Best Device for Direct Sunlight

scgf · 07-18-2009, 01:08 PM

I have a Sony PRS-505 and was very disappointed in the screen quality while reading in direct sunlight on holiday recently. The black eInk was smearing and fading when the page was turned in sunlight. The problem is completely reproducible and I have read a few threads where is has been discussed on this forum.

Is there an eBook which doesn't suffer from this problem? I am in the UK so the Kindle isn't an option for me. I read here that a Vizplex screen is likely to be better - if so, which devices have this type of screen.

I am able to send the Sony Reader back for refund, so I can use the funds to buy a new device.

Thanks for any advice.

JSWolf · 07-18-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scgf

I have a Sony PRS-505 and was very disappointed in the screen quality while reading in direct sunlight on holiday recently. The black eInk was smearing and fading when the page was turned in sunlight. The problem is completely reproducible and I have read a few threads where is has been discussed on this forum.

Is there an eBook which doesn't suffer from this problem? I am in the UK so the Kindle isn't an option for me. I read here that a Vizplex screen is likely to be better - if so, which devices have this type of screen.

I am able to send the Sony Reader back for refund, so I can use the funds to buy a new device.

Thanks for any advice.

All the 6" eink screens made now are Vizplex. That includes your 505. I too have a 505 and I have no trouble with it out in direct sunlight. I suggest you maybe swap your 505 for a new one and see how that goes.

richman · 07-18-2009, 01:49 PM

I have the 505 and I read outside but generally sit in the shade, too hot in summer out in the sun. I have checked it out in the sun, and I don't have that problem, I just bought mine a few weeks ago from sony, were the early versions of 505 not visplex and is there a way to check if he has the older version.
I thought I read that most 505's don't have that problem, and that it is UV issue, Kindle's have that problem but amazon considers it a defect and will replace it.
I will be interested to see if other 505 owners have this problem, also, the older version 500 does that model have that UV problem?

doreenjoy · 07-18-2009, 02:14 PM

Just FYI, the issue is not the sunlight, but the temperature of the screen. It does not operate well above a certain temperature.

I've had no problems reading in sunlight, but I live in a cool climate.

dreams · 07-18-2009, 02:31 PM

I have the 505 and don't have a problem in direct sunlight. I do find that it gets a bit hot to the touch after a while in high heat.

I usually read in filtered sunlight on high temp days.

scgf · 07-18-2009, 02:39 PM

In my case I don't think it has anything to do with temperature - at least not here in the UK! All I need to do is let direct sunlight fall on the screen through a window, turn the page and I see the problem. Move away from the sunlight and the problem disappears on turning the page. The temperature in my house is 21 deg C (69.8 deg F) and I only need hold the screen in sunlight for a second while turning the page.

doreenjoy · 07-18-2009, 02:40 PM

Sounds like you may have a defective device, then. I've never heard of anyone whose reader acts up immediately when exposed to sunlight.

wallcraft · 07-18-2009, 02:46 PM

All the EInk devices on the market now have Vizplex screens, which are not supposed to have this problem but some (perhaps many) do. This is probably a defect in some batches of Vizplex film. There are multiple threads on this issue for the Kindles, see for example Question for Kindle 1 and 2 owners re: direct sunshine.

HarryT · 07-19-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

Sounds like you may have a defective device, then. I've never heard of anyone whose reader acts up immediately when exposed to sunlight.

It's been discussed a great deal on the Kindle forums. Eg, here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47658

DDHarriman · 07-19-2009, 01:34 PM

Hi

It looks to be a defective 505.

I have a Cybook and a 505 and they are (both) outstanding for reading in the sun, I will say, more sun, better experience.

I’m this weekend in Algarve (beach vacation place to go in Portugal), and I have just read a complete book on the beach, in the sun, with my Cybook.
BTW: in all afternoon the temperature must have not come down from 28/30 degrees celsius.

Best regards,

07-18-2009, 01:08 PM	#1
scgf Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 2136402 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Kobo Clara HD, Amazon PW 3 iPad Pro, iPhone 12 Pro	Best Device for Direct Sunlight I have a Sony PRS-505 and was very disappointed in the screen quality while reading in direct sunlight on holiday recently. The black eInk was smearing and fading when the page was turned in sunlight. The problem is completely reproducible and I have read a few threads where is has been discussed on this forum. Is there an eBook which doesn't suffer from this problem? I am in the UK so the Kindle isn't an option for me. I read here that a Vizplex screen is likely to be better - if so, which devices have this type of screen. I am able to send the Sony Reader back for refund, so I can use the funds to buy a new device. Thanks for any advice.

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07-18-2009, 01:49 PM	#3
richman Addict Posts: 269 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: sony prs-505 BLUE,itouch,netbook	I have the 505 and I read outside but generally sit in the shade, too hot in summer out in the sun. I have checked it out in the sun, and I don't have that problem, I just bought mine a few weeks ago from sony, were the early versions of 505 not visplex and is there a way to check if he has the older version. I thought I read that most 505's don't have that problem, and that it is UV issue, Kindle's have that problem but amazon considers it a defect and will replace it. I will be interested to see if other 505 owners have this problem, also, the older version 500 does that model have that UV problem?

07-18-2009, 02:14 PM	#4
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	Just FYI, the issue is not the sunlight, but the temperature of the screen. It does not operate well above a certain temperature. I've had no problems reading in sunlight, but I live in a cool climate.

07-18-2009, 02:31 PM	#5
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,112 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	I have the 505 and don't have a problem in direct sunlight. I do find that it gets a bit hot to the touch after a while in high heat. I usually read in filtered sunlight on high temp days.

07-18-2009, 02:39 PM	#6
scgf Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 2136402 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Kobo Clara HD, Amazon PW 3 iPad Pro, iPhone 12 Pro	In my case I don't think it has anything to do with temperature - at least not here in the UK! All I need to do is let direct sunlight fall on the screen through a window, turn the page and I see the problem. Move away from the sunlight and the problem disappears on turning the page. The temperature in my house is 21 deg C (69.8 deg F) and I only need hold the screen in sunlight for a second while turning the page.

07-18-2009, 02:40 PM	#7
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	Sounds like you may have a defective device, then. I've never heard of anyone whose reader acts up immediately when exposed to sunlight.

07-18-2009, 02:46 PM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	All the EInk devices on the market now have Vizplex screens, which are not supposed to have this problem but some (perhaps many) do. This is probably a defect in some batches of Vizplex film. There are multiple threads on this issue for the Kindles, see for example Question for Kindle 1 and 2 owners re: direct sunshine.

07-19-2009, 01:34 PM	#10
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hi It looks to be a defective 505. I have a Cybook and a 505 and they are (both) outstanding for reading in the sun, I will say, more sun, better experience. I’m this weekend in Algarve (beach vacation place to go in Portugal), and I have just read a complete book on the beach, in the sun, with my Cybook. BTW: in all afternoon the temperature must have not come down from 28/30 degrees celsius. Best regards,