Simple To Use Eink Reader For The Visually Impaired

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I am legally blind and have been this way from birth. I am near sited and hold things close to my face to read them. I am looking for an eink reader so I can enjoy reading more for fun. I have and love my iPad 3, BUT the screen reflects glare badly and even when using iBooks or the Kindle app....you still are using a device with the ability to destract you from reading. I can surf the web or check email, or waste time on FaceTube, YouBook or YouTwitFace. I want a device made just for reading.
I am not concerned with being tied to a certain store or format. I want to read free or as cheap as I can. I want a device that will allow me to add my own books through drag and drop or Calibre. I also use the public library a lot so I want the device to allow me to check out ebooks. I live on a fixed income therefor I want to borrow books from my public library, side load my own books, or read free books from Project Gutenberg. I am not set on any certain brands and I would like to get a device that provides great value for the money rather than the the "best" yet most expensive. I use the digital talking book machine from the NLS and the BARD audio books as well. Please feel free to ask questions to help narrow down my search.

[Cinisajoy]

You can increase the font on all ereaders.
Amazon has many cheap and free books.

[nhedgehog]

Some questions:
- Do you need TTS on the reader?
- What is the ebook format the local library is providing?
- Since you are living in the US, do you need support for other formats then azw&mobi?
- Are you aware of the sceen flashing, most eink reader are doing to remove artefacts?
- Backlight, is this important or does it disturb you?
- Do you have access to an eReader store to have a look at different models and try them out? Which branches do they sell?

[pdurrant]

I'd recommend the current Kindle Paperwhite. The 300ppi screen will mean that text is sharp even when held very close. And I think it's currently $30 off.

I believe US libraries can loan books on Kindles. And it works well with calibre.

[s1mp13m4n]

Originally Posted by nhedgehog

Some questions:
- Do you need TTS on the reader?
- What is the ebook format the local library is providing?
- Since you are living in the US, do you need support for other formats then azw&mobi?
- Are you aware of the sceen flashing, most eink reader are doing to remove artefacts?
- Backlight, is this important or does it disturb you?
- Do you have access to an eReader store to have a look at different models and try them out? Which branches do they sell?

- Do you need TTS on the reader?
No, if the magnification or font size large enough.

- What is the ebook format the local library is providing?
I am not sure. I went to my library website and logged into my OverDrive and Hoola accounts through my library. The help files were genaric and both told me to contact my local library. I sent an email to them asking about the ebook formats they use.

- Since you are living in the US, do you need support for other formats then azw&mobi?
I am not really sure. I use mobi, Epub, and PDF on my iPad. However I realize that PDF books do not work well on an eink reader so that leaves mobi and Epub. I am fine with each format. It does seem however that Epub is more widely used and that more devices support it outside of the Kindle.

- Are you aware of the sceen flashing, most eink reader are doing to remove artefacts?
No, I am not. I have only used two older devices in the past. The first Generation Nook with the small color screen at the bottom and the Kindle keyboard model. I remember that when you turned a page they would go black for a second and then show text. That did not bother me. The "slow" page turning is no big deal. Are you saying that the newer eink readers flicker now more like an LCD or CRT display?

- Backlight, is this important or does it disturb you?
I do like back lit devices BUT it is not a deal breaker if I have to use a light source such as a lamp or book light. I have never used an eink device that was backlit. It seems that the models that have lighting are lit from the front right on top of the screen.

- Do you have access to an eReader store to have a look at different models and try them out?
I live in the mountains in the country. The closest Walmart is 10 miles away. The closest Best Buy or B&N Bookstore is 25 miles away. The simple answer is no...nothing too close without making a trip to just go and see what Best Buy and B&N have to offer.

Which branches do they sell?
unsure, I would think the Kindle and Nook would be the big players. I would like to see a Kobo reader.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by s1mp13m4n

- Do you need TTS on the reader?
No, if the magnification or font size large enough.

If you need to magnify beyond typical sorts of sizes, please do also put a larger than six inch reader into consideration. The Kobo H2O does sound much larger at 6.8 inches but the difference is squared; it has quite a bit more screen real estate.

Originally Posted by s1mp13m4n

- Are you aware of the sceen flashing, most eink reader are doing to remove artefacts?
No, I am not. I have only used two older devices in the past. The first Generation Nook with the small color screen at the bottom and the Kindle keyboard model. I remember that when you turned a page they would go black for a second and then show text. That did not bother me. The "slow" page turning is no big deal. Are you saying that the newer eink readers flicker now more like an LCD or CRT display?

No, it's just the flick to white-on-black and back again. If it's fine for you in the KK, it will be fine in any of the modern readers.

Originally Posted by s1mp13m4n

- Backlight, is this important or does it disturb you?
I do like back lit devices BUT it is not a deal breaker if I have to use a light source such as a lamp or book light. I have never used an eink device that was backlit. It seems that the models that have lighting are lit from the front right on top of the screen.

There is no such thing as backlit eink. I would recommend going for frontlit eink over nonlit. If you need to get really close to the screen you won't be fighting shadows, and the frontlighting enhances the contrast significantly.

Something that hasn't been mentioned is that eink readers typically don't have the builtin facility to increase the menu font sizes, and don't have voice control at all. There is a mod to increase menu fonts in the Kobo (check out the Kobo Developer's subforum); not sure about Kindle or Nook.

[s1mp13m4n]

Originally Posted by meeera

If you need to magnify beyond typical sorts of sizes, please do also put a larger than six inch reader into consideration. The Kobo H2O does sound much larger at 6.8 inches but the difference is squared; it has quite a bit more screen real estate.



No, it's just the flick to white-on-black and back again. If it's fine for you in the KK, it will be fine in any of the modern readers.



There is no such thing as backlit eink. I would recommend going for frontlit eink over nonlit. If you need to get really close to the screen you won't be fighting shadows, and the frontlighting enhances the contrast significantly.

Something that hasn't been mentioned is that eink readers typically don't have the builtin facility to increase the menu font sizes, and don't have voice control at all. There is a mod to increase menu fonts in the Kobo (check out the Kobo Developer's subforum); not sure about Kindle or Nook.

You have a great point about the menu in an eink reader. I do remember that the font was right small on that Kindle Keyboard model and the Nook I used had that small color display at the bottom which to me was useless. What they need (for me anyway) is a Kindle DX with lighted display that costs $120. I will mention that what matters more to me is that no matter what I use...the device has to be a few inches from my face. The font could be 1/2 inch tall but if it were a foot away....it would not matter. Now, what about some of the lesser known or less popular brands of eink readers? Would they have something to offer me compared to the big three brands? So far it would seem that the Kobo line may be better for my use such as the Kobo Glo HD.

[nhedgehog]

From what you are describing, most readers will do!

All have a graphical homescreen which makes the selection of books quite easy (if you don't have too much books on the device). If used mostly for reading you probably don't need to change the settings a lot. Fontsize is most often changed by pinching with 2 fingers. Some devices have the ability to invert the reading experience (black background with white letters) which is a must for me.

Meera has a point about devices with bigger screens but since you have allready tried 6 inch devices and found them acceptable ....

Kindle (eInk device) - I see only 3 problems: no epub support + missing sd-card slot + privacy issues.

Kobo seems to be a reliable brand too with epub support but its missing azw support afaik

Pocketbook with all the touchscreen models could be an option too, but I'm not sure about the availability there.

Bookeen (Cybook Muse Frontlight) is a great device and has an inverted display reading mode, which I find very convinient.

B&N has a new Nook which sounds promising too.

Boyue android devices as rebranded by Artatech or Energysistem are probably not that recommandable, since they are in need of a lot of customization and I've not seen one with an equally distributed lighting which can be an eyestrain.

[s1mp13m4n]

I received an email from my local library. I was told what formats ebooks are in from the OverDrive and Hoopla services they provide. They said there are Kindle versions....did not say if the files are Amazon or Mobi formats....and also ePub. I was told that ePub has more support and more books to pick from through both services. That being said, it looks like an ePub device is my best choice. That seems to lean towards the Kobo offerings or a B&N Nook. Listed above were some other great choices, however as I type this I can not find the other brands mentioned such as the PocketBook without paying high retail for it. All of this help is wonderful, thank you very much.

[JSWolf]

I recommend the Kobo Aura H2O. It has a high resolution Carta screen at 6.8". The extra size is very useful when you want/need a larger font size. Also, the H2O has many different font sizes. Plus you can install your own choice of fonts. The H2O is compatible with Overdrive.

[Cinisajoy]

I would have to agree with Jon.

[JSWolf]

Two things I forgot to mention and the H2O is that with the firmware patches for Kobo firmware, you can enable Advanced Font Control to be able to increase the weight of most TTF format fonts. And when reading ePub, you do get hyphenation and variable spacing so you can hopefully avoid the large gaps between words.

[pdurrant]

I would not recommend the H2O. The Kobo Glo HD has the same number of pixels, but in a smaller area. For very close viewing, (6" or less) the higher resolution of the Kobo Glo HD will probably be of more use than the larger size of the H2O.

[nhedgehog]

Try it out yourself.
I don't really think higher resolution will matter in your case. And carta sounds nice on paper but everybody is telling that differences are only visible if explored by comparing devices directly. AFAIK the Nook Simple Touch Glowlight is sometimes available at a very reasonable rate in the States. With some custom ROM and AlReader as reading app for nondrm epubs it will fullfill all the parameters for less than 40$. I bought mine for 35€ in Germany on ebay.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I would not recommend the H2O. The Kobo Glo HD has the same number of pixels, but in a smaller area. For very close viewing, (6" or less) the higher resolution of the Kobo Glo HD will probably be of more use than the larger size of the H2O.

The advantage of the H2O is the larger screen, and really the 265 vs 300 DPI difference between the H2O and the Glo HD is negligible. The increased screen size allows for more text on the page even at larger text sizes.

I just tested on my H2O and setting the text size to the highest setting the letters are still very sharp, I did not see any notable distortions.

The Glo HD is a great device, but it will mean more tapes per book than the H2O.