Clara HD Waterproof eReaders

[Derf]

Out of curiosity, I live on Long Island in NY and have been taking my Clara to the beach to read a few times and it’s fine, including today, although it’s not waterproof. It doesn’t get wet while I’m on the sandy beach, maybe if I was reading while wading around in the ocean it’d be a different story.

I shower, so I don’t read in a bath, but I take the Clara to the pool and can read it just fine there too. I don’t take it into the pool, but read it while lying on a lounger beside the pool.

I don’t see anyone else wishing they could use their phones while playing in the surf, or swimming in a pool, although they love to use them at almost every other time (commuting to school/work, while eating, while working, while working out, while walking across town, in bed at night, etc). If more phones were waterproof, would people be using them in pools and in the ocean? Are those of us without waterproof eReaders really missing out? Would we be able to really use our devices in locations we couldn’t if they were waterproof? Would we really want to use them there?

What I’m asking is, how much is waterproofing really important, or is it really a selling point?

Say you’re by the ocean- are you worried about waves splashing up on it while you’re wading around waist deep? Or if you’re by the pool, are you worried someone does a cannonball off the diving board and splashes you while you float around on a donut?
I could imagine in a bath you’d be touching the screen a lot with wet fingers, but I would think that if you’re using a kobo in an environment that the screen is getting wet a lot or with heavy splashes that the screen would be less/unresponsive, so it wouldn’t be an ideal reading location anyway.

[anacreon]

The waterproofing method means sandproofing too. I don't know whether readers are sensitive to sand, but I do remember I had to change my camera after taking pictures in a strong wind: I had a black spot on all my photos, and it would have been more expensive to repair than to change.

[kakinc]

Nothing is sand proof. Sand can scratch even temper glass. (eg: Your phone screen)
Plus sea water can still corrode you connector.

[Ansl]

Mostly a selling point though I do like the extra bit of security at meal times or when out and about. The fine print on most waterproof ereaders does caution against salty, chlorinated or soapy water as well as oils, so they should be rinsed and dried anyway if they do take a swim in the sea or get dropped in a bath. Proper dust proofing would probably be more useful for beach reading (if you have to choose).

[patrik]

The absolut best place to read is in the tub.

Sometimes you drop things...

Waterproof is a good thing.

[mobama]

If you absolutely insist on reading when showering on swimming, you need a screen protector (a transparent film) too.

Waterproofing makes reading in a bathtub possible, but better don't if you have a tendency to fall asleep when reading.

It would be totally fantastic if someone invented a shockproof ereader.

[Mrs_Often]

I always interpreted the waterproofing to be handy for:
- cleaning the device, like rinsing all the sand off when you've been to the beach
- no damage after accidental drop in the bath (I wouldn't use wet fingers for page turning, just like I wouldn't on a paper book)

...but I hate sand and thus never go to the beach, and the bath is muuuuch too hot or just too wet when it's a cool bath, so nope, I don't need the waterproofing either.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by anacreon

The waterproofing method means sandproofing too. I don't know whether readers are sensitive to sand, but I do remember I had to change my camera after taking pictures in a strong wind: I had a black spot on all my photos, and it would have been more expensive to repair than to change.

I was going to say this as well. My sister goes on vacations out west and it is very sandy. She has to keep most electronics and cameras in Ziplocs because the cost to get them cleaned out is a lot. She's very happy with her waterproofed Kobo. 3 weeks out west last years, rinse and no sand. She also likes to read while soaking in the bathtub.

[Wearever]

I would also add reading while using a pool float. I've used the Oasis because it was waterproof on pool floats. Mostly my hands got wet, but if I dropped it in the pool at least it's waterproof. I wouldn't bring a non waterproof device into a pool. Kayaking I can take a non waterproof device in a dry-bag that keeps all my stuff dry. Then read it while on shore.

[koboy]

obviously what is useless for some will be useful for others. same as the landscape mode swings and roundabouts.

best wishes koboy

[Barbara1955]

Most Newer phones ARE Water Proof. Everyone that goes to the local Welness center & uses their phone to Exercise to music has the New Water proof phones. My is not water proof nor is my sons so we wrap them in plastic bags while in the pool... since they are Still exposed to the Moisture of both pool area & Showers.

[GeoffR]

Waterproofing is something I probably would have counted as a plus before I bought my ereader, but now after years using a non-waterproof Glo without problems I know I don't need it.

(Edit: I have a waterproof tent, waterproof pack-liner, waterproof raincoat, waterproof boots. Nothng else I have really needs to be waterproof.)

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

Waterproofing is something I probably would have counted as a plus before I bought my ereader, but now after years using a non-waterproof Glo without problems I know I don't need it.

Does the waterproofing process on the Kobos make it (near) impossible to open the case and do things like change batteries or re-image the SD card? I think I read that the Kindle Oasis is nearly impossible to open because of its waterproofing process.

[robko]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Does the waterproofing process on the Kobos make it (near) impossible to open the case and do things like change batteries or re-image the SD card? I think I read that the Kindle Oasis is nearly impossible to open because of its waterproofing process.

On the newer ones Kobo uses a "coating" to protect the internal parts, rather than sealing the device to keep water out, so the waterproofing itself shouldn't prevent opening. I don't think (could be wrong) that the waterproof Kobo's have a SD card for this reason. Also not sure that you'd be able to rewaterproof the connections if you replaced the battery (important since it's not designed to keep the water out, it specifically protects the parts inside even when they get water on them).

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Does the waterproofing process on the Kobos make it (near) impossible to open the case and do things like change batteries or re-image the SD card? I think I read that the Kindle Oasis is nearly impossible to open because of its waterproofing process.

Of the waterproofed devices, only the original Aura H2O has an internal SD card. It is waterproofed by sealing the case. If you open the case to do anything, then you break the seal and it is no longer waterproof.

The other waterproof devices are done using a coating on everything. The connectors, like the battery, seem to be sealed in a blob of silicon or something. It is probably possible to pull that off and reseal it. I don't know if that would compromise the coating around it.