Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Both Paperwhite models are best used in bright ambient light. For dim ambient light the Kindle Fires (HD and HDX) are best. That is why I own both types of Kindles.

I do most of my Internet interaction on an iPad, but I don't like reading on one, that's why I have a Paperwhite. I use it night and day.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

This was the same for me on the 3 PW2's I tried. In the dark I had to keep the light higher on the PW2 to read than on my PW1.

However, in a well lit room, the background on my PW2 was lighter than on my PW1 at the same light level.

Tbh I do need to see another one to be sure that what I am seeing is correct. The light bleed is the main reason it's faulty, my eye keeps looking at it as its brighter at that point than anywhere else on the screen. The best of the two I end up with I'll take to work and try to compare with the demo model I saw last week, the Waitrose is next to my office.

At the end if the day if I'm disappointed there's no point is paying for a PW2.

[Josieb1]

I actually pre ordered and cancelled three times before I saw that demo model, so how I felt when I held that is what I want to feel with my own one.

[fearindex]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Both Paperwhite models are best used in bright ambient light. For dim ambient light the Kindle Fires (HD and HDX) are best. That is why I own both types of Kindles.

I agree PWs are best in bright light. That evens out most issues with the screen, although text blackness might be an issue to some.

My opinion for reading in the dark, and that is when I read 99% of the time, is a regular e-ink reader with a lighted cover.

The reason I feel that way is that backlit tablets/LCDs etc. shine a light towards your eyes that will be more taxing on the eyes and there are even studies it will make falling asleep harder. Frontlit readers are somewhat better than LCDs, but still the fact remains that you are looking at a lit box while the rest of the room is dark. That disconnect alone is bound to be taxing on your eyes and all that light on the "paper" will hurt the booklike feeling too... Or you have to run the light so low that it will hurt the contrast and being able to read well.

On the other hand, regular e-ink readers with lighted covers light the surroundings just so that your immediate surroundings light up a little and the light falls on the text, not into your eyes (with a well adjusted light anyway). The text looks more booklike and is easier on your eyes because basically you are looking at very similar results to a real book and a small reading light. $69 Kindle and a lighted cover is my current recommendation for best in-dark reading.

My two cents.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fearindex

I agree PWs are best in bright light. That evens out most issues with the screen, although text blackness might be an issue to some.

My personal experience differs; the PW2 is the best device I have for reading in poor light. Better than a backlit tablet; better than my old Kindle 3 with its illuminated cover; better even than the already-good PW1.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Tbh I do need to see another one to be sure that what I am seeing is correct. The light bleed is the main reason it's faulty, my eye keeps looking at it as its brighter at that point than anywhere else on the screen. The best of the two I end up with I'll take to work and try to compare with the demo model I saw last week, the Waitrose is next to my office.

At the end if the day if I'm disappointed there's no point is paying for a PW2.

Oh yes, I agree, you should see it for yourself and compare. That's a shame about the light bleed. Best of luck with your replacement.

[sirmaru]

I keep the brightness low on my Kindle Fire HD for low ambient light reading. Plus, I play my music off it as I read. I tend to read at my rocking chair at my bay window when the sun is setting. That is a great reading session for me since the music is coming from the eReader from the front.

In bright daylight or room light nothing beats the Paperwhites and I now set both at light level 15 of the 24. Unfortunately, Paperwhites cannot play music. Then I stream music to my Grace Mondo Radios from my PC but then the music comes from behind me.

I have no idea how the Kindle Fire HDX will fit into this scheme yet. Its due on 3 days.

[fearindex]

Originally Posted by HarryT

My personal experience differs; the PW2 is the best device I have for reading in poor light. Better than a backlit tablet; better than my old Kindle 3 with its illuminated cover; better even than the already-good PW1.

People are different. Thank goodness.

Just to gather your experiences, by poor light do you mean darkness? I read most of my time at night when practically the only light is the lighted cover or in the case of Paperwhite the reader itself (and maybe some ambient light from some window, but mostly during fall/winter outside is very dark).

I think in dimly lit surroundings a frontlight might work a little better too, but in "absolute" darkness it is very jarring to me, even if I were to assume a perfectly even screen. There's just some issue with looking at a lit box and dark surroundings that feels unnatural and the contrast between the dark and the lighted page is very high.

Lighted cover and regular e-ink seems more natural to my eyes in this regard.

[fearindex]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I keep the brightness low on my Kindle Fire HD for low ambient light reading. Plus, I play my music off it as I read. I tend to read at my rocking chair at my bay window when the sun is setting. That is a great reading session for me since the music is coming from the eReader from the front.

Sounds very nice.

That is different from my perspective, though. I meant in darkness, as in no other lights anywhere except maybe some street lamp far away. I find lit screens very hard on they eyes in "absolute" darkness, a lighted cover and a regular e-ink reader is very nice in those circumstances in my opinion.

This is also one readon why people's experiences can vary so wildly, I guess. Their reading situations vary a lot. Some product works better in some circumstances.

[duydangle]

These are pictures from my pw2. The first twos are at brightness 24. The last one is at 13.

The center seems a little warmer, while the top and bottom edge seems whiter.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I've just received my PW2 and I am very unsure about it. I closed my curtains and played with the light. I need the PW2 on 5 to get the same light as my PW1 on zero, is that correct?

My screen is yellow, and actually darker than my PW1 with no lights on at all, is that right as well?

I also have a small intense light bottom left where it leaks from the frame, not too bad but I wonder if it would be annoying after a while.

Tbh it's more the darkness of the screen with no lights that's the most annoying thing, I couldn't read on it with the light on a bit, not on that screen.

That's in line with some of the reported issues. I experienced the darker, yellow screen on my second device, the light bleed from the left of the frame on my first PW2, which also had green-pink hues.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fearindex

People are different. Thank goodness.

Just to gather your experiences, by poor light do you mean darkness? I read most of my time at night when practically the only light is the lighted cover or in the case of Paperwhite the reader itself (and maybe some ambient light from some window, but mostly during fall/winter outside is very dark).

I think in dimly lit surroundings a frontlight might work a little better too, but in "absolute" darkness it is very jarring to me, even if I were to assume a perfectly even screen. There's just some issue with looking at a lit box and dark surroundings that feels unnatural and the contrast between the dark and the lighted page is very high.

Lighted cover and regular e-ink seems more natural to my eyes in this regard.

I use mine in both poor light (eg dim artificial or natural lighting) and in darkness (reading in bed with the PW as the only source of light) and find it to be excellent in both circumstances. When reading in the dark, my PW2 appears to my eyes to be perfectly evenly lit, and I use a low light setting (normally around 6) in those circumstances. In dim light, I push the light level up to about 10-12, and again that gives a very pleasing appearance.

But, as you very rightly say, we all have our own preferences, and finding a solution that works for us personally is what matters!

[tubemonkey]

Kindle 4S + lamp = reading in poor light

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by fearindex

Sounds very nice.

That is different from my perspective, though. I meant in darkness, as in no other lights anywhere except maybe some street lamp far away. I find lit screens very hard on they eyes in "absolute" darkness, a lighted cover and a regular e-ink reader is very nice in those circumstances in my opinion.

This is also one readon why people's experiences can vary so wildly, I guess. Their reading situations vary a lot. Some product works better in some circumstances.

I never read in total darkness. Then I get my 9 to 10 hours of straight, uninterrupted sleep.

[FacebookVirus]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Kindle 4S + lamp = reading in poor light

The book lights that were common in the 90s never attracted me much, either. I bought one, though, tried to like it and utterly failed. Wish I had that $25 now, so I'm not making that mistake again.

But, to each their own.