Is it worth to get the new Kindle 3 cover with light ?

[Atilla]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

With the money I saved choosing WiFi only

Awwww, I was hoping you would review the 3G web access with the new Kindle
I am going to have to wait for another Canuck to review it before I decide between Wi-Fi and 3G.
It is not the 50 bucks I am worried about but the extra battery life on Wi-Fi only model when radio is on is noticeable.

All the best

[Erinath]

I too was planning on grabbing a cover with the money saved buying the wi-fi only version, but they don't make purple covers

[mike_bike_kite]

Originally Posted by Atilla

It is not the 50 bucks I am worried about but the extra battery life on Wi-Fi only model when radio is on is noticeable.

On the current Kindle 2i there is a big difference in battery life depending on whether the radio is on or off. Luckily you can easily turn the radio off when you don't need it - I assume this is the same on the new model. With the new model it states you get a months battery life with the radio off and over a week with it on. This is better than any other ereader that I know of. Personally I'd go for the 3G and just leave it off until you want to order a book / look up something on the web / answer your email / read mobile read etc ...

[catsittingstill]

A lamp by the bed would work fine--anything that lets you read a regular book will let you read a Kindle.

I don't want to wake my husband by turning on the light so I use my little headlamp from camping. It gets more use for reading in bed than anything else. But 1) I do use it for other things, including camping and 2) I already had it so it didn't cost me anything extra.

The Kindle case-with-LED wouldn't work for me, as I lie on my right side to read, and the lamp arm would hit the mattress. But it might work great for other people; I look forward to hearing from people who have ordered it how it works out for them.

[Hampshire Nanny]

I placed my order for the Kindle 3 plus the lighted cover. I plan to take advantage of it in the car as the spousal unit and I often drive for an hour or more after dark on our many travels.

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

I don't want to wake my husband by turning on the light so I use my little headlamp from camping. It gets more use for reading in bed than anything else. But 1) I do use it for other things, including camping and 2) I already had it so it didn't cost me anything extra.

The Kindle case-with-LED wouldn't work for me, as I lie on my right side to read, and the lamp arm would hit the mattress. But it might work great for other people; I look forward to hearing from people who have ordered it how it works out for them.

In my case, I lie on my left side, so it should work for me in bed. It will be much better than my current light -- a maglight flashlight held between my chin and left shoulder.

If you only need a light for reading in bed, then it sounds like the lighted cover isn't for you. But if you have other places where the light would come in handy, you might consider the lighted cover (since the light would always be with you) and continue to use your headlamp in bed.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

The Kindle case-with-LED wouldn't work for me, as I lie on my right side to read, and the lamp arm would hit the mattress. But it might work great for other people; I look forward to hearing from people who have ordered it how it works out for them.

You can place the light on any corner if you are willing to change the screen orientation. For example if you want it in upper left, put it in landscape with left side down. Or lower left, portrait with top side down. Presumably operating the keyboard is not something you can do comfortably lying on your side regardless of where it is.

[tomsem]

I cancelled my cover-only order to think about this some more. I'll probably wind up getting the cover+light. It's too cool to have a reading light that you don't have to manage batteries for, and that stows away so neatly. But what color to pick...

I do wonder what happens if the LEDs burn out. Do LEDs ever burn out? Haven't seen one do this yet myself so it's probably nothing to worry about...

[shanghaichica]

How is the light positioned in the case???

In my sony case its in the spine and is flexible so you can pull it out and move it around and position it exactly where you want it.


If the light on this case is rigid and can't be moved about much. I might just get the case on its own.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

How is the light positioned in the case???

In my sony case its in the spine and is flexible so you can pull it out and move it around and position it exactly where you want it.

That's a question I have as well. From the few pictures we have, it looks like there isn't much adjustment possible. It looks like it wouldn't generate glare (seems to have a shallow angle & that no light would bounce into your eyes) but I wonder if coverage is good.

If they have designed it with an optimum angle and it lights the screen evenly, that is actually a good thing. I don't really like having to adjust a reading light every time I clip one on, so one that I could just pull out and use without futzing would be great.

I guess I'll get one and if I don't like it, return it and try a different design.

[6charlong]

I've been using a Rite Light LPL904 4 LED Book / Computer Light from Amazon. It costs about $11.60 USD. It casts a full spectrum light across the entire eBook screen without any glare or bright spots and runs on three AAA batteries.

I've tried a lot of book lights and nothing works with a leather cover better than this. You fold the cover back and clip this light to the front cover.

[krazy4katz]

My K1 is the identical height as the new K3, so I will probably keep the m-edge light I have and just buy a new cover from them. Hopefully that will work out OK.

k4k

[mewmartigan]

I got the cover with the light. I like the idea of having it "always there" instead of remembering to bring the mighty light I currently have.
Powering the light off the Kindle is fantastic and it seems like it will illuminate the screen just fine.

If it turns out to be no good, Amazon has a pretty good return policy within the first 30 days.

[mrExtreme]

yeah me too, I order the cover with the light. initially I order normal cover, then I got an idea as cover with light is definitely worth when there is insufficient light source. So called to Amazon call centre and request them to change cover with the light.

[matt314159]

I've got various reading lights available, as well as a pretty cool LED reading lamp that clips to my headboard, so I definitely think I'll forgo the light, since I usually like to hold my reading devices "naked" anyway...um, the device, sans cover...not me, sans clothes, just to clear that up.

Now I'm deciding whether to buy the $35 amazon cover or just buy a generic neoprene slip-cover on eBay to store it. I'm leaning towards the latter so that I don't have anything extra to juggle when holding the reader

[exposition]

Originally Posted by tomsem

I do wonder what happens if the LEDs burn out. Do LEDs ever burn out? Haven't seen one do this yet myself so it's probably nothing to worry about...

Yes, eventually, but they have an extremely long life - about 7 times longer than compact flourescents, and up to 50 times longer than incandescents. The LED "bulb" should last for years and years.

And they draw fairly little power. Given the increased battery life as advertised by Amazon, I assume the new Kindle should see a pretty minor hit on battery life from the light. Of course, who knows in the real world!