Today I've received a brand-new N96 ML. After some initial settings, I was ready to enjoy this superb ereader when I noticed that the backlight was just too dim. Side by side, a Boyue T62+ set at its minimum is brighter than the Boox at its maximum.
After some research on the internet, (the few) owners out there dont' seem to complain on this regard. On the contrary, reviewers tend to praise its brightness. So, I was wondering if 1) I'm being too picky or 2) the device is somehow faulty.
Any thoughts?
UPDATE
June 30, 2016 at 22.28
I had the idea to measure the brightness with a photo exposimeter (Sekonic L-308S), and found the following results:
Boyue T62+
Maximum: 11 EV (5120 Lux)
Minimum: 7 EV (320 Lux)
Boox N96ML
Maximum: 6 EV (160 Lux)
Minimum: 3 EV (30 Lux)
To put into perspective these data, let's consider a simple list from
this page:
Condition — Illumination (Lux)
Sunlight — 107,527
Full Daylight — 10,752.7
Overcast Day — 1,075.3
Very Dark Day — 107.53
Twilight — 10.75
Deep Twilight — 1.08
Full Moon — .108
Quarter Moon — .0108
Starlight — .0011
Overcast Night — .0001
These are some common indoor light levels (in lux):
Warehouses, Homes, Theaters, Archives — 150
Easy Office Work, Classes — 250
Normal Office Work, PC Work, Study Library, Groceries, Show Rooms, Laboratories — 500
Supermarkets, Mechanical Workshops, Office Landscapes — 750
Normal Drawing Work, Detailed Mechanical Workshops, Operation Theatres — 1,000
Detailed Drawing Work, Very Detailed Mechanical Works — 1,500 - 2,000
Conclusions
As many have reported, the maximum brightness of the Boyue T62+ goes far beyond what is needed to read comfortably. About 1/2 of the brightness would be more than enough.
On the other hand, the Boox N96ML lags way behind in this regard. Without ambient light, it would be almost like reading in a very dark day, or in a theater. Is it possible? No doubt. But it will be rapidly tiresome. A word of advice: in this case, don't depend exclusively on the light of the device.