MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Who prefers non-frontlit E-Readers over Frontlit ones and why?

gamba66 · 07-13-2019, 10:22 AM

Hello,

I have seen various posts of people searching for an E-Reader without a Frontlight but I am always wondering why?

I have thought about this and there are some reasons that make sense while others are pure speculation (since I don't have any experience with frontlit readers myself).

Pro Frontlit:

Reading in the Dark
Better ability to read Low-Quality Content through dimming options etc.
Whiter Background then on non-frontlit: higher contrast

Cons Frontlit

Worse Battery Life (obvious one)
Worse contrast when completely turned off (speculation!)? due to additional layer (also sometimes claimed with capacitive touch layer)
QC Problems such as white spots or uneven lightning

I would love to hear some first-hand experiences and why one would prefer a non-frontlit Reader in 2019 or if they are indeed old and outdated Technology surpassed by Frontlit ones.

I for one still use my Hanvon E920 which has a 9.7" screen with a resolution of 1600x1200 (200ppi). I am satisfied but I really long for an onyx boox note pro due to the frontlight but I am still deciding since it is super expensive.

I am specifically thinking about larger E-Readers here such as the Sony DPT-S1, DPT-RP1 and Remarkable which all do not have a frontlight but I would love to hear opinions regardless of size.

07-13-2019, 10:22 AM	#1
gamba66 Zealot Posts: 114 Karma: 1200000 Join Date: May 2013 Device: Hanvon E920	Who prefers non-frontlit E-Readers over Frontlit ones and why? Hello, I have seen various posts of people searching for an E-Reader without a Frontlight but I am always wondering why? I have thought about this and there are some reasons that make sense while others are pure speculation (since I don't have any experience with frontlit readers myself). Pro Frontlit: Reading in the Dark Better ability to read Low-Quality Content through dimming options etc. Whiter Background then on non-frontlit: higher contrast Cons Frontlit Worse Battery Life (obvious one) Worse contrast when completely turned off (speculation!)? due to additional layer (also sometimes claimed with capacitive touch layer) QC Problems such as white spots or uneven lightning I would love to hear some first-hand experiences and why one would prefer a non-frontlit Reader in 2019 or if they are indeed old and outdated Technology surpassed by Frontlit ones. I for one still use my Hanvon E920 which has a 9.7" screen with a resolution of 1600x1200 (200ppi). I am satisfied but I really long for an onyx boox note pro due to the frontlight but I am still deciding since it is super expensive. I am specifically thinking about larger E-Readers here such as the Sony DPT-S1, DPT-RP1 and Remarkable which all do not have a frontlight but I would love to hear opinions regardless of size. Last edited by gamba66; 07-13-2019 at 10:25 AM.