Aura HD Reading in the sun... FAIL

[thoreau]

So at lunch pretty much every day I take my Aura HD out to read in the sun while I eat (gotta get that Vitamin D that I don't get from my computer screens at my desk...) and every time I start flipping pages if there is sun shining directly on the screen... NOTHING. No page turns, the power button stops working, backlight button stops working, it basically brings the reader to a complete standstill for up to 10 minutes. A pinhole reset will usually fix it, but really? Isn't it a selling point that "e-ink is the only way to read in direct sunlight"?

Can anyone else repro this? It's super frustrating, and I really want to know if this is just my unit or a glitch with the IR screens on all the Auras.

[rayhigh]

No idea. I read in direct sun on the Aura a few times a week, never had a problem.

Originally Posted by thoreau

So at lunch pretty much every day I take my Aura HD out to read in the sun while I eat (gotta get that Vitamin D that I don't get from my computer screens at my desk...) and every time I start flipping pages if there is sun shining directly on the screen... NOTHING. No page turns, the power button stops working, backlight button stops working, it basically brings the reader to a complete standstill for up to 10 minutes. A pinhole reset will usually fix it, but really? Isn't it a selling point that "e-ink is the only way to read in direct sunlight"?

Can anyone else repro this? It's super frustrating, and I really want to know if this is just my unit or a glitch with the IR screens on all the Auras.

[simond]

I know I'm in the UK but I've been reading on my Aura in sunshine too with no problems.

[mr_nihilism]

So are you saying that the Aura "fails" miserably when you're out in the sun, or do you encounter the same issues when you're indoors?

Anyhow, my Aura has no unhappy disposition towards the sun. I'm thinking maybe try a factory reset instead of just basically restarting it with the pinhole and if it still continues go ahead and return it.

[lioslaith]

I don't get lucky enough to have any really long periods of sunshine where we are but have managed to have my Aura out a couple of times during sunny spells and have experienced absolutely no problems with it. It sounds like a fault with your particular Aura.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by thoreau

So at lunch pretty much every day I take my Aura HD out to read in the sun while I eat (gotta get that Vitamin D that I don't get from my computer screens at my desk...) and every time I start flipping pages if there is sun shining directly on the screen... NOTHING. No page turns, the power button stops working, backlight button stops working, it basically brings the reader to a complete standstill for up to 10 minutes. A pinhole reset will usually fix it, but really? Isn't it a selling point that "e-ink is the only way to read in direct sunlight"?

Can anyone else repro this? It's super frustrating, and I really want to know if this is just my unit or a glitch with the IR screens on all the Auras.

The only time I've seen an issue reading in sunlight is with the touch screen when I have the sun hitting the screen at enough of an angle that it's hitting the IR sensors. If I tilt the screen so the sun does not hit the IR sensors, all seems to work fine. The light and power buttons are not affected.

From your comment that the light and power button are not working, it sounds as if you are having an issue other than the IR sensors. What is the temperature like where you are reading? Have you tried a factory reset? What firmware revision are you on? Basically, I'm wondering about a glitch in the running software.

Regards,
David

[rem736]

so the touch system on the aura hd is ir based just like sony's?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rem736

so the touch system on the aura hd is ir based just like sony's?

Yes it is.

[samhy]

Thoreau, if you can send some sun over here I'd gladly try that for you (fair trade if you ask me)
Seriously, when we'll get enough sun I'll try (supposedly not before next week).

[thoreau]

Thank you for the replies. It makes me feel better that this is isolated to just my reader. I'll try the full factory reset on it tonight. Is the process for that just a long hold of the pinhole reset button?

PS: we have nothing but sunshine here in Colorado, so this is a big deal for me .

[jiminrussell]

Sun and smoke of late anyway, hope you are not in one of the areas affected by the fires.

[robko]

Originally Posted by thoreau

I'll try the full factory reset on it tonight. Is the process for that just a long hold of the pinhole reset button?

No. Since your device is operational, go into the settings and under account (I think - don't have mine in front of me) and it will give you the factory reset option. That's easiest option for you. Realize you'll lose stats/reading life/annotations/books.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by thoreau

Thank you for the replies. It makes me feel better that this is isolated to just my reader. I'll try the full factory reset on it tonight. Is the process for that just a long hold of the pinhole reset button?

PS: we have nothing but sunshine here in Colorado, so this is a big deal for me .

There are a couple of ways to do factory reset.

Since your unit is working, just use the factory reset under the Settings => Device Information => Reset Device/Factory reset.

The other options come in when your Kobo is hung up. Then you get the fun of holding the power switch till the unit turns off (if you can't see the screen, 15 to 20 seconds in the off position works). Then hold the light switch and turn the ereader back on. Continue holding the light switch until the LED starts to disco (quickly flashing). The screen show should show that it is resetting. The alternative here is to turn the ereader off, hold the light button and use the pin hole reset. Same hold the light button till the LED discos.

Regards,
David