Kindle Voyage - First Impressions - Page 34

mgmueller · 10-25-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

...if and when Amazon opens their Dutch store I might be tempted to get the PW2.

Why don't you order from Germany?

sparklemotion · 10-25-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

While mine is a bad one and yours is a bad one and it looks like most Voyages or less than good, nevertheless there are a few people on here that received good ones and I know them and trust their opinions. I know we are frustrated, especially those of us who went through this two years ago with the PW1, but there is no need to anger the lucky few by making statements that they interpret as basically calling them liars. They are not lying, they truly got good units, and I'm glad they did. It gives me a glimmer of hope that in the future I might also get a very good one too.

I agree and I'm happy for them too. They are lucky duckies! It does appear that an awful lot suffer from it though, which is the shame of it. There's also been a few people on here who received two toned screens initially and then received good ones on exchange. So they have seen both - the two toned screens and the Willy Wonka golden tickets!

Where's Veruca Salt's Dad when you need him? Daddy! I want an even screened voyage and I want it now!

judith009 · 10-25-2014, 10:49 AM

I don't understand why Amazon is sending out replacement units that are likewise defective. What's the purpose of that? Are they hoping to get lucky that some of the replacement units might not have the defect? Don't they understand that their customers will get upset to receive 2 bad units in a row?

jswinden · 10-25-2014, 11:01 AM

Well after another day and night of reading on my Voyage I decided to keep it although it is far from perfect and certainly overpriced because of the issues. Here is what I'm experiencing with mine. As they say, your mileage may (and probably will) vary.

There two main locations where I read on my Voyage. One is well lit and one is dimly lit. The well lit location is very problematic and I have issues with tinting and a huge screen smudge. The dimly lit location is pretty good. If only the Voyage could duplicate that condition in all other lighting situations, it would be terrific. However, for my eyes it seems that the Voyage starts to get wonky in areas with a lot of ambient or direct light sources. I assume this is due to the poorly designed light layer and probably not so much to do with its LED lights. Why do I think that? Because ambient and external light sources seem to be causing greater tinting issues, and those issues increase with the increase in ambient and external light.

Note that I did not test the Voyage in a totally dark room. Why? Because I cannot read like that. I've tried that over the years with several devices including older eInk readers with clip-on lights, PDAs, smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., and even the PW1 and PW2. My eyes hate that scenario!

My Study: Well Lit
The most used is in my well lit study during the daytime with daylight entering the windows through closed, white mini-blinds, a small desktop lamp on my desk with a 20 watt incandescent light bulb, and a recessed ceiling light with a 40 watt (I think) fluorescent type spot light. There is also a 23" computer monitor that is typically turned on and producing light. So this is a well lit area with a mixture of light sources and light types.

In my study the results are marginal to okay, but just. After I get the light level set to optimum, usually somewhere between 10-14, I have a definite blue tint all over my screen. The blue does fade a bit toward the top and yellow or cream begins to be noticeable there, but it is still blue. I also notice a light, dirty or shadowy blob on the upper 1/3 of the screen. This is certainly less than ideal for reading, but at least it is usable without too much eyestrain. If I turn the light level to 15 the tints become more tolerable, but the light is rather bright. However I'm learning to use 15 and adjusting to the brighter than desired light. I could turn the light level up to 20 and that gets rid of most of the tinting and helps with the smudge too, but that is way too bright to read, and at that level pinks start to become rather noticeable. So it looks like the best compromise is level 15.

My Living Room: Dimly Lit
The second most used location for reading is my dimly lit living room at night time. I typically sit in the recliner next to a lamp table with a lamp that has a 40 watt fluorescent bulb in it and a brown lampshade. Other than the TV being on across the room, there is no other light source.

In my living room I get the best results from the Voyage. It takes a bit of time to find the correct angle to hold the Voyage and the perfect light setting (usually 13), but once I do the screen is fairly good, mostly white, very little smudging at top or discoloration noticeable. However, any shadows cast onto the screen by my clothing or person will have pink and occasionally blue tints. Over all this is a pleasant experience with little if any eyestrain.

Outside during the Daytime: Occasionally I read outside during the daytime, but I haven't had time to thoroughly test this out.

soondai · 10-25-2014, 11:22 AM

I don't think I could use a reader that I had to hold at a special angle. 200 bucks is way past the threshold where I'd say "it's less than ideal, but I guess I can make it work."

Rumpelteazer · 10-25-2014, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Why don't you order from Germany?

I can't. If your own country doesn't have an Amazon store you are forced to order a Kindle from the US store. Which adds $75 in shipping and tax to the order.

pghaworth · 10-25-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I mean it is just a phone, right? It is very nice to read on in the Kindle app and Chrome works for access to MR. Plus it can make phone calls, unfortunately sometimes when it rings I have to answer it.

LOL I have that problem, too. The Note 3 was one of those life-changing devices for me. Except for the Evo 3G, it was the only phone I've had great clarity with. Exceptional. My son mentioned it immediately. "I can actually hear you." The screen size is perfect for me, while he doesn't like carrying a "brick".

Managed to work a bit with my KV, reading in bed, etc., and I'm finding some workarounds and getting more used to it. I'll still be settling, if I keep it, but I really need the better clarity, etc. My color graduation, while bothersome and I definitely notice it, is not as severe as the replacement I received. I don't understand how these went out the door.

I put my KV, PW1, and PW2 2014 side by side in the dark when I went to bed. Due to the coloring difference at the top, when first looking at it separately, I thought it was the PW2 until I looked at the PW2 which I had placed at the end of the line. PW1 was the easiest to read after the KV, and the PW2 was really yellow. It's already back in the box for return despite having a very even screen.

The color and tone that's easiest for me is the more white and I'm finished experimenting with PW2s, I think. Still sort of on the fence. I may go to BB with my current KV and PW1 in hand to see if I can get a more white PW2 or a better KV.

Chi Cygni · 10-25-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I can't. If your own country doesn't have an Amazon store you are forced to order a Kindle from the US store. Which adds $75 in shipping and tax to the order.

Yes we can

Have a look at this, apparently not expensive.
http://www.mailboxde.com/

ETA: http://www.mailboxde.com/netherlands.html

pghaworth · 10-25-2014, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Yeah, I agree. I looked at a PaperWhite 2.5? (on display at Best Buy, while I was looking for a Voyage on display) and it looked really good. I don't remember being that impressed with them in the past.

I was very pleased with the evenness of the screen and lighting. If it wasn't for the yellow tone I'd keep mine.

pghaworth · 10-25-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shalym

Thank you. I got a Voyage yesterday at Best Buy, and I have to say that mine is perfectly fine.

Great! Enjoy! The clarity over the PW1 is a thing of joy. Still adjusting to some of the rest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by negris123

I went to Best Buy yesterday and purchased a second voyage. The first one was a pre-order from Amazon that I received on launch day. I returned it for a refund due to the two-tone screen. The one from Best Buy suffers from the same problem although not as bad.

Sorry to hear. This makes me less hopeful for a good one from BB.

GoSharks · 10-25-2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Where's Veruca Salt's Dad when you need him? Daddy! I want an even screened voyage and I want it now!

You might have better luck getting a squirrel!....Did someone say SQUIRREL?!

jswinden · 10-25-2014, 12:48 PM

I said I wasn't going to play the replacement game this time around, but I reconsidered and decided to try ONE and one only replacement. After all I am bending over backwards to make a so-so but pricy Voyage work for me.

I called Kindle CS and I will have a replacement here on Monday Oct 27. Now I will keep either the first one or the replacement, but at least I've got a chance of a better unit coming. Interestingly enough I did not have to request an earlier delivery for the replacement. I thought I would have to argue about that with them, based on what some have encountered, but they offered to get the replacement to me on Monday so I said, "That will work." At any rate there was no talk about short supplies or long waits, they just simply said we will take care of that immediately.

The CS guy said they have been examining some of the Voyages in the office and were seeing the tinting on some of them. So at least its a known issue which CS can see first hand.

sparklemotion · 10-25-2014, 01:02 PM

Best of luck with your replacement, Jack! Fingers crossed for you, I hope you get a perfect one. It's good to know that CS is aware of the issue too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoSharks

You might have better luck getting a squirrel!....Did someone say SQUIRREL?!

pghaworth · 10-25-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoSharks

You might have better luck getting a squirrel!....Did someone say SQUIRREL?!

My dog would go nuts. Got him a toy last xmas with little squirrels so now he knows their name and goes crazy when I say "let's play with the squirrels". So cute!

pghaworth · 10-25-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

I called Kindle CS and I will have a replacement here on Monday Oct 27. The CS guy said they have been examining some of the Voyages in the office and were seeing the tinting on some of them. So at least its a known issue which CS can see first hand.

This is excellent news! Good luck with number two (that doesn't sound right

). I'll be interested in hearing your outcome.

I can really see the graduation on my V#1 when I lay it horizontal. It's almost shocking (first time I had turned it landscape). I was leaning towards keeping it, but now I think it really needs to go back. At least the FR helped with some of the other issues.

Just one working device with good screen color. That's all I ask, Amazon. Hope that's not too much to ask for.

10-25-2014, 11:01 AM	#499
jswinden Nameless Being	Well after another day and night of reading on my Voyage I decided to keep it although it is far from perfect and certainly overpriced because of the issues. Here is what I'm experiencing with mine. As they say, your mileage may (and probably will) vary. There two main locations where I read on my Voyage. One is well lit and one is dimly lit. The well lit location is very problematic and I have issues with tinting and a huge screen smudge. The dimly lit location is pretty good. If only the Voyage could duplicate that condition in all other lighting situations, it would be terrific. However, for my eyes it seems that the Voyage starts to get wonky in areas with a lot of ambient or direct light sources. I assume this is due to the poorly designed light layer and probably not so much to do with its LED lights. Why do I think that? Because ambient and external light sources seem to be causing greater tinting issues, and those issues increase with the increase in ambient and external light. Note that I did not test the Voyage in a totally dark room. Why? Because I cannot read like that. I've tried that over the years with several devices including older eInk readers with clip-on lights, PDAs, smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., and even the PW1 and PW2. My eyes hate that scenario! My Study: Well Lit The most used is in my well lit study during the daytime with daylight entering the windows through closed, white mini-blinds, a small desktop lamp on my desk with a 20 watt incandescent light bulb, and a recessed ceiling light with a 40 watt (I think) fluorescent type spot light. There is also a 23" computer monitor that is typically turned on and producing light. So this is a well lit area with a mixture of light sources and light types. In my study the results are marginal to okay, but just. After I get the light level set to optimum, usually somewhere between 10-14, I have a definite blue tint all over my screen. The blue does fade a bit toward the top and yellow or cream begins to be noticeable there, but it is still blue. I also notice a light, dirty or shadowy blob on the upper 1/3 of the screen. This is certainly less than ideal for reading, but at least it is usable without too much eyestrain. If I turn the light level to 15 the tints become more tolerable, but the light is rather bright. However I'm learning to use 15 and adjusting to the brighter than desired light. I could turn the light level up to 20 and that gets rid of most of the tinting and helps with the smudge too, but that is way too bright to read, and at that level pinks start to become rather noticeable. So it looks like the best compromise is level 15. My Living Room: Dimly Lit The second most used location for reading is my dimly lit living room at night time. I typically sit in the recliner next to a lamp table with a lamp that has a 40 watt fluorescent bulb in it and a brown lampshade. Other than the TV being on across the room, there is no other light source. In my living room I get the best results from the Voyage. It takes a bit of time to find the correct angle to hold the Voyage and the perfect light setting (usually 13), but once I do the screen is fairly good, mostly white, very little smudging at top or discoloration noticeable. However, any shadows cast onto the screen by my clothing or person will have pink and occasionally blue tints. Over all this is a pleasant experience with little if any eyestrain. Outside during the Daytime: Occasionally I read outside during the daytime, but I haven't had time to thoroughly test this out. Last edited by jswinden; 10-25-2014 at 11:08 AM.

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10-25-2014, 10:49 AM	#498
judith009 Groupie Posts: 151 Karma: 2000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Voyage	I don't understand why Amazon is sending out replacement units that are likewise defective. What's the purpose of that? Are they hoping to get lucky that some of the replacement units might not have the defect? Don't they understand that their customers will get upset to receive 2 bad units in a row?

10-25-2014, 11:22 AM	#500
soondai Guru Posts: 672 Karma: 1109784 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Paperwhite	I don't think I could use a reader that I had to hold at a special angle. 200 bucks is way past the threshold where I'd say "it's less than ideal, but I guess I can make it work."

10-25-2014, 12:48 PM	#507
jswinden Nameless Being	I said I wasn't going to play the replacement game this time around, but I reconsidered and decided to try ONE and one only replacement. After all I am bending over backwards to make a so-so but pricy Voyage work for me. I called Kindle CS and I will have a replacement here on Monday Oct 27. Now I will keep either the first one or the replacement, but at least I've got a chance of a better unit coming. Interestingly enough I did not have to request an earlier delivery for the replacement. I thought I would have to argue about that with them, based on what some have encountered, but they offered to get the replacement to me on Monday so I said, "That will work." At any rate there was no talk about short supplies or long waits, they just simply said we will take care of that immediately. The CS guy said they have been examining some of the Voyages in the office and were seeing the tinting on some of them. So at least its a known issue which CS can see first hand.