Kindle Voyage's flushed screen: is it an improvement? (also, do I need a cover?)

badbob001 · 09-26-2014, 02:32 PM

Certainly a screen surface that is perceived to be flush with the rest of the device looks nice, but that aside, is it really a good thing?

Does having a flush surface add another layer over the screen? That would be bad for sharpness and brightness. If it's somehow part of the light-guide or capacity layer, then I guess it's ok.

This image made it look like the actual screen is sunk in, which is bad:

But on the actual device, it doesn't appear so (unless this is a 'simulated' image):

But my biggest worry is that a flush screen is easier to scratch. For example, when you're sliding the device in and out of a bag or pocket, the whole surface gets rubbed on. This is not the case if the screen is sunk in or if the device has a protective case wrap to add a thick lip around the edges. I don't know what kind of glass is on the device, but I hope it's gorilla glass like on the Kindle Fire (if you can believe wikipedia).

Oh just get a cover you may say. When I got my K3, I also got the amazon leather lighted-cover for it. One day I tried it without the cover and it felt like it was now half the weight and much more enjoyable to hold. I suspect it will be the same with the Voyage + cover.

Lets see:
Kindle 3 (8.5oz) + Kindle lighted leather cover (8oz) = 16.5oz
Kindle Voyage (6.6oz) + Amazon Leather Origami Cover (4.8oz) = 11.4oz

So the Voyage + Cover is 2.9oz heavier than the naked K3 but about 5oz lighter than the K3+cover. Decisions... I wonder why the new cover, which has no built-in light, still costs the same as previous covers that do include a light. I wonder if they will make a cover similar to ipad covers where it only covers the screen and not the back so it can be half the weight.

pidgeon92 · 09-26-2014, 02:44 PM

If you don't want to get a cover, get a sleeve. You get protection, yet don't have the extra weight while reading.

The pic looks very much like my Nexus 7, in terms of how the screen is flush with the case. I would say that my Nexus screen is the wee-est bit below the case, but it has yet to attract any dirt or debris. Certainly not like my PW2, which I believe actually manufactures its own debris and jams it in the crevices.

Hampshire Nanny · 09-26-2014, 03:31 PM

I like having a cover. I tried using my K3 (Kindle Keyboard) without the cover and it just feels strange to me.

meeera · 09-26-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbob001

Oh just get a cover you may say. I wonder if they will make a cover similar to ipad covers where it only covers the screen and not the back so it can be half the weight.

I doubt it, and I don't think it would be a particularly good idea. An iPad has gorilla glass, which is quite difficult to break. An e-ink reader has a fragile thin glass substrate. A back cover on an ereader adds rigidity and reduces the chance of shattering your device.

As others have said, you can grab a sleeve if you don't want a case.

kaufman · 10-05-2014, 03:51 AM

The Amazon cover connects magnetically, which should make it easy to put on and take off.

To my mind, this makes it a perfect combination of a cover and sleeve. Easy off when I want minimum weight, but on when I am on the move.

Barbara1955 · 10-05-2014, 04:25 PM

My Fires HD , I had 2 are NOT easy to scratch! I was surprised when I got a T-Moble cell phone & the 1st time I put it in my pocket it came out scratched! So IF they using G. Glass with the Voyager you really don't need a cover. BTW I even carried my Fire in my Mobility Scooter basket going thru bumps gravel dirt & grass Rough Rides! I Even dropped keys on them... Not 1 scratch or nick

jscarbo · 10-06-2014, 10:58 AM

I highly recommend some sort of protective cover or case. I bought this inexpensive one which claims to be small and lightweight, with all of the proper cut-outs, and it's fairly inexpensive: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JSWolf · 10-06-2014, 12:37 PM

Yes, you need a cover. If you don't have a cover, you are just looking for your Voyage to get broken.

Do you want to spend $200 and then have it get broken because you were too cheap to spend an extra $30-$50 on a protective case (not a sleeve, as they are useless while the Voyage is not in the sleeve).

I have read of too many people having their Readers broken and when asked in they had a case, the answer was no. Granted, it can still be broken with a case, but much more likely without a case.

Think of a case like a seat belt. It's for your protection.

Barbara1955 · 10-06-2014, 12:46 PM

The cover recommended ...well it doesn't show the inside...no way to know how the KV stays in it. How sturdy it is.

Dr. Drib · 10-06-2014, 12:52 PM

It's a foolish owner, indeed, who decides not to buy a cover.

This is my opinion, of course.

Do some ebook owners choose not to buy a cover? But, of course!

However: A slip of the hand, a turn of the wrist, an accident with a speeding bus, or a toppling building can only spell disaster.

Your opinion may differ.

happysnapper22 · 10-07-2014, 08:06 AM

Of course a lot depends on the quality of the image and none of us have seen that and how hard/durable the glass screen turns out to be, and only time will tell on that...

I like the recessed screen on the PW1/2 as the OP points out it protects the screen. I'd bet that with the official cover closed on our PW1 and PW2 for the majority of time there is nothing at all touching the screen.

Hope the Voyage cases have a nice soft none scratch inner surface to protect the glass screen on the Voyage...

On the subject of upgrading - had the price been the same as the PW2 (£109 in the UK) I'd have pre-ordered. At £169 AND a new cover

I'm waiting for the reviews. It will have to be REAL special to part me from that much.

Psykhe · 10-07-2014, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

It's a foolish owner, indeed, who decides not to buy a cover.

This is my opinion, of course.

Do some ebook owners choose not to buy a cover? But, of course!

However: A slip of the hand, a turn of the wrist, an accident with a speeding bus, or a toppling building can only spell disaster.

Your opinion may differ.

Wellll.. we have to differentiate between a cover and sleeve here.

A cover/sleeve for when you transport it in your bag? Definitely.

But a cover to use when reading? Sorry, I do not really see the point there from a protection POV. If it slips out of your hand while reading(*) the sensitive part of the reader - the screen - is already unprotected.
Unless you get lucky and it falls in such a way so it "closes" itself. But especially with the new cover I do not see an high chance for that.

If cover or sleeve depends in the end if you rather having more bulk when reading, but no bother with slipping it in and out of a sleeve or not additional bulk when reading, but more "work" and the start and end of it with slipping it in and out of a sleeve.

Personally I am using a Kindle since the Kindle Keyboard and since then have "killed" 2 Kindles. In first case neither a cover nor sleeve would have saved it, in the second case both a cover or sleeve would have saved it. Since the latter case I am using a sleeve for mine (and reading with my Kindle "naked").

(* Speaking for the Kindle PW, personally I have a better grip on my "naked" one than on the one of my mother, who is using the official cover. Mainly due to the somewhat gummed back of the PW which has IMO more grip than the textured plastic of the hull. So I would say that for me using a cover would actually increase the chance to let it drop accidentally.)

kaufman · 10-07-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psykhe

A cover/sleeve for when you transport it in your bag? Definitely.

But a cover to use when reading?

How about when you are reading while traveling?

I mostly agree with you, and that's why I am excited to try out the new magnetic connection on the new Voyage cover. Easy to take off when reading in one spot, Easy to put back on when done, and usable when reading while (for example) standing on the bus.

badbob001 · 10-07-2014, 12:06 PM

When I had the K3 with the leather-lighted cover, it was pretty heavy. When I removed it, it became so refreshingly light and smaller, that I lever went back to using the cover. When transporting it in a bag, I would slip it into a just-fit pocket in my bookbag or first put it into a small yellow bubble-wrap mailer.

I didn't really fear about the k3 breaking since it felt like it was built very solidly and I don't read while moving. I don't own an iphone but I hear that the all-glass face is easier to break than phones covered with plastic. I fear the move from k3 to the voyage will be like moving to using an iphone. Iphone cases are popular and adds a bevel around the screen. So maybe voyage case will be made by someone.

crossi · 10-07-2014, 05:48 PM

I have several covers, some quite expensive, but I never use them. I just don't like the added weight. My kindle keyboard goes everywhere in my bookbag safely tucked into a quilted potholder that just fits it. It is easier to slip it in and out of that than either of the sleeves I bought.

09-26-2014, 02:32 PM	#1
badbob001 Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 1102020 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Kindle Keyboard (rip), Kindle Voyage, Fire Tablet 10 '17, iPad '19	Kindle Voyage's flushed screen: is it an improvement? (also, do I need a cover?) Certainly a screen surface that is perceived to be flush with the rest of the device looks nice, but that aside, is it really a good thing? Does having a flush surface add another layer over the screen? That would be bad for sharpness and brightness. If it's somehow part of the light-guide or capacity layer, then I guess it's ok. This image made it look like the actual screen is sunk in, which is bad: But on the actual device, it doesn't appear so (unless this is a 'simulated' image): But my biggest worry is that a flush screen is easier to scratch. For example, when you're sliding the device in and out of a bag or pocket, the whole surface gets rubbed on. This is not the case if the screen is sunk in or if the device has a protective case wrap to add a thick lip around the edges. I don't know what kind of glass is on the device, but I hope it's gorilla glass like on the Kindle Fire (if you can believe wikipedia). Oh just get a cover you may say. When I got my K3, I also got the amazon leather lighted-cover for it. One day I tried it without the cover and it felt like it was now half the weight and much more enjoyable to hold. I suspect it will be the same with the Voyage + cover. Lets see: Kindle 3 (8.5oz) + Kindle lighted leather cover (8oz) = 16.5oz Kindle Voyage (6.6oz) + Amazon Leather Origami Cover (4.8oz) = 11.4oz So the Voyage + Cover is 2.9oz heavier than the naked K3 but about 5oz lighter than the K3+cover. Decisions... I wonder why the new cover, which has no built-in light, still costs the same as previous covers that do include a light. I wonder if they will make a cover similar to ipad covers where it only covers the screen and not the back so it can be half the weight. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by badbob001; 10-14-2014 at 05:17 PM.

10-05-2014, 04:25 PM	#6
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	My Fires HD , I had 2 are NOT easy to scratch! I was surprised when I got a T-Moble cell phone & the 1st time I put it in my pocket it came out scratched! So IF they using G. Glass with the Voyager you really don't need a cover. BTW I even carried my Fire in my Mobility Scooter basket going thru bumps gravel dirt & grass Rough Rides! I Even dropped keys on them... Not 1 scratch or nick Last edited by Barbara1955; 10-05-2014 at 04:27 PM.

10-06-2014, 12:37 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Yes, you need a cover. If you don't have a cover, you are just looking for your Voyage to get broken. Do you want to spend $200 and then have it get broken because you were too cheap to spend an extra $30-$50 on a protective case (not a sleeve, as they are useless while the Voyage is not in the sleeve). I have read of too many people having their Readers broken and when asked in they had a case, the answer was no. Granted, it can still be broken with a case, but much more likely without a case. Think of a case like a seat belt. It's for your protection. Last edited by JSWolf; 10-06-2014 at 12:39 PM.

10-07-2014, 08:06 AM	#11
happysnapper22 Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 639200 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle PW2 & PW3	Flush Screen = retrograde step Of course a lot depends on the quality of the image and none of us have seen that and how hard/durable the glass screen turns out to be, and only time will tell on that... I like the recessed screen on the PW1/2 as the OP points out it protects the screen. I'd bet that with the official cover closed on our PW1 and PW2 for the majority of time there is nothing at all touching the screen. Hope the Voyage cases have a nice soft none scratch inner surface to protect the glass screen on the Voyage... On the subject of upgrading - had the price been the same as the PW2 (£109 in the UK) I'd have pre-ordered. At £169 AND a new cover I'm waiting for the reviews. It will have to be REAL special to part me from that much.

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09-26-2014, 02:44 PM	#2
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	If you don't want to get a cover, get a sleeve. You get protection, yet don't have the extra weight while reading. The pic looks very much like my Nexus 7, in terms of how the screen is flush with the case. I would say that my Nexus screen is the wee-est bit below the case, but it has yet to attract any dirt or debris. Certainly not like my PW2, which I believe actually manufactures its own debris and jams it in the crevices.

09-26-2014, 03:31 PM	#3
Hampshire Nanny Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 8064562 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 KB, iPad2	I like having a cover. I tried using my K3 (Kindle Keyboard) without the cover and it just feels strange to me.

10-05-2014, 03:51 AM	#5
kaufman Calibre Companion Fanatic Posts: 873 Karma: 1088610 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kindle Voyage	The Amazon cover connects magnetically, which should make it easy to put on and take off. To my mind, this makes it a perfect combination of a cover and sleeve. Easy off when I want minimum weight, but on when I am on the move.

10-06-2014, 10:58 AM	#7
jscarbo Addict Posts: 220 Karma: 1075434 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Costa Rica Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle PW2, Nook HD+, Nexus 7	I highly recommend some sort of protective cover or case. I bought this inexpensive one which claims to be small and lightweight, with all of the proper cut-outs, and it's fairly inexpensive: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

10-06-2014, 12:46 PM	#9
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	The cover recommended ...well it doesn't show the inside...no way to know how the KV stays in it. How sturdy it is.

10-06-2014, 12:52 PM	#10
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	It's a foolish owner, indeed, who decides not to buy a cover. This is my opinion, of course. Do some ebook owners choose not to buy a cover? But, of course! However: A slip of the hand, a turn of the wrist, an accident with a speeding bus, or a toppling building can only spell disaster. Your opinion may differ.

10-07-2014, 12:06 PM	#14
badbob001 Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 1102020 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Kindle Keyboard (rip), Kindle Voyage, Fire Tablet 10 '17, iPad '19	When I had the K3 with the leather-lighted cover, it was pretty heavy. When I removed it, it became so refreshingly light and smaller, that I lever went back to using the cover. When transporting it in a bag, I would slip it into a just-fit pocket in my bookbag or first put it into a small yellow bubble-wrap mailer. I didn't really fear about the k3 breaking since it felt like it was built very solidly and I don't read while moving. I don't own an iphone but I hear that the all-glass face is easier to break than phones covered with plastic. I fear the move from k3 to the voyage will be like moving to using an iphone. Iphone cases are popular and adds a bevel around the screen. So maybe voyage case will be made by someone.

10-07-2014, 05:48 PM	#15
crossi Guru Posts: 992 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	I have several covers, some quite expensive, but I never use them. I just don't like the added weight. My kindle keyboard goes everywhere in my bookbag safely tucked into a quilted potholder that just fits it. It is easier to slip it in and out of that than either of the sleeves I bought.

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