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soulfuldog · 08-18-2013, 03:04 PM

The only reader that had had problems with a fragile, easy to scratch surface is the Nook Glowlight, and consequently it has suffered with bright spots. I'm not sure if it's improved at all on the Nook but you don't seem to hear as much about it now? It is the poorest of the available lighted readers, but that's because it's the oldest and the quality/tech of the lighted layer on the screens has improved quite a bit since it was released.

The Kobo Glo (and to a lesser extent I *think* the Aura) can also have issues with 'dead' pixels but it's a different issue (more a manufacturing defect and not down to poor design/fragility) and they are noticeable right from the start so you can easily exchange it if it has this fault. The Kindle Paperwhite has had issues with a blotchy screen, same as the Kobo, it's not something that develops over time but more of a manufacturing fault. The light on the Kobo Glo was more blue/harsh tint when it was first released, but doesn't seem to be an issue anymore and has perhaps been tweaked via firmware updates, the light on the Glo does tend to be a little harsher than the Kindle, which has a slightly warmer look to it.

Most (but not all) people who have bought any of the lighted readers wouldn't go back to a non-lighted reader, and think the built-in light (ereaders can't be backlit due to the opaque eink screen, technically they are side lit) is far superior to using a non-lighted reader with a clip on light. That is generally with some ambient light though, in a completely dark room, there are some that find even with the light turned to its lowest, they don't like it.

The only real issue is that you lose a little bit of clarity with the lighted readers when you don't have the light on. Many people don't even notice it though, or think it's a minimal difference that is easily ignored, or even overcome by having the light on all the time (which is the way they are designed to be used).

It's all quite subjective though. Some people will just not like them and feel it will affect their night vision.

08-18-2013, 03:04 PM	#172
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	The only reader that had had problems with a fragile, easy to scratch surface is the Nook Glowlight, and consequently it has suffered with bright spots. I'm not sure if it's improved at all on the Nook but you don't seem to hear as much about it now? It is the poorest of the available lighted readers, but that's because it's the oldest and the quality/tech of the lighted layer on the screens has improved quite a bit since it was released. The Kobo Glo (and to a lesser extent I think the Aura) can also have issues with 'dead' pixels but it's a different issue (more a manufacturing defect and not down to poor design/fragility) and they are noticeable right from the start so you can easily exchange it if it has this fault. The Kindle Paperwhite has had issues with a blotchy screen, same as the Kobo, it's not something that develops over time but more of a manufacturing fault. The light on the Kobo Glo was more blue/harsh tint when it was first released, but doesn't seem to be an issue anymore and has perhaps been tweaked via firmware updates, the light on the Glo does tend to be a little harsher than the Kindle, which has a slightly warmer look to it. Most (but not all) people who have bought any of the lighted readers wouldn't go back to a non-lighted reader, and think the built-in light (ereaders can't be backlit due to the opaque eink screen, technically they are side lit) is far superior to using a non-lighted reader with a clip on light. That is generally with some ambient light though, in a completely dark room, there are some that find even with the light turned to its lowest, they don't like it. The only real issue is that you lose a little bit of clarity with the lighted readers when you don't have the light on. Many people don't even notice it though, or think it's a minimal difference that is easily ignored, or even overcome by having the light on all the time (which is the way they are designed to be used). It's all quite subjective though. Some people will just not like them and feel it will affect their night vision.