Is anybody else spoiled for eInk displays?

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Judging by how many eReader devices come with front light, not many people actually appreciate the screens. I wonder how many buy one because it's fashionable? A status symbol (pretty expensive in some areas)? Associated with people who can afford to spend time on leisure?

Frankly, as much as I liked the Sony PRS-350, it just didn't see as much use as my front-lit Kindles due to the lack of built-in light. I read at night so it's a must for me.

I don't know anyone who's not an avid reader who would buy e-ink instead of a tablet. E-readers are pretty niche that most probably won't recognize them on sight. If one wants a status symbol, high end Samsung Galaxy phones or Apple iPhones and iPads are a better choice. Granted, in developed nations, they can't really be regarded as such given they're so commonplace.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Frankly, as much as I liked the Sony PRS-350, it just didn't see as much use as my front-lit Kindles due to the lack of built-in light. I read at night so it's a must for me.

If the PRS-350s had a front light, I'd still be using mine. The front-light is the only reason I switched to Kobo readers.

[b0rsuk]

What does reading at night have with a front light? Reading in the dark is bad for your eyes either way. You want to avoid high contrast between your screen and stuff around you. Front light in darkness basically makes it a glarescreen.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Front light in darkness basically makes it a glarescreen.

Not if the light is dim enough.

[John F]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

What does reading at night have with a front light? Reading in the dark is bad for your eyes either way. You want to avoid high contrast between your screen and stuff around you. Front light in darkness basically makes it a glarescreen.

Have you tried a front lit eink ereader?

Personally, I wouldn't want to read "at night" without the front light on, and I don't need any other lights on.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Judging by how many eReader devices come with front light, not many people actually appreciate the screens. I wonder how many buy one because it's fashionable? A status symbol (pretty expensive in some areas)? Associated with people who can afford to spend time on leisure?

Eh, what? No one even knows or cares I use ereaders, besides my close family. I don't use social media, I never take my readers out of my home. The frontlight enhances contrast, it doesn't turn an eink screen into a backlit screen. Unless you crank the light way higher than you need, which I never do (my eyes are sensitive to bright light).

[gmw]

I only have an ereader because I crave the approval and admiration of my friends here on MR. Hang on a sec ... after some of the discussions here I know what some of you think of me. Oh the pain, the pain! Time to sell my ereader and find a better status symbol.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Judging by how many eReader devices come with front light, not many people actually appreciate the screens. I wonder how many buy one because it's fashionable? A status symbol (pretty expensive in some areas)? Associated with people who can afford to spend time on leisure?

I buy them because I like the front-lit screens (once I figured out I needed darker fonts for more contrast). If the front light made no difference I would still be using one my Sonys, which I still think were the best-built readers ever made.

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

What does reading at night have with a front light? Reading in the dark is bad for your eyes either way. You want to avoid high contrast between your screen and stuff around you. Front light in darkness basically makes it a glarescreen.

I read in the dark all the time. But even in normal light or on a cloudy day, I find the front light gives me better contrast. I almost never turn off the front lights on my readers (sometimes just to see what it would look like) And, no, front lights don't turn eReaders into "glarescreens." With the warm setting and light at the right brightness, it's almost like reading on illuminated vellum — at least it has that look.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Frankly, as much as I liked the Sony PRS-350, it just didn't see as much use as my front-lit Kindles due to the lack of built-in light. I read at night so it's a must for me.

I don't know anyone who's not an avid reader who would buy e-ink instead of a tablet. E-readers are pretty niche that most probably won't recognize them on sight. If one wants a status symbol, high end Samsung Galaxy phones or Apple iPhones and iPads are a better choice. Granted, in developed nations, they can't really be regarded as such given they're so commonplace.

I did use my 650 and T1 with light cases. They worked pretty well. But without the light cases, I would not have been able to read in bed.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I did use my 650 and T1 with light cases. They worked pretty well. But without the light cases, I would not have been able to read in bed.

I have the lighted case for the PRS-350 but it made the device too heavy and iirc, it was hard to get an angle that doesn't cast shadows in some form.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I have the lighted case for the PRS-350 but it made the device too heavy and iirc, it was hard to get an angle that doesn't cast shadows in some form.

I had the lighted case also. Besides being a bit bigger and heavier to hold, I also had to carry extra batteries with me in case the light died while I was out. Still that was much preferable to no light at all, but I was really happy to get a reader with a front light. That's the only reason I switched to a Kobo. But I absolutely loved everything else about the PRS-350.

[JSWolf]

I agree that proper front lighting is better then a light cover. If I want on vacation, I would take extra batteries for the light cover. It did eat them pretty good.

[DiapDealer]

Haven't read an ebook on eink in years.

[John F]

I haven't read a complete ebook on anything other then eink. The last time I tried an ebook on an iPad, my eyes didn't like it.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by John F

I haven't read a complete ebook on anything other then eink. The last time I tried an ebook on an iPad, my eyes didn't like it.

Same thing I run into when trying to read on my phone. It's okay for a chapter or two, but that's about my limit.