eReader for someone with low vision

Der Whatkin · 06-12-2011, 12:14 AM

Hi!

I have a family member with a number of vision and other health issues that mean she can't really use a regular computer.

Right now she has a Kindle DX (graphite), which is nice, but does have a number of issues that make it less than ideal, and we might be looking into replacing or supplementing it with a different device.

Absolute Musts:

30 pt or larger font option in books - Right now she's on the second-to-last size option on the DX.
A 9.7" screen - to accommodate more than a few words at the large font size.
NO LIGHTS - No backlights, no LED indicators(although those can be taped over), no LCD navigation panes. They hurt her eyes.
Some kind of wireless - this is a device that will never or almost never actually touch a regular computer.

Would be really, REALLY nice:

Resizable easy to navigate menus. Text-to-speech menus a distant second.
A touch screen - ease of navigation/note taking issues.
ePearl screen - I'm not sure how vital this is, but a clear image and minimal glare are major, major concerns, and the main reason we went with the DX as her first device.
A solid text-based browser, with the same font capabilities as books.

The current best option seems to be the Pocketbook Pro 902/903, but I'm not sure how flexible those are with regards to menu readability/navigation.

HarryT · 06-12-2011, 06:20 AM

You might also consider the Onyx M90.

fjtorres · 06-12-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Whatkin

The current best option seems to be the Pocketbook Pro 902/903, but I'm not sure how flexible those are with regards to menu readability/navigation.

The Pocketbook line uses customizable themes to change the appearance and *functionality* of the device's gui. Crafting (or modifying) and compiling a new theme is not quite trivial (documentation issues) but doable with a bit of determination. There are dozens of themes available so one might be suitable.
Ask around the PB forum and one of the 903 owners will probably help you; they're friendly sorts.
A bit of clarification: the PB 603/903 do *not* have touchscreens. What they have is a Wacom digitizer behind the screen that tracks pen motion and contact. It is much more precise than touchscreens but it only responds to the included stylus.

06-12-2011, 12:14 AM	#1
Der Whatkin Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Kindle DX	eReader for someone with low vision Hi! I have a family member with a number of vision and other health issues that mean she can't really use a regular computer. Right now she has a Kindle DX (graphite), which is nice, but does have a number of issues that make it less than ideal, and we might be looking into replacing or supplementing it with a different device. Absolute Musts: 30 pt or larger font option in books - Right now she's on the second-to-last size option on the DX. A 9.7" screen - to accommodate more than a few words at the large font size. NO LIGHTS - No backlights, no LED indicators(although those can be taped over), no LCD navigation panes. They hurt her eyes. Some kind of wireless - this is a device that will never or almost never actually touch a regular computer. Would be really, REALLY nice: Resizable easy to navigate menus. Text-to-speech menus a distant second. A touch screen - ease of navigation/note taking issues. ePearl screen - I'm not sure how vital this is, but a clear image and minimal glare are major, major concerns, and the main reason we went with the DX as her first device. A solid text-based browser, with the same font capabilities as books. The current best option seems to be the Pocketbook Pro 902/903, but I'm not sure how flexible those are with regards to menu readability/navigation.

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06-12-2011, 06:20 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You might also consider the Onyx M90.

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