Does E-Ink Sun Fade get Worse with Time?

luqmaninbmore · 05-12-2010, 11:06 AM

Greetings,

I've purchased a Pocketbook 302 and over all I like it alot. My first unit had a serious issue with Sun-fade (it would fade to illegibility on an overcast day) and a mechanical problem (the micro-sd eject mechanism was non-functional). I returned it and received a replacement. Pocketbook's (specifically, Tatyana's) customer service was very good. I could tell that they checked out the replacement unit before sending it. Today the sun has returned and I man noticing a slight fading in strong, direct sunlight (i.e. I have the sun reflected on the screen of the device). The writing is a bit faded but still quite legible and I have to aim it directly at the sun to get this to occur, which is definitely NOT my standard reading practice. Otherwise there does not seem to be any noticeable fading. While I want a device with NO defects, I will probably be satisfied by this. I am worried, however, that the fading will get worse with time. The problem with my original device rapidly worsened, or at least appeared to (i.e. it took less and less light over the course of a few days to induce the fading). I would like to draw on the collective experience of my fellow mobilians: does e-ink sun fade tend to get worse with time or is it constant over the life of the device?

Luqman

luqmaninbmore · 05-14-2010, 11:27 AM

Well, it apparently does get worse. I have serious fading now that the sun has come out after the last few days of rain and overcast weather. I don't think the fading occurs during the first couple of exposures (or at least it requires a much stronger level of sunlight), which makes it difficult for vendors to check whether their merchandise is affected. I am very glad I bought the device new; if I had got it on Craigslist or Ebay I would probably stuck with a defective device.

Luqman

Jellby · 05-14-2010, 12:03 PM

I have never had an issue with the display quality under sunlight. Of course, here in Southern Spain I tend to avoid staying under bright sunlight

, but I've been reading outside in sunny spring days without problems (other than screen glare at certain angles). My unit is more than 2 years old, and it's still working perfectly.

RickD · 05-14-2010, 12:06 PM

Is this problem specific to a device, or to e-ink readers in general? I've sat in the sun with a Kindle several times but not noticed anything like this.

luqmaninbmore · 05-14-2010, 12:50 PM

The problem has affected e-ink readers of all brands and designs; it is not confined to any one manufacturer. Most e-ink readers are not affected. Scuttlebutt says that there was a batch of defective e-ink screens manufactured by a company that PVI contracted for the purpose.

WillAdams · 05-14-2010, 01:15 PM

Yeah, the problem is, Sony at least, specifically states in the manual that their unit is not to be used in direct sunlight....

luqmaninbmore · 05-14-2010, 02:19 PM

That's just absurd. You can't take it to the beach or the garden, the contrast is so poor that it can be difficult to read in doors without a light source near by, and when you get close to the light source you have to deal with glare. They are just trying to cover-up their own negligence in Quality Assurance or in selecting their screen manufacturer.

oggelbe2007 · 05-16-2010, 08:14 PM

My wife and I have been using the Sony 500 outside, at the park, at the pool, etc. since the reader first launched several years ago. I have not noticed any degradation in the display contrast. Had to swap out the battery earlier this year but that's all the maintenance ever done to it. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Got a warrenty?

05-12-2010, 11:06 AM	#1
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	Does E-Ink Sun Fade get Worse with Time? Greetings, I've purchased a Pocketbook 302 and over all I like it alot. My first unit had a serious issue with Sun-fade (it would fade to illegibility on an overcast day) and a mechanical problem (the micro-sd eject mechanism was non-functional). I returned it and received a replacement. Pocketbook's (specifically, Tatyana's) customer service was very good. I could tell that they checked out the replacement unit before sending it. Today the sun has returned and I man noticing a slight fading in strong, direct sunlight (i.e. I have the sun reflected on the screen of the device). The writing is a bit faded but still quite legible and I have to aim it directly at the sun to get this to occur, which is definitely NOT my standard reading practice. Otherwise there does not seem to be any noticeable fading. While I want a device with NO defects, I will probably be satisfied by this. I am worried, however, that the fading will get worse with time. The problem with my original device rapidly worsened, or at least appeared to (i.e. it took less and less light over the course of a few days to induce the fading). I would like to draw on the collective experience of my fellow mobilians: does e-ink sun fade tend to get worse with time or is it constant over the life of the device? Luqman

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05-14-2010, 11:27 AM	#2
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	Well, it apparently does get worse. I have serious fading now that the sun has come out after the last few days of rain and overcast weather. I don't think the fading occurs during the first couple of exposures (or at least it requires a much stronger level of sunlight), which makes it difficult for vendors to check whether their merchandise is affected. I am very glad I bought the device new; if I had got it on Craigslist or Ebay I would probably stuck with a defective device. Luqman

05-14-2010, 12:03 PM	#3
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,543 Karma: 19001583 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I have never had an issue with the display quality under sunlight. Of course, here in Southern Spain I tend to avoid staying under bright sunlight , but I've been reading outside in sunny spring days without problems (other than screen glare at certain angles). My unit is more than 2 years old, and it's still working perfectly.

05-14-2010, 12:06 PM	#4
RickD Time Traveler Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Device: Iliiad or Kindle DX	Is this problem specific to a device, or to e-ink readers in general? I've sat in the sun with a Kindle several times but not noticed anything like this.

05-14-2010, 12:50 PM	#5
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	The problem has affected e-ink readers of all brands and designs; it is not confined to any one manufacturer. Most e-ink readers are not affected. Scuttlebutt says that there was a batch of defective e-ink screens manufactured by a company that PVI contracted for the purpose.

05-14-2010, 01:15 PM	#6
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,258 Karma: 3439432 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	Yeah, the problem is, Sony at least, specifically states in the manual that their unit is not to be used in direct sunlight....

05-14-2010, 02:19 PM	#7
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	That's just absurd. You can't take it to the beach or the garden, the contrast is so poor that it can be difficult to read in doors without a light source near by, and when you get close to the light source you have to deal with glare. They are just trying to cover-up their own negligence in Quality Assurance or in selecting their screen manufacturer.

05-16-2010, 08:14 PM	#8
oggelbe2007 Limited Warranty Posts: 89 Karma: 576 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Georgia, USA Device: A sweet PRS-500, DXG	My wife and I have been using the Sony 500 outside, at the park, at the pool, etc. since the reader first launched several years ago. I have not noticed any degradation in the display contrast. Had to swap out the battery earlier this year but that's all the maintenance ever done to it. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Got a warrenty?

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