06-28-2013, 08:25 AM | #1 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
Frontlit ereaders and eye strain
Hai,
I am thinking about buying my first ereader. I am an avid reader (laptop). My primary concern is of course eye strain (I spent 10-15 hrs on laptop and my eyes are killing me), next is portability (I like to read while on the go). I also read at bed time. Can some existing users comment on the front light eink displays? Does it cause eye strain, should I be better off with a reader without light, how long can you read with lights on without any eye strain etc. Also as the frontlit displays are first-generation models would it be better to buy an ereader without light now and wait for the second incarnations? |
06-28-2013, 08:36 AM | #2 |
Zealot
Posts: 138
Karma: 1025658
Join Date: Jun 2013
Device: Kobo Glo, Kindle 3 3g, Nook HD+, Nexus 4 (Mantano)
|
I haven't put in any multi-hour sessions with my Kobo Glo yet, but so far I can report no eyestrain. The Kindle's backlight was more annoying than an eyestrain, IMO. Can't say about the Nook or any other device.
|
06-28-2013, 08:41 AM | #3 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Are you talking about a Kindle Fire, here? Not really valid to compare that to a frontlit eInk reader - it's a totally different experience.
|
06-28-2013, 08:52 AM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,647
Karma: 66099782
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles
|
I've had plenty of multi-hour sessions with my Kobo Glo. No worries. It's not 100% comfortable in pitch darkness at the closeness at which I read without my specs, so I generally keep a dim background light on (it's not bright enough to disturb my partner). If you read with the device further away from your eyes, you might be just fine in pitch blackness, if that's your bag.
In daylight I have zero problems. Just keep the screen brightness down at a level at which you have good screen contrast, but without it looking like it's lit up like an iPad. |
06-28-2013, 09:09 AM | #5 |
Banned
Posts: 142
Karma: 2564052
Join Date: Jan 2013
Device: Kindle Fire
|
Have you seen the Onyx Boox i62HD Firefly (Angel Glow)? I heard it's also a good one
|
06-28-2013, 09:17 AM | #6 |
Always been the caretaker
Posts: 479
Karma: 1406369
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Canada
Device: Aura H2O, PW2
|
I've had no eyestrain issues using both a Glo & Aura. I suspect that using the light actually helps reduce eye fatigue. Or at least in my case anyways.
|
06-28-2013, 09:20 AM | #7 |
Bookaholic
Posts: 14,391
Karma: 54969924
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Minnesota
Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +
|
I don't use a front-light often, but when I do I haven't had any problems with additional eyestrain (even reading on non-lit or paper can cause some degree of strain if reading long enough). I usually keep the light at a fairly low setting as I've found the higher settings too bright.
The eInk Kindle, which would be the one in question here, is front-lit just like your Kobo Glo. It doesn't have a back-light (which would be impossible). |
06-28-2013, 02:47 PM | #8 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
|
06-28-2013, 02:52 PM | #9 | ||
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
Quote:
Quote:
I am thinking about completely switching it off outside if possible, so no issues day time I guess. Last edited by iamosam; 06-28-2013 at 02:55 PM. |
||
06-28-2013, 03:07 PM | #10 | |
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
Quote:
I guess I have more sensitive eyes. And I agree reading even printed books for long could cause strain or more correctly tiredness. But the lcd induced strain is pretty harsh comparatively in my opinion. |
|
06-28-2013, 03:12 PM | #11 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
I don't know if light actually is ggod or not. But the strain from using laptop for long hours make me hate even the idea of lighted screens If I am not going to use it there is no point in spending that additional money.
|
06-28-2013, 03:15 PM | #12 | ||
Bookaholic
Posts: 14,391
Karma: 54969924
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Minnesota
Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +
|
Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by AnemicOak; 06-28-2013 at 03:17 PM. |
||
06-28-2013, 08:57 PM | #13 | ||
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,647
Karma: 66099782
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles
|
Quote:
|
||
06-29-2013, 12:40 AM | #14 |
Plan B Is Now In Force
Posts: 1,894
Karma: 8086979
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Surebleak
Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2
|
On my Nook HD/HD+ with their LED screens, I prefer to use Cool Reader because in addition to adjusting the brightness, I can change the background screen color from stark white to a very pale green-gray color, which I find doesn't annoy my eyes like reading for hours on a laptop will do.
The Nook and Kindle apps just seem to give the options of various permutations of black, white, gray and sepia backgrounds. |
06-29-2013, 05:38 AM | #15 | |
Enthusiast
Posts: 47
Karma: 498196
Join Date: Sep 2012
Device: none
|
Quote:
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
help me on how to reduce eye strain. | metal1369 | General Discussions | 32 | 01-10-2012 03:01 PM |
How do you not get eye strain? | Belle2Be | Nook Color & Nook Tablet | 47 | 02-11-2011 02:56 AM |
NYT: Do E-Readers Cause Eye Strain? | kjk | News | 151 | 03-01-2010 02:26 PM |
Eye strain with 505? | wallflower75 | Sony Reader | 14 | 08-26-2009 04:08 PM |
Eye Strain on the Kindle | markbot | Amazon Kindle | 22 | 08-24-2009 02:18 PM |