A mobile reader who's screen is better for seizures

birchbarkcanoe · 06-16-2008, 05:36 AM

My son is now 11, and I am back looking into a mobile reader for him.

We are thinking he may be having seizures, and he absolutely LOVES reading the old free gutenberg books off the internet. In fact that's all he wants to do his waking hours.

We are concerned about the screen and seizures as he may be having seizures (in process of a workup).

Does anyone have any suggestions on a mobile reader that works differently and may not trigger seizures?

Sue

HarryT · 06-16-2008, 05:52 AM

Is it the flickering light of the screen that's triggering the seizures? If so, then any of the "eInk" devices should be just fine. They have absolutely static, non light-emitting, screens, that are just like reading words off a piece of paper. Lots to choose from - CyBook, iliad, Kindle, Sony.

jexxi · 06-16-2008, 05:55 AM

google it

montsnmags · 06-16-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jexxi

google it

Google what?

Cheers,
Marc

birchbarkcanoe · 06-16-2008, 06:38 AM

But I haven't found much.

We use a laptop currently. He has problems with ultraviolet light like the flourescent lightbulbs in stores, and moving things on the screen. THe laptop helps with the flickering screen thing.

I'm looking into the E-ink readers, and it seems the astak (sp?) should be the most affordable.

Has anyone seen the 9 inch one? When is it projected to be available? I'm thinking that the 5 inch is pretty small. I don't want him to put him in his pocket and sit on it (he is a little forgetful, like most boys).

Also, anyone who has seen it, is this a well made machine, and able to deal with a child using it (he's fine with my laptop and so on)? Or is it a really touchy finicky like machine?

Sue

HarryT · 06-16-2008, 06:49 AM

The 9.7" Astak isn't going to be available much before the end of the year, unfortunately.
All of the eInk reader are pretty good, but they do need to be handled with a reasonable level of care, but no more than a typical laptop.

montsnmags · 06-16-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birchbarkcanoe

But I haven't found much.

I'm sort of not really surprised, though intuitively it seems, as Harry says, like e-ink may be an effective solution.

Quote:

We use a laptop currently. He has problems with ultraviolet light like the flourescent lightbulbs in stores, and moving things on the screen. THe laptop helps with the flickering screen thing.

It's hard to know how your son would respond to the "page turn". Its relative slowness (to a laptop screen-refresh) may be an advantage too. Do you have the chance to have a look at one (any of the e-ink devices) in a store somewhere? If not, perhaps there's a chance that someone here who lives nearby can show you and your son what it's like.

More good news is, people here work on the PG books to transform them (and correct them) to the formats for each ereader, and then upload them here (see the E-Books link at the top of the page. There's obviously not every PG book, but you might find yourself familarising yourself with the software tools people here use to work on the PG texts yourself.

Quote:

I'm looking into the E-ink readers, and it seems the astak (sp?) should be the most affordable.

Has anyone seen the 9 inch one? When is it projected to be available? I'm thinking that the 5 inch is pretty small. I don't want him to put him in his pocket and sit on it (he is a little forgetful, like most boys). ...

Hey, I resemble that remark! (Now, where did I put my head, which I forgot wasn't screwed on

).

There's an Astak thread here that is 29 pages long and still seemingly going strong. You might want to look through it, and see if it answers any questions you have. If not, well, it'll be the perfect place to ask them, considering the interest there.

Apologies if any of the above doesn't make sense. Just let me know and I'll try clarify.

Cheers,
Marc

obzenic · 06-17-2008, 12:45 AM

If you think he's having seizures due to photosensitivity most LCD's should be ok (some very old ones may not be)...

Perhaps if you don't wish to wait for the Astak, you could go with an Asus Eee PC or similar? (assuming he's ok with that screen - sounds like it would be wise to check it out). They're pretty sturdy and quite cheap.

JSWolf · 06-17-2008, 01:54 AM

For Project Gutenberg eBooks, your best choices are the Sony Reader PRS-505 or the Cybook Gen3. That is because a lot of the eBooks we have here are formatted in LRF for the Sony or Mobipocket which works on the Cybook Gen3. And a lot did come from PG.

birchbarkcanoe · 06-17-2008, 10:45 AM

The page turn thing.....

Where would I look for one of these. We live in Saudi Arabia, and I haven't seen any of these things here on the market, honestly.

I guess I would look in a computer store? (Jarir Bookstore or Extra??), But I totally have no knowledge.

I think we are looking more at the E-ink based bookreaders, at this time, but I thank you all for the suggestions.

Are there any e-ink bookreaders that are inexpensive at this time?

Sue

HarryT · 06-17-2008, 12:16 PM

Depends what you mean by "inexpensive". The Sony Reader is the cheapest, at about US$270. The CyBook Gen3 is about $350, and the iRex iLiad much more expensive (because of its larger screen) at about $750.

pilotbob · 06-17-2008, 06:06 PM

You might consider the Jetbook. It is LCD rather than eInk and supports .txt books very well. It supports custom folders in the eBook menu. The page turns very fast with no flash at all... the text is sharp and easy to read in well light room. It can also be read in sunlight but can glare a bit.

This is a 5inch screen device, and very sturdy and won't be susceptible to easily broken eInk screen as you can see many people have had to contend with by reading other threads. (Perhaps might be an issue with an 11yo.)

See my review and $50 coupon.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23953

BOb

HarryT · 06-18-2008, 05:06 AM

Problem with the JetBook is that you're VERY restricted in terms of format support - really just plain text. If LCD devices are in the picture, something like the Ebookwise 1150 might be worth considering. It's cheap and very popular with many forum members here.

astrodad · 06-18-2008, 11:18 AM

This is by no means an official report, but I have spoken to a local college professor about this and he recommends the e-ink devices. His own son has similar problems and that's we bought him for Christmas last year. I happened to talking to him about some electronics stuff and we got on the subject.

JSWolf · 06-25-2008, 10:36 PM

birchbarkcanoe since you say you live in Saudi Arabia, why is it you have a Kindle? The main features of the Kindle that the other devices don't have are only really good if you live in the USA.

06-16-2008, 05:36 AM	#1
birchbarkcanoe Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: kindle	A mobile reader who's screen is better for seizures My son is now 11, and I am back looking into a mobile reader for him. We are thinking he may be having seizures, and he absolutely LOVES reading the old free gutenberg books off the internet. In fact that's all he wants to do his waking hours. We are concerned about the screen and seizures as he may be having seizures (in process of a workup). Does anyone have any suggestions on a mobile reader that works differently and may not trigger seizures? Sue

06-16-2008, 06:38 AM	#5
birchbarkcanoe Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: kindle	I have googled this.... But I haven't found much. We use a laptop currently. He has problems with ultraviolet light like the flourescent lightbulbs in stores, and moving things on the screen. THe laptop helps with the flickering screen thing. I'm looking into the E-ink readers, and it seems the astak (sp?) should be the most affordable. Has anyone seen the 9 inch one? When is it projected to be available? I'm thinking that the 5 inch is pretty small. I don't want him to put him in his pocket and sit on it (he is a little forgetful, like most boys). Also, anyone who has seen it, is this a well made machine, and able to deal with a child using it (he's fine with my laptop and so on)? Or is it a really touchy finicky like machine? Sue

06-17-2008, 10:45 AM	#10
birchbarkcanoe Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: kindle	This is a good point..... The page turn thing..... Where would I look for one of these. We live in Saudi Arabia, and I haven't seen any of these things here on the market, honestly. I guess I would look in a computer store? (Jarir Bookstore or Extra??), But I totally have no knowledge. I think we are looking more at the E-ink based bookreaders, at this time, but I thank you all for the suggestions. Are there any e-ink bookreaders that are inexpensive at this time? Sue

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06-16-2008, 05:52 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Is it the flickering light of the screen that's triggering the seizures? If so, then any of the "eInk" devices should be just fine. They have absolutely static, non light-emitting, screens, that are just like reading words off a piece of paper. Lots to choose from - CyBook, iliad, Kindle, Sony.

06-16-2008, 05:55 AM	#3
jexxi Stuff Learner Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Nokia N72	google it

06-16-2008, 06:49 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The 9.7" Astak isn't going to be available much before the end of the year, unfortunately. All of the eInk reader are pretty good, but they do need to be handled with a reasonable level of care, but no more than a typical laptop.

06-17-2008, 12:45 AM	#8
obzenic Member Posts: 10 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: none yet, in the market :-)	If you think he's having seizures due to photosensitivity most LCD's should be ok (some very old ones may not be)... Perhaps if you don't wish to wait for the Astak, you could go with an Asus Eee PC or similar? (assuming he's ok with that screen - sounds like it would be wise to check it out). They're pretty sturdy and quite cheap.

06-17-2008, 01:54 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,235 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	For Project Gutenberg eBooks, your best choices are the Sony Reader PRS-505 or the Cybook Gen3. That is because a lot of the eBooks we have here are formatted in LRF for the Sony or Mobipocket which works on the Cybook Gen3. And a lot did come from PG.

06-17-2008, 12:16 PM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Depends what you mean by "inexpensive". The Sony Reader is the cheapest, at about US$270. The CyBook Gen3 is about $350, and the iRex iLiad much more expensive (because of its larger screen) at about $750.

06-17-2008, 06:06 PM	#12
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	You might consider the Jetbook. It is LCD rather than eInk and supports .txt books very well. It supports custom folders in the eBook menu. The page turns very fast with no flash at all... the text is sharp and easy to read in well light room. It can also be read in sunlight but can glare a bit. This is a 5inch screen device, and very sturdy and won't be susceptible to easily broken eInk screen as you can see many people have had to contend with by reading other threads. (Perhaps might be an issue with an 11yo.) See my review and $50 coupon. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23953 BOb

06-18-2008, 05:06 AM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Problem with the JetBook is that you're VERY restricted in terms of format support - really just plain text. If LCD devices are in the picture, something like the Ebookwise 1150 might be worth considering. It's cheap and very popular with many forum members here.

06-18-2008, 11:18 AM	#14
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	This is by no means an official report, but I have spoken to a local college professor about this and he recommends the e-ink devices. His own son has similar problems and that's we bought him for Christmas last year. I happened to talking to him about some electronics stuff and we got on the subject.

06-25-2008, 10:36 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,235 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	birchbarkcanoe since you say you live in Saudi Arabia, why is it you have a Kindle? The main features of the Kindle that the other devices don't have are only really good if you live in the USA.

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