iPad iPad Air 2 low reflection screen - near that of eink?

[pmcnz]

Hi,
the promotion information for the iPad Air 2 says that it has a screen with very low reflection.
I'd like to get actual feedback from someone who has bought an iPad Air2 and then compared its screen to that of an eink reader under the following conditions:
A. inside a well-lit house on a sunny day
B. outside on an overcast day
The reason is that I am thinking of buying one as a PDF reader for on my daily train commuting in Auckland, where the train route runs by the sea where there is lots of bright light.

Any reply with factual information would be appreciated.
Paul

[afv011]

The Verge, who are notoriously pro-apple, didn't see any noticeable improvements on their review:

Review

The comments are at the 0:52 mark, "you still can't use it outside in bright daylight".

[markom]

Originally Posted by pmcnz

Hi,
...
Any reply with factual information would be appreciated.
Paul

I don't think they can get close enough to a good ultra anti-glare matte screen protector in this regard.

Using sunshade cap also helps a lot in reducing a sun rays reflection off the face, body and surroundings, visible on the screen.

I use any ordinary dark sunshade cap but I always attach a greatly extended visor thereon, e.g. made of black cardboard about A4 size or bigger.

I can usually read in the sun on my iPad 1 and 4 using just ultra anti-glare matte screen protector and sunshade cap(with homemade extended visor) + sunglasses if necessary.

Unlike with e-ink, it takes some tilting to find and maintain that sweet angle of tablet without reflected face and surroundings visible thereon (I do it quickly on black screen before I turn tablet on).

You can also try using some sunshade hood, simultaneously with screen protector and sunshade cap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tiv1ycuNBrg

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...27&postcount=8

[WillAdams]

If you want to use an LCD in direct sunlight, you need a transflective (or similar) display.

It kills me that I can't find a replacement for my Fujitsu Stylistic ST-4121 w/ such a display.

[pmcnz]

Hi,
my thanks to all for the feedback and information, and I decided to park investing in an iPad Air2. My ideal reader would be a touch-screen version of the Kindle DX, but that is going to remain a dream.
Paul

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by pmcnz

Hi,
my thanks to all for the feedback and information, and I decided to park investing in an iPad Air2. My ideal reader would be a touch-screen version of the Kindle DX, but that is going to remain a dream.
Paul

You might like the PocketBook Pro 903 - Almost exactly what you describe.

Dale

[leebase]

I read outside with my iPad all the time. Reflection is an issue, but not an insurmountable one. Of course, reading outside is where any of the eInk choices really shine. I read outside in the shade...not full sunlight.

Inside, of course, reflection can still be an issue. A slight adjustment in reading position has always been able to cure it for me when I'm in those environments with overhead lighting.

Balance that against the many positives for tablets used for reading. Very quick. Color. Handling PDF's very well. Not locked into a single book source (well, not having to go through hoops to side load books from other stores).

Then there are all the "not reading" uses for tablets. Surfing the web, email, watching videos, listening to music, games and much more.

Eink devices have gotten so cheap that you can just get both a tablet and an eInk reader. I keep thinking that, but then I never buy the eInk reader because I can read just fine on my phone and my iPad.

[Andy_T]

Paul, I think it depends on how strong the sun is where you live (Auckland NZ).

In Germany, I was using my iPad or Kindle Fire a large part of the year, now that I live in Malaysia, I would not think of using those for reading during the day...

Best regards,
Andy

[peterkobovox]

hi pmcnz, I don't know how old you are, but for someone older (40s) e-ink is definitely a plus, I can not read on my ipad for longer than 20-30 minutes, it really hurt my eyes

[leebase]

Originally Posted by peterkobovox

hi pmcnz, I don't know how old you are, but for someone older (40s) e-ink is definitely a plus, I can not read on my ipad for longer than 20-30 minutes, it really hurt my eyes

I turn 50 in a couple months and read for hours on end on my iPad. YMMV, but the notion that the general populace has a problem reading on tablets has long been debunked

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by leebase

I turn 50 in a couple months and read for hours on end on my iPad. YMMV, but the notion that the general populace has a problem reading on tablets has long been debunked

I own an iPad Air and three Kindles. The only reason I'm still using my iPad is because it's the only device that can handle PDFs fast and properly.

I'm a professional SQL DBA and most of my books are IT related books. Those books use lot of TSQL code and images and 6 inches screen are just not big enough. They are getting better though, because Amazon formatting is reflowing fonts and images in a better way, but nothing can beat a tablet when you are reading a full color PDF. Not at this moment.

Now, try to read for more than one hour on an iPad vs doing the same in an Eink reader. Your eyes will notice the difference. This is because the way eink works. Some people won't notice it too much (maybe you) others will notice it more. But it's a fact.

The point is, the issue is very real. But most people won't have to worry about it. Or they have never used an eink device so they can't really tell.

The main two reasons why eink is still better than LCD:

-No aperture ratio loss
-No parallax

Those two basically make black look more black and white look more white, regardless of the distance at here your holding the device.

An interesting fact. While coming back from Seattle, two weeks ago, I met an en eye doctor in the plane and he basically was telling me that he participated in recent studies that show how people over certain age are getting worse and worse in terms of reading due the prolonged and more use of LCD devices, like tablets. True? Don't know. But it was an interesting comment coming from a person that treat people with eye problems every day.

[leebase]

@jocampo - I don't dispute your preference for eInk. But that's all it is, a preference. I read for hours on end with less discomfort than reading a paper book. I'm sure an eInk device would be better than a book as well (I read think books, and the ability to hold a nice light, flat tablet (or even phone) is far preferable IMHO).

EInk devices now have lighting options which is also great. Before that, my penchant for reading in low light made a tablet MUCH preferable.

I love the instant responsiveness of a table or smartphone. The wide choice of reading apps and ebook stores to choose from. And I like color, even when reading novels (I typically read with a light beige on dark brown scheme).

Doesn't mean what I like is what everybody else will. And vice versa

[slayda]

Originally Posted by peterkobovox

hi pmcnz, I don't know how old you are, but for someone older (40s) e-ink is definitely a plus, I can not read on my ipad for longer than 20-30 minutes, it really hurt my eyes

I'm 72, have (and had) several eink readers (only have two now -EZ Reader & Kindle1). I read a lot & mostly on my iPad Air 2 but some on my iPhone 6+ (which I sometimes call an iPad Mini Mini). I much prefer the iPad except the 'very rare' times that I read in bright sunlight.

I don't notice any significant difference in the glare between my iPad 2, iPad 4 & iPad Air 2. The main improvements, IMO, on the iPad Air 2 are the cheaper price in the higher GB units, and the CPU speed. I do notice that the older iPads are heavier when I pick them up but usually don't notice the iPad Air 2 being lighter. Also having the 802.11AC was a very nice plus for me with my home WiFi.

Having Calibre & Marvin, the iPad is a much better choice for me.

[pmcnz]

Hi.
thanks for the extra feedback.
To answer a question, I'm in my early 60s and still working in IT so I regularly read technical books on my train commute to and from work. The illustrations and tables in these mean a 6inch ereader is a struggle to read.

Non-Apple piece of information: My end solution wound up being to order an International version of the Kindle DX from Amazon which (hopefully) will be delivered in "2 to 5 months", and I can then install PDF reader software on it.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by pmcnz

Hi.

thanks for the extra feedback.

To answer a question, I'm in my early 60s and still working in IT so I regularly read technical books on my train commute to and from work. The illustrations and tables in these mean a 6inch ereader is a struggle to read.



Non-Apple piece of information: My end solution wound up being to order an International version of the Kindle DX from Amazon which (hopefully) will be delivered in "2 to 5 months", and I can then install PDF reader software on it.

That's painfully slow for PDFs. Not to mention that isn't getting firmware upgrades.

I had one few years ago just after came out. I was happy with it just few days until I discover how slow it was.

And it's a shame, because their size is perfect for that type of books. But the lack of Amazon support and high price is a killer, at least for me.