Barnes & Noble - NOOK Simple Touch GlowLight - 2GB - Gray

I have both the Simple Touch and ST Glow light. I really don't understand those who complain about the decreased contrast on the STGL. I've compared them side by side, and it really takes imagination to see the difference. It's got plenty of contrast, as much as most books, I think. The light is very convenient. I keep mine set low, because my eyes are so light sensitive (one of several reasons I passed on the Nook Color), but it works quite well. It's probably worth the extra money to get the GL, because a tiny Nook reading light will set you back about $15, and then you have batteries to keep up with (found pretty cheap online, but still an expense over the long run). Battery life is excellent. It helps that I keep the light very low, but I'm not seeing much, if any difference between this and the ST. If you have it set higher, you'll get less life, but it will still be good. Trying to decide between Nook and Kindle? Here are my thoughts. The Nook has page turning bars on BOTH sides of the device. You never have to swipe or tap if you don't want, which will keep your screen clean. You can lie in bed on either side and use either hand to turn pages with the bars. Kindle requires swiping or tapping the screen. You also have external storage on the Nook, and for some odd reason, Kindle has never offered that. The Nook is more responsive than the Kindle. And now you have a built-in backlight. For me, it's no contest. Trying to decide between Nook ST and Nook Color or Tablet? They are very different. The Color/Tab is great for magazines and pictures, though not so great as a general Android tablet. The interface is very simple. However, the Color/Tab is heavy. You'd be amazed at how heavy it gets when you're reading. You don't want to fall asleep holding it up over your face. You'll break your nose. Many people experience eye strain from a backlit screen. You can't read well in sunlight on the Color. And, battery life is much shorter. I have a Samsung Android tablet, but only use that for magazines and a couple other things (multiple Bible translations and a few totally unnecessary apps). The Simple Touch is the only way to go for reading books. I absolutely love mine, and it goes everywhere with me. What could be better than having your whole library in one hand? Even kept the non-glow version, for when conditions aren't so swift (bad weather, danger of being stolen, dog park, etc.). I did get a book-like leather case, and those can be found pretty cheaply online. Also put skins on it just for fun. My only criticism is that the screen protector is totally unnecessary. You can't really see it, though the texture of the screen is a little smoother now, but the old Simple Touch screen didn't scratch anyway. (Neither has this one).

I've been using e-ink based readers since the Kindle 1. I've always been concerned about LCD's ruining my eyes and thanks to this device (once rooted), I can do my web surfing on an eye friendly e-ink screen since this is running Android in the background. I can't recommend this enough and now my wife doesn't have to hassle me when I would like to get some reading done in bed. My only wish is a larger and higher resolution color e-ink screen but I m sure that will be coming 5 years from now. The ability to add a microSD card also adds to the great beyond Kindle feature list.

I've had every B&N nook to date and this is by far my favorite. I had a NST which I loved but died out on me (the only nook product I've ever had an issue with) I had the geek squad black tie protection plan and Best Buy gave me store credit (no hassles) to purchase another e-reader of my choice. Tried a kindle touch and didn't like the feel of it in my hands and found the interface lacking compared to the nook. I also tried the nook tablet which was great but gave me migraines from reading on an LCD for long periods of time. Finally the nook glowlight came out :)!!! After using it for about a 3 weeks with and without the glowlight on, it is everything I loved about my NST and better! The screen is super responsive, the light is wonderful for lowlight and no light conditions. After a full charge I've been reading on it just about everyday for the past 2 weeks for about 30 mins to an hour a night, and yesterday for about 5 and a half hours, searched for books to purchase on my nook for about 4 hours total throughout that time as well, all with glowlight on and I still have 48% of battery left. I am truly happy with this purchase!! The contrast loss many have claimed is not a big deal at all unless you stare very closely to the screen and compare it with a NST right next to this unit. Which is still barely noticeable.

I shopped long and hard before I unloaded any money for this. Yes, I read all the reviews where folks talked about the tear in the light layer, and yes I read about the font contrast issues, and I went ahead and bought one. I really liked the sound of the ergonomics, and I tend to do a lot of reading in bed, at night. I needed something light, with a light, and also comfortable to hold. I am so happy I chose this. I love it, and there's not a single day I have not used it. I do not really like the organization hierarchy a lot, it seems a lot of bother to try and organize you library, and sync with Adobe Digital Editions, and I would like to add, i don't like the power button where it is, the way I hold books in bed, I have accidentally turned it off so many times, so move it, or put in a switch guard? But the pleasure I get from it makes those minor complaints, a grudging sacrifice, because I absolutely love my Nook! I don't know how I lived without it. I also wanted to say, something kind of strange happened? My Nook, too, developed the light screen tear, that some others have talked about. Mine developed up in the center of the screen, about a half inch from the border down. That happened about three weeks after I bought it, and I had been handling it with kid gloves, as I was aware of the problem, and trying very hard to be careful. So, it finally happened, sigh, it was about 1cm long, and about 1/4cm wide. Looking at all the hassle of trying to return it, (I would have to make a drive), I decided to live with it. I made my bed right? I was well aware of this issue when I bought it. And it was really not in a highly noticeable spot, nor was it much of a nuisance with low light levels, or reading with the light off. So, a few days later, I begin to notice the tear was a little smaller, a few days later smaller and less noticeable, and then today, I sit down to read my Nook, and there is only a hairline squiggle, where the tear once was. No light leaks through, and it is nearly closed up. My Nook has healed itself! I don't know how to explain it, but I am a VERY happy camper! ^_^

I love my new Nook with Glow Light. I had the Nook Simple Touch without the glow light, and would have to find a chair to curl up in at night that had a light by it. Now, I can sit in my favorite "reading chair" anytime and read.

i have a tablet but reading on an e-ink device is far easier on my eyes during prolonged periods and the battery life is phenomenal. Plus it can be read in direct sunlight. I already owned this one but upgraded to the newer glow when it came out. Found out quickly I prefer this one. Knowing B&N will be discontinuing this, I bought a new one for down the road when mine gives out. This is superior to kindle paperwhite because paperwhites don't read epubs. This is superior to the new glow because the new glow has no expansion slot, which is a must for me because I have too much non B&N books/materials to load. The replacement doesn't have the turns on the grippers either. Both can turn pages by touching or swiping but a one-handed hold & swipe, such as when laying down in bed is difficult. Squeezing the gripper is far easier. I have to hold with both hands to swipe the new one without gripper turns. It's a pain. I also find I prefer the slightly warmer tinted light on this vs the slightly cooler tint on the replacement glow.. The new one does do a better job of distributing light but I find the tint on this one to be easier on the eyes. And I hate the white bezel on the new one. Seems to interfere with reading enjoyment for me. I like this black on this version. This version is slightly heavier but not much. The biggest negative for this version is that the screen needs to be protected in a cover when not in use. The screen can get small 'tears' where the light can shine through in places it sustains any hard knocks.

I had the original Nook and was pleased with everything except having to use a clip on lamp or light at night. I prefer the e-ink display and when the Nook with Glow came out, I thought it would be the right choice. I have had mine for almost almost a month now and I am still very pleased with it. The glare and wash out are no place near what I experienced with my original Nook and an outside light source at night. I have been impressed with the LED's at night and the light seems to be balanced across the screen. After three weeks of use, I just put it on the charger for the first time. I highly recommend the Nook Simple Touch with Glow for anyone looking for a quality e-reader.

So, I've had the original first gen iPad since just after it came out and have used it quite a bit as an e-reader. Never really had any complaints about it being hard on my eyes or anything like that, but I recently deployed overseas and I decided to leave the iPad at home for the family. I picked up the Glow Light NOOK shortly after I got here. I've read reviews that say it's not as tack sharp as the nooks/kindles w/o a glow light, but from my perspective it's still extremely sharp. Works great at night in a tent full of dudes trying to sleep...not too bright, but still plenty of light to read by. I've charged it once since getting it several weeks ago...an hour or so a night of reading and the thing's still going strong. I'm extremely happy with this purchase and would happily recommend it to others.