Best e-reader for contrast and readability?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rowe

With fairly large type, my pocket reader is set to 45 characters per line. While that's at the beginning of the scientifically supported optimum range for readability, the superior ergonomics of the smaller device make it a much more pleasant experience for me than larger tablets, which are often setup with overly long line lengths that research suggests are fatiguing.

With a fairly large type, I'd rather not use a phone sized screen. It's not all that comfortable.

I use a 7" Kobo Libra 2 and it is not fatiguing in the least. I also sometimes use a 12.9" iPad Pro and I have no problem with long lines as the text is broken into two columns.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by rowe

With fairly large type, my pocket reader is set to 45 characters per line. While that's at the beginning of the scientifically supported optimum range for readability, the superior ergonomics of the smaller device make it a much more pleasant experience for me than larger tablets, which are often setup with overly long line lengths that research suggests are fatiguing.

What research? Why do you think the common sizes for novels are Mass Market/Pocket book to Trade and printed in one column? The only two column books I have are bibles and the newer single column ones are more readable.

Magazines and newspapers are multi-column for technical reasons and much larger than paperback novels.

A modern smart phone sized device isn't more ergonomic than a Kindle, Kobo, Pocketbook or Onyx Boox in 6" to 8" size at about 3:4 aspect. It just fits smaller pockets. Even the Sony PRS-350 5" ereader is preferable to a 6.3" phone shape for page layout/line length.

Certainly too big a screen needs to be in landscape 2 page up, or with big margins. Like 9.7″ to 15″ screens.

[rowe]

The established ideal for comfortable and efficient reading is a line length of 45 to 75 characters. Most studies show performance peaks within this range. Under WCAG it's a legal requirement for website line lengths to be under 80CPL because of this.

This rule is applied in the majority of good professional print. Well-designed novels and the columns in magazines are formatted to stay within this range, as a single line across a wide page is fatiguing for the eye to track.

https://practicaltypography.com/line-length.html
https://stu.westga.edu/~ssynan1/literacy/Dyson.pdf

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by rowe

With fairly large type, my pocket reader is set to 45 characters per line. While that's at the beginning of the scientifically supported optimum range for readability, the superior ergonomics of the smaller device make it a much more pleasant experience for me than larger tablets, which are often setup with overly long line lengths that research suggests are fatiguing.

Depends on which research you happen to be reading and what you consider to be research. What many of the studies I've looked at seem to show is that line lengths are less important than screen/line width. Most of the links brought up on a web search are not even close to the rigour needed for a paper to be published.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by cld01k

Thank you for your feedback, everyone. I'll have a closer look at the Boox Go 6. I'm not a fan of smaller (i.e., smartphone-like) screens but care about portability. A 6'' device is ideal for me. Worst case scenario, I'll stick to my Voyage for another decade (if it holds up).

Just be aware that it has really low RAM, which will make it slow. I had the Leaf 2, which suffered from the same problem.

I have heard that the screen on the Go 6 is good, though.

I have the white Go 7, which uses some sort of plastic screen. It's really sharp and pleasant to read on, and it's extremely performant. Scrolling text on it is about as good as on the Hibreak Pro, if not better.

The screens on Onyx Boox Palma, Hibreak Pro, Go 7, Go 10.3 and Note Max are really good. Note Max has ghosting issues, though. And from what I've seen the Go 6 screen is at least as good as the Go 7 screen. I would get one if not for the low RAM.

[Renate]

I have always been a fan of 6" readers.
It's a convenient size, pick it up, put it down, pack it in your purse.
I use a cut-down cover that only includes the front flap.
I don't feel the attraction of 7"+ inches.
OTOH, I only read PDFs on a 29" monitor.

The Go6 has Carta 1300 which has incrementally better contrast than the previous Poke5 with Carta 1200.
You might not appreciate the minor difference immediately, but it will grow on you.

The Kobo Clara BW (or HD?) is another 6" with Carta 1300.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by Renate

I have always been a fan of 6" readers.
It's a convenient size, pick it up, put it down, pack it in your purse.
I use a cut-down cover that only includes the front flap.
I don't feel the attraction of 7"+ inches.
OTOH, I only read PDFs on a 29" monitor.

The Go6 has Carta 1300 which has incrementally better contrast than the previous Poke5 with Carta 1200.
You might not appreciate the minor difference immediately, but it will grow on you.

The Kobo Clara BW (or HD?) is another 6" with Carta 1300.

Is just wish that they'd have page turn buttons on the sides like old Kindles used to. And more RAM in the case of Boox. I'd love a premium 6" device in metal with page turn buttons!

[Renate]

I know that I'm an outlier but I've never seen the sense of buttons on devices.
You usually need two hands to hold the device and push a button or else it's kind of awkward with one hand.
If you have to use two hands anyway, why not free up the position of one of them?
I've used wired and wireless clickers since forever.
The cheap ones are $1.