I have a few outdoorsy trips planned for both summer & autumn, and will be spending several weeks under canvas. Because of the duration of the trips, and the fact that in Oct the nights will be drawing in, I plan on purchasing the above. Much easier to read when dark with the Paperwhite rather than using my head torch whilst laid out under the tarp.
Are there any alternatives worth considering please? It's sole purpose will be for reading.
As always, thanks tor any feedback.
|
|
Are you taking a mobile phone? If so I would download the Kindle App and use that . Saves you money and less to carry. Downside would be battery life
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Mon 13 Apr 15 at 23:38
|
I would agree. I use the Kindle software on my S5 and find it quite readable and very convenient when camping.
Since I only have the screen on "Auto" brightness, then it don't find it uses all that much battery- put it on fully bright and it uses more though.
|
I had not planned on taking my 'smart phone', only my old AT & T PAYG for contact with home when in civilisation. The first trip is 3 weeks backpacking in a wilderness area, and I don't want to be bothered with solar chargers. Weight is crucial, and I do have experience in this field, but being able to read when tucked up at night under a tarp is a luxury worth carrying!
Reading print on a smartphone might not be good for my eyes, and I could well read for a few hours a day as my walking companion does not want a route march, or so she tells me. Several stops a day and early finishes to set up camp will be de rigeur methinks.
|
It that case a Kindle seems to make the most sense, mostly because of battery life. Reading on a phone is pretty easy on the eyes, variable size fonts and all that, but the need for a battery charger will be a pain I guess.
I have a non-touchscreen Kindle which works just fine, it battery lasts for ever, and is pretty robust. Although since its just an ordinary Kindle its not a particularly expensive loss if it does get broken.
I think any of the kindles will be fine for what you want, so I'd go with the cheapest I could find.
I would stick with a Kindle though, I find them, and the software & account, the most flexible to use for a variety of formats, connections and uses.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Tue 14 Apr 15 at 00:18
|
Kobo Aura worth considering - bigger, better screen, and you can borrow books from your local library to read on it. You can still buy from Amazon if you run the books through Calibre to strip the DRM.
I use the Aura H20, which is exactly the same as the Aura HD but entirely waterproof. Dropping it in the bath / pool / leaving in rain etc no longer a concern.
|
|
Mrs ON uses a Paperwhite as a book substitute, she finds it excellent and one of it good features is its very good battery life, weeks with a couple of hours a day use.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 14 Apr 15 at 08:58
|
If you are away on holiday, where power is limited, then a Kindle Paperwhite is probably the only way to go.
And if you want to read your (legal) books across multiple platforms then Kindle is the only app to go for. Its ability to keep books in your account, and synch them to various devices with the correct page number open is one of the modern wonders of the word.
I also have another free book reader for epub documents on all platforms.
|
The Paperwhite then. Worried about battery life though. If you are reading for two hours a day for three weeks that's 42 hours.
Amazon state 8 weeks at 30 minutes a day which is 28 hours and that is wiht the WIFI and light turned off. Using the light I doubt you will get half of that.
|
>> Ah, but relax. You can have this one.
>>
>> www.amazon.com/Hippo-Stepbrother-Cant-This-Cute-ebook/dp/B00TAUWZJA
Are you one of those who also bought
Repunzel's Beard (A Subversive Erotic Gay M/M Fairy Tale…)?
|
|
No...but it's tempting. It could go next to my Spock's Beard records.
|
Paperwhite Kindle it is then. With Aquapac waterproof case, just in case of torrential afternoon mountain storms. Or if I drop it in the hot tub after one too many margeritas.
Thanks all
|
>>Aquapac waterproof case
Ziploc bags work pretty well.
|
|
Even at the bottom of a hot tub ? My backpacking friends highly recommend the Aquapac.
|
I'm sure the aquapac is better, being designed for the purpose. But I surf with my phone inside a ziploc bag in my wetsuit, and I've never had a problem.
There's always a first time I guess.
|
|
Mrs HM demanded a Paperwhite for Christmas last year; she's very pleased with it. She kindly donated her old Kindle to me but have yet to use it.
|
Mrs Dog has always been an avid book reader. When I was decorating her bedroom last summer, I happened to notice some books entitled fifty shades of grey and I actually thought they were colour charts of some kind ;)
Anyway, these days she seems to be permanently attached to her Paperwhite. I often holler out "you got your nose stuck in that blimmin thing again" to which she replies "well, you've always got your head stuck in that (this) thing".
:)
|
Fair comment No FM2R. Each to his own.
Personally I surf the net in my normal attire, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
|
|
For night time reading I've found inverting the colours on my Z30 (white on black) easier on my eyes, not sure if that's possible with the Kindle?
|
Probably not. I do the same in low light with my phone or tablet.
Only thing I'd say against the Paperwhite.... I'd personally pay the extra for the Voyage.
|
>>Personally I surf the net in my normal attire
For all you know a wetsuit and a ziploc bag *IS* my normal attire.
|
|
In which case, I hereby rename you NEO FM2R
|
>> Even at the bottom of a hot tub ? My backpacking friends highly recommend the
>> Aquapac.
>>
Or, as I suggested, get the one that's already waterproof...
|
|
Aren't there car chargers for these readers, like the one I have for mobiles?
|
|
I was under the impression Legacylad would be hiking/camping so away from his car. Could be wrong.
|
|
Three weeks in the wilderness he said so no cars and no power. Slightly intrigued how he carries enough food for 21 days on his back. Perhaps he 's a sort of Bear Grylls survivalist and eats the wildl
|
>> Aren't there car chargers for these readers, like the one I have for mobiles?
If one of the ends of the charging lead has a standard USB plug on it then I would imagine any off the shelf ciggy lighter USB adapter that has a minimum output rating of 1 amp should be able to cope with charging it using the Kindle's usual charging lead.
Similarly any car charger that has the same charging end as the Kindle's charger plug would suffice. I guess it's either micro or mini USB?
Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 16 Apr 15 at 21:28
|
|
Any micro USB charger tops up Mrs ONs paperwhite and her standard Kindle.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 16 Apr 15 at 21:34
|
>> Any micro USB charger tops up Mrs ONs paperwhite and her standard Kindle.
Indeed. But he needs a power source. There have been threads on battery packs for charging on here before so let's not start that here.
|
|
There are plenty of solar chargers on the market, and where I'm going there will be no lack of sun! However, I want to minimise weight, and when I resupply with food every four of five days ( the max I like to carry...it gets heavy, especially with lots of updownupdown & altitude) so will go without a charger. I reckon 12 hours battery life will suffice for my needs.
|
Does weight get that critical? (genuine question)
Also, do you use a car to drive off and purchase food? Because presumably that would be a brief recharging opportunity if so?
|
Weight is hugely critical. The more you carry on your back, the more energy you use. I backpack for pleasure, and fortunately over the years equipment has improved out of all recognition, be it shelters, sleeping bags, clothing, food. Having sore hips, aching shoulders, tasteless dehydrated food detracts immensely from the whole experience.
I'm aiming for 8/10kg max, which includes 4/5 days food. At trail heads there is always the chance of yogi ing. (Scrounging food off people in camper vans. When you get chatting most people are very accommodating)
|
|
And having to carry a bear barrel. Big heavy numb things. Awkward and fill the pack. I used one a couple of years ago on the JMT and have to use one on the June trip. Another reason to reduce weight to a minimum.
|
So what sort of food do you carry/eat? Do you cook? What about water and other drinks?
Do you carry tent or just a shelter? What about sleeping bags?
|
|
Whatever he eats must smell tasty enough because he needs a bear proof barrel to keep it in. And with bears around, I'd assume he's in a tent but he mentions tarp. I'm guessing he's heading to somewhere like Yosemite or similar.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 17 Apr 15 at 11:16
|
Just avoid the woods first thing in the morning. Without wishing to state the obvious. ;-)
|
Shop around for solar chargers.
I have one which weighs less than 2oz, and is pretty robust, and has a clip which can be fastened to a backpack strap. After a few hours, it has more than enough oomph to recharge a cellphone, so a kindle will be a doddle.
Last edited by: Ian (Cape Town) on Sun 19 Apr 15 at 00:21
|
Thanks Ian.
I used my first solar charger several years ago on the JMT. Things have moved on significantly since then, much like anything else I suppose. Plenty of sun where we are going!
|
|
if you use a solar charger you can get away with just a smartphone and not take the Kindle. one bit of kit instead of two.
|
Thanks for responses
I bought a Kindle Voyage. Ordered from JL Weds & collected from Waitrose Otley Thursday. It's 25 miles to my nearest Waitrose so made a half day of it with my 97yo Aunt. She enjoyed the drive, fish n chips for lunch, and I bought a 6 month supply of Flahavans porridge which I cannot buy in my locale.
Not had time to use it yet but should meet my literary requirements around camp for three weeks. Looking forward to chillin' in the northern Sierras. The girl I'm going with is a dedicated stoner so should be fun. And no alcohol for three weeks.....bet I lose at least 8/10kgs.
|
Kindle Paperwhite - CGNorwich
