Something better than the latest Kindle?

[Jez_terr]

I love my iPad for reading - I have a number of reading apps on it (Bluefire and Kindle being the most used).

I've had my eye on a Kindle for a long time, but having watched videos on Youtube the screen refresh/flashes I found quite unpleasant and put the thought of getting a dedicated e-reader on the back burner until the technology improved.

My husband took delivery of his new Kindle earlier today. After having a play with it, and fiddling round with all the settings, I've been disappointed at how difficult it is for me to read the screen without a light directly over the screen. It might be great for reading in bright sunlight, but not so wonderful if it's raining outside and/or relying on uplighters for room lighting. I think the best description of my experience is summed by a comment from another Kindle user (sorry, I can't remember where I read it) would be like a having a book printed with a laser printer on tracing paper.

I bought the iPad after weeks of deliberating over other e-readers. I was quite smitten with Sony's e-readers at the time, and I've noticed Sony are gradually rolling out the PRS-T1.

Finally getting round to asking my question... I've watched some video reviews for the T1, and it *looks* to have a much whiter screen and blacker text than the Kindle, and the option to tweak contrast settings and change fonts. Will I still have problems reading a T1 in 'dim' light or is an add on light a compulsory for any reading situation other than outside in the middle of summer or in a brightly lit office?

I've tried using a clip on MightyBright swan-necked type light for the Kindle and it did improve the screen clarity, but positioning the light so it didn't shine on the screen took a while, and I'd much prefer the idea of just picking up an e-reader and reading rather than messing around positioning lights and having bulky cases.

Thanks for the help.

[susan_cassidy]

The Sony uses the same screen as the Kindle.

[pidgeon92]

Yep, the Kindle, Sony, Nook all use the same screen, all made by the same manufacturer. There might be slight differences in how they are coated, and there will be slight differences from unit to unit, but they are all essentially the same. If you need a light for one, you would need a light for all.

If you find it dark for reading, I suggest the Kindle lighted cover. I use mine daily on my K3.

[wallcraft]

A EInk screen is viewed best in bright light. They look great under a full spectrum light, for example. However, you can compensate for less light somewhat by increasing the size of the font. I also prefer heavy sans-serif fonts, because they look best on EInk.

In the end it is about the content. If you are happier reading on an LCD screen then stick with your iPad.

[ProfCrash]

I use a headlamp if I want to read in the dark and not disturb my husband.

[David58117]

Same screen but the current Sony has the whitest tint background of the bunch I've compared it to (nook st, and kindle 3). However thats not going to help you at all when you're reading in the dark, but I've been really impressed with the case with built in light. Its very thin, adds minimal bulk, takes AAA battery...only downside seems to be you have to work with the light to stop glare on the screen and sides, light is a bit brite for my taste, and the cover doesn't have magnets to keep it shut (although it staying closed hasn't been an issue).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by David58117

Same screen but the current Sony has the whitest tint background of the bunch I've compared it to (nook st, and kindle 3).

They all use the SAME screen. The background colour of an eInk screen is very dependent on lighting condition; in bright light, the background will look almost where, in poor light it will appear a medium grey. There can also be considerable variation from one eInk panel to another.

[Jez_terr]

Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered a PRS-T1, but not a clue on when it will be shipped. Status is still showing 'order received'.

I'm hoping it really will be whiter and brighter than the Kindle 4.

It's been really great to see some photos of side by side devices, as opposed to marketing shots:

(Courtesy of Theonna): http://www.dgread.com/read/index.php/Sony/Sony-PRS-T-1

(Courtesy of Blossom): http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...151642&page=32

I also found a possibility as to why I found the screen very grey and a little blurred.

(Courtesy of Tom's Hardware): http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...er,3040-3.html

Light-wise I'm debating between an official Sony cover (with light), Mighty Bright's 'Miniflex' and Octovo's 'Solis'. I'm waiting for to get my hands on my e-reader before I make a final choice.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I use a headlamp if I want to read in the dark and not disturb my husband.

Lol. I do the same thing. It's like camping. Extremely fun.

To the original poster. It's just the difference between backlit and e-ink. You need a light source for e-ink. End of story. Up lamps are terrible for reading a regular book and e-ink, but I have no problems reading with a single 60-watt bulb in a small table lamp beside the chair or bed. I find cloudy days when outside are fine for reading, but inside I'd need a lamp.

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I use a headlamp if I want to read in the dark and not disturb my husband.

I used to use a LED baseball hat when my wife was asleep, but all too often I'd look over to see if I was disturbing her (I'm so considerate ), and the light would end up waking her.



So, after many beatings because I'm to dumb to learn quickly, I use the LCD side of my pocket edge for reading after lightsout.

[David58117]

Originally Posted by HarryT

They all use the SAME screen. The background colour of an eInk screen is very dependent on lighting condition; in bright light, the background will look almost where, in poor light it will appear a medium grey. There can also be considerable variation from one eInk panel to another.

No...I've owned all three at the same time, spent considerable time with them, in the same lighting conditions and room - they ARE different. Even in varying lighting conditions the qualities still remain. The nook was greyish, Sony whitest, and the kindle 3 creamish with popping blacks, and that held true in bright direct light as well as indirect light. Its not a negative to anyone....just, there are noticeable differences.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by David58117

No...I've owned all three at the same time, spent considerable time with them, in the same lighting conditions and room - they ARE different. Even in varying lighting conditions the qualities still remain. The nook was greyish, Sony whitest, and the kindle 3 creamish with popping blacks, and that held true in bright direct light as well as indirect light. Its not a negative to anyone....just, there are noticeable differences.

I agree with you entirely. What I'm saying is that these are differences you'll find between individual eInk panels - they are not down to differences in reader brands. If you bought three different Kindles, you'd be as likely to see the same differences between them as you would between a Kindle, a Nook, and a Sony.

[David58117]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I agree with you entirely. What I'm saying is that these are differences you'll find between individual eInk panels - they are not down to differences in reader brands. If you bought three different Kindles, you'd be as likely to see the same differences between them as you would between a Kindle, a Nook, and a Sony.

I think that's true to an extent. I get the impression different companies use different grades of panels which result in the differences. Perhaps along the life of the product some may have changed grades (like reports of kindle 3s looking different. Mine was a month old and looked spectacular, creamish). Ive never seen a white nook st, atleast as white as the Sony t1s. I think generalities can be drawn - such as t1 being generally whiter than nook, nook appearing greyish, so I think saying individual differences can result in brand appearance crossing is a little far fetched. I believe its more variations on a theme...ie, nook will be greyish than the others, some individual units maybe more or less, but never as white as the t1 or cream as newer kindle 3 - assuming production stays the same.

But I'm not involved in the process, so what do I know. I really can't believe I'm discussing this online, however.

[pidgeon92]

Another thing that will make a difference in how light the screen appears is the color of the bezel. Same concept as wearing a dark colored lipstick to make your teeth look whiter.

[David58117]

Yeah, but each bezel is of a dark color.