Registered: Jan 2002
Location:
Posts: 1

Will it help with eye strain?

I got a Deluxe for Christmas and have been using it a LOT--so much that I'm getting eye strain from the screen. I've upped the sizes of the fonts, which helps, but I'm wondering if an upgrade to color would help more. Those of you who have the Prism, how good is the resolution? If you've worked extensively with the LCD screen, do you find this tires your eyes less? Or more?

Also, since I'm going to use it a LOT, how long does the battery charge really last?

Thanks!

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

IMO the color screen caused more eyestrain. I have trouble seeing the black board now in class. Theres a possibility that it might be me growing up and needing glasses. But i strongly believe it's because i use my prism way to much. I have to stop b/c i get head aches some times. The contrast utility doesnt help me b/c it wont stay at a certain setting for some reason. Up to you. Oh yeah and i have owned a platinum before and eyestrain wasnt an issue.

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Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Macau
Posts: 52

In general, I have not found that it gives me eye strain, although I did have one period in which I found my eyes tired after several days of very extensive use. My maximum use is about 6 hours/day, and most days it is only around 2. But I find that if you do rest your eyes and especially periodically focus on things far away, you are less likely to get eye strain whether with a deluxe or prism (same guidelines as apply for computer). I do find that reading at night is much better than with my old deluxe and less likely to cause strain because the screen is so bright.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

About me- I wear thick glasses and am getting old. I am on the cusp of needing bifocals and have some trouble with small type.

I often had problems reading my Deluxe, especially in mediocre light or with the backlight (reading in bed, etc.). I too played with fonts with unsatisfactory results.

I have almost no problems with the Prism, as long as I adjust the brightness for the situation. I can read almost everything in the default font. Sunlight is a bit of a problem, but you can usually compensate by holding it in your shadow and giving your eyes a second to adjust.

I suspect that the Prism's lit screen will help people whose close-by 'reading' distance is beginning to suffer, but not those whose near vision is still sharp, but distance vision may be fading (get your eyes checked, leadxpaint. Using the Prism, etc. usually does not affect your distance vision- there may be a different vision issue.)

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Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007

I suspect that the Prism's lit screen will help people whose close-by 'reading' distance is beginning to suffer, but not those whose near vision is still sharp, but distance vision may be fading (get your eyes checked, leadxpaint. Using the Prism, etc. usually does not affect your distance vision- there may be a different vision issue.)

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Will do

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Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

My prism hurts my eyes a bit at night, when its dark in my room and the brightness is all the way up. What i learned was to change the brightness every so often, so your not looking at exactly the same screen the whole time, sometimes it will be dark and other times bright. This should help.

Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 23

First trip through the discussion board and already I'm posting!

I am at "that" age where things up close and things in the dark are getting harder and harder to read...I wish reviewers would test these devices with users our age and develop a "readabilty by the aged" index!