Does iPad glare make it difficult to read? - Page 2

rjfarrell · 08-14-2010, 11:13 AM

I have a Sony 505. I love it. It is a perfect ebook reader.

Then I bought an Ipad. Since the day I bought the Ipad, I have not read a book on the Sony. I really like everything about reading on the Ipad. The lighting can be adjusted if it is too bright. The background can be changed. Simple.

Reading outdoors would be much better on eink. But I have read on the patio by adjusting the lighting on the Ipad.

I still have my Sony 505. I cannot bring myself to part with it.

OrcaBlue · 08-14-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It doesn't have to be one or the other. Readers such as the Kindle 3 are sufficiently inexpensive that you could get both an iPad and an eInk device and use each according to its strengths.

Yeah, but don't you hate it to have to buy two devices for doing a single task? I think it's really depends on what the OP's really want to do though.

HarryT · 08-14-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrcaBlue

Yeah, but don't you hate it to have to buy two devices for doing a single task? I think it's really depends on what the OP's really want to do though.

Not particularly, no. There's never going to be one device that's perfect for everything. With both an iPad and an eInk device you've got pretty much all the bases covered. However, if I had to choose between the two and only have one device it would be the iPad, no question about it.

kathyfitz · 08-14-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

However, if I had to choose between the two and only have one device it would be the iPad, no question about it.

I would have to agree. The only reason I wouldn't want to choose, besides reading outdoors, would be battery life. You can't beat that on an e-ink device. My husband's hobby is racing motorcycles, I can't imagine the iPad battery, as good as it is, lasting me for the weekend. But for my normal reading situations, the iPad is my favorite too!

Nama · 08-14-2010, 06:03 PM

hi: we've been using our iPad & love its touchscreen for reading as my iPhone screen is too limiting for him as are some night lights due to positioning. The added screen saver cuts some iPad screen glare but glare seems to depend on how the iPad is positioned & hasn't been a problem.

John F · 08-14-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjfarrell

I have a Sony 505. I love it. It is a perfect ebook reader.

Then I bought an Ipad. Since the day I bought the Ipad, I have not read a book on the Sony. I really like everything about reading on the Ipad. The lighting can be adjusted if it is too bright. The background can be changed. Simple.

Reading outdoors would be much better on eink. But I have read on the patio by adjusting the lighting on the Ipad.

I still have my Sony 505. I cannot bring myself to part with it.

I'm the opposite. I have an iPad and a 505. I tried one book on the iPad, and haven't read another book on the ipad since.

In regards to glare, indoors I don't notice it and outdoors it's a killer.

WantToBuy · 08-14-2010, 09:00 PM

Thanks, this has been very helpful. I worried that the iPad screen would results in more eyestrain than eInk screens, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Thanks!!

JMikeD · 08-15-2010, 12:30 AM

I think we’ve been talking about two different things here: glare, which is related to screen brightness; and reflections, which is, well, reflections. Glare isn’t a problem outdoors, but reflections can prevent reading, as can the fact that the brightness can’t be turned up enough to counteract sunlight.

Glare, on the other hand can be mitigated by turning down screen brightness. I can get the iPad to look pretty much like my K2 indoors, I just have to turn the brightness down to the lowest setting, and possibly choosing an appropriate background tint.

I like both of them. The Kindle 2 is light and has a nice page size (for me) and a long-lasting battery, but the Pad can read more formats and the readers have more features (compared to the Kindle app).

Fortunately, I don’t have to choose between them.

petermillard · 08-15-2010, 02:27 AM

It might also be worth mentioning that you can buy matt screen protectors (confusingly often referred to as 'anti-glare') that significantly cut down reflections, albeit at some small cost to clarity. I have one on my iPad, and there's a slightly 'granular' texture to the screen - a price I'm happy to pay for the benefits it brings to me; you may feel differently of course, but the option is there if needed.

Cheers, Pete

djpyle · 08-15-2010, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petermillard

It might also be worth mentioning that you can buy matt screen protectors (confusingly often referred to as 'anti-glare') that significantly cut down reflections, albeit at some small cost to clarity. I have one on my iPad, and there's a slightly 'granular' texture to the screen - a price I'm happy to pay for the benefits it brings to me; you may feel differently of course, but the option is there if needed.

Cheers, Pete

I have an anti-glare screen protector as well and am very happy with it. It's still sometimes hard to read the iPad screen if there's sunlight shining directly on it, but I usually don't notice the glare at all.

I also have a Kindle and usually bring both devices with me on long trips (as someone else pointed out, you can't beat the Kindle's battery life), but for the most part I do all my reading on the iPad. I love the iBooks app. Particularly the feature that tells you how many pages are left in a particular chapter. I'm one of those readers who used to flip through a chapter to see how long it was before deciding whether or not I had time to read it before I had to go to bed. Now: no flipping necessary!

TimMason · 08-15-2010, 06:46 AM

I have both an iPad and a Boox, but since acquiring the iPad, I haven't used the Boox at all. This is in great part because, using GoodReader, the iPad is far superior to the Boox for dealing with pdf files, and I read a lot of pdf. The ability to switch from one progamme to another is also a plus so far as I'm concerned.

However, I have noticed that my eyes seem to be coming under strain. I guess I really ought to get out more.

@djpyle - what antiglare protector are you using? I definitely need one of those.

djpyle · 08-15-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMason

I have both an iPad and a Boox, but since acquiring the iPad, I haven't used the Boox at all. This is in great part because, using GoodReader, the iPad is far superior to the Boox for dealing with pdf files, and I read a lot of pdf. The ability to switch from one progamme to another is also a plus so far as I'm concerned.

However, I have noticed that my eyes seem to be coming under strain. I guess I really ought to get out more.

@djpyle - what antiglare protector are you using? I definitely need one of those.

I'm using the Power Support screen protector. It's not the cheapest option out there, but it's very nice.

JimKal · 08-15-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djpyle

I'm one of those readers who used to flip through a chapter to see how long it was before deciding whether or not I had time to read it before I had to go to bed. Now: no flipping necessary!

I find that I use the Kindle app for the most part but I really understand what you are talking about. When I'm reading a physical book (hardback or paperback) I usually am looking ahead to see how much is left to the chapter. I understand the whole location code issue but I've spent my life getting used to doing it this way and would love to see Kindle add this feature. After your comment, I may need to give iBooks a try!

MsAstoria · 08-15-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMikeD

I can easily adjust the screen brightness on my iPad so that I can read for hours with no eye-strain. Reflections are sometimes a problem, but I can usually find a viewing angle to eliminate them.

Ditto

Sischa · 08-16-2010, 10:37 AM

You'll never read comfortable on an iPad outdoor on a sunny day. So if you ever want to do this your best choice would be eink.

If you sometimes read outside and there is not always direct sunlight you'll have to make a decision of priorities and i just can advice you to test it on your own before making a decision.

If you are the inside reader type its much easier. You'll then just have to find out 1st if you really need all the extra gadget stuff an iPad offers like Apps, Video, Webbrowsing, etc. cause an iPad goes for 499$ and a K3 for 135$ so if you just need a reading device get a K3 and save your money.

The 2nd decision you'll have to make is if you can stand the shiny display of the iPad. To find out you can sit in front of your PC, if your eyes don't strain after a few hours why should they when using the iPad? But if they do so you should try out eink, much less pain for your eyes if you have problems with reflective screens.

And never forget the only advantage of an iPad when it comes to reading experience is that you will have a better reading experience in a dark place. But you can always fix that with an 9.99$ light for your eink screen.

So the most important question for me would be do i need a reading device our a multimedia device with reading capabilities

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08-14-2010, 11:13 AM	#16
rjfarrell Zealot Posts: 111 Karma: 142 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arizona (USA) Device: Sony PRS-505, Iphone, Ipad	I have a Sony 505. I love it. It is a perfect ebook reader. Then I bought an Ipad. Since the day I bought the Ipad, I have not read a book on the Sony. I really like everything about reading on the Ipad. The lighting can be adjusted if it is too bright. The background can be changed. Simple. Reading outdoors would be much better on eink. But I have read on the patio by adjusting the lighting on the Ipad. I still have my Sony 505. I cannot bring myself to part with it.

08-14-2010, 06:03 PM	#20
Nama Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: iPhone 3g	hi: we've been using our iPad & love its touchscreen for reading as my iPhone screen is too limiting for him as are some night lights due to positioning. The added screen saver cuts some iPad screen glare but glare seems to depend on how the iPad is positioned & hasn't been a problem.

08-14-2010, 09:00 PM	#22
WantToBuy Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: iPad	Thanks, this has been very helpful. I worried that the iPad screen would results in more eyestrain than eInk screens, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Thanks!!

08-15-2010, 12:30 AM	#23
JMikeD Evangelist Posts: 475 Karma: 15000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Various and sundry	I think we’ve been talking about two different things here: glare, which is related to screen brightness; and reflections, which is, well, reflections. Glare isn’t a problem outdoors, but reflections can prevent reading, as can the fact that the brightness can’t be turned up enough to counteract sunlight. Glare, on the other hand can be mitigated by turning down screen brightness. I can get the iPad to look pretty much like my K2 indoors, I just have to turn the brightness down to the lowest setting, and possibly choosing an appropriate background tint. I like both of them. The Kindle 2 is light and has a nice page size (for me) and a long-lasting battery, but the Pad can read more formats and the readers have more features (compared to the Kindle app). Fortunately, I don’t have to choose between them.

08-15-2010, 02:27 AM	#24
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	It might also be worth mentioning that you can buy matt screen protectors (confusingly often referred to as 'anti-glare') that significantly cut down reflections, albeit at some small cost to clarity. I have one on my iPad, and there's a slightly 'granular' texture to the screen - a price I'm happy to pay for the benefits it brings to me; you may feel differently of course, but the option is there if needed. Cheers, Pete

08-15-2010, 06:46 AM	#26
TimMason Big Ears Posts: 191 Karma: 2229 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pontoise, France Device: Onyx Boox 60, iPad	I have both an iPad and a Boox, but since acquiring the iPad, I haven't used the Boox at all. This is in great part because, using GoodReader, the iPad is far superior to the Boox for dealing with pdf files, and I read a lot of pdf. The ability to switch from one progamme to another is also a plus so far as I'm concerned. However, I have noticed that my eyes seem to be coming under strain. I guess I really ought to get out more. @djpyle - what antiglare protector are you using? I definitely need one of those.

08-16-2010, 10:37 AM	#30
Sischa Evangelist Posts: 428 Karma: 2370 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Device: Nokia 770, Ilead, Cybook G3, Kindle DX, Kindle 2, iPad, Kindle 3, PW	You'll never read comfortable on an iPad outdoor on a sunny day. So if you ever want to do this your best choice would be eink. If you sometimes read outside and there is not always direct sunlight you'll have to make a decision of priorities and i just can advice you to test it on your own before making a decision. If you are the inside reader type its much easier. You'll then just have to find out 1st if you really need all the extra gadget stuff an iPad offers like Apps, Video, Webbrowsing, etc. cause an iPad goes for 499$ and a K3 for 135$ so if you just need a reading device get a K3 and save your money. The 2nd decision you'll have to make is if you can stand the shiny display of the iPad. To find out you can sit in front of your PC, if your eyes don't strain after a few hours why should they when using the iPad? But if they do so you should try out eink, much less pain for your eyes if you have problems with reflective screens. And never forget the only advantage of an iPad when it comes to reading experience is that you will have a better reading experience in a dark place. But you can always fix that with an 9.99$ light for your eink screen. So the most important question for me would be do i need a reading device our a multimedia device with reading capabilities

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