PRS-T1 Looking to buy a T1, but concerned over fingerprints/glare

[dieterpops]

I really want to pull the trigger on a T1 as I like the software functionality, but am concerned over the fingerprint/glare potential from the glossy plastic housing. I'm wondering is the attached picture exacerbates or simply shows the concern? Does anyone have any personal experience from a trade show or Sony store? I'm hoping that this is a non-issue.

[Pegster]

Dieter, I think a number of us are concerned regarding glare - I plan to skin my T1 once I get it. I believe that DecalGirl will be looking at creating skins for the T1 as soon as they get their hands on one.

[dieterpops]

It's unfortunate that you have to spend another $20 because of the design.

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by dieterpops

It's unfortunate that you have to spend another $20 because of the design.

Yup. It makes the device $169 rather than $149.

Yep, Sony never seems to listen to customer concerns. Those shiny readers are a pain to read in brightly lit areas and especially in direct sunlight. The worst ones are those with shiny chrome painted buttons like my 350 and 950 had. Yes you can use skins like those made from DecalGirl. I lot of people here in these forums like them. I tried one a few years ago but I hated it. It felt like that cheap contact paper people use to cover shelves in their pantry. It had a paper-like feel to it. Plus it didn't fit well and it didn't cover the buttons so you still get a glare from them.

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Yep, Sony never seems to listen to customer concerns. Those shiny readers are a pain to read in brightly lit areas and especially in direct sunlight. The worst ones are those with shiny chrome painted buttons like my 350 and 950 had. Yes you can use skins like those made from DecalGirl. I lot of people here in these forums like them. I tried one a few years ago but I hated it. It felt like that cheap contact paper people use to cover shelves in their pantry. It had a paper-like feel to it. Plus it didn't fit well and it didn't cover the buttons so you still get a glare from them.

The buttons are so small and out of the way on the x50 series they never bother me. But the whole unit being glossy will be a pain for some. I dont know what the heck sony was thinking.

[Ripplinger]

That horrid glare from a high gloss finish is the main reason I immediately ruled out a Nook after reading on it for a few minutes when I was deciding on my first ereader. Then I listened to readers here about the silver finish on the Sony being a problem for some when reading out in direct sunlight and put a skin on my 350 before summer and I actually like it. It also helps the heat problem for me, the metal front of the Sony can get quite hot in direct sun, the skin makes it more comfortable for me to hold.

And I agree... I don't know what they were thinking with the high gloss finish, especially considering the smudges and fingerprints you'll never be rid of because of handling your reader to actually read on it. I'm looking to pick up another 350, I won't be buying a T-1.

[Firedb]

Wont a cover be able to hide most of the case anyway? I plan on buying one

[trevgriff]

my t1 arrives tuesday i'll try and get a review out quickly regarding the glare and fingerprint concerns.

[log]

Originally Posted by trevgriff

my t1 arrives tuesday i'll try and get a review out quickly regarding the glare and fingerprint concerns.

Thanks trevgriff.

Please also post on options in the new reader software -- In particular I really would like to know if they give option for tap to turn pages instead of swipe only like the older Sony models.

[carpetmojo]

Couldn't you simply paint the glossy plastic [carefully] with a matt paint or something yourself ?
With a small brush, of course, and masking off the screen ....
[Doesn't excuse the poor design choice, though.]

Although I supose that would void the warranty come to think about it.

[SeaBookGuy]

My metal black 650 get smudgy enough - which I wipe down every so often, just as I clean the screen every so often. No big deal!

[JSWolf]

The photo above is from a trade show where the lights are excessively bright. Brighter then you'd have in your home and where all kinds of people get to touch the T1. So, you don't know the state of their hands. They could be dirty/greasy enough to leave fingerprints. And the light being so bright is no indication how reflective the bezel is. In the video, the light is so bright that when it is shining on the screen you cannt see what is on the screen under the light.

So please, don't take that photo as the way things are. The conditions that T1 is in is not what a T1 would be in your own home.

[Tony1988]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The photo above is from a trade show where the lights are excessively bright. Brighter then you'd have in your home and where all kinds of people get to touch the T1. So, you don't know the state of their hands. They could be dirty/greasy enough to leave fingerprints. And the light being so bright is no indication how reflective the bezel is. In the video, the light is so bright that when it is shining on the screen you cannt see what is on the screen under the light.

So please, don't take that photo as the way things are. The conditions that T1 is in is not what a T1 would be in your own home.

While that may be true to an extent. The 650 bezel has a shine to it but not a bright glare like the t1. The 650 does is the trade show video does not show smudges nearly as bad.

Heres the 650 at a trade show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35yB4qRLcXQ

and the t1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmCmK3ADCw

both of them are charbox's videos. As you can see the T1 has way more glare than the 650. Of course its all personal preference. Some people wont mind some will.

[JenPen1]

Has anyone heard how much the T1 will be in Canada - whenever it gets here?

Jen