Who prefers non-frontlit E-Readers over Frontlit ones and why? - Page 3

Frenzie · 07-16-2019, 10:07 AM

Sure, but the Clara suffers from capacitive touch.

rcentros · 07-16-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Where do you find it? I could only find Deja Vu Serif, but nothing that mentioned e-ink specifically.

I got it on MobileRead. Here's the link...

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...ghlight=dejavu

On the Tolinos this font wouldn't work right until I used an application to modify the font's internal name (had to be changed from "Book" to "Regular"), as suggested to me by Mr. Moe in the Tolino forum... here...

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=320540

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I mess with new fonts from time to time, but always seem to fall back to Google's Literata Book or their Noto Serif.

I'll take a look at these. Thanks.

rcentros · 07-16-2019, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilson

I also exclusively use the Deja Vu E-Ink Serif font (actually, I think I got it from you) on all of my e-readers. The font just works the best for me!

I just linked you to someone else's work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilson

When using original fonts on e-readers, I have noticed that the contrast tends to be better to my eyes on the non-frontlit e-readers. So I used to prefer non-frontlit, but now I pretty much always use frontlit readers (mainly the Kobo Glo HD and Kobo Clara HD) with the Deja Vu font.

Same story for me. Deja Vu Serif E-Ink is what has made front-lit eReaders usable for me. I should probably donate a book to Katsunami. (Or at the very least, remember to mention and thank him (or her).)

rcentros · 07-16-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElspethB

Here you go, Zodwallop:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=224311

All due props to Katsunami, who added weight to DejaVu Serif to make it an excellent font for e-ink. Now that we can add fonts easily again, it has become my favorite. Very readable.

I was redundant again. Sorry.

Ripplinger · 07-16-2019, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenzie

Worse contrast? That doesn't really make any sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4691mls

With the light completely off, the background screen color on my Kobo Clara is a little darker than that of my old Sony PRS-T3. However, the text on the Clara is clearer so it's still readable.

On my Glo and Glo HD readers, they definitely show much reduced contrast when the light is fully off. The background becomes gray instead of the white when the light is on, so of course that results in less contrast. The background color is about the same as my Sony PRS-350s were. For my eyesight (which I'll admit is crappy), I'd need quite a bit of external light to make reading comfortable without the front light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Deja Vu Serif E-Ink is what has made front-lit eReaders usable for me.

When I had my PRS-350s, I found that adding bolder fonts made a huge difference for me also being able to read in dimmer light. The trick I did then was to rename the bold font style I preferred to what the reader would recognize as the normal font, and instantly had bolder text and in any font style I preferred. It's something I still do on my Kobo readers.

rcentros · 07-16-2019, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

When I had my PRS-350s, I found that adding bolder fonts made a huge difference for me also being able to read in dimmer light. The trick I did then was to rename the bold font style I preferred to what the reader would recognize as the normal font, and instantly had bolder text and in any font style I preferred. It's something I still do on my Kobo readers.

I didn't know you could do that (rename the font to the default so the reader would recognize it as the normal). I'll have to look into that once I'm reunited with my old readers. I found out that, on the T2, you can actually make the regular font much darker (and with better contrast) in the settings. Reader with the publisher's font seems to work pretty well when doing that. The screens on the Sonys seemed to have been consistently high in quality.

Anabana · 07-17-2019, 09:38 PM

This thread made me realize that, even though I have a few ereaders without light, I always pick up the ones that DO have light. A Nook Simple Touch and a Nook Glow - I would grab the Glow -now it isn't working and can't get it to connect for an update..:^(, my (very old) Libre Pro was a great 'beginner' reader, it still works just fine. But I find that I tend to use the ones with a front light. Nook Glow before Nook Simple Touch, my Paperwhite before any of them (!) and if the front light devices need charging, I reach for my tablet... I just bought the new Paperwhite (32G with Bluetooth) - I'm SO HAPPY with it. I have some cheap - errrr - inexpensive Bluetooth ear buds that have surprisingly good voice quality so I'm very happy. Need a similar reader for all my non-Amazon books and audiobooks ....

tomsem · 07-18-2019, 12:41 AM

I think the issue is largely moot: Amazon, Kobo, B&N do not sell eReaders without front light. The market has spoken!

It may be theoretically true that a given display will be clearer without front layers for the front light and touch screen but the front light expands the environments where reading is comfortable, without the need to carry around a separate book light as in the past.

teija · 07-18-2019, 02:25 AM

I still reach for my non-lighted eReaders when I am going to be traveling and risk losing my device... they are "cheaper" and generally I am only reading outdoors/in full natural light or on a plane with a light overhead, so the frontlight is not generally required. I only recently got my first lit eReader but find it is very handy to keep at my bedside table for reading at night... although I do find the screens a little TOO bright at times, even on the lower settings! I believe my Paperwhite 2 is the bigger culprit of this, but hubby seems to manage sleeping through it (if I face it away from him of course!).

teija · 07-18-2019, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

I think the issue is largely moot: Amazon, Kobo, B&N do not sell eReaders without front light. The market has spoken!

True, true! They probably decided that they could not market eInk devices to "new" users if they couldn't even read them in the dark like their phones/tablets.

As long as I can switch off the light all the way, I am not really that bothered.

Frenzie · 07-18-2019, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teija

True, true! They probably decided that they could not market eInk devices to "new" users if they couldn't even read them in the dark like their phones/tablets.

I definitely "can't" read my phone in the dark, even at its lowest brightness… Perhaps I could use it as a reading light on a book though.

ilovejedd · 07-18-2019, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teija

I still reach for my non-lighted eReaders when I am going to be traveling and risk losing my device... they are "cheaper" and generally I am only reading outdoors/in full natural light or on a plane with a light overhead, so the frontlight is not generally required.

I never liked the overhead lights on planes or bedside lamps for reading. Hard to find a position where my hand doesn't cast a shadow on the screen.

I wanted a "cheaper" reader for travel as well. Alas, front light and at least 200ppi pixel density are both non-negotiable. The ability to run KOReader is also a big consideration. Thankfully, my main reader (PW4 32GB) is moderately priced enough that I'm not too scared to bring it with me when I travel. I don't think I'd take that risk with the Oasis, Aura One or Forma.

rem736 · 07-18-2019, 05:42 PM

this makes no sense. if you don't want to use the front light, just don't turn it on.
the only exception is the older kindle where the light is at a very low level and cannot be turned off completely. but for the majority of readers, the front light can be completely turned off. just don't use it if it comes with it.

this is like saying i want to buy a knife that can cut chicken but not if the knife can also cut beef.

ilovejedd · 07-18-2019, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem736

this makes no sense. if you don't want to use the front light, just don't turn it on.

Some folks don’t like having an extra layer for the light diffuser as it can decrease contrast or make the display a bit more hazy.

rem736 · 07-18-2019, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Some folks don’t like having an extra layer for the light diffuser as it can decrease contrast or make the display a bit more hazy.

understood, but the contrast on today's ereaders are so good that the light diffuser layer hardly makes a difference.

View Poll Results: Do you prefer Frontlit or Non-Frontlit E-Readers?
I prefer Frontlit E-Readers	102	87.18%
I prefer E-Readers without a Frontlight	15	12.82%
Voters: 117. You may not vote on this poll

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07-16-2019, 10:07 AM	#31
Frenzie Wizard Posts: 1,751 Karma: 730681 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Antwerp Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Sure, but the Clara suffers from capacitive touch.

07-17-2019, 09:38 PM	#37
Anabana Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 2735606 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire 7" & 10"; 11"(?)-12" Lenovo laptop	This thread made me realize that, even though I have a few ereaders without light, I always pick up the ones that DO have light. A Nook Simple Touch and a Nook Glow - I would grab the Glow -now it isn't working and can't get it to connect for an update..:^(, my (very old) Libre Pro was a great 'beginner' reader, it still works just fine. But I find that I tend to use the ones with a front light. Nook Glow before Nook Simple Touch, my Paperwhite before any of them (!) and if the front light devices need charging, I reach for my tablet... I just bought the new Paperwhite (32G with Bluetooth) - I'm SO HAPPY with it. I have some cheap - errrr - inexpensive Bluetooth ear buds that have surprisingly good voice quality so I'm very happy. Need a similar reader for all my non-Amazon books and audiobooks ....

07-18-2019, 12:41 AM	#38
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,942 Karma: 27060153 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	I think the issue is largely moot: Amazon, Kobo, B&N do not sell eReaders without front light. The market has spoken! It may be theoretically true that a given display will be clearer without front layers for the front light and touch screen but the front light expands the environments where reading is comfortable, without the need to carry around a separate book light as in the past.

07-18-2019, 02:25 AM	#39
teija Gadget fiend Posts: 354 Karma: 2111100 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Kobo Clara HD, Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite 2021, Sony PRS-350	I still reach for my non-lighted eReaders when I am going to be traveling and risk losing my device... they are "cheaper" and generally I am only reading outdoors/in full natural light or on a plane with a light overhead, so the frontlight is not generally required. I only recently got my first lit eReader but find it is very handy to keep at my bedside table for reading at night... although I do find the screens a little TOO bright at times, even on the lower settings! I believe my Paperwhite 2 is the bigger culprit of this, but hubby seems to manage sleeping through it (if I face it away from him of course!).

07-18-2019, 05:42 PM	#43
rem736 purpose priority passion Posts: 645 Karma: 9002000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: socal, usa Device: sony prs-350, b&n ngp, rM2, kindle scribe, boox poke5	this makes no sense. if you don't want to use the front light, just don't turn it on. the only exception is the older kindle where the light is at a very low level and cannot be turned off completely. but for the majority of readers, the front light can be completely turned off. just don't use it if it comes with it. this is like saying i want to buy a knife that can cut chicken but not if the knife can also cut beef.