob Russell · 12-23-2006, 08:04 AM

When I read in bed, I use this Z-light that is sold at Borders. And, believe it or not, recently I've been trying it with the light attached to the case on the right hand side of the reader instead of at the top, like I think everyone else has been doing.

I think this is the one...
http://www.biggerandbrighter.com/boo...ems/GP-03.html

and at https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8804

chuck94022 · 01-21-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamoses

I'd really, really like one of these new e-ink readers, but I do 99% of my reading in bed at night while falling asleep. I don't want to attach a book light. I want a real backlight. Like the ancient grayscale Palm I'm still using for reading. But it's my understanding that none of the e-ink readers have one. Is that right? Are there any plans for future models that do?

Thanks!!

If a backlight is what you want, don't consider an e-ink solution. Backlights cause eye fatigue, making long hours of reading more stressful. E-ink based readers are intended to be used in a reflective light manner, as with traditional books.

One might argue the effectiveness of the current solution. Personally, I'd like to see E-Ink Corporation figure out how to make a whiter white in low light (ie, increase the contrast). It is nice, but it isn't yet like paper in ambient lighting situations (granted ambient lighting is not optimal for reading anything).

Now, an integrated front light might be interesting, but if I must trade off lighting against battery life and weight, I choose the latter.

Jack B Nimble · 01-22-2007, 01:40 PM

It sounds like you are one of us who already reads for hours at a time with a backlight, and have not experienced the fatigue issues some of the others have had. If you want one of the eInk displays though, you are stuck for an integrated light -- unless you want to go the do-it-yourself route, in which case you should check out the accessories board in the Sony Reader section. Lots of neat Frankenstein-esque ideas there.

I am lucky in that I use a backlight and have no trouble even with long sessions... Just read my way through a four hour flight yesterday and read some more when I got to my hotel room. The battery life is an issue, but if I keep the backlight relatively low, it seems to solve both issues. My eBookwise is very usable with the backlight set at about 30%, and it runs for 19+ hours. Of course, it just does not look as nice as the eInk displays do in good lighting. The versatility was a good trade off for my sitch, though.

Good luck,
Jack

Leaping Gnome · 01-22-2007, 01:59 PM

You can buy one of yvan's boxes for a "built in" light!

RWood · 01-22-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

You can buy one of yvan's boxes for a "built in" light!

As I remember the projected price of one of his boxes (as nice as it is) is greater than the cost of the Reader itself.

12-22-2006, 10:12 PM	#1
gamoses Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Handspring Visor Pro, Palm Treo 650	So there's no backlight at all? I'd really, really like one of these new e-ink readers, but I do 99% of my reading in bed at night while falling asleep. I don't want to attach a book light. I want a real backlight. Like the ancient grayscale Palm I'm still using for reading. But it's my understanding that none of the e-ink readers have one. Is that right? Are there any plans for future models that do? Thanks!!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PRS-300 Does this have a Backlight????	k0077	Sony Reader	4	08-14-2010 06:34 AM
eReaders with backlight	turtle	General Discussions	8	06-11-2010 02:13 AM
Backlight alternatives	Bob Russell	Sony Reader	151	01-30-2009 10:47 AM
How imporant is a backlight to you?	NatCh	Which one should I buy?	28	12-27-2008 02:57 PM
The Emperor has no backlight...	john peer	Which one should I buy?	54	04-08-2008 10:28 PM

12-22-2006, 10:43 PM	#2
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Backlight is simply impossible with E-Ink as the display is opaque. Front- or side-light could be done, or a LightWedge-type attachment. However, there's no word on any of those so far.

12-23-2006, 08:04 AM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	When I read in bed, I use this Z-light that is sold at Borders. And, believe it or not, recently I've been trying it with the light attached to the case on the right hand side of the reader instead of at the top, like I think everyone else has been doing. I think this is the one... http://www.biggerandbrighter.com/boo...ems/GP-03.html and at https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8804

01-22-2007, 01:40 PM	#5
Jack B Nimble Groupie Posts: 154 Karma: 672 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Tapwave Zodiac, eBookwise 1150	It sounds like you are one of us who already reads for hours at a time with a backlight, and have not experienced the fatigue issues some of the others have had. If you want one of the eInk displays though, you are stuck for an integrated light -- unless you want to go the do-it-yourself route, in which case you should check out the accessories board in the Sony Reader section. Lots of neat Frankenstein-esque ideas there. I am lucky in that I use a backlight and have no trouble even with long sessions... Just read my way through a four hour flight yesterday and read some more when I got to my hotel room. The battery life is an issue, but if I keep the backlight relatively low, it seems to solve both issues. My eBookwise is very usable with the backlight set at about 30%, and it runs for 19+ hours. Of course, it just does not look as nice as the eInk displays do in good lighting. The versatility was a good trade off for my sitch, though. Good luck, Jack

01-22-2007, 01:59 PM	#6
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	You can buy one of yvan's boxes for a "built in" light!