How does the Kindle handle the great outdoors?

[JSWolf]

I would think your Kindle has more risk of damage if you follow the things the people do in the Kindle TV commercials then if you take reasonable care while camping.

[ProfCrash]

I have read posts from people who have taken their Kindles with them when camping in the snow, backpacking, and kayaking.

Anyone who is headed out in a kayak is going to be using water proof bags. Heck, I use water proof stuff sacks when car camping and backpacking. I prefer to have my clothes and important stuff protected from any bizarre weather and was glad I was so anal when a freak thunder storm hit a camp ground I was at. The inside of my tent was drenched after I dragged in three kids who where calling for help after their canoe flipped over in the middle of the storm, but all of my packed gear was dry.

A Kindle in a decent case and a ziploc bag would be fine in a well packed backpack.

[Kenneth_irl]

Originally Posted by ApK

eInk is electrochemical. It contains a moving fluid that can absolutely respond differently with temperature. I don't know off hand what temps result in noticeable changes in eink speed though.

Put your Kindle in a waterproof case, which will protect the screen as well, find a decently protective place in your pack to carry it, and enjoy!

ApK

I see. I didn't know that it was the e-ink screen that were beening referred to. I didn't know this could happen. I might test it myself when it gets cold again.

[Kenneth_irl]

Originally Posted by ApK

Bah! It's a reader, not a baby. It could get stepped on anywhere. Apply reasonable protection and enjoy it. That's what the multi-week battery life and sun-readable display are for.

ApK

I agree. Besides overprotection can be a loss in itself. I'm kinda like: if the accident wants to happen it will happen. Not meaning that you should help it along of course.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by ShanMcG

So with the summer firmly on our doorsteps I'm thinking about what I have planned in the next few months.....camping! I've read about other people having problems with the screen when its been handled roughly so I know I need to be gentle with it even in its case. I'm specifically wondering if the Kindle display is more sensitive to temperature changes, humidity, moisture...you know, what its like in a tent when you wake up in the morning. Would it be a better idea to leave my kindle at home and bare with ibooks on my iphone for a weekend?

thx

Texas is hot as hell! so I can't comment about low temperatures. But I spent last Memorial Day weekend with wife on a beach (100 or 101 F maybe) during 7 hrs. Then I toss it on the trunk inside a backpack (of course, I have a Kindle sleeve). Took it out in the hotel (68 degrees maybe) ... zero issues and working like a charm! ...

The Kindle is probably more easier to break (the screen) than being affected by humidity or changes in temperature. So if you are doing camping, take it with you but use a Kindle sleeve or cover so won't break inside your backpack.

[tubemonkey]

M-Edge used to make a waterproof, floating case for K2s called the Guardian. I was hoping they'd make it for K3s, but they never did.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I would think your Kindle has more risk of damage if you follow the things the people do in the Kindle TV commercials then if you take reasonable care while camping.

How do you protect yours? Ops, you don't have a Kindle, forgot it. Just kidding ...

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by jocampo

How do you protect yours? Ops, you don't have a Kindle, forgot it. Just kidding ...

[volwrath]

I have an Evo, an Ipad, a rooted NookColor, and a new KSO Wifi all running Kindle software.

I specifically bought the kindle for outdoor reading/camping/going to the beach etc. If I somehow manage to destroy it (not that its expendable), I know $114 will bring another one.

[littlestar]

Originally Posted by crich70

Kindle doesn't have an LCD screen littlestar. The LCD screen is what netbooks use and if you've ever tried taking a netbook out in direct sunlight you know that the screen is almost unreadable. E-ink is totally different.

I do not know how to name the surface. because it is just the location of a "LCD", so I called it LCD screen. I even googled it and find a lot of people just call it LCD.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by littlestar

I do not know how to name the surface. because it is just the location of a "LCD", so I called it LCD screen. I even googled it and find a lot of people just call it LCD.

You can call it an eink display. You can just call it the display and we'll know what you mean.
If you call it an LCD you are simply wrong, as that is a totally different and competing display technology that has totally different properties. It will confuse people and be difficult to take your posts seriously.
Don't insist on being wrong just because you've seen other people be wrong too.

And welcome to the forum. Lots to learn here.

[abookreader]

People seriously - if you're that worried about it what does the Square Trade Accidental warranty cost these days? About $25? Didn't we all buy these things to enjoy them? Keep them tucked up at home if you want, but I suggest you let a little danger into your lives occasionally.

I had mine camping two weekends ago and I was up at the crack of dawn sipping my instant coffee and reading my Kindle in the misty dew of the great outdoors. Last weekend I was reading tucked up under a overhang at Wrigley Field during a rain delay, reading my K2 in it's ziplock bag protection.
We both survived and the Cubs won!

[ProfCrash]

If you are planning on backpacking the Muir Trail then a Sqare Trade Warranty is not going to help you much. It takes about 3 weeks to hike that puppy and a good portion of that time is in places where you don't get cell phone reception and civilization is a day or two walk away.

Since the OP mentioned going on a outdoor trip seveal months long, I figure that they are going to be doing some serious backpacking, bicycling, mountain climbing, something along those lines. If that is the case then he/she will want to bring gear that is not going to break and gear that weighs as little as possible.

I have read posts from folks who have used e-readers on similar trips and not had any problems.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by littlestar

I do not know how to name the surface. because it is just the location of a "LCD", so I called it LCD screen. I even googled it and find a lot of people just call it LCD.

The Kindle uses an electrophoretic display, the abbreviation for which is "EPD". Of course, you could just call it an "eInk" screen, like most people do.

[Lutraa]

Originally Posted by littlestar

I do not know how to name the surface. because it is just the location of a "LCD", so I called it LCD screen. I even googled it and find a lot of people just call it LCD.

Old computers (and TVs) used to have "CRT"s (Cathode Ray Tubes) but we don't go around calling our phone, computer, or Kindle screens CRTs, so why would LCD be correct for a Kindle? Geesh . . .

Yes, I would take my K3 car camping. No, I am not taking it to the high Arctic, hundreds of miles from the the nearest building, road, electrical connection, or wireless network. If it breaks or gets wet-- it would be in a dry bag but I'm kayaking through whitewater, on a river that still has ice shelves, there are grizzly bears in the area, and we had 5" of snow on June 29th last year -- not only would I be left Kindleless, but more important, I wouldn't have anything to read!