PRS-300 Screen fade/sunlight question

[sharphamster]

Just picked up a used 300 for carting around, and so far am really loving the form factor and button control.

I realize the screen is a few generations older than to my NookSTR, and I don't expect the same clarity or contrast, but the text fades drastically after about 15 minutes while reading outside in the sun.

Is this a heat thing? Is it harming the screen? I very much want to extend the life of the device, so if it wasn't designed to withstand direct sunlight I'll use it inside only.

I'd appreciate any advice ~ Thanks

[speakingtohe]

Mine didn't do that although it was not that great to read in direct sun. If it goes back to normal when indoors I suspect no harm is being done.

My carry around device is a 350 which is smaller with a better resolution. Still I don't generally read it in direct sun because the glare is annoying and it looks fainter even with the sort of matte screen.

Helen

[vxf]

Originally Posted by sharphamster

Just picked up a used 300 for carting around, and so far am really loving the form factor and button control.

I realize the screen is a few generations older than to my NookSTR, and I don't expect the same clarity or contrast, but the text fades drastically after about 15 minutes while reading outside in the sun.

Is this a heat thing? Is it harming the screen? I very much want to extend the life of the device, so if it wasn't designed to withstand direct sunlight I'll use it inside only.

I'd appreciate any advice ~ Thanks

It's defective. Some screens on the x00 generations faded in the sun. It behaved just like yours.
There were quite a lot of threads about it at the time. I don't know if it was heat or UV. I think it was heat, frankly. But I am not sure.
No, it did not harm the screen, at least I have not seen that reported. I used mine extensively under the sun for 4 months, trying to hide from the sun but not always with success, and the screen did not deteriorate. I was in Italy at the time and I got it replaced only once I got back to the USA.
SONY at the time replaced them for free . I had a PRS900 that was fading. I called, they sent me a new one(they were nice to replace mine after 4 months) - and it did not fade at all.

[300com]

yes. i had this problem. it's a faulty device.

[jj2me]

It could be defective, or it could be that your screen was heated up too much by the sun. The latter happened to me on a PRS-505. At first, I thought it was a defective screen, but after measuring the screen's surface temp with an infrared thermometer, I found the temp way above the published operating range.

[sharphamster]

Appreciate the responses, all. Good to know what the issue is.

I'll just avoid using it outside, and keep an eye on ebay for another 300. Really do love the set-up, and I might just luck into another good deal on one.

[carpetmojo]

Forget the x00 generation if you read a lot in direct sunlight - the x50's [or T1's] are what you need, although they're obviously not as easy to get s/hand.

The "now you can read in direct sunlight" was the big selling feature.

That's why there seem to be a lot of cheap x00's out there, they're not as good ..........

(And I've left all of mine in direct scorching sun - they get too hot to pick up ! - and had no problems ......)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by sharphamster

Just picked up a used 300 for carting around, and so far am really loving the form factor and button control.

I realize the screen is a few generations older than to my NookSTR, and I don't expect the same clarity or contrast, but the text fades drastically after about 15 minutes while reading outside in the sun.

Is this a heat thing? Is it harming the screen? I very much want to extend the life of the device, so if it wasn't designed to withstand direct sunlight I'll use it inside only.

I'd appreciate any advice ~ Thanks

LG made some Vizplex screens and some of these had a problem with sunlight where they would fade.

I suggest calling Sony and mentioning this to them. Maybe you can get a discount on a new T2. But if that doesn't work to your satisfaction, Get your money back as it is defective and whoever sold it should not have sold it.