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Ask Slashdot: Rugged E-book Reader?

Posted by timothy on from the toughbook-is-copyrighted-though dept.

First time accepted submitter Augury writes "I'm about to undertake a lengthy trip involving travel through dusty, damp and drop-inducing environments. When it comes to packing for such a trip, reading is a fundamental need, to help while away the inevitable hours spent in transit lounges, at bus stops and on beaches. The weight and bulk of the dead tree approach makes it impractical, so an e-book reader seems ideal — does anyone have any experience with ruggedising an e-book reader for such conditions?"

5 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Cases by somersault · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you get a proper hard case, and a waterproof bag (there are plenty out there intended for tablets, ebook readers and the like), then you can probably choose any ereader, while being protected against impact while travelling, and dirt/moisture when using it on the beach.

    I've had a couple of Kindle screens die on me simply from being bent slightly while in my rucksack to/from work. They were in a case too, but it wasn't the sturdiest of cases. I have a 10" tablet anyway, so now I use that for reading when I travel. Obviously the battery life is nowhere near as good, but it's fine if you're able to recharge every day or two.

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    which is totally what she said
    1. Re:Cases by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      And as for the waterproof bags, quart-size ziploc freezer bags work fine for Kindles; gallon-size ones work for 10" tablets. $1.50-$3.00 will get you anywhere from 10-30 bags, too.

    2. Re:Cases by Razgorov+Prikazka · · Score: 4, Informative

      In addition to this. I used them for a trip trough Kazakhstan and India and it keeps the dust (and moist) out perfectly. I had my nettop in a soft(foam rubber) shell, and that in a ziplock bag. The nettop is still with me :-) Passports/tickets/spare credit card where also in a ziplock bag. I tested it first in the sink with some tissues, it is as water tight. Pro tip: When packing, put the ziplock bag on the mattress, press the air out with a pillow and then seal it. That way you'll save space.
      Oh, and another thing: Be sure to have a dead-tree-travelguide with you. Ive seen many stranded because their kindle was out of power/broken/stolen and didn't know what to do. In a book one can make notes and plan routes easier too. Oh, and make sure you avoid LonelyPlanet if you go for dead-tree, those absolutely and utterly worthless :-S

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      rm -rf --no-preserve-root / ...and let /dev/null sort them out...
  2. Otterbox by cvtan · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.otterbox.com/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-Defender-Series-Case/AMZ2-FIRE1,default,pd.html

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    Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
  3. A plain bag ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I use a ziploc bag to read on the beach. Simple, cheap and efficient.