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RudySnow

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Original poster
Aug 27, 2016
486
892
Tyler, TX
I just bought a new Kindle (latest non-Paperwhite edition) but am thinking about using the new iPad Mini 5 for reading at the pool. The problem is, I worry about not only screen glare this summer, but overheating. What are your experiences, and which would you prefer?
 
An iPad or non-ereader-Kindle is really hard to read in bright sun. I use my kindle paperwhite at the pool. The Voyager is waterproof. That is a good option if you are in a splash zone.

ETA I should have said Oasis, not Voyager. Sorry.
 
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Kindles are waterproof (most models). But depending on what you read, their limited displays make a lot of book types incompatible - some book with images, like some history books, comic books and book "images" (imaged copies of books) won't work on a Kindle, but do on iPads and Fire tablets.
 
I have both the Mini 4 and Kindle Paperwhite 2. For poolside reading the Kindle is perfect while the Mini is unusable due to the screen glare. The Mini 5 won’t be any better since it has the same glossy screen as the Mini 4. When I go to the beach or pool I always bring my Kindle and never the Mini.
 
I thank you all for the replies. I should’ve mentioned I lost one eye and eye strain is, of course, now more important to me than ever. That’s why I didn’t get the Paperwhite, but use a yellow clip-on book light instead.

Man do I wish that Apple would just put out a cross-app-compatible e-reader. I don’t like being tied to just one service like Amazon, which is in the background of my question.
 
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I thank you all for the replies. I should’ve mentioned I lost one eye and eye strain is, of course, now more important to me than ever. That’s why I didn’t get the Paperwhite, but use a yellow clip-on book light instead.

Man do I wish that Apple would just put out a cross-app-compatible e-reader. I don’t like being tied to just one service like Amazon, which is in the background of my question.

I’m sorry to hear about your eye. Have you personally tried the Paperwhite? I find it to be very easy on the eyes and I can read it for hours on end without any eye fatigue, it’s not much different from reading a paperback.

If you don’t like being tied down to one company, you can consider Kodo or many of the other e-readers out there which are also similarly capable. Goodereader.com is a good source of reviews.
 
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An iPad or non-ereader-Kindle is really hard to read in bright sun. I use my kindle paperwhite at the pool. The Voyager is waterproof. That is a good option if you are in a splash zone.
Pretty sure Voyage isn't waterproof. Iirc, only the Oasis 2 and Paperwhite 4 are waterproof.
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I thank you all for the replies. I should’ve mentioned I lost one eye and eye strain is, of course, now more important to me than ever. That’s why I didn’t get the Paperwhite, but use a yellow clip-on book light instead.
If you can still return the basic Kindle, I actually recommend replacing it with the new Paperwhite. The frontlight is fairly comfortable and on the PW4, you can turn off the light completely if you want. It's got higher pixel density (300ppi vs 167ppi on basic Kindle) so text is sharper, too.

I wouldn't use the iPad mini poolside unless there's shade. The screen glare is just too much. Plus with the heat of the sun and the display on full brightness so you can actually see something, it's easy for the iPad to reach unsafe operating temps (device will shut itself down to prevent damage).
 
the newest kindles are waterproof, down to at least the paper white. i concur with everyone else. sunshine reading, an actual e-reader is the move
 
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You are correct. Sometime in 2019, Amazon is releasing an updated Voyage, I'd imagine it will be waterproof.
I thought I read earlier this week that the Voyage had been discontinued.

Amazon announced a new front lit basic Kindle this week for under $100.
 
The first Oasis, yes. The Oasis 2 gets so hot in the sun that I find it uncomfortable to hold and went with a Paperwhite 4 instead.
Interesting. Is that due to the metal chassis?

Caveat, the first Oasis isn't waterproof. Only two Kindles are waterproof: Oasis 2 and Paperwhite 4.

Kobo is the one with more waterproof models: H2O, H2O 2, Aura One, Forma.
 
This is so so so so very easy, Kindle!

Eink was specifically designed for reading text, it designed for reading at the poolside. An iPad is designed to do a hell of a lot more then that but is not the master of reading.
 
Interesting. Is that due to the metal chassis?

Caveat, the first Oasis isn't waterproof. Only two Kindles are waterproof: Oasis 2 and Paperwhite 4.

Kobo is the one with more waterproof models: H2O, H2O 2, Aura One, Forma.
Yes, it’s the metal that gets hot. I didn’t have it in a case which might have helped. I did put a skin on it but that didn’t really make a difference.
 
Yes, it’s the metal that gets hot. I didn’t have it in a case which might have helped. I did put a skin on it but that didn’t really make a difference.

How's the battery life on the Oasis 2? Amazon reviews would have you believe it's abysmal but I'm thinking it's probably not that bad since most won't even bother to post a positive review. The Paperwhite has incredible battery life and I was hoping this was comparable.
 
How's the battery life on the Oasis 2? Amazon reviews would have you believe it's abysmal but I'm thinking it's probably not that bad since most won't even bother to post a positive review. The Paperwhite has incredible battery life and I was hoping this was comparable.
Paperwhite is much better as far as battery life, but Oasis 2 charges so quickly that I didn't have a problem with it.
 
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How's the battery life on the Oasis 2? Amazon reviews would have you believe it's abysmal but I'm thinking it's probably not that bad since most won't even bother to post a positive review. The Paperwhite has incredible battery life and I was hoping this was comparable.
Reports on MobileRead from those who own both, worse than the Paperwhite (understandable since PW has, I believe 1500 mAh while Oasis 2 has 1000 mAh). Still better than smartphones.
 
Reports on MobileRead from those who own both, worse than the Paperwhite (understandable since PW has, I believe 1500 mAh while Oasis 2 has 1000 mAh). Still better than smartphones.

Thanks. I get 25-30 hours usage from a Paperwhite and I'd be happy enough with half of that.

Some of the reviews on Amazon are laughable, even for the Paperwhite. People read 'weeks' of battery life and think they can use it for hours per day and achieve that goal. Then they give it one star because they have to charge it once a week while they're asleep as if that was a real problem.
 
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