I just received my brown leather cover from Bookeen, but it doesn't look like the one on the website of Bookeen. I can't make a picture right now, but it is a two tone brown cover with white stitching, The outside is a light brown while the inside is a darker brown. Is this the one other people got as well or did they change the specs?

Thats the same one everyone else has, who has gotten a brown cover.

That's the one. GREAT cover, I think.

Thanks guys for the reply, it is a very nice cover and the magnets are great. I thought they maybe switched specs. So it's just the picture on their website. I received it on my work and it looks like the"frame" that holds the Cybook is not straight, but I will need to fit it first to know for sure. Maybe when the Cybook is inserted it will straighten out.

You'll find that at first the magnets won't work too well, but after a couple of weeks, once the leather in the "hinge" has softened up, it works fine.

I noticed that aswell, that the cover doesnt close properly at first. But after a bit of use, the cover gets softer and closes like a charm.

Is that only when the Cybook is inside, because it closes very well right now.

Try it with the CyBook in it, and see :).

Try it with the CyBook in it, and see :).

When I get back home it will be the first thing I do. :p

I tried it and it closes without any problem. :) It is a nice cover that makes the Cybook look very good.

I just received my brown leather cover from Bookeen, but it doesn't look like the one on the website of Bookeen. I can't make a picture right now, but it is a two tone brown cover with white stitching, The outside is a light brown while the inside is a darker brown. Is this the one other people got as well or did they change the specs?

I hesitate to say this since so many people seem so happy with the cover, but I was disappointed in the brown cover when I received it. It doesn't match the close-up photos on the website, and while I expected "genuine cowhide Italian leather" the outside of the case is cheap brown vinyl. The inside is leather, but on mine the craftsmanship is lacking. Overall, I don't really feel like it is worth $40. However I do need it for protection, and so far I am very happy with the Cybook itself.

I hesitate to say this since so many people seem so happy with the cover, but I was disappointed in the brown cover when I received it. It doesn't match the close-up photos on the website, and while I expected "genuine cowhide Italian leather" the outside of the case is cheap brown vinyl. The inside is leather, but on mine the craftsmanship is lacking. Overall, I don't really feel like it is worth $40. However I do need it for protection, and so far I am very happy with the Cybook itself.

I think the outside is leather, not vinyl. It certainly smells like leather. I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship of the case - it's beautifully made, unlike the leather case for my Sony, which was a disaster.

I hesitate to say this since so many people seem so happy with the cover, but I was disappointed in the brown cover when I received it. It doesn't match the close-up photos on the website, and while I expected "genuine cowhide Italian leather" the outside of the case is cheap brown vinyl. The inside is leather, but on mine the craftsmanship is lacking. Overall, I don't really feel like it is worth $40. However I do need it for protection, and so far I am very happy with the Cybook itself.

I have to admit that I agree with you about the craftmanship. It looks like they had to rush these covers through. On mine the brown "rubber" paint that they applied on the sides is done really bad. It was so thick and irregular that I have decided to cut it of around the screen. The paint was also spilled on different parts of the cover where it shouldn't be.

I didn't know the outside was not made out of leather, if that is true then they have misinformed me. It says very clear on their website it's made out of genuine Italian cow-hide leather.

I just hope there will be more third party covers available soon with a somewhat more modern look than the Bookeen one. Although I think it is well made and protects the cybook very well, the colour is not to my taste at all and the overall look is so very, very old fashioned (just my opinion ofcourse).

I like the "old fashioned" look, personally. When the Gen3 is in the closed case it doesn't look like an electronic device at all; more like a nice leather-bound diary.

You're right, though; third-party cases for those who prefer a different look would be an excellent thing. Hopefully this will happen in the future.

I think the outside is leather, not vinyl. It certainly smells like leather. I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship of the case - it's beautifully made, unlike the leather case for my Sony, which was a disaster.

Omg :chinscratch:
You always said that Sony leather cover is superb and you like it so much...

Omg :chinscratch:
You always said that Sony leather cover is superb and you like it so much...

It WAS good, compared with the vinyl cover supplied with the Sony. I'd recommend anyone to buy it who has a Sony.

BUT, as you know, there were major problems with covers for the PRS-500; they relied on their "alignment" on a connector which was put on the cover by hand, and a very high proportion of them were misaligned, such that one side of the Reader stuck out of the cover. Mine was OK, but many were not.

The cover for the Gen3 is beautifully designed and a million times better :).

I think the outside is leather, not vinyl. It certainly smells like leather. I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship of the case - it's beautifully made, unlike the leather case for my Sony, which was a disaster.

i received my brown cover yesterday after returning the black m-edge to bookeen. i don't think the outside is leather tho'. look close to the cybook logo. a bit of a plastic look there. it certainly is different from the inside which is genuine leather. i had expected the outside to be the same as the inside. so a bit disappointed. but the finishing touch (the brown paint) was well done.

by the way i love the black leather case for my sony 505. no, not the ugly brown one that you get for free...

by the way i love the black leather case for my sony 505. no, not the ugly brown one that you get for free...

I understand that the 505 cases are completely differently to those for the 500, which is what I had. The 500 cases were rather poorly designed.

i received my brown cover yesterday after returning the black m-edge to bookeen. i don't think the outside is leather tho'. look close to the cybook logo. a bit of a plastic look there. it certainly is different from the inside which is genuine leather. i had expected the outside to be the same as the inside. so a bit disappointed. but the finishing touch (the brown paint) was well done.

by the way i love the black leather case for my sony 505. no, not the ugly brown one that you get for free...

Your cover was probably done by a real craftsman. Mine probably by a trainee. :p

i received my brown cover yesterday after returning the black m-edge to bookeen. i don't think the outside is leather tho'. look close to the cybook logo. a bit of a plastic look there. it certainly is different from the inside which is genuine leather. i had expected the outside to be the same as the inside. so a bit disappointed. but the finishing touch (the brown paint) was well done.

Why did you return the black m-edge? And now that you have seen both how would you compare them?

-Gerry

PLEASE, someone who doesn't like their leather cover... sell it to me! :)

All this talk of the cover is killing me. :(

Why did you return the black m-edge? And now that you have seen both how would you compare them?

-Gerry

i'm carrying my cybook everywhere i go. and with a tight cover it would fit in every bag that i have. the m-edge just didn't. it's bigger and i only wanted a cover for the cybook. and i loved the cybook cover they showed on their website. that's why i ordered that one seperately after i already had the cybook. just a plain cover not something that gave me a chance to take with me a pen, bussinesscards or extra sd-cards.

other than that the leather of the m-edge looked really good.;);)

I understand that the 505 cases are completely differently to those for the 500, which is what I had. The 500 cases were rather poorly designed.

Hey, I like the original cover that came with my 500 (even though I have ordered the NAEB version of the Cybook - mainly for the dictionary capability).:2thumbsup

i'm carrying my cybook everywhere i go. and with a tight cover it would fit in every bag that i have. the m-edge just didn't. it's bigger and i only wanted a cover for the cybook. and i loved the cybook cover they showed on their website. that's why i ordered that one seperately after i already had the cybook. just a plain cover not something that gave me a chance to take with me a pen, bussinesscards or extra sd-cards.

other than that the leather of the m-edge looked really good.;);)


That is the same reason why I wanted the brown cover, because the one of M-Edge looked bigger than the one of Bookeen and that would be a problem. Now I can stick it right into my inner pocket in my jacket.

i'm carrying my cybook everywhere i go. and with a tight cover it would fit in every bag that i have. the m-edge just didn't. it's bigger and i only wanted a cover for the cybook. and i loved the cybook cover they showed on their website. that's why i ordered that one seperately after i already had the cybook. just a plain cover not something that gave me a chance to take with me a pen, bussinesscards or extra sd-cards.

other than that the leather of the m-edge looked really good.;);)

Thanks for the comparison Julia. I agree that it's good to have a smaller cover so you can carry the cybook more easily.
As they say, size does matter!;)

It's generally a nice cover - not too bulky, protects the Cybook, and the magnet closing is really neat; no closing flap that is... well... flapping annoyingly. Colour is fine, too, and I can follow those who feel it lends the cybook a slightly oldfashioned feel.

What I do not like at all, is that Bookeen is advertising it as being genuine leather when it isn't. I don't mind nice-looking plastic, which this is, but I don't like to expect leather and receive plastic. That's cheap in any sense of the word.

For those of you who still thinks parts of this is leather; firstly, please take closer look, preferably with a magnifying glass. Secondly, it doesn't feel much like leather to the touch--both inside or out. The tactile qualities are just wrong. Especially the outside looks and feel fake, which I can see that several of you already has noticed. The inside is more subtle, but the apparent thinness of the material, combined with the uniformity of the look, makes me believe that it is imitated leather, too. And if it is leather, it's a cheap quality. The backside of the inside material (if you fold back the top of the 'pocket') is imitated suede for sure. The uniformly silky-smooth feel and the way it reflects light, as well as the way it looks in good lighting under a magnifying glass, is enough to persuade me, but then I have a little experience with textile fibres and how to recognise them.

Since I do need a cover--and this is basically an okay cover--I don't want to take it apart for further testing, but what I can ascertain from touch and look, I'm very, very sure there's used no real leather. I can live with it though, because it works fine as a cover and looks okay--but if it's not Bookeen ripping me off--then someone has ripped Bookeen off.

Since I do need a cover--and this is basically an okay cover--I don't want to take it apart for further testing, but what I can ascertain from touch and look, I'm very, very sure there's used no real leather. I can live with it though, because it works fine as a cover and looks okay--but if it's not Bookeen ripping me off--then someone has ripped Bookeen off.

Smell it - you can't "fake" the smell of leather. It's definitely leather - at least on the inside.

I suppose the outer leather is supposed to look more elegant with its finer structure, but as far as i can tell it is real leather. I agree though, that the inside looks more genuine. I will have someone who should know have a look at the material and ask him what he thinks.

The material itself is too thin though i think. I already have several tiny rips in the outer hull.

I agree the Bookeen cover looks and feels very good, (mine is definitely leather) and it resembles a diary. However I am a little puzzled as to why it was designed to double the thickness of the device. The Sony cover, although not leather is rather good too, but it doesn't increase the thickness of the device anywhere near as much.
John

There is a very easy test.

Anyone who is sure their cover is genuine leather, just light a match or cigarette lighter and try to "burn" your cover for 5 seconds. If nothing happened, then the cover is genuine leather otherwise it is an imitation.

NOTE. Don't do it at home, if you do it you are doing it on your own risk! ;)

I agree the Bookeen cover looks and feels very good, (mine is definitely leather) and it resembles a diary. However I am a little puzzled as to why it was designed to double the thickness of the device. The Sony cover, although not leather is rather good too, but it doesn't increase the thickness of the device anywhere near as much.
John

Presumably the padding (you can feel the padding inside it) is there for increased protection. Even with the case it's still only about 1cm thick, so it doesn't make it bulky, exactly.

Hehe - that's a pretty definite test, for sure.

And, well, I couldn't resist :D I cut out a small piece of the inside material - from behind the 'flap' left bottom, so it's not noticeable. Before, I was 99% sure the inside material was imitated leather - now I'm 100% sure. It's a thin layer of some foamy material with a woven backing. I've attached some photographic evidence.

And then I burned the little bit, just because. I know how synthetic fibres burn, so I was curious. It burned quickly and easily, but results are inconclusive though, as I don't have any real leather samples to test against.

Whatever the material is in the first picture, it's not leather. Cowhide isn't woven.

Well, i supect very, very thin leather mounted on fabric to save cost. That would explain my rips in the cover.
But i will let an expert have a look at the cover and see what he says.

What I do not like at all, is that Bookeen is advertising it as being genuine leather when it isn't. I don't mind nice-looking plastic, which this is, but I don't like to expect leather and receive plastic.


since the discussion started about real or not real leather. i have asked a friend who designs and makes leather bags to have a look at it. conclusion: outside is plastic inside is genuine leather (hence the smell of it). i wrote bookeen about it. haven't received an answer yet. i would think: either change your website (and price) or make sure you get the right stuff from the factory.

since the discussion started about real or not real leather. i have asked a friend who designs and makes leather bags to have a look at it. conclusion: outside is plastic inside is genuine leather (hence the smell of it). i wrote bookeen about it. haven't received an answer yet. i would think: either change your website (and price) or make sure you get the right stuff from the factory.

Thanks Julia. Let us know how they respond. I was about to write them when I got my cover, but after reviewing the photos people had posted I realized that I got exactly the same cover as everyone else, and that it would probably do very little good. But I certainly think that $40 is too much to pay for a "leather" cover that is half vinyl. If I were to do it again I would spend the extra money for the leather m-edge.

Gerry

But I certainly think that $40 is too much to pay for a "leather" cover that is half vinyl. If I were to do it again I would spend the extra money for the leather m-edge.


How do people decide what is too much? If you compare it to what accessories usually cost I think it is relatively cheap. Especially since I had to pay 40 euro.

I don't personally care what it's made of. It is, IMHO, a truly excellent cover.

I don't personally care what it's made of. It is, IMHO, a truly excellent cover.

If it is a plastic outside I hope it won't crack due to folding the front flap back.

I Dutch reseller for the Cybook got confronted by a customer who claimed that the outside of the cover was not leather but plastic. The reseller contacted Bookeen and has written the following about it on his forum:

Navraag bij de leverancier leert dat ook zij verrast zijn dat de cover niet volgens specificatie (lees: volledig 'echt leer') gemaakt is. Dat is alleen niet naar ons gecommuniceerd.

Onze excuses en we passen direct de specificaties aan op onze website. Klanten die niet tevreden zijn over de cover kunnen uiteraard hun geld terugkrijgen.

Translated:

After contacting the supplier we found out that also they were surprised about the fact that the cover is not according the specifications (read: 100% leather). But they didn't communicate that with us.

Please except our apologies and we will change the specifications on our website. Customers that are not satisfied about their cover can get a refund.

So it seems that Bookeen is surprised as well about the cover not being 100% leather. But they still didn't change the specifications on their website.

So it seems that Bookeen is surprised as well about the cover not being 100% leather.

Do you believe it? :rolleyes:

Do you believe it? :rolleyes:


I keep it in the middle. ;)

But what is a "leather cover"? To my mind it's one that's made primarily of leather, which this one is. No "leather case" is made entirely and exclusively of leather - there must always be other materials in it.

But what is a "leather cover"? To my mind it's one that's made primarily of leather, which this one is. No "leather case" is made entirely and exclusively of leather - there must always be other materials in it.

The customer complained that the outside was made from plastic and according to the reseller it's indeed plastic. On the website you can see that the pictures of the cover's outside have a dark brown color just like the inside. So the one diplayed there is probably made out of leather, inside and outside.

I think we can safely say that the outside it plastic and that Bookeen should update the info on their website or start selling other covers.

Agreed.

On the website you can see that the pictures of the cover's outside have a dark brown color just like the inside. So the one diplayed there is probably made out of leather, inside and outside.


Aha, that explains why I thought the cover I actually got looked much nicer than my expectations from the pictures on the web site.

Aha, that explains why I thought the cover I actually got looked much nicer than my expectations from the pictures on the web site.

To be honest I like the fact that it is a two-tone color. I just don't like the fact that I paid Euro 40,- that suppose to be for a "full" leather cover, inside and outside. If Bookeen is really surprised that the outside is not leather they at least should update the website ASAP.

Anyone who is not happy with their plastic/leather cover, can feel free to get the refund from Bookeen and turn around and sell it to me for a profit. :D

Anyone who is not happy with their plastic/leather cover, can feel free to get the refund from Bookeen and turn around and sell it to me for a profit. :D

Bookeen doesn't give a refund. It is the Dutch reseller that gave this option for people that have purchased it already.;)

Ah, well any dutch folks who aren't happy... :)

I'm half dutch, if that helps. :D

I note now that the site has no mention of the word genuine or leather in its description of the cover. That settles that then.

I note now that the site has no mention of the word genuine or leather in its description of the cover. That settles that then.


But, if they thought it was leather. How can they still offer it for the same price when they found out it was not completely leather?

Why should the fact that it is or is not made of leather affect the price? It's still the same cover, regardless of what it's made of, and (IMHO) it's a great cover. Besides which, most of it (all the inside) is leather.

Why should the fact that it is or is not made of leather affect the price? It's still the same cover, regardless of what it's made of, and (IMHO) it's a great cover. Besides which, most of it (all the inside) is leather.


If the price was based on the idea that they were selling a full leather cover then I think the price should be adjusted. If you buy a cover, purse or sort then in general the leather ones are more expensive. I think the Euro 40,- I paid is too much for this cover based on the fact the outside is plastic.

Why should the fact that it is or is not made of leather affect the price? It's still the same cover, regardless of what it's made of, and (IMHO) it's a great cover. Besides which, most of it (all the inside) is leather.

Harry, its simple. You can't advertise something as being an all leather product, and not just any leather mind you but italian leather etc etc... thereby making a feature of the fact that this is an exclusive product at a competitive price and in that process essentially duping the customer into thinking it is something it is when clearly it is not. Price here is wholly irrelevant.
Why would so many users feel a little dismayed when the product does not meet their expectations as advertised? Because its not the product advertised!
The fact that Bookeen has removed all references to leather in their pitch (including the inside which still should be a feature no?) proves this. You can't say one thing and sell another, there are standards which all companies must adhere to, the most basic tenet of which is honesty. You can't, for example, state a car has an all leather seat interior and get stuck with vinyl.
Add premium shipping over the cost of the device and no matter how "snug", "protective" or "nice" it looks, is it worth the asking price based on materials as is on top of this "leathergate" scandal.

If the price was based on the idea that they were selling a full leather cover then I think the price should be adjusted. If you buy a cover, purse or sort then in general the leather ones are more expensive. I think the Euro 40,- I paid is too much for this cover based on the fact the outside is plastic.

I thought the price was based on what they has to pay for it. And you should consider the price to be $40. The rest is just an effect of their policy to have the same price in dollar and euro. I do not feel that $40 is an unreasonable price.

I thought the price was based on what they has to pay for it. And you should consider the price to be $40. The rest is just an effect of their policy to have the same price in dollar and euro. I do not feel that $40 is an unreasonable price.

For the same price (Euro 40,-) I can buy the one of M-Edge that is full leather and has a much better build quality if I compare it to my Cybook cover.

I thought the price was based on what they has to pay for it. And you should consider the price to be $40. The rest is just an effect of their policy to have the same price in dollar and euro. I do not feel that $40 is an unreasonable price.

$40 probably isn't, €40 is, considering it being a european product!

For the same price (Euro 40,-) I can buy the one of M-Edge that is full leather and has a much better build quality if I compare it to my Cybook cover.

If I look at

http://www.buymedge.com/p_cybook_gleather.HTML

the outside looks kind like the outside on the brown cover. So is it leather on the outside?

If I look at

http://www.buymedge.com/p_cybook_gleather.HTML

the outside looks kind like the outside on the brown cover. So is it leather on the outside?


It says:

Material: 100% genuine leather exterior with suede interior.

So it is genuine leather. And for a company that is specialized in covers I would presume that they are not mistaking.

So it is genuine leather. And for a company that is specialized in covers I would presume that they are not mistaking.

I would belive them as well. They always says what type of material on the inside and outside.

Harry, its simple. You can't advertise something as being an all leather product, and not just any leather mind you but italian leather etc etc... thereby making a feature of the fact that this is an exclusive product at a competitive price and in that process essentially duping the customer into thinking it is something it is when clearly it is not. Price here is wholly irrelevant.


Perhaps you feel differently, but to my mind the case is a "premium product". It's beautifully made and stitched. Would you rather that they removed the outer vinyl padding just so that it was then "all leather"? :)

I agree 100% that products should (and indeed must by law) be advertised honestly, but if Bookeen were unaware of the fact that it wasn't "all leather" then they can hardly be blamed for it, can they?

If you're not happy with your cover, I'm sure that Bookeen will refund your money, given that it doesn't match the stated specification. Personally speaking, I'm delighted with my cover.

Harry, haven't received my case as it didn't ship with original order and I'm a bit miffed. Don't mind me.
With regard to Bookeen being unaware and consequently not at fault doesn't wash with me though as they are ultimately responsible for their product. They would have been shipped numerous samples early on and would have requested and received the materials (leather, to match their florid description) from the out-sourced company at the design stage, so, to turn around and feign surprise and indignation at the materials used once they are being shipped is not exactly fair to our sensibilities.. unless they all collectively boxed and shipped the cases with their eyes closed :rolleyes:

Having said all that (and please bear in mind I am having a bad day at work ;)) I love my CyBook e-reader and cannot wait for it to get the protection it deserves. :book2:

With regard to Bookeen being unaware and consequently not at fault doesn't wash with me though as they are ultimately responsible for their product. They would have been shipped numerous samples early on and would have requested and received the materials (leather, to match their florid description) from the out-sourced company at the design stage, so, to turn around and feign surprise and indignation at the materials used once they are being shipped is not exactly fair to our sensibilities.. unless they all collectively boxed and shipped the cases with their eyes closed :rolleyes:


With respect, though, the fact that the outside is not leather is not obvious. Nobody here realised it for months. To my untrained eye (and nose) it looks, feels, and smells like leather. The whole of the inside of the case is leather - the only part that's not is the outer "padding" of the case.

With respect, though, the fact that the outside is not leather is not obvious. Nobody here realised it for months. To my untrained eye (and nose) it looks, feels, and smells like leather. The whole of the inside of the case is leather - the only part that's not is the outer "padding" of the case.

Duly noted, I will reserve judgment until I receive my cover.

It says:



So it is genuine leather. And for a company that is specialized in covers I would presume that they are not mistaking.

bookeen shipped the m-edge to me first before changing it into their own (not completely leather) case. the m-edge (at least the black one i got then) was genuine leather inside out.

bookeen shipped the m-edge to me first before changing it into their own (not completely leather) case. the m-edge (at least the black one i got then) was genuine leather inside out.

The black case is not an m-edge cover as far as i know. Those black cases were test designs for a new cover. They are supposed to be of much better quality than the standard brown ones. I do not know, if these will be mass produced or not.

Well, I received my Bookeen cover today and, while well made, is certainly not leather.
These are most likely their second (?) or "Post-Christmas" batch of covers.
It does not feel or smell like leather, either inside or out. I had 6 people in the office check it independently and all returned a verdict of "Not Leather". They are, like myself, no experts of course but we've all smelled leather before...

Regardless, it is a nice cover, a much needed cover, and essentially a well made cover.

It is, however, overpriced as an accessory and I'm now a little bemused, as I opted for, and bought the cover well before Christmas based on a different description.

Well, I received my Bookeen cover today and, while well made, is certainly not leather.
These are most likely their second (?) or "Post-Christmas" batch of covers.
It does not feel or smell like leather, either inside or out. I had 6 people in the office check it independently and all returned a verdict of "Not Leather". They are, like myself, no experts of course but we've all smelled leather before...


Sounds as though you have a different cover to mine. The inside of mine - the insert that the Gen3 actually fits into - is unquestionably leather on mine, as is the inside of the case. It's only the outside that's not.

Sounds as though you have a different cover to mine. The inside of mine - the insert that the Gen3 actually fits into - is unquestionably leather on mine, as is the inside of the case. It's only the outside that's not.

Same here.

Excuse the pun but that is no longer the case.
Can anyone else confirm?
Other than the fact that we know original or earlier Bookeen cases had leather on them...

Here's a (not very good) picture of the inside and outside of mine. Note the colour difference - everything you can see on the inside is leather. The lighter outside is vinyl.

That's the one (Harry's) I got as well; bought it recently via ebookreaders.nl

Here's a (not very good) picture of the inside and outside of mine. Note the colour difference - everything you can see on the inside is leather. The lighter outside is vinyl.

Yours looks better than mine. The stitching on mine is far from straight. Also, your directional button is in the middle, mine is almost at the top. The hole for the directional button on my cover is not straight. I think they rushed the production for the covers when they ran out.

Is your case different to my photographs, weareborg?

I've been looking at the bookeen website. I think they are in the process of removing references to "leather" on the site. The only page I can find with that word is the storefront. When you click on the Deluxe package, or on the cover accessory, you find references to a "brown" cover or a "chocolate" cover.

Hi Harry,
As you can see the case designs look practically similar. Again, pics a little blurry from camera phone..
If previous models had leather in their construction then that's cool but I can tell you for sure that mine is not.
I brought it to a wallet/belt shop on my way to work this morning and was told as much.
Coupled with the fact that the description has changed, as was mentioned a few times, it seems clear-cut.
Still, a well made case, but at the risk of being totally pedantic about the whole thing ;) , it ain't what I ordered..

What do you think that the "insert" part of the case (the part that goes "over" the Gen3) is made of on your case? It's unquestionably leather on mine. As you say, they may well have changed the materials; my case was one of the very first ones.

Harry, i have to amit, that the inside looks more like genuine leather than the outside, but it seems, that indeed the complete cover is not made of leather.

but it seems, that indeed the complete cover is not made of leather.

Oh yes, absolutely. The outside doesn't seem to be, but I'm sure that the inside is - at least on the early covers. From what others have said, though, they may perhaps have changed the materials used in the current batch of covers.

Well, I just got my Cybook and ordered the original Cybook imprinted "Genuine Leather" case with it but I am sending it straight back: The whole thing smells, looks and feels like plastic and I HATE the cheap white stitching.
I payed € 39,50 for this cover and I personally think it is a ripp off. I notified the Dutch reseller and he was not aware of the fact that it was not leather and I believe him as I see the first batches of Cybook cases were leather.....

Anyway, I just ordered a REAL leather M-Edge case which is at least up to par with the Cybook quality.

Hi Harry,
As you can see the case designs look practically similar. Again, pics a little blurry from camera phone..
If previous models had leather in their construction then that's cool but I can tell you for sure that mine is not.
I brought it to a wallet/belt shop on my way to work this morning and was told as much.
Coupled with the fact that the description has changed, as was mentioned a few times, it seems clear-cut.
Still, a well made case, but at the risk of being totally pedantic about the whole thing ;) , it ain't what I ordered..

Hi Weareborg,

I have the black version of the Cybook leather cover and am quite happy :) with that. However, its external size is just a little bit wider than my winter coat's pocket :( ....

It is approx. 280mm x 195mm when open for reading and - of course - 140mm x 195mm when closed. I have the issue with this 140mm...

Can you please publish here the external size parameters of the brown cover?

Thnx,

I received the brown leather cover with my Cybook. When I opened it this morning to read while eating breakfast, I got an unmistakable whiff of leather scent, so I have to agree with those who have said the inside is definitely leather. However, judging by the impressed Cybook logo, the outside is a manmade material--they couldn't do that kind of impression on real leather, or at least it would look different. It's also a slightly different color from the inside.

I have to say if I was choosing a cover and had a choice, I would prefer black without the contrasting stitching, but the brown cover is sleek, fits the device nicely and holds it securely, and gives great protection for carrying the Cybook in my purse with my other gadgets and girl-things. I have really come to like it in the four whole days I've owned the Cybook. ;) I particularly like the magnets; as has been said by others, once you've had a few reading sessions while folding the cover back, the magnets work great and hold the cover shut. :thumbsup:

I received the brown leather cover with my Cybook. When I opened it this morning to read while eating breakfast, I got an unmistakable whiff of leather scent, so I have to agree with those who have said the inside is definitely leather. However, judging by the impressed Cybook logo, the outside is a manmade material--they couldn't do that kind of impression on real leather, or at least it would look different. It's also a slightly different color from the inside.

I have to say if I was choosing a cover and had a choice, I would prefer black without the contrasting stitching, but the brown cover is sleek, fits the device nicely and holds it securely, and gives great protection for carrying the Cybook in my purse with my other gadgets and girl-things. I have really come to like it in the four whole days I've owned the Cybook. ;) I particularly like the magnets; as has been said by others, once you've had a few reading sessions while folding the cover back, the magnets work great and hold the cover shut. :thumbsup:
Tip to make it easer to turn a page on cybook gen3
To make it easy to turn over a page on my cybook gen3 I cut out a square piece of cardboard, (a piece from a leather belt of similar thickness would be better), of similar colour to my cybook leather case, fitting the square hole in the leather case, leaving a small square hole in the centre so that I was able to press the centre button. I use electrical tape to keep it in place. It is much easer on the thumb. It would be helpful if the the designer of the leather case could alter it, leaving just a hole in the middle, with printed arrows around the hole. I must say the square must fit pretty perfectly, similar thickness to the leather case, so that it looks part of the case.
From derekjanet

I can tell you assuredly that "no animals were harmed (or even thought of) in the making of my case". :rolleyes:
Glad to see some have leather interior some have not although it makes me more annoyed though that I didn't receive one of these "chosen few".
This lottery with cases is not really acceptable.
As I've mentioned in previous posts I've certified mine is not leather from a leather maker.. and remember that leather is no longer mentioned on the site either!

. . . and remember that leather is no longer mentioned on the site either!

FWIW, look on the main purchase page and you'll see that the description of the Deluxe package includes a leather cover (they must have missed that reference when they edited out the other references). I've been trying to get away from everything leather, so I'd probably like the non-leather case, but I wouldn't pay $40 for it.

Hmmmmmm, I got my cybook from an ebay seller, it was the deluxe version that included case, AC adapter and the leather case

Yes, I've got a leather one too! I can tell you that the original owner bought his cybook in november, so I'd be interested to know when those who didn't get leather bought theirs.

The only gripe about the cover I have is that there's nowhere to store all my memory cards - 2GB just isn't big enough for my whole library :eek: and I'd like to keep the memory cards with the unit instead of rattling around in my handbag with the rest of my crap :D

I like the suggestion of the cardboard/leather insert over the page button. I find that my thumb gets very sore after a while--to the point that I take the cybook out of the cover. I've been toying with the idea of adding a polymer clay pad on the page button, but I'm not sure how to attach it; the insert would probably work better.

Leather or not, I didn't even know the case had magnets until I read this thread! The case definitely didn't close well, even after many hours of reading. I did some creative flexing of the flap and I think it will work now.

Leather or not, I didn't even know the case had magnets until I read this thread! The case definitely didn't close well, even after many hours of reading. I did some creative flexing of the flap and I think it will work now.

How long have you have it for? It does take several weeks of opening and closing for the material (whatever it may be!) of the "hinge" to soften. I can pick my Gen3 up by its front cover and the magnets hold it closed.

Oh, about six months.... :happy2:

:stunned: I was just playing with it...I think one of the top magnets is backwards! If I try push the corner closed, it shoves the other magnet away!! No wonder the cover never seemed to stay closed!!

Yup. A dab of creative surgery and the cover snaps shut nicely.

My cover (puchased in March) only has one magnet (on top). Guess I got a defective one? It's not a huge issue, as the single magnet does a decent enough job for me.

Actually, my biggest problem with the brown cover is not the magnet problem(since I didn't know there were supposed to be some) is that the pocket the book slides into is a bit too loose. I have grabbed it upside down and barely caught the cybook as it started to slip out. Scary! It's tightened up a bit since, but I'd still like a strap or something to hold it in. I'd rather that than it being hard to insert-one of my ipod cases is too snug to take it in or out easily(and you have to remove it to charge or sync) and I'm always afraid of breaking it.

Oh--bwaldron, are you sure you only have one set of magnets? If one is reversed, like mine, it looks just like a slightly stiff hinge. I'd seen the faint round marks on the 'leather' where the magnets are but since they didn't act like magnets I assumed they were some sort of glue impression or something.

How is the cover for folding back for one-handed holding? Does it look like it'll crack or cause funny ridges on the outside, or just not recommended?

I seem to have the same problem: the magnet in the lower right part of my cover does not seem to be strong enough - it is the right way in (checked it with another magnet) just not strong enough to attach to the flap magnet.

My solution: get some thin super stron neodym magnets and stick them to the magnets in the flap - they stick very strongly to the magnets in the flap and have enough power to hold the flap closed no matter what.

I was thinking about glueing the magnet to the cover but they seem to stick good enough without it.

I got them here (http://www.supermagnete.de/eng/magnets.php?group=discs&switch_lang=1).

I fold mine back all the time, and it doesn't seem the worse for wear. There is a bit of wrinkling at the edges, where the stitching is, but nothing major. That said, since I think we've established it's not leather it will probably eventually split if I keep doing it. I'm not worried enough about it to stop--ASSUMING I ever get my cybook working again:(

Oh--good idea with the magnets. At least one set of mine was definitely backwards, though; I dropped the other one so I'm not sure if it was backwards or not. In any case after I took it out and put it back in again it works much better so I'm guessing it was. I took out the magnets from the back of the pocket for the cybook, so it doesn't show, and there was enough sticky left on the 'suede' lining that it covered the magnet up again.

Oh--bwaldron, are you sure you only have one set of magnets? If one is reversed, like mine, it looks just like a slightly stiff hinge. I'd seen the faint round marks on the 'leather' where the magnets are but since they didn't act like magnets I assumed they were some sort of glue impression or something.

Yep, after checking even more carefully than before, I can confidently say I am missing any magnets on the lower half of the case. Only have them up top.

I fold mine back all the time, and it doesn't seem the worse for wear. There is a bit of wrinkling at the edges, where the stitching is, but nothing major. That said, since I think we've established it's not leather it will probably eventually split if I keep doing it. I'm not worried enough about it to stop--ASSUMING I ever get my cybook working again:(

Thanks, sorry to hear about your dead(?) CyB, I finally came across some pics in the clip-on light threads with the cover folded back (only usually see open-like-a-book pics).

Not to :deadhorse: but maybe the vinyl outer cover is for protection from the elements or scratches? My leather folios etc. always seem to get stained and scratched so easily, although, I would imagine vinyl to crack more readily than leather... hmmmm

I don't think the vinyl is worse than leather, really; I guess it's just the misinformation that's annoying. Although in general, leather is more durable even if it's dirty. Once vinyl splits it keeps going.
As far as cleanliness, have you tried a leather wax on leather folios? That should keep it clean.

I don't think the vinyl is worse than leather, really; I guess it's just the misinformation that's annoying. Although in general, leather is more durable even if it's dirty. Once vinyl splits it keeps going.
As far as cleanliness, have you tried a leather wax on leather folios? That should keep it clean.
True, I'd be pissed if I was promised & was expecting "genuine cowhide leather" and got vinyl.
Oh, I've used Saddle Soap, Mink Oil, and various things, all work to one extent or another (depending on the type of damage). You're totally right about the splitting thing... which is why I originally asked if it was cool to bend it all the way back... wouldn't want splitting!

Thanks for the sympathy; I really miss the thing:(--I love being able to get new books whenever I feel like it, and being able to read more than one at a time--all in my purse.
I think I'm actually going to take the rings out of an old zippered organizer I found laying around that just happens to fit the cybook perfectly and use some velcro, like on another thread. I like carrying the cybook in my purse and I'm afraid it will get damaged if stuff gets in the cracks, or if a coin or nail file( or rock or shell or some other treasure that absolutely *must* be deposited in my purse to preserved in perpetuity)slips in the case. Just the grit that seems to accumulate in my purse(for some reason:chinscratch:) is probably not good for it. In any case, I find it easier to turn the pages when the cybook is nekkid.

Yep, after checking even more carefully than before, I can confidently say I am missing any magnets on the lower half of the case. Only have them up top.

Huh. I wonder if all the new ones only have one set. Aside from the labor it's probably the most expensive bit in the thing. Glad that one seems to work, though.

True, I'd be pissed if I was promised & was expecting "genuine cowhide leather" and got vinyl.
Oh, I've used Saddle Soap, Mink Oil, and various things, all work to one extent or another (depending on the type of damage). You're totally right about the splitting thing... which is why I originally asked if it was cool to bend it all the way back... wouldn't want splitting!

I've been folding mine back on itself (very easy to use one-handed that way) for some 7 months. Absolutely no sign at all of splitting.

I've been folding mine back on itself (very easy to use one-handed that way) for some 7 months. Absolutely no sign at all of splitting.

I always read with my cover folded back, and I must say it's easy to hold the book that way and, as HarryT says, no signs of any adverse reaction to being treated like that.

My cover has even survived cat attacks...

So Harry, now that you have one of the newer Gen3 models.....did it come with one of the Bookeen covers? If so, how does it compare to your original (leather) cover?

-Jeff

the colour is not to my taste at all and the overall look is so very, very old fashioned (just my opinion ofcourse).

It would have looked better if they had used the same inside & out. Personal preference would have been a true brown inside & out. I'm going to find out dying or polishing would help.

Check your local office supply store. Staples has a business card holder that is about the right size (it just fits). I was using velcro to attach it. I was in the process of trying velcro cable ties (glue a set on the cover & to the back of the Cybook) when I managed to drop my first Cybook.