Giving up the ghost: Paperwhite alternatives thread

[Iznogood]

Originally Posted by Trauma Doll

What the. Okay, I had no idea this was a thing, and I'm pretty freaking nerdy. The Kandles take CR2032s, though, and a quick google doesn't turn up much except scrounging them from PC mobos.

I'm quite a geek myself, and have myself bought cheap batteries (9V, 12V, 32V), taken them apart and used the button cell batteries in my gadgets. It's a lot cheaper than buying button cells one at a time.

The "name" of tha battery doesn't matter. Voltage and physical dimension is all that matters. The battery you mention is 3V, and I don't think 3V button cells batteries are used to make bigger batteries, so you might be out of luck in this case

[lettuceman44]

Originally Posted by geekmaster

You can turn the light off on the Paperwhite too -- just not with the slider.

Using a launcher of root shell, the commands to read or change the screen brightness (including completely off) are shown here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho....php?p=2252313


The screen brightness values are 0 to 255, but the slider only goes form 1 to 254. I am not sure if that was by design, or a coding error in the firmware.

Hmm, interesting. Anyone got a picture of their paperwhite with the light off?

[Dropout]

Originally Posted by xendula

Pictures - also crazy how great the contrast of the K4B is in comparison!! The bright spot on the K4B is from reflecting back my camera lens.
I bought the red leather case for like 10 bucks on Ebay, and it already came with the right slits in it, but, as you can see, you can also clip the light to the front cover when folded over, though it is not as fixed in that position.
Guys, please don't think my PWs look that great, because they don't. I have a hard time photographing the defects with my camera.

Going by those pics, and my PW as well reading with an attached light on my K2, I'd much rather read on the PW. The contrast, in terms of the difference between the the background and the text, the PW is better, also helps that it's more even. The text looks darker on the K4B but the background is also much darker.

Obviously it's whatever your personal tastes are, good thing there is the option there for people.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by lettuceman44

Hmm, interesting. Anyone got a picture of their paperwhite with the light off?

You really cannot tell the difference between screen brightness 1 (slider minimum) and 0 (off) unless you are in a dark room.

The light is also completely off while displaying a screensaver. You can turn the light ON in screensaver mode, using an SSH shell and the commands at my posted link.

To me, with screen brightness minimum or off, my PW screen looks about the same as my K5 (other than slightly increased screen resolution).

[volwrath]

Originally Posted by Trauma Doll

What the. Okay, I had no idea this was a thing, and I'm pretty freaking nerdy. The Kandles take CR2032s, though, and a quick google doesn't turn up much except scrounging them from PC mobos.

FWIW CR2032s are everywhere and you can get the batteries at walmart, walgreens, radioshack, your neighborhood grocery store etc.

[Trauma Doll]

Originally Posted by volwrath

FWIW CR2032s are everywhere and you can get the batteries at walmart, walgreens, radioshack, your neighborhood grocery store etc.

When I referred to googling, I meant regarding the original topic of 'hacking' (scrounging batteries that have been bundled into other batteries, link upthread), not acquiring them in the normal form. Thank you though. I usually buy the cheap ones in bulk on Amazon or eBay. I fall asleep with the light on frequently so it's better for me to waste cheap batteries with a low lifespan than a $7 pack of name brands.

[aceflor]

Are we still talking lights ? If we are, then check the verso I todl you about, the arc one. It charges over usb and I was very happy with it for my k4, as I was with the m-edge light too.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Although it probably will be a while before the Kindle Paperwhite will be available in Europe I've decided that when Amazon opens their Dutch store (which should be this month) I'm going to get the new Kindle 4. My KK is working great, however I would like a reader that is smaller and since I'm not using the keyboard that much I've decided to get the K4B.

If Amazon gets their act together and has solved all the problems of the PW I might get it when it's available in Europe but I'll probably wait until the generation.

The K4B is a great little reader! You'll love it.

[Trauma Doll]

Originally Posted by aceflor

Are we still talking lights ? If we are, then check the verso I todl you about, the arc one. It charges over usb and I was very happy with it for my k4, as I was with the m-edge light too.

Thanks, checking it out, although the Verso Arc light review score is pretty poor. Gonna read and find out why.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by Trauma Doll

Thanks, checking it out, although the Verso Arc light review score is pretty poor. Gonna read and find out why.

it was if i remember well because of the usb. I never had trouble with it though...

[Trauma Doll]

Originally Posted by aceflor

it was if i remember well because of the usb. I never had trouble with it though...

Lots of recent reviews saying it stopped holding a charge (or never started).

[aceflor]

oh. I never had this... but I got mine a while ago.

[Larla]

After all the good stuff I've heard on the K4B (mostly from you, Blossom), I really wish they would make a K5B or KTB or whatever you would call a second generation Kindle Touch. If I could get the K4B as a touch, I would be happy.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by Trauma Doll

Thanks for responses so far (I'm reading everything that gets posted.) Good to know there is a smaller Mighty Bright (Brite?).

For reference, I've been using the Kandle, although I think mine is an older model than pictured. It's really not too bad, except for batteries. It uses watch-type batteries that you pretty much have two options on:

1) Buy very expensive name-brand ones

2) Buy a whole lot of super cheap import ones that don't last nearly as long

I have a habit of falling asleep while reading, so I went with #2. It's still annoying as you have to haul out a jeweler's screwdriver (they provide one) to swap batteries. Overall it's been 'acceptable', but if I have the refund from my Paperwhite I wouldn't mind trying something more expensive (assuming I keep the Kindle Keyboard rather than go with a different lighted reader). Having the ability to recharge batteries myself would be nice though.



We both currently have the Kandle configuration, so we both grudgingly tolerate occasionally being blinded by the other person. (I've gotten in the habit of sleeping with a pillow over my head as I get older anyway.)

I wonder if by any chance you have IKEA shop near you? Because they sell those batteries and cheap. And they have decent life. To unscrew I use a small knife or even a pointed nail file. And I also have the older model of kandle for my K3 (I clip it on the left, it covers the left back button)

[Trauma Doll]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

I wonder if by any chance you have IKEA shop near you? Because they sell those batteries and cheap. And they have decent life. To unscrew I use a small knife or even a pointed nail file. And I also have the older model of kandle for my K3 (I clip it on the left, it covers the left back button)

Not close, but I'll be going to a concert out of town in a few weeks with an already-scheduled stop at the nearby IKEA the next day. Thanks!