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Ask Slashdot: Rugged E-book Reader?
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?"
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.
which is totally what she said
http://www.otterbox.com/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-Defender-Series-Case/AMZ2-FIRE1,default,pd.html
Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
I think it would likely be easier to find a ruggedized case for a popular cell phone than an eReader, and then you could load the eReader app of all the popular sites onto it. (Amazon, B&N, and Kobo all have Smartphone apps that work with their services)
I'm actually quite fond of reading on my cell phone. I carry it with me everywhere anyway, so any time I have a few seconds to read, I've got it out with a book open.
Thomas A. Knight
Author of The Time Weaver
I use a ziploc bag to read on the beach. Simple, cheap and efficient.
The problem with the kindle is that it is extremely easy to ruin by a backpack with books. I've had 2 die on me that way, so I'm guessing he needs a hard case more than that :\
I have used this on kayaking trips
http://www.rei.com/product/833250/seattle-sports-dry-doc-kindle-case
It is cheap and does the job
Otterbox appears to make a variety of cases for many different devices. However, they don't come cheap and might be a substantial fraction of the cost of the ereader.
For DIY, if your concern is just while the reader is in transit/packed (ie, not in your hand), have you considered just using (small) bubble wrap? Its light and two or three times around should provide adequate protection against all but a hammer. Seal inside zip lock bag(s) and for good measure toss in a couple of those silicone moisture absorbing packets. If you have a small styrofoam shell from product packaging you might be able to adapt that and close with duct tape.
There's so much to do at Burning Man. Don't read a book, go volunteer at the post office or get into some crazy shit.
Plus ebooks don't burn that nice. Bring a book if you need a break and burn it at the end!
Contrary to your personal preferences, many people who read a lot prefer a dedicated reader and do not want (or desire) the added distractions of a tablet. And an e-reader will last for a couple weeks on a charge. Will your tablet or smartphone? In fact I'd suggest that anyone who is travelling in unconventional ways should bring an older 'dumb' phone which can last close to two weeks on standby with similar talk time as things like iPhones.
When all you have is a tin foil hat, everything looks like a communist alien mind control ray.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
If you are traveling you may just want to pick up a few paper books. Several reasons for this. 1) cost. Although some paper books can and do cost a lot if you pick something cheap it makes sense. 2)you don't have to worry about power 3) Stealing something valuable. Where ever you go you have to be on your guard since they see you have this high price item and will be thinking you got a lot of cash, time to liberate it for themselves. 4) Safety. See #3. If you have something nice and shiny, depending upon the people around you someone could follow you and want to take it way, putting you in harms way. Although as everyone knows it could just be something else they are looking at like your watch, cloths and so on. On trips I always try to look nondescript so no one thinks I got any cash or valuable stuff on me. In my car I got a lot of trash in the back seats so people think my car is crap and wouldn't want it.
Just my thoughts.
Paul: Father... father, the sleeper has awakened! - Dune
The Kindle Non-Touch could be your device.
Background
The shell is metal (titanium? aluminium?) - and can withstand serious knocks.
The device itself is very slim, so easier to slide into the back of backpacks, pockets, etc.
The e-ink display seems to take substantial abuse before it cracks - and if it does crack,amazon replaces the device for free.
Jusitifications
You're asking for something rugged - most people don't abuse their devices.
I've just got back from a 12,400KM trip on motocycle from France to Kazakhstan - my kindle was in the top of the tank case for the entire trip.
It endured being dropped on concrete multiple times ( the shell has chunks missing, but the device marches on ) - and also a small accident when I put the bike down - the tank case ripped off, flew through the air, had a solid impact - and the Kindle marches on. There's a tiny black dot (e-ink equivalent of 'dead pixels', I guess) - where there was significant pressure, but works perfectly.
You can telnet / SSH to the device without modification, you can replace the screensavers, you can download / pirate books if it's your fancy.
It's a pretty damned amazing device, especially for the price of $99.
Neat! An LCD screen *and* a battery life of 14 hours? Let me throw away my Kindle that I can use outside in the sun and that I have to charge once a month, and replace it with this bad boy. Because I will *gladly* pay $349 for a tablet instead of buying a $99 Kindle for a bunch of extra features that I don't want or won't use.
With most of the dry lock bags they start getting scuffed and become fogged and translucent instead of transparent. A quick wipe with Armor All and transparency returns. I use some double tough ziplock freezer bags as well and the Armor All works to clean them up as well.
Ask the enthusiasts at MobileRead. The Pocketbook 360 Plus has a nifty snap-on cover, good battery life, and survives ocean spray and bathtubs (not sure about underwater though). Or get a reader app for your phone as backup, which you've probably already toughened. Better yet, forget the ereader and visit with whoever's around, explore the surroundings, step away from the digital blue pill and into full spectrum analog life.