# Kindle Owners - cover with a light? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 7, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891 "2011-10-07T13:51:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/21 "2011-10-11T21:35:32Z")
If you’re not already completely sold: I can not recommend Oberon Designs highly enough. [http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php) I have two of their covers and want more of their products. You can always get a third party light (as suggested upthread) if you want a clip on light. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/22 "2011-10-11T21:38:01Z")
I have the cover with integrated light, and it is SO worth the extra money. I never have to deal with a wonky third-party light that may or may not clip where I need/want it to, and don’t have to remember to throw the third-party light into the bag with my Kindle. It doesn’t drastically affect battery life, as it is off when the Kindle is off. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/23 "2011-10-12T02:33:16Z")
I have the case with the integrated light and I love it. I read outside at night a lot. I used to use a seperate led light when I read paper books and when I got my first kindle. I went thru three of them and never found one I liked. It was also a pain in the ass, getting it in the right place and finding it, heh. When I got a kindle 3 I got the book cover (blue) with the integrated light and I love it. I don’t have to look for it, I don’t have to focus it, it’s just there. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/24 "2011-10-12T03:08:49Z")
Speaking as a voracious reader, I read books in my place for years without a book-light. Then I got a Kindle (Kindle 2, to be exact) The Kindle was just as good as print books in the light in which I was used to reading. So I guess I’d say - if you needed a book-light for your previous books, get a case with a light for the Kindle. If you didn’t need a book-light previously, you probably won’t need one now. A Kindle case with a light could still be useful, but the necessity of one is no different than the necessity of a book-light with a print book. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/25 "2011-10-12T03:29:33Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > If you’re not already completely sold: > > I can not recommend Oberon Designs highly enough. [http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php) > > I have two of their covers and want more of their products. You can always get a third party light (as suggested upthread) if you want a clip on light. oooooooh… prettttyyyyyy… WANT!!! (they make Nook covers also). ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/26 "2011-10-12T04:00:11Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > If you’re not already completely sold: > > I can not recommend Oberon Designs highly enough. [http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php) > > I have two of their covers and want more of their products. You can always get a third party light (as suggested upthread) if you want a clip on light. Wow, now I feel like I have to buy a kindle just so I can buy one of their cases. I really like the demo video they posted of it: [http://www.oberondesign.com/k2vid01.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/k2vid01.php) ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/27 "2011-10-12T14:38:54Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > oooooooh… prettttyyyyyy… WANT!!! > > (they make Nook covers also). And iPad covers, and checkbook holders, and wallets, and, and, and… > [@rachelellogram](#): > > Wow, now I feel like I have to buy a kindle just so I can buy one of their cases. I really like the demo video they posted of it: [http://www.oberondesign.com/k2vid01.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/k2vid01.php) They have other products as well. I have (2) Kindle covers: Celtic Hounds in wine for Fall/Winter and Hummingbirds in Red (the red is GORGEOUS) for Spring/Summer. I want an iPad cover but I can’t decide which design, so I’ve held off. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/28 "2011-10-12T15:48:05Z")
> [@arnesw](#): > > +1 > > I got the cover mainly to protect the Kindle when traveling, but the light is really useful. The e-ink screen does need a bit more light than a regular book - and this solution actually turned out to be very good. Haven’t noticed much impact on battery life either. > > I got the black one, though. A bit more manly I think 😛 I got “chocolate brown”. Brown leather is still manly and book-like, right? The light built in to the cover is nice, but I wish I didn’t have to use it as often as I do; the light in my living room is atrocious. Gonna go buy a floor lamp while the wife is away that I can use as a reading light. I was an insatiable reader as a kid, but after college, somehow I slipped out of the habit. My wife bought me the Kindle for my birthday in June, and since then, I think I’ve read more than 25 books, probably more than I’ve read in the previous three years. It’s awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/29 "2011-10-12T16:15:20Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > And iPad covers, and checkbook holders, and wallets, and, and, and… > … aHA!!! I _knew_ there was a reason I needed an iPad :D. Seriously, while their stuff is gorgeous… can’t see spending the cash when I already have a decent wallet, a decent checkbook cover, a decent Nook cover. Damn fiscal responsibility. Baby doesn’t really need to go to college, does he??? ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/30 "2011-10-12T18:11:46Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > I was an insatiable reader as a kid, but after college, somehow I slipped out of the habit. My wife bought me the Kindle for my birthday in June, and since then, I think I’ve read more than 25 books, probably more than I’ve read in the previous three years. It’s awesome! Congrats to you. This totally describes me as well. I had supplanted reading with gaming, but now that I’ve quit gaming I want to go back to reading again! I just wish you could go to a brick and mortar store to try out Kindles before buying them. If I can’t handle each model before choosing (keyboard? touchscreen? 😕), it’s really hard to be decisive and pick one. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/31 "2011-10-12T18:27:03Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Congrats to you. This totally describes me as well. I had supplanted reading with gaming, but now that I’ve quit gaming I want to go back to reading again! > > I just wish you could go to a brick and mortar store to try out Kindles before buying them. If I can’t handle each model before choosing (keyboard? touchscreen? 😕), it’s really hard to be decisive and pick one. ☹ Staples carries Kindles. And they carry Nooks: [http://www.staples.com/Electronic-Book-Readers/cat\_CL164364](http://www.staples.com/Electronic-Book-Readers/cat_CL164364) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/32 "2011-10-12T18:51:00Z")
I’ve seen Kindles at Target and Best Buy, too. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/33 "2011-10-12T19:46:46Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > I can not recommend Oberon Designs highly enough. [http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php](http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle.php) Very cool designs, but it needs an integrated light! The cool thing about the integrated light is that it’s self-contained in the cover. I have a separate clip-on light, but it’s one more thing to have to pack (and lose). Oh, and the light died after a month or two. ---
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/34 "2011-10-12T20:49:00Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > I got “chocolate brown”. Brown leather is still manly and book-like, right? > > The light built in to the cover is nice, but I wish I didn’t have to use it as often as I do; the light in my living room is atrocious. Gonna go buy a floor lamp while the wife is away that I can use as a reading light. > > I was an insatiable reader as a kid, but after college, somehow I slipped out of the habit. My wife bought me the Kindle for my birthday in June, and since then, I think I’ve read more than 25 books, probably more than I’ve read in the previous three years. It’s awesome! Brown is acceptable 😃 I do have a boring and conservative taste, so I usually go for no bright colors and no ornaments. The light works very well for me, but I’m a little worried about the pull-push mechanism. If it should break - like **Anaamika** s ’ then there is probably very little you can do yourself to fix it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/35 "2011-10-12T20:55:28Z")
> [@arnesw](#): > > Brown is acceptable 😃 I do have a boring and conservative taste, so I usually go for no bright colors and no ornaments. > > The light works very well for me, but I’m a little worried about the pull-push mechanism. If it should break - like **Anaamika** s ’ then there is probably very little you can do yourself to fix it. I came in to say I fixed it, or it sort of fixed itself. On a whim I pulled the Kindle off the case and thoroughly cleaned the contact points and then put it back in - it works fine now. AND I obtained a used glider chair this weekend, so Mika is a very happy girl. I can sit in my glider and rock and read. I’ve wanted a rocking chair/glider all my life. ETA: My case is orange. 🙂 I like bright colors. I think as adults we are always expected to go to boring, bland colors. ---
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/36 "2011-10-12T21:47:06Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I came in to say I fixed it, or it sort of fixed itself. On a whim I pulled the Kindle off the case and thoroughly cleaned the contact points and then put it back in - it works fine now. AND I obtained a used glider chair this weekend, so Mika is a very happy girl. I can sit in my glider and rock and read. I’ve wanted a rocking chair/glider all my life. > > ETA: My case is orange. 🙂 I like bright colors. I think as adults we are always expected to go to boring, bland colors. Ah - I’m glad the solution turned out to be so simple. And now I want a rocking chair. And a fireplace! ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/37 "2011-10-12T21:53:08Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > aHA!!! I _knew_ there was a reason I needed an iPad :D. > Seriously, while their stuff is gorgeous… can’t see spending the cash when I already have a decent wallet, a decent checkbook cover, a decent Nook cover. Damn fiscal responsibility. Baby doesn’t really need to go to college, does he??? That’s why I haven’t bought a wallet or checkbook cover yet. But I’ve added an iPad cover to my cart soooo many times. It’s only the fact that I just paid for braces that I don’t click through and buy. Someday… > [@PunditLisa](#): > > Very cool designs, but it needs an integrated light! The cool thing about the integrated light is that it’s self-contained in the cover. I have a separate clip-on light, but it’s one more thing to have to pack (and lose). Oh, and the light died after a month or two. I never had a book light with paper books, so I never saw a need for one with a Kindle. But then I live alone and never have to worry about disturbing someone by staying awake to read in bed. ---
**Author:** ![Scathach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Scathach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scathach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/38 "2011-10-12T22:15:11Z")
I really like the lighted cover. It’s really useful for reading in bed / on planes/ buses etc. I agree though the price is ridiculous - I asked for it for Christmas because I couldn’t justify spending so much money on something so frivolous. (But frivolous presents are the best kind!) It might be worth having a look at the third party lights though. I doubt they can really be that much different except for needing their own power. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/39 "2011-10-13T04:58:22Z")
My wife and I both have the Amazon lighted cover for our kindles. They seem pricey until you price a leather cover and separate light for them. They do cost a little more though but once you get one you can’t go back. It’s just too convenient. The light is totally hidden in the cover and is entirely unobtrusive. It lights the screen almost perfectly and runs off the kindles built in internal battery so you never have to changes batteries. Really nothing negative to say about this cover, and I can find negative things to say about almost anything. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891/40 "2011-10-13T11:22:49Z")
I’ve ordered my Kindle but the covers are not in the shops yet, so will wait a few weeks and see what arrives 🙂 I’ve been waiting a week for free delivery, but have now realised I could have gone to PC World down the road to pick one up for the same price. Ah well! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-owners-cover-with-a-light/598891.md?page=3)