Eye Strain on the Kindle

markbot · 12-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Is it just me....or does reading on the Kindle induce more eye strain than reading a paper book. I'm not sure yet....since I just started. I'll know more in a few days.

I think it might have something to do with the greyish background.

Alisa · 12-06-2007, 02:33 PM

I haven't had any eyestrain yet. I do need good lighting, though. I like to have bright light but not to have it glaring on the screen.

wallcraft · 12-06-2007, 02:42 PM

Try a larger font (although I wish the line spacing was tunable, particularly with the larger fonts).

Or get a full-spectrum reading light, it is amazing how much difference this can make.

AnemicOak · 12-06-2007, 03:29 PM

I don't have a Kindle, but I've noticed no eye strain problems with the Sony (same difference as far as the screen goes). I find I read in the same settings as with a pbook & it feels about the same. I generally have decent lighting, but read in bed with just a small bedside lamp & find it just fine too.

NatCh · 12-06-2007, 03:42 PM

I've never had any eye-strain with my PRS500, and it's an older gen screen.

HarryT · 12-06-2007, 03:55 PM

I found that with my PRS500, I generally needed to use a reading light. With the CyBook Gen3, however, which has the same screen as the Kindle, I can comfortably read in the ambient room lighting, as I would a paperback book.

Alisa · 12-06-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I found that with my PRS500, I generally needed to use a reading light. With the CyBook Gen3, however, which has the same screen as the Kindle, I can comfortably read in the ambient room lighting, as I would a paperback book.

Yep. I can read with just the lighting around me which is great, but I find if I'm going to read for hours and hours, whether on the Kindle or a pbook, I like a nice reading lamp, and maybe a cat or two.

TallMomof2 · 12-06-2007, 05:28 PM

In good light I find the Kindle to be as easy on the eyes as most paperback books.

Zoot · 12-06-2007, 09:23 PM

Yeah, nudge the font size up one notch and see if that helps. The only way I can get any sort of eye strain reading on the Kindle is if I make the font smaller. This seems even more important than the amount of available light.

Z.

markbot · 12-06-2007, 10:30 PM

I think I'm ok on the size 2 font.

The minor issue i have is that because the device is smaller...and the page narrower...i find that my eyes have to exercise back and forth much more. i think might cause a type of eye strain.personally, i think it is better if screen were landscape....and the keyboard slid out.

the next version of the kindle should definite have a slide out keyboard.

NatCh · 12-06-2007, 11:57 PM

The Kindle won't flip the display to landscape then? I never thought to wonder before you mentioned it.

Astropin · 12-07-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I've never had any eye-strain with my PRS500, and it's an older gen screen.

My understanding is that that the 500 & Kindle have the same screen....the 505's is more advanced.

wallcraft · 12-07-2007, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astropin

My understanding is that that the 500 & Kindle have the same screen....the 505's is more advanced.

The Kindle and 505 both have the latest Vizplex screen, but the Kindle still uses the old 4 gray scale controller (as on the 500) vs the newer 8 gray scale controller on the 505.

HarryT · 12-07-2007, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astropin

My understanding is that that the 500 & Kindle have the same screen....the 505's is more advanced.

No. The Kindle, Sony 505, and CyBook Gen3 all use the same identical VizPlex screen. The Sony 505 has a different controller to that used by the Kindle and Gen3, which allows it to display 8 grey scales rather than the 4 of the Kindle/Gen3.

markbot · 12-08-2007, 01:10 AM

I have finished my first book on the Kindle and am happy to report comfortable reading.

12-06-2007, 02:28 PM	#1
markbot Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 7511929 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2	Eye Strain on the Kindle Is it just me....or does reading on the Kindle induce more eye strain than reading a paper book. I'm not sure yet....since I just started. I'll know more in a few days. I think it might have something to do with the greyish background.

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12-06-2007, 02:33 PM	#2
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I haven't had any eyestrain yet. I do need good lighting, though. I like to have bright light but not to have it glaring on the screen.

12-06-2007, 02:42 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Try a larger font (although I wish the line spacing was tunable, particularly with the larger fonts). Or get a full-spectrum reading light, it is amazing how much difference this can make.

12-06-2007, 03:29 PM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I don't have a Kindle, but I've noticed no eye strain problems with the Sony (same difference as far as the screen goes). I find I read in the same settings as with a pbook & it feels about the same. I generally have decent lighting, but read in bed with just a small bedside lamp & find it just fine too.

12-06-2007, 03:42 PM	#5
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I've never had any eye-strain with my PRS500, and it's an older gen screen.

12-06-2007, 03:55 PM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I found that with my PRS500, I generally needed to use a reading light. With the CyBook Gen3, however, which has the same screen as the Kindle, I can comfortably read in the ambient room lighting, as I would a paperback book.

12-06-2007, 05:28 PM	#8
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	In good light I find the Kindle to be as easy on the eyes as most paperback books.

12-06-2007, 09:23 PM	#9
Zoot Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 34 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Amazon Kindle	Yeah, nudge the font size up one notch and see if that helps. The only way I can get any sort of eye strain reading on the Kindle is if I make the font smaller. This seems even more important than the amount of available light. Z.

12-06-2007, 10:30 PM	#10
markbot Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 7511929 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2	I think I'm ok on the size 2 font. The minor issue i have is that because the device is smaller...and the page narrower...i find that my eyes have to exercise back and forth much more. i think might cause a type of eye strain.personally, i think it is better if screen were landscape....and the keyboard slid out. the next version of the kindle should definite have a slide out keyboard.

12-06-2007, 11:57 PM	#11
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	The Kindle won't flip the display to landscape then? I never thought to wonder before you mentioned it.

12-08-2007, 01:10 AM	#15
markbot Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 7511929 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2	I have finished my first book on the Kindle and am happy to report comfortable reading.