03-02-2009, 07:31 PM | #1 |
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Question for Kindle 1 and 2 owners re: direct sunshine
Hey guys,
Imagine the horror when I turned on my Kindle 2 while walking downtown today and the screen immediately faded and turned blotchy from the sun hitting it! Is this normal? I thought that the Kindle could be read in direct sunlight and this is only weak spring strength sunlight! So what we have here is whenever the screen is refreshed by page turning and it's in direct sunlight, the text is washed out. But step into the shade and turn a page forward or back, and then back to the original page, it comes up fine. Although I do note some letters may be a little distorted but a pixel or two. See attached photos to view this phenomenon. Last edited by MsAstoria; 03-03-2009 at 01:57 PM. |
03-02-2009, 07:51 PM | #2 |
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Nope..you can read the Kindle in direct sunlight. I would call Amazon.
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03-02-2009, 08:26 PM | #3 |
I'm Super Kindle-icious
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You may have a defective unit. There wee a few folks who reported this with K1 as well. I never had that problem.
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03-02-2009, 08:58 PM | #4 |
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My K2 works fine in direct sunshine.
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03-02-2009, 09:11 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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03-03-2009, 07:20 PM | #6 |
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I had a similar problem with the screen looking washed out in areas. I think it was the screensaver and a partial refresh.
Will have to try the kindle in sunlight except it has been raining or cloudy non-stop. Update: Bummer. Mine exhibits this behavior. I have a new one on the way and this will be the first thing I check after registering it. Last edited by freecia; 03-09-2009 at 05:26 PM. Reason: response updated |
03-03-2009, 07:21 PM | #7 |
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This happens to my 505, if the sun is bright. It goes away after you turn it off.
It doesn't usually bother me (I usually get my head shadow to block the light), but I will know better when I come back from the sunny Bahamas |
03-09-2009, 01:59 PM | #8 |
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It's good to know that Amazon backs it's product with customer service
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03-09-2009, 05:07 PM | #9 |
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I’ve contacted Amazon customer service to return my second Kindle. Both of them had the same problem. After 30 seconds to a minute indirect sunlight the E-Ink print degraded to only partial readability. This is 2 Kindles. The first I received on Friday, and noticed the problem on Saturday. Customer service was very nice, and they send a replacement out. I received that one today, charged it, took it outside on and watched my happiness fade away. I also own a Sony 505, and although it is affected by sunlight, it only happens when the Reader gets very warm. When I tilt the screen, or refresh, the print looks all right again. On the Reader, the font seem to “thin”, and thicken again after a refresh. With the Kindle the font softens and shortly “breaks-up”. It looks like a printed page that was produced with a copier low on ink. I am not a sunbather. The Kindle problem happens when I’m outside having a coffee and reading with my back to the sun. As soon as it hits the screen the degradation starts. Customer service will send both Kindles to their “development team” and get back to me. Amazon was patient and helpful, and exhibited great customer service.
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03-09-2009, 06:53 PM | #10 |
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I had the same problem and Amazon replaced mine. My replacement seems to be fine in the sunshine (which is at a premium this week as I look out at the gray skies and blowing snow). Now if only the whispernet would work! I am really regretting selling my PRS-505 but I am hoping all issues will be resolved soon.
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03-09-2009, 07:48 PM | #11 |
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I've got three K1s and never had this problem with any of them.
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03-11-2009, 06:30 PM | #12 |
Reading is FUNdamental
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Ok... so after reading this thread.... I of course ran outside to test mine in direct sunlight. Then I remembered that I live in Washington and we were in the middle of a snow storm.
So, I waited two days and then did the test. No problems here (whew!), except everyone on my block thinks I am "challenged". |
03-11-2009, 10:22 PM | #13 |
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My exchanged unit is fine and even better, the contrast is a bit better on the new unit. I asked a few impartial observers which had better contrast or was easier to read and they all pointed to the new unit.
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03-13-2009, 09:02 PM | #14 |
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Mine is showing this same problem, although not as bad as the OP's. I was just reading where Amazon CS is now telling folks to just return them for a refund instead of exchange. Don't know if I'll return it or try to get it replaced yet. It's having other issues too.
Last edited by AnemicOak; 03-13-2009 at 09:25 PM. |
03-13-2009, 09:15 PM | #15 |
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If the sun ever comes out I'll test mine but as far as I can tell mine doesn't have that problem.
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Tags |
kindle, kindle 2, sunlight, text fading. |
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