Reading in pitch dark...?

[rolynd]

Well, I am in for upgrading to a new reader, as of yet I am undecided between different models. I want to have something with integrated light that I can use to read in pitch dark.

Are readers with frontlight suitable for this purpose or is the light only for assistance in low light enviroments?
Currently I am using an old sony prs 350 but when reading in bed I always need additional lighting and even a small led light has enough spill to sometimes disturb the partner and lighting with led light is uneven.

Are there any differences between the lighting in the kobos and kindles? Do you use them for reading at night?

I have looked at some models in the shop but its hard to judge the intensity of the light in this enviroment...

I am not to keen on the amazon ecosystem since I use mostly sideloaded content but with calibre that would be no prob with the kindle PW2 afaik.

From what I read here kobos are somewhat more customizable but some suffer from frequent stability probs while the UI on the kindles seem to be more stable but less customizable concerning fonts, margins etc.

Thats not really an issue for me, I am leaning towards the more stable platform but I`d take the one thats better for reading in the dark...
The old sony has been used daily for years now and never gave me a single problem- I hope to get a unit with integrated light that can match this performance.

Best Regards

[Cosimo]

I have used my Kobo Aura HD in a room where it was the only source of light with no problems.

I'm not sure what 'stability problems' means but my Aura has never crashed or required a reset.

I also have a Kindle, the basic K4 model, not a Paperwhite, and the only thing I think it does slightly better than my Aura is in the speed it handles side loaded books. Not in the reading, page-turning aspect, but in the time the device takes to process the books, from the time the device is ejected until it is ready for use / reading.

[eschwartz]

Either one should perform admirably regarding screen brightness.

Re: the stability issue, I've never heard any problems with a Kindle, and after years with one I've never had any either. That is many peoples' experience with Kobo as well. But the Kobo firmware is said to be more unstable, and it depends a little bit on what you do with it. They are often fixing bugs and introducing new ones -- and most of each category may not even affect any particular person's usage.

Some people may suffer from serious stability issues, but some don't suffer at all.

Kindles never suffer (unless you ssh into it and start overwriting system files which has happened but let's just say we know whose fault that is).

In general, I'd say Kindles are good for the simplicity and just-read-it nature, and Kobo is better for customizability.

[Rbneader]

I have a Nook STR Glowlight, the old model with the SD card slot. It works beautifully on the lowest light setting in the dark.

[jbcohen]

I have always thought that there is no one best reader for all people, so let me tell you about what I know of the different ereaders with the book lights. Amazon calls their reader with the book light the paper white, which comes in two different flavors: wifi and 3G. 3G makes use of the Verizon cell phone network to plug into the internet where as the wifi uses your wifi connection at home.

Since I have a kindle I am not as familiar with the Kobo readers as Cosimo is, however what I am told the best thing about the kobo books readers is that there are several different models, so you get to pick what is best for you not what the maker considers the best for you, as is the case with amazon (take notice since it is very rare that you will hear anyone speak ill of their chosen reader). Cosimo should talk about the different Kobo readers, isn't there a few kobo's with book lights?

Pocket books has many different models, more than Kobo and therefore more freedom of choices then Amazon or Kobo. Some of their current models have eink and some are LCD, so you get to make a choice unlike Amazon where the readers are all eink. Don't know of Pocket books has one with a integrated book light or not.

So take your choice few choices (Amazon), more choices (Kobo) or a whole lot of choices (Pocketbook).

[Rizla]

Both kobo and kindle pw2 frontlights are okay but the kobo glo light doesnt dim as much as the kindle light and the kobo aura and aura hd light. But IMO any front light is unusable in total darkness. They make my eyes go funny. Handy for dim light environments though.

[rolynd]

so reader selection boils down to what fits personal coice best.

But I am a bit confused about Rizlas statement:

But IMO any front light is unusable in total darkness. They make my eyes go funny.

while others say its perfectly usable?
Main reason for upgrading would be reading in bed at night with the lights out and no additional lighting. I see no need if reading with the frontlight only is not a pleasant experience

Do others have the same issue as stated above?

Well, I could of cause just by one and try it out but wanted to hear some input from other experienced users ,thats why I am here

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by rolynd

Main reason for upgrading would be reading in bed at night with the lights out and no additional lighting. I see no need if reading with the frontlight only is not a pleasant experience

There seems to be a wide variation in experiences, I think it has more to do with eyes and how far you hold the reader from your face than with the reader itself, and so other people's experience might not be a useful guide.

I read on my Glo in total darkness for hours with the light set at about 10% and it is very comfortable, much better than reading a paperback lit by a bedside lamp. If I turn the light down it starts to become uncomfortable when less than about 5%, but others find it too bright even at 1%.

[meeera]

I'm light-sensitive and hold close with my glasses off (about six inches or so). The Aura is very comfortable for me on 1-2% in blackness, the Glo not so much (too bright). Haven't tried a Paperwhite.

[jbcohen]

Note Rizala's comparison its an interesting comparison. I have never used any model Kobo so I am not qualified to compare them, I have only used Kindle's so I can only tell you about them and they do great in the dark, I have done it more than a few times. The reasons I chose Amazon over Kobo was the tendency of amazon to under cut their competition's prices, a behavior that I want to encourage.

[Rizla]

Many people's inability to use the front-light in total darkness is well documented. Also many people are okay with it. I recall Amazon altered their advertising to reflect this. Instead of saying it worked in darkness, they said it worked in dim light.

If you can, try to test one in total darkness. I could not use one. Some people can. An alternate upgrade would be a clip-on light. But whatever works for you. Eyes vary.

[mystika1]

I love reading on my pw2 in total darkness. I'd hate to have to use a clip on light now. I'm spoiled.
:-)

[kristalana]

I can't speak to how it is with Kobo readers but I read on a PW2 in darkness almost every night and have no problems. Whatever effect they have on some people's eyes, I certainly haven't experienced. But I think you'll just have to buy one and try it for yourself.

[susan_cassidy]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

3G makes use of the Verizon cell phone network to plug into the internet where as the wifi uses your wifi connection at home.

That is incorrect. The 3G on the Paperwhite (and most Kindles except the very early ones, which used Sprint) is via AT&T, not Verizon.

[Chi Cygni]

I'm light sensitive too. I don't like bright sunlight, flashing lights and techno concert would probably give me a seizure. I cannot read white text on black background or everything starts swimming before me. I CAN comfortably read on PW1 in pitch black room for hours.