E-readers in low light

[Bikeridr]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

They make bulbs that only allow you to read in Norwegian?

Actually, I think you can read also in Kazakh with the mentioned bulbs

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Bikeridr

Actually, I think you can read also in Kazakh with the mentioned bulbs

Wow! Who needs Rosetta when you can get a magic light bulb?

[ProfCrash]

I use a headlamp when I don't use a bedside lamp. Works great.

[Worldwalker]

Pretty much what OtterBooks said: e-ink does a decent job of replicating paper, so (allowing some variation for eyes and devices) you can generally read it where and how you can read paper.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GS6LDA

I also have a wall wart with a USB output, and a USB extension cable. I think you can figure where this is going. The light apparatus is a bit big, with that long 5-LED bar, but it's great in that it functions as a personal light instead of a bedside light. The only down side is that I haven't figured out a good way to attach it to my ebook reader's case yet, as I use that cable instead of the batteries. I wouldn't recommend clipping the battery pack, if you're using that, to the case -- it holds three AAA batteries, not to mention having a magnet, which makes for some weight. I wouldn't clip it to a paperback either. But with some other clip target (a stiff piece of cardboard?) and rechargeable batteries, using the base would be a viable option.

I like that because of its very even lighting (no hotspots) and because of the option to run it off of house power. The big problem I've seen with the smaller and lighter ones is that they use CR-2016 or CR-2032 batteries, which have a fraction the life of larger ones and cost beaucoup to replace -- I rarely pay more than 50 cents for an AAA (warehouse stores for the win) whereas a single button cell generally goes for $3 or more even at a discount store, and doesn't come in rechargeable form. My previous book light was some cheap model whose batteries cost more than buying a whole new light with batteries ... it was at that point that I realized that battery type, and access to infinitely cheaper mains power, was at least as important as form factor.

That said, I do have a tiny, CR-2032-powered, clip-on booklightlet. I just don't use it much.

[Joykins]

I use a booklight that clips on to the cover in bed if my husband's trying to sleep.

Otherwise you need the light you'd need for a normal book, maybe a touch more because of the black on gray.

[Cordanim]

We have small low-voltage "sconce" lights on either side of our bed on the wall, that give more than enough light to read our Kindles by, and when I am in a darker spot, I use the LED light built-in to my case (powered from the Kindle battery).

Like others have mentioned, the ability to increase font size/ style is great as well in lower light.

Kev

[elcreative]

Shop around on eBay for your CR-2032, several battery specialists, last batch I purchased were £10 for 100... still working through them...

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Pretty much what OtterBooks said: e-ink does a decent job of replicating paper, so (allowing some variation for eyes and devices) you can generally read it where and how you can read paper.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GS6LDA

I also have a wall wart with a USB output, and a USB extension cable. I think you can figure where this is going. The light apparatus is a bit big, with that long 5-LED bar, but it's great in that it functions as a personal light instead of a bedside light. The only down side is that I haven't figured out a good way to attach it to my ebook reader's case yet, as I use that cable instead of the batteries. I wouldn't recommend clipping the battery pack, if you're using that, to the case -- it holds three AAA batteries, not to mention having a magnet, which makes for some weight. I wouldn't clip it to a paperback either. But with some other clip target (a stiff piece of cardboard?) and rechargeable batteries, using the base would be a viable option.

I like that because of its very even lighting (no hotspots) and because of the option to run it off of house power. The big problem I've seen with the smaller and lighter ones is that they use CR-2016 or CR-2032 batteries, which have a fraction the life of larger ones and cost beaucoup to replace -- I rarely pay more than 50 cents for an AAA (warehouse stores for the win) whereas a single button cell generally goes for $3 or more even at a discount store, and doesn't come in rechargeable form. My previous book light was some cheap model whose batteries cost more than buying a whole new light with batteries ... it was at that point that I realized that battery type, and access to infinitely cheaper mains power, was at least as important as form factor.

That said, I do have a tiny, CR-2032-powered, clip-on booklightlet. I just don't use it much.

[crich70]

Sounds like a 'bright' idea.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Wow! Who needs Rosetta when you can get a magic light bulb?

[AnemicOak]

I've got a Kandle book light. I don't use it often, but it works great when I do.

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by elcreative

Shop around on eBay for your CR-2032, several battery specialists, last batch I purchased were £10 for 100... still working through them...

But that requires ... anticipation! Have you no sympathy for impulse buys?

Seriously, I have to do that. With things like my WiFi detectors, my scrolling LED badges, and of course my other book light, I can't afford to buy them at Wal-Mart, that's for sure (Wal-Mart thinks you need to buy one every few years for your watch, and prices accordingly). Thanks for pointing that out.

[elcreative]

Know exactly what you mean... that's why I ruthlessly suppress such things... why it's nearly two weeks since I saw a cheap 10" Android tablet... and succumbed because it was a local seller as well... and I haven't yet bought the 16GB & 32GB micro SDHC cards I spotted on eBay...

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

But that requires ... anticipation! Have you no sympathy for impulse buys?

Seriously, I have to do that. With things like my WiFi detectors, my scrolling LED badges, and of course my other book light, I can't afford to buy them at Wal-Mart, that's for sure (Wal-Mart thinks you need to buy one every few years for your watch, and prices accordingly). Thanks for pointing that out.

[JeremyR]

Unfortunately, the background of even the new e-ink is pretty grey, you really do need a lot more light to read than you would a real book. I had to get another lamp for my bedroom for my Kindle.

[CazMar]

The Mighty Bright light - especially the dual arm model (http://www.mightybright.com/Music-Li...ED-Music-Light) is just great. You can get it with power or to run on batteries. Three AAA's last for hours of reading.

[Piper_]

Mighty Brights do give the nicest light, from all I've tried too. (A variety of clip-ons and the Amazon cover w/light.
I haven't tried the Sony cover with light, but might - can the cover fold all the way back and stay there...?)

I haven't tried the dual arm model Mighty Bright.

My favorite, because it's the most lightweight and uses 1 AAA battery, is the Mighty Bright TravelFlex.
It needs a case to clip onto, though.

If you want 2 levels and don't have a case or mind the weight of 2 AAs, the XtraFlex2 is great.

If you want the lightest light to clip onto the Sony or Kindle, the MiniFlex is nice. It gives the usual good light, and you can get an adapter so it uses power from the house outlet, but otherwise, it uses CR-2032s, which I hate messing with.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by CazMar

The Mighty Bright light - especially the dual arm model (http://www.mightybright.com/Music-Li...ED-Music-Light) is just great. You can get it with power or to run on batteries. Three AAA's last for hours of reading.

I got this one: http://www.mightybright.com/Utility-...vigation-Light for my husband last christmas. Especially the red light is awesome. Too bad there aren't any single bulb red lights...