Device upgrade

[gldnlvr]

I have a very old Nook. I still use it on vacations but I'd like to upgrade. Whats the best device to buy for use on a bright beach? I'd also like it to be backlit for use in the dark.

I don't care what brand it is but it would be nice to have access to my Nook library as I have some books I haven't read yet. Also I don't want to spend alot. When I'm not traveling, I use my Ipad to read.

Thanks.

[AnemicOak]

Well, the current NOOK GlowLight Plus has a front light (eInk can't have a backlight) is waterproof and dustproof (which would be nice for the beach), is easy to read in bright sunlight and would work well for someone wanting to use their existing Nook library.

It depends on what a lot means when not wanting to spend a lot. The NOOK GlowLight Plus is $129.99 (we may see an upcoming sale for Mother's Day or we may not).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by gldnlvr

I have a very old Nook. I still use it on vacations but I'd like to upgrade. Whats the best device to buy for use on a bright beach? I'd also like it to be backlit for use in the dark.

I don't care what brand it is but it would be nice to have access to my Nook library as I have some books I haven't read yet. Also I don't want to spend alot. When I'm not traveling, I use my Ipad to read.

Thanks.

If you don't mind removing the DRM, then I would suggest either the Kobo Aura H2O or the Kobo Aura One. The H2O has a 6.8" screen and the Aura One has a 7.8" screen. Both devices are waterproof so they'd be good for using at the beach. Both have a front light and both handle ePub.

The reason you need to be able to strip DRM is that eBooks bought from B&N are not readable on any other Reader without the DRM removed. But removing the DRM is very easy. Just look for Apprentice Alf at https://apprenticealf.wordpress.com/ and you'll also want Calibre if you don't use it.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by gldnlvr

I'd also like it to be backlit for use in the dark.

I think it's worth pointing out here that a backlight is very different than the front light used with e-ink. The backlight on an LCD shines through the screen so you can see it. It's behind the screen and it's basically a light shining into your eyes. If you dim it properly reading on it is okay for a most people although a lot of people are limited in how long they can stare into a backlight. In my case, 15 minutes of reading on an LCD doesn't bother me but much more and I'm done reading for the day.

E-ink is opaque and the light is evenly spread over the screen and shines down onto the screen just as a lamp shines down on paper, so your eyes get reflected light. This doesn't cause eyestrain. It also means it can be read either in the dark or in bright sunlight, unlike a backlit LCD which isn't easily read in the sun.

Another thing about a front light on e-ink is that it increases contrast and makes reading easier even when the light isn't actually needed.

Anyway my point is that it's a very important distinction when considering ereaders.

Barry

[gldnlvr]

Thank you for your replies. I ended up going with the Kindle Paperwhite.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by gldnlvr

Thank you for your replies. I ended up going with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Why would you go with a Kindle when your eBooks are in ePub? With a Kobo, all you needed to do is remove the DRM and you could have read your eBooks as is without needing to convert.

Also, Kindles are not waterproof so if you take to the beach and it gets wet, that could be the end of it. A Kobo Aura H2O or Kobo Aura One is much better for the beach because they can get wet.

[barryem]

Yes, but Kindles are Kindles and Kobos are only Kobos.

Barry

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by barryem

Yes, but Kindles are Kindles and Kobos are only Kobos.

Barry

That's the problem. Kindles are Kindles and Kindles do not like getting wet at the beach. Some Kobos don't mind being at the beach getting wet.

so why buy a Reader that's not suited for what you want to use it for?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's the problem. Kindles are Kindles and Kindles do not like getting wet at the beach. Some Kobos don't mind being at the beach getting wet.

so why buy a Reader that's not suited for what you want to use it for?

Oh wow. You are so right on this one.

[JSWolf]

@gldnlvr given that you can return the Kindle, please do so and get a Kobo Aura H2O or a Kobo Aura One because your Kindle is not made for use where they could get wet were the Kobos mentioned are made to be able to get wet. So if you want to risk your reader, then go with a Kindle. But if you don't want to risk your Reader, go with Kobo.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's the problem. Kindles are Kindles and Kindles do not like getting wet at the beach. Some Kobos don't mind being at the beach getting wet.

so why buy a Reader that's not suited for what you want to use it for?

I live in Arkansas and for my Kindle to get to the beach it would have to run far away from home and I'm sure it would run out of gas before it got there.

Actually my Kindle is extremely well suited to my uses. I also have a Kobo which is nearly as well suited. The thing about ereaders is that what matters is reading. Reading on a Kindle is just a little bit nicer than on a Kobo.

An ereader only needs to be waterproof in unusual situations. I often carry my Kindle with me to the community area in the next building and if it's raining I put it in my jacket pocket if it's cold enough for a jacket or under my shirt in warm weather. It never gets more than slightly damp on the cover and inside it's just fine.

For most people waterproofing on ereaders is a bit like having a sun roof in a car. It's a nice little luxury every now and then but has little to do with the purpose of the car.

My new phone is waterproof. My old phone isn't. It hasn't changed the way I use it in the least. I really don't care that it's waterproof.

Barry

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by barryem

I live in Arkansas and for my Kindle to get to the beach it would have to run far away from home and I'm sure it would run out of gas before it got there.

Actually my Kindle is extremely well suited to my uses. I also have a Kobo which is nearly as well suited. The thing about ereaders is that what matters is reading. Reading on a Kindle is just a little bit nicer than on a Kobo.

An ereader only needs to be waterproof in unusual situations. I often carry my Kindle with me to the community area in the next building and if it's raining I put it in my jacket pocket if it's cold enough for a jacket or under my shirt in warm weather. It never gets more than slightly damp on the cover and inside it's just fine.

For most people waterproofing on ereaders is a bit like having a sun roof in a car. It's a nice little luxury every now and then but has little to do with the purpose of the car.

My new phone is waterproof. My old phone isn't. It hasn't changed the way I use it in the least. I really don't care that it's waterproof.

Barry

The OP said he wanted to use the ereader at the beach. So yes a Kobo H2O would be a better choice.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by barryem

I live in Arkansas and for my Kindle to get to the beach it would have to run far away from home and I'm sure it would run out of gas before it got there.

The OP, on the other hand, specifically talks about beach reading. So I'm assuming it's a common situation for them - in which case a waterproof/dustproof/sandproof reader would be optimal.

[robko]

Good grief people, the OP made their decision based on the info provided to them here (presumably) and whatever other information they sought out Leave them alone already. THEY decided that a Kindle was the best option for THEM to purchase. It's actually pretty insulting to now start throwing posts around telling them that they need to return the device THEY purchased with THEIR money because you (mostly one of you) think they made a bad decision.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by barryem

Reading on a Kindle is just a little bit nicer than on a Kobo.

Barry, I have MUCH less experience with Kindles than Kobo or Nook. But with Kobo's font/margin/line spacing control, I don't see how reading* on the Kindle is nicer.

I will admit though that my Kobo only really shines after I patch the out-of-the-box firmware and with Kindle you don't really have to do that.

Have you ever patched up your Kobo, or has it not been worth the hassle?

*I'm just talking about actually reading a book here. The layout of the text and navigation of the book. I know Kindle has a better dictionary and I remember you mentioning you preferred Kindle's GUI in general.