Would you ever buy a non front-lit e-ink reader?

[Asawi]

Originally Posted by delph

Now I guess my answer would be 'I wouldn't go back to a non-lit ereader for my primary home-use ereader' since I am very prone to reading in the dark at home. Non-lit is fine to take out and about, since I can't think of any situation where I would normally be waiting without enough light to read.

An for me it's the exact opposite! At home I have good lighting and prefer to use my non-glow Nook with its slightly more saturated text to my Nook Glow.
I do use the Glow when in my caravan where lighting isn't as good though. And love it for that use!

[shanghaichica]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There's the Kobo Mini, too. Currently available on sale in the UK, at least.

Has it gone back on sale again? Last week it seemed to have gone back to its original price.

[shanghaichica]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I still love my mini, it's the sturdiest device I've come across so far. Yes, it's starting to peel a bit, and yes, a pearl screen would be nice, but at least I can make subfolders on it (so far, I've not come across one "collection"-type reader that supports sub collections...) and I feel I can put it my bag with impunity



Is that a pearl screen? I thought it was a standard e-ink screen (the ebook comparison wiki page also doesn't mention pearl)

I think so. I have a mini and a nook simple touch. The mini's screen seems to be comparable to the nook's which is a pearl screen.

[booklover6]

No, the Kobo Mini has a Vizplex screen. I believe the Sony 350 is the only one with a Pearl screen.

There are such huge differences though.....comparing the Vizplex Pocket Pro next to the Vizplex Kobo Mini, the screens are astonishingly different. The Kobo is whiter and the text is darker. (Plus so much more customizable).

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by booklover6

No, the Kobo Mini has a Vizplex screen. I believe the Sony 350 is the only one with a Pearl screen.

There are such huge differences though.....comparing the Vizplex Pocket Pro next to the Vizplex Kobo Mini, the screens are astonishingly different. The Kobo is whiter and the text is darker. (Plus so much more customizable).

I think that all eink screens are Vizplex, and that Pearl is just a type of Vizplex (the second generation of Vizplex), at least, that is how I understand it. There is more written on it in this discussion:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98819

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I think that all eink screens are Vizplex, and that Pearl is just a type of Vizplex (the second generation of Vizplex), at least, that is how I understand it.

That is correct, but Pearl screens have 50% better contrast than the original Vizplex screens. That's not a subjective judgement, but an objective measurement from a photometer. The screen background is pretty much the same on the two types of screen, but Pearl has much "blacker blacks" than Vizplex does.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That is correct, but Pearl screens have 50% better contrast than the original Vizplex screens. That's not a subjective judgement, but an objective measurement from a photometer. The screen background is pretty much the same on the two types of screen, but Pearl has much "blacker blacks" than Vizplex does.

Thanks for the explanation! I thought that the screen background on the Pearl screens was whiter as well.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Thanks for the explanation! I thought that the screen background on the Pearl screens was whiter as well.

Comparing my Kindle 3 (VizPlex) and Kindle Touch (Pearl) side by side, the screen background is absolutely identical, but the Touch has "black" text compared to the K3's "dark grey". It's very noticeable.

[spellbanisher]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Comparing my Kindle 3 (VizPlex) and Kindle Touch (Pearl) side by side, the screen background is absolutely identical, but the Touch has "black" text compared to the K3's "dark grey". It's very noticeable.

The Kindle 3 has a pearl screen.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by spellbanisher

The Kindle 3 has a pearl screen.

Does it? Must have been some other reader I did the comparison with, in that case. I posted a photograph at the time - it was a striking difference. So many readers, it's difficult to keep track of what's got what.

[spellbanisher]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Does it? Must have been some other reader I did the comparison with, in that case. I posted a photograph at the time - it was a striking difference. So many readers, it's difficult to keep track of what's got what.

Yes. If you go to the Kindle Keyboard board page at Amazon.Co.Uk, under "E Ink 101," it says this

Latest Generation E Ink
Kindle Keyboard 3G uses E Ink Pearl – the latest generation of E Ink technology available – to deliver clear, crisp text you can read without eye strain.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wirel...indle+keyboard

Afaik, the original Kindle, the Kindle 2, and the original Kindle DX are the only amazon devices that use vizplex.

[bookaho!ic]

i have a kobo touch and do not see the need for a front lit device, if i want to read in bed i have an LED strip on my bedstead or if i am anywhere else i use a lamp...

Originally Posted by bookaho!ic

i have a kobo touch and do not see the need for a front lit device, if i want to read in bed i have an LED strip on my bedstead or if i am anywhere else i use a lamp...

Need, no. Nice, yes. I have an Aura and do use the backlight regularly. That said, I wouldn't pay a premium just for a backlight. It's kinda weird how the price difference to consumers is more than a desklamp, while the added hardware is a few cents of LEDs and a waveguide.

[HansTWN]

The front light is useful in so many situations. Houses here tend to be dark so that you can (at least try) to keep the summer heat out. You can sit in the sun during the other seasons but not now. The front lights give you optimal and even illumination everywhere you go and over the whole page. No need to move lamps or adjust your reading position. If that isn't worth a few bucks then I don't know what is.

[bwaldron]

To the original question: yes, I certainly would. I have never had issues reading my non-lit e-ink screens under the typical conditions where I would read a paper book. If I want to read on a lighted screen, I'll use my backlit tablet.