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?"

Comments

Cases

[somersault]

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.

Re:Cases

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Re:Cases

[Razgorov Prikazka]

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

Otterbox

[cvtan]

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

Re:I don't know ask Obama what he uses.

[theghost]

When all you have is a tin foil hat, everything looks like a communist alien mind control ray.

Kindle Non Touch

[Archon-X]

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.