Does cold weather affect your choice of reading device?

LovesMacs · 11-21-2014, 10:33 AM

This is primarily for those of us who live in cold climates. As the temperature dips below freezing (sometimes well below freezing), do you use a different reading device, and if so, why?

For example, I have an e-ink reader and an app on my phone. I normally switch back and forth between these throughout the day. During the winter, however, I find myself using my e-ink device less and reading more on paper because I'm afraid my e-reader's ink capsules will freeze and break.

This might make a good poll but I'm not sure how best to structure one.

DrNefario · 11-21-2014, 11:15 AM

Not really. I don't think I'm ever using the devices in such extremes of climate.

The only mild difference is that a pbook often requires two arms, and an e-reader usually only one, which means on cold nights I can keep one arm warm under the duvet while reading.

HarryT · 11-21-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovesMacs

This is primarily for those of us who live in cold climates. As the temperature dips below freezing (sometimes well below freezing), do you use a different reading device, and if so, why?

For example, I have an e-ink reader and an app on my phone. I normally switch back and forth between these throughout the day. During the winter, however, I find myself using my e-ink device less and reading more on paper because I'm afraid my e-reader's ink capsules will freeze and break.

Do you read outdoors when the temperature is below zero?

wodin · 11-21-2014, 11:37 AM

What's cold weather?

frahse · 11-21-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

Not really. I don't think I'm ever using the devices in such extremes of climate.

The only mild difference is that a pbook often requires two arms, and an e-reader usually only one, which means on cold nights I can keep one arm warm under the duvet while reading.

That reminds me, back in the old days, I would be under the covers in the bed and just have a thumb and a finger out from under the blanket holding the Paper Book. You couldn't do that with a big book though.

The other thing I noticed back then was that the large CRT Display and my big desktop warmed my little study and workroom nicely when the door was closed.

HarryT · 11-21-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

What's cold weather?

I believe it's been below freezing even in the Sandwich Islands in the last week, has it not? On the summit of Mauna Kea?

dwig · 11-21-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe it's been below freezing even in the Sandwich Islands in the last week, has it not? On the summit of Mauna Kea?

Some place in each of the 50 states experienced freezing in the last week, though here in Key West we were many hundreds of miles south of the nearest freeze.

Our "cold snap" (~63deg F) affected my reading only in that it lead me to read inside rather than on the porch where I often read throughout what passes for winter here.

tubemonkey · 11-21-2014, 12:14 PM

No, because I always read indoors.

Apache · 11-21-2014, 12:41 PM

We went from highs in the 80's last week to a low of 20 on Tuesday. I will read anywhere and do. The only thing that might keep me from reading in below freezing weather would be if my shivering made it impossible to see the words.
Apache

Barcey · 11-21-2014, 12:59 PM

No, I take my e-ink reader with me in the cold and haven't had a problem. The screen refresh gets noticeably slower if the device gets cold but it's never been damaged. I worry about it in extreme heat during the summer as much as in extreme cold so I try not to leave it in the car in either case. I did have the screen frost up once or twice and it still worked (but slow). My phone is more expensive then my ereader so I'd worry more about that.

wodin · 11-21-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe it's been below freezing even in the Sandwich Islands in the last week, has it not? On the summit of Mauna Kea?

Yes it sometimes gets below freezing on Mauna Kea (White Mountain, 14,000 Ft), also on Mauna Loa (Long Mountain, 14,000 Ft) and Haleakala (House of the Sun, 10,000 Ft); but then I don't live there.

From 2000 to 2003 I worked at Pohakuloa (Long Rock) on the Island of Hawaii, and my daily commute was through the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. During the winter months both mountains were often white with snow. The elevation at Pohakuloa was a bit above 6000 feet, and on most winter mornings there was frost on the ground.

But again, I don't live there anymore.

rollei · 11-21-2014, 01:25 PM

Worst case scenario, if it does happen, good excuse to reward myself with the latest brand new e-reader.

wodin · 11-21-2014, 01:28 PM

I have engaged in a snowball fight at the NOAA Observatory on Mauna Loa at the 12,000 foot level. That aught to be on everyone's bucket list!

Purple Lady · 11-21-2014, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

The only mild difference is that a pbook often requires two arms, and an e-reader usually only one, which means on cold nights I can keep one arm warm under the duvet while reading.

I am starting to appreciate the physical page turn buttons on my T62 - I can keep both arms under the blanket!

theducks · 11-21-2014, 04:42 PM

Battery (charge) life degrades as it gets colder. A low current draw (eink) would be a plus.

BTW Cold can be hard on devices, even if you don't use them. Condensation on internals. Hard drives that have been cold soaked (hours) need hours (1 per 5 deg F rise) to warm back up BEFORE you spin them up (learned that the hard way

). Do not leave your Laptop in the car overnight in cold weather (and really, NEVER if you wish to see it again

)

11-21-2014, 10:33 AM	#1
LovesMacs Fanatic Posts: 513 Karma: 2644386 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: iPhone, Kindle Touch	Does cold weather affect your choice of reading device? This is primarily for those of us who live in cold climates. As the temperature dips below freezing (sometimes well below freezing), do you use a different reading device, and if so, why? For example, I have an e-ink reader and an app on my phone. I normally switch back and forth between these throughout the day. During the winter, however, I find myself using my e-ink device less and reading more on paper because I'm afraid my e-reader's ink capsules will freeze and break. This might make a good poll but I'm not sure how best to structure one.

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11-21-2014, 11:15 AM	#2
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,203 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Not really. I don't think I'm ever using the devices in such extremes of climate. The only mild difference is that a pbook often requires two arms, and an e-reader usually only one, which means on cold nights I can keep one arm warm under the duvet while reading.

11-21-2014, 11:37 AM	#4
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	What's cold weather?

11-21-2014, 12:14 PM	#8
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,762 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	No, because I always read indoors.

11-21-2014, 12:41 PM	#9
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,277 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	We went from highs in the 80's last week to a low of 20 on Tuesday. I will read anywhere and do. The only thing that might keep me from reading in below freezing weather would be if my shivering made it impossible to see the words. Apache

11-21-2014, 12:59 PM	#10
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	No, I take my e-ink reader with me in the cold and haven't had a problem. The screen refresh gets noticeably slower if the device gets cold but it's never been damaged. I worry about it in extreme heat during the summer as much as in extreme cold so I try not to leave it in the car in either case. I did have the screen frost up once or twice and it still worked (but slow). My phone is more expensive then my ereader so I'd worry more about that.

11-21-2014, 01:25 PM	#12
rollei Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 1000210 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	Worst case scenario, if it does happen, good excuse to reward myself with the latest brand new e-reader.

11-21-2014, 01:28 PM	#13
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	I have engaged in a snowball fight at the NOAA Observatory on Mauna Loa at the 12,000 foot level. That aught to be on everyone's bucket list!

11-21-2014, 04:42 PM	#15
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Battery (charge) life degrades as it gets colder. A low current draw (eink) would be a plus. BTW Cold can be hard on devices, even if you don't use them. Condensation on internals. Hard drives that have been cold soaked (hours) need hours (1 per 5 deg F rise) to warm back up BEFORE you spin them up (learned that the hard way ). Do not leave your Laptop in the car overnight in cold weather (and really, NEVER if you wish to see it again )

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