e-readers in torchlight?

[rualexander]

Considering getting an e-reader for my next tour and general use, either Kindle or more likely Kobo. I'm baulking at the cost of the newer versions with built in lights like the Paperwhite or Glo, but I'm concerned about whether the more basic unlit versions can be read at night in the tent with a headtorch without getting bad reflections from the torch. I know they have supposed unreflective screens but there is still some reflection.
What's the opinion of other e-reader users?

[cjs]

C.... I'm concerned about whether the more basic unlit versions can be read at night in the tent with a headtorch without getting bad reflections from the torch.......

Kindle Touch works fine with a head torch, I normally use just 1 red LED from the head torch to save juice - no issues - no reflection problems with 2 white LED's on neither...

Hope this helps..

[andymiller]

I've just done a quick test with my Sony eReader and if you shine the light directly at the screen (ie a 90-degree angle) there is quite a lot of glare on the screen, but if you can angle the light relative to the screen then it's OK. So it depends a bit on the type of headlight you have and whether you can adjust the angle. Also whether you can can hang it from a loop in the tent. I guess you could read with the light in your hand and the reader in the other.

[les tocknell]

I use a clip on light (available anywhere as well as Amazon) which can be used for any reading and angled to avoid glare. Also useful for personal general light in tent. I use a Kindle for camping and find it excellent - a lot less weight and bulk than books especially if you like more than one on the go at a time....

[drossall]

I bought my wife a case with a built-in light for her Kindle.

[Cunobelin]

I have just donated my Kindle to the Mother in Law


Replaced it with a Kindle PaperWhite for exactly this reason

I can read at night with the setting at about 60% and it does not disturb my wife the way a torch does

[Cunobelin]

....it is also down to the interface

I bought into EReaders some years ago with the Sony PRS so have a considerable investment in the EPub format

Consequently I run both Kobo and Kindle apps on the IPad

Kindle is (to me) more intuitive and user friendly

[andrew_s]

I used to use a Sony reader by headtorch. It was OK - not difficult to angle the screen so there was no reflection.

However, the Paperwhite is much easier, and has the advantage that if you go round to the pub of an evening and find the lighting is a bit dim you don't stand out like you would if you used a headtorch.

[indio32]

C.... I'm concerned about whether the more basic unlit versions can be read at night in the tent with a headtorch without getting bad reflections from the torch.......

Kindle Touch works fine with a head torch, I normally use just 1 red LED from the head torch to save juice - no issues - no reflection problems with 2 white LED's on neither...

Hope this helps..

I've tried reading a kindle with a head torch and using a lamp and both are horrible. YMMV

[indio32]

Considering getting an e-reader for my next tour and general use, either Kindle or more likely Kobo. I'm baulking at the cost of the newer versions with built in lights like the Paperwhite or Glo, but I'm concerned about whether the more basic unlit versions can be read at night in the tent with a headtorch without getting bad reflections from the torch. I know they have supposed unreflective screens but there is still some reflection.
What's the opinion of other e-reader users?

My wife recently upgraded to a Kindle Paperwhite and its purrrrfect for reading at night. Have no knowledge of a Kobo. It might be slightly cheaper to buy but remember to factor in book prices! Amazon customer service is second to none and definitely the market leader when it comes to book availability and prices.

Borrowed wife's old non lit kindle for wild camp and it was 'orrible to read using a head torch or lamp. I'm thinking of getting a paperwhite for myself when budget allows.

[simonineaston]

+ 1 for Kindle Paperwhite - very readable in the dark and whopping battery life, slim and light, too.

[paulkennedy]

I have just switched from a Sony Reader PRS-650 to a Kobo Glo. Works with all my existing epub books, and the light is excellent for campsite reading. The Sony was OK with head torch, but I prefer the Glo as it saves torch batteries for roadside puncture repairs, cooking etc...

If you haven't already purchased, I would get a newer lit model.

You could get a Glo second hand from somewhere like Computer Exchange, that worked for me.

[cjs]

C.... I'm concerned about whether the more basic unlit versions can be read at night in the tent with a headtorch without getting bad reflections from the torch.......

Kindle Touch works fine with a head torch, I normally use just 1 red LED from the head torch to save juice - no issues - no reflection problems with 2 white LED's on neither...

Hope this helps..

I've tried reading a kindle with a head torch and using a lamp and both are horrible. YMMV

YMMV is indeed the case, I've used the kindle touch with a headtorch on low red light for weeks on end, no issues - certainly not in any sense 'horrible'... but there you go, we are all different, thankfully...

I have also used a the paper white variant and for the OP yes, it is very good with no additional lighting required. Lower battery life and storage may be a consideration though - i.e. length of tour, charging, pdf maps and route directions etc.. If the price differential is not too much of an issue grab a backlit variant but otherwise, the ordinary version can suffice.

Hope this helps...

[andrew_s]

Lower battery life and storage may be a consideration though

Amazon quote the battery life of the Paperwhite as near double that of the non-lit Kindle (same usage). Presumably a fair bit of the extra 43g has gone into a bigger battery.
Storage is interesting - both are 2GB/1.25GB usable, but the Paperwhite is 1100 books but the plain Kindle is 1400 books. Perhaps they think that lighting will encourage longer books?

[simonineaston]

for me, the storage issue is academic - when I go off touring on my bike, I have found that I like to take a couple of fiction books that I'm looking forward to reading, and maybe a couple of old favourites - I still haven't finished either Moby Dick or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance ! - and maybe a handful more, 'just in case' although in practice, I find I hardly ever dip into more than 1 or 2 of them. So I only ever need space for 10 - 15 books, tops. To which end I have found Calibre, the free e-book management software to be brilliant!
http://calibre-ebook.com/