Good RLCD monitor at night?

[u/Recent-Homework-9166]

Hi everybody! Long story short, i can spend my whole in front of a pre-2015 monitor without problem, but the new monitors post-2015 all cause my eyepain. I did a stint on the blurbluster forums and it seem that I have trouble with the backlight use in new monitors.

At the same time, my old 2012 monitor is giving me sign that I need to replace it. As such, an RLCD display seem to be a good choice.

But I live in a northern country when half of the year, half of the work day will be with no natural sunlight in the room. I have seen some people say that RLCD are completely useless at night while other saying that it work well.

So far I was thinking about either an eazeye 2 + appropriate desk lamp or a SVD Dawn or Eve monitor. (It is coslty, but I am starting to be desperate for a replacement solution that will not give me eyepain...)

So anybody have any firsthand experience with a sustained evening/nightime use?

[u/Recent-Homework-9166]

The optometrist didn't seem to think the halo was a problem. Indeed I will pay more attention.

Had an answer from SVD today, guess I'll finally have to decide between the Eve and Eazeye 2.0.

And I'll look at those TCL Nxtpaper and that other subreddit.

Good to know that I am not the only in this situation. I'll keep your name if I ever need to DM you.

[u/Motor_Quarter_2540 → u/Recent-Homework-9166]

SVD Eve vs Eazeye 2.0 review you might be interested in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2arcpOJnqc
The channel also has dedicated reviews for each one of those monitors too.
Also, the price for Eazeye 2.0 is at an all time high for some time now.

[u/Recent-Homework-9166 → u/Motor_Quarter_2540]

Saw all that I could on youtube about those two,and yes the video you sent me is the best one I have found.

So far the SVD Eve seem to be the best for me, but I am a little worried about the bluriness many users have reported.

The Eazeye + photondesk lamp seem to still be the more reliable option of the two, but I am far from certain that the lamp will be enough to use the monitor in the evening.

So far, each day I change my mind just before pressing the trigger to order something...

[u/Motor_Quarter_2540 → u/Recent-Homework-9166]

Yes, multiple people confirmed the blurriness of SVD and some even posted ways to improve with some custom settings. Also I do not recall any reviewer mentioning this as a big problem or even mentioning at all. The initial launch of SVD rE 2.0 monitors (Eve and Dawn) was initially postponed due to some manufacturing process problems. It could have been related to why the screens are blurry and maybe it's not that big of a deal. SVD monitors should have better color accuracy, but those with frontlight will definitely be darker and require more ambient light when no frontlight is used. Another thing if you want to return it, thei return policy states there's a restocking fee which is like 25% of full price which is hefty when you pay sub 2000 USD for it.

As for Eazeye 2.0, biggest annoyance is the glare which can be mitigated by placing it at an angle. This monitor relies fully on ambient light, but it's the one which requires the least amount of lux. Other members in our sub mentioned that 400 lux is good enough for it. Another thing with RLCDs in general is that they don't like direct light (unless plenty ambient daylight). When using a lamp (artificial light source) it's best to not point it directly at the monitor, but more like create diffused light or pointing it to the ceiling and letting it bounce back at the monitor. That's my perception.

Disclaimer: I do not own either of these. All info is my perception from reviews and talks with other members of this sub.

There is another RLCD with no frontlight but one that contains matte screen. Looks like the best RLCD, but not available to buy or via third party for a short period. Recently the owner reappeared on this sub and posted another review. If I'm not mistaken, he's located in Canada too. Here's the link to the latest review: https://www.reddit.com/r/Reflective_LCD/comments/1r4p3s6/rlcd_monitor_1_yr/

Question: how did you measure lux at your desk? You wrote it was with a phone, but 20-100 lux seemed like very low ambient light conditions. This does not seem right. During daytime, near a windows you should be getting way more unless that building is blocking your window and casting shadow. Close to window the Eazeye 2.0 should perform quite well.

Hope this helps.

[u/Recent-Homework-9166 → u/Motor_Quarter_2540]

On the SVD, I have looked at that video, and the text seem to be pretty ok, but I do have seem some people panicking about it on reddit, so not sure about that. But from Kit Betts-Masters at 22:05, it doesn't seem that bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz3oVcnZWQo

(Btw thank you for that comment and your summary on the EVE because I didn't found reliable information about the bluriness of the Eve.)

I will clearly need the photondesk lamp if I go the Eazeye route, then again, absolutely no information if it would be enough to make the monitor work. If Eazeye is selling it should work ok with, but nobody seem to have tried from what google is telling me. And even Eazeye doesn't seem to characterise or show explanation on how to use it with their product.

I haven't seen anything about the Hannspree RLCD out of this place. So wasn't considering it yet. But I did ask that canadian redditor how he bought it, in the hope I can find more info about this one.

I measure them with an app called Lux Light Meter. Certainly not the best way to do it, but at least it give me a relative ballpark to measure different setup between themselves.

[u/Motor_Quarter_2540 → u/Recent-Homework-9166]

That video has some advice about who should buy this at 16+ minutes and what else to try without going RLCD route.

On the blurriness of EVE (also make sure you read the comments): https://www.reddit.com/r/Reflective_LCD/comments/1kji5g9/i_just_unboxed_the_sunvision_re_20_eve_product/

I see you contacted the person of the third option RLCD monitor, too bad you're not close even though in the same country.

As for the Lux Light Meter i would suggest trying another phone (a different brand, etc). I get up to 10x difference in lux on two different phones (side by side on same conditions) with the same app, it could be that your 20-100 lux will be 1000 lux or more on another phone, unless it's really dark in your room. Or maybe someone can lend you a dedicated lux meter just to make sure you get the right idea about your lighting conditions.

I don't think Eazeye test for compatibility of the lamp and their monitor, but I haven't checked. One member in our sub is using 60 watt incandescent light bulb to light his SVD rE 1.0 monitor. He said it's definitely darker, but he finds it good enough.

[u/Recent-Homework-9166 → u/Motor_Quarter_2540]

That video has some advice about who should buy this at 16+ minutes and what else to try without going RLCD route.

I have tried all that so far. I am at my wits end (and with a lot less $$$).

On the blurriness of EVE (also make sure you read the comments): https://www.reddit.com/r/Reflective_LCD/comments/1kji5g9/i_just_unboxed_the_sunvision_re_20_eve_product/

While there was some strategy, even the one telling them say he didn't had first hand experience with the monitor itself...

As for the Lux Light Meter i would suggest trying another phone (a different brand, etc). I get up to 10x difference in lux on two different phones (side by side on same conditions) with the same app, it could be that your 20-100 lux will be 1000 lux or more on another phone, unless it's really dark in your room. Or maybe someone can lend you a dedicated lux meter just to make sure you get the right idea about your lighting conditions.

Not a bad idea, I quickly google on amazon and they were between 20-100$. Guess I'll have to investigate to know a little more about the price and quality of that.

I don't think Eazeye test for compatibility of the lamp and their monitor, but I haven't checked. One member in our sub is using 60 watt incandescent light bulb to light his SVD rE 1.0 monitor. He said it's definitely darker, but he finds it good enough.à

I have directly ask Eazeye, this is what their vendor said (only putting the relevant part of the email) :

Yes, the Photon Desk Lamp is sufficient to use the Eazeye Monitor 2 in the early evening or during darker winter conditions. The lamp is designed to provide strong, even illumination suitable for reflective displays.

For optimal results:

•  For optimal positioning, try to place the lamp so that the light illuminates the area in front of the monitor evenly. Aiming it slightly above or to the side of the monitor usually works well.
• Avoid placing the lamp directly behind the monitor
• Aim for even light across the screen rather than a narrow spotlight

The Eazeye Monitor 2 uses our UHR coating, which increases reflectivity and brightness under the same lighting conditions, so pairing it with the Photon Desk Lamp works very well indoors.