PRS-600 Argh! Headaches!

birdbrainbb · 04-27-2010, 12:52 AM

Okay, so, I've had my PRS-600 since December but I haven't been hardcore using it until this month. I've read five or so books on it, and unfortunately I've found something out: whenever I spend more than an hour reading it I get a massive headache! Not eye strain or anything like that, just a tension headache.

This is seriously annoying. I think it's because of the screen-- the contrast is a problem, you know? Anyway, what I wanted to know is: does anyone else get headaches from their reader? Am I doing something wrong on mine that it's giving me headaches? I've increased the font size (to medium) and flipped the orientation to landscape, which helped. But I'm still getting headaches (and feeling foolish).

Also, is there anything I can do to maybe tweak the screen settings besides what I've done so it's easier on my head? Besides get a new reader, because I can't afford that, lol.

DoctorOhh · 04-27-2010, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdbrainbb

This is seriously annoying. I think it's because of the screen-- the contrast is a problem, you know? Anyway, what I wanted to know is: does anyone else get headaches from their reader? Am I doing something wrong on mine that it's giving me headaches? I've increased the font size (to medium) and flipped the orientation to landscape, which helped. But I'm still getting headaches (and feeling foolish).

Also, is there anything I can do to maybe tweak the screen settings besides what I've done so it's easier on my head? Besides get a new reader, because I can't afford that, lol.

I have read hours on end without any difficulty. I only have a 505 so my experience is different. I don't think what your experiencing is related to the ereader so a different reader most likely won't help.

I googled tension headache from reading and headache from reading, look through this material there are many good articles on this problem.

An extract from one site stated that

Quote:

Certain physical postures that tense head and neck muscles - such as holding one's chin down while reading - can lead to tension headaches.

One article was 10 Tips For Headache Remedies While Reading which had some good ideas. I hope you find the source of your headaches.

palo · 04-27-2010, 07:03 AM

I have a 600 and while the contrast is not as good as on some other readers it is fine for my needs. I too, have read for many hours and experienced no ill effects. I feel, as dwanthny has suggested, your headaches may be brought on by your body's position when you read.

p

birdbrainbb · 04-27-2010, 08:33 AM

Thanks, guys! I was hoping it wasn't something actually related to the reader, because that'd, uh, really suck.

I'll try to keep an eye on my posture and see if that helps.

dieterpops · 04-27-2010, 08:55 AM

I used a Kindle 2 and got headaches from reading. With lower contrast, this is a common outcome. When the K2 first came out, many complained of headaches from reading. I would say that your headaches are likely from the lower contrast.

FlatlineTech · 04-27-2010, 11:04 AM

Or.......you might just need glasses, I used to get headaches from focusing on the same area for a long time, I didn't realise that I needed glasses, or if you have glasses, maybe your prescription needs changing, in any case it could'nt hurt to go see an optician.

igorsk · 04-27-2010, 11:20 AM

Do you have good light when you read? PRS-600 suffers from poor lighting more than models without touch screen, but in good lighting it's pretty okay.

birdbrainbb · 04-27-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatlineTech

Or.......you might just need glasses, I used to get headaches from focusing on the same area for a long time, I didn't realise that I needed glasses, or if you have glasses, maybe your prescription needs changing, in any case it could'nt hurt to go see an optician.

It's possible I need to change my prescription; I've had these current glasses for a little over a year, so it might be time for new ones.

Quote:

Do you have good light when you read? PRS-600 suffers from poor lighting more than models without touch screen, but in good lighting it's pretty okay.

I haven't been reading it in the dark or anything like that! It's got decent lighting, on it, yeah.

I think probably my problem IS how I'm holding my head. Comparing how I hold the Reader to a paper book, I've found that I hold my paper books like this:

and my Reader like this:

I think I'm just not used to holding the Reader up like I hold pbooks (because of the weight?), so I've been holding it in my lap (or putting it on my desk) and craning my neck downwards to read it. I'm going to try holding it up more (arms be damned) and see if that helps with the headaches. If it doesn't, then I'll try something else.

tofubean · 04-28-2010, 12:05 AM

I use cushions when i'm reading on my bed or chair to prop the reader up so it's always in a / position. Same thing when i'm reading at my desk.

04-27-2010, 12:52 AM	#1
birdbrainbb Addict Posts: 287 Karma: 2191035 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Paperwhite 5	Argh! Headaches! Okay, so, I've had my PRS-600 since December but I haven't been hardcore using it until this month. I've read five or so books on it, and unfortunately I've found something out: whenever I spend more than an hour reading it I get a massive headache! Not eye strain or anything like that, just a tension headache. This is seriously annoying. I think it's because of the screen-- the contrast is a problem, you know? Anyway, what I wanted to know is: does anyone else get headaches from their reader? Am I doing something wrong on mine that it's giving me headaches? I've increased the font size (to medium) and flipped the orientation to landscape, which helped. But I'm still getting headaches (and feeling foolish). Also, is there anything I can do to maybe tweak the screen settings besides what I've done so it's easier on my head? Besides get a new reader, because I can't afford that, lol.

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04-27-2010, 07:03 AM	#3
palo Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 28 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Sony T2	I have a 600 and while the contrast is not as good as on some other readers it is fine for my needs. I too, have read for many hours and experienced no ill effects. I feel, as dwanthny has suggested, your headaches may be brought on by your body's position when you read. p

04-27-2010, 08:33 AM	#4
birdbrainbb Addict Posts: 287 Karma: 2191035 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Paperwhite 5	Thanks, guys! I was hoping it wasn't something actually related to the reader, because that'd, uh, really suck. I'll try to keep an eye on my posture and see if that helps.

04-27-2010, 08:55 AM	#5
dieterpops Addict Posts: 262 Karma: 134567 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Always in flux	I used a Kindle 2 and got headaches from reading. With lower contrast, this is a common outcome. When the K2 first came out, many complained of headaches from reading. I would say that your headaches are likely from the lower contrast.

04-27-2010, 11:04 AM	#6
FlatlineTech Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: PRS-600	Or.......you might just need glasses, I used to get headaches from focusing on the same area for a long time, I didn't realise that I needed glasses, or if you have glasses, maybe your prescription needs changing, in any case it could'nt hurt to go see an optician.

04-27-2010, 11:20 AM	#7
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Do you have good light when you read? PRS-600 suffers from poor lighting more than models without touch screen, but in good lighting it's pretty okay.

04-28-2010, 12:05 AM	#9
tofubean Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 64 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: K3, iPad, PW	I use cushions when i'm reading on my bed or chair to prop the reader up so it's always in a / position. Same thing when i'm reading at my desk.

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