Review: M-Edge Executive Leather Jacket and e-Luminator light for the Amazon Kindle

I was quite late to the Kindle party, but after getting some Amazon gift certificates and a Fall credit card deal I picked one up a few months ago. I also have a Sony Reader, but use the Kindle more due to the connectivity options. One aspect of these ebook readers that keeps me reading on my mobile phones still is the lack of backlighting and ability to read them in the dark or low light conditions. I know the new Sony Reader has backlighting, but don't like the reduction in screen clarity that is sacrificed for the backlight. I was very pleased with M-Edge asked if I wanted to check out a couple of accessories for the Amazon Kindle and have to say that these two accessories resulted in me reading more now than ever before. The M-Edge Executive Leather Jack and e-Luminator light are must have accessories for the Amazon Kindle. Check out my image gallery of both of these accessories and my short video walk around them below.

	Image Gallery:Two essential Kindle accessories include the Executive Leather Jacket and e-Luminator.

When I first bought the Kindle, I was satisfied with the included case for the most part. I did like the way the elastic strap wrapped around it, but I didn't like how easily the Kindle slipped out of the case when it was opened up. It would have been nice to see Amazon more securely hold the Kindle in place. While the Kindle design and display isn't quite as nice as the Sony Reader, it is still quite clear and very readable. But, just like a real book, you need a good light source to illuminate the screen for reading. After using the M-Edge accessories for the past three weeks, I have to say this is the type of gear that Amazon should have offered at launch time.

M-Edge Genuine Leather Executive Jacket: The M-Edge Genuine Leather Executive Jacket arrived wrapped in a simple plastic wrapper with a sticker label on the outside identifying the color and style. After taking the case out of the plastic I was immediately impressed by the smooth, pleasant feel of the case. I was also immediately pleased with the mocha color scheme. I flipped the case around a few times and inspected all the seams, pockets, loops, and strap to check the quality and workmanship. The sewing is top notch and everything looked fantastic.

There is a center strap that goes around the open part of the case and slides into a pocket on the front. The center strap design pattern runs around the entire outside of the device for consistency. The strap has good length to securely hold the front and back together. The strap slides easily into the opening on the front too, but is also snug enough so that it doesn't flop out or anything.

When you open up the case you will find soft padded material that keeps your screen from getting scratched. On the inside left side you will find 5 pockets of differing sizes for business cards, Secure Digital cards (2 identical pockets), and other thin documents you may want to place in the jacket.

There is an elastic loop in the center/spine area for pen storage.

On the right side you will find a large upper pocket for the e-Luminator light (discussed below) and four corner straps to hold the Kindle in place. The two left and lower right straps are all leather and designed to snugly fit over the Kindle's corners. The upper right strap has elastic integrated so you can easily flip it off the Kindle and access the wireless and power switches without having to take the Kindle all the way out of the jacket. I still do find it a bit difficult to access the switches and wonder if a notch cut out of the case would be a better way to access them. Maybe things will loosen up a bit after more usage.

Available colors and styles include marbled ruby red, smooth sapphire blue, smooth jade green, pebbled black, smooth mocha, pebbled navy blue, pebbled grey, pebbled cream, pebbled saddle, and pebbled mocha. There are no price differences for the colors or styles.

The case is available on sale now for US$44.99 (regularly US$54.99). It is definitely a top notch quality case and is a wonderful accessory for the Kindle. They also have a 60-day return policy if the case isn't as good as you hoped, but I think you will be very satisfied with it.

M-Edge e-Luminator light: While a new case may not be essential, a book light definitely is for reading in bed or on a train/plane at night. I've tried my daughter's book lights on my ebook readers before, but the clamp seems a bit clunky and can scratch the reader up. M-Edge sent me the e-Luminator Kindle light that integrates with the M-Edge Executive Jackets. The entire light assembly is white to match the Kindle and made of plastic and steel. The light support bar, battery compartment, and light housing are plastic while the light arm (xx inches long) is flexible steel.

The e-Luminator is powered by an A23 battery (an Energizer one is included in the package). The only battery run time mentioned on the site is "numerous hours" and I would have to conduct testing over months to see how long it will last.

There is a push button at the end of the light house that recesses in when pushed and turns on the light. Pushing it in again extends the button and turns off the light. A bright LED bulb is used and provides a very nice soft lighting experience. Inside the bulb housing you will also find a mirror and lens to spread the light around evenly. With the flexible arm I was able to easily position it to cover the entire display and part of the keyboard at once without the light bar getting in the way of my viewing angle.

The light arm can be straightened and then set adjacent to the Kindle in the spine part of the Executive Jacket for seamless storage. You do need an Executive Jacket to use the light due to the large support bar that holds the light in place. The e-Luminator is available for US$14.99 and if you are going to buy one of these Jackets then pick yourself up the light as well.

In addition to the Executive Leather Jacket, M-Edge makes an Executive Jacket out of synthetic leather for US$29.99. M-Edge also has accessories for the Sony PRS-505, iRex Iliad, Cybook, and eFlybook devices so check out all their offerings if you have a different ebook reader.