Aura HD Should the glow screen flicker?

[graycyn]

The Aura HD is my first Kobo device and also my first device with a glow screen. A couple of times the first day I had it, I thought I detected a flicker, but it didn't seem to keep doing it, so then I thought it might just be my eyes being tired.

However, this morning, I woke up, the light in my bedroom was a bit on the dim side, and I woke the reader and started to read. But the screen was definitely flickering, subtle, but there and it was driving my eyes a bit buggy.

Brightness level was set at 4%, where I'd left it when dropping off to sleep. I showed it to my husband and he saw the flicker too. Shortly after, the room got brighter and I boosted the brightness level slightly to around 10% and then I didn't see the flicker.

I'm not sure what's normal for these devices, but I shouldn't think flicker would be right, since part of the reason for the glow screen is to be able to read in the dark.

I checked the battery level, it was at 47%, so it shouldn't have been because of low battery. (Though I am a bit disconcerted that the battery level is dropping so quickly, but for the moment, I'm putting that down to a lot of "play" with device settings and such.) I did charge it up to 100% on the 25th.

Anyway, should I ask Kobo for an exchange?

I haven't noticed any flicker in my Aura, even with the setting pushed down to 1%. However, I have seen comments in the developer subforum that pushing the brightness of the Glo too low does result in flickering so maybe this sort of thing is more noticeable to some people than others. (Note: they were pushing the brightness lower than Kobo's software allows. That's why it was in the developer subforum!)

If the flickering is noticeable, I would definitely insist upon an exchange or refund.

[mr_nihilism]

I have noticed no flicker on mine. If what Kobo says is true about Aura being limited edition, I'd go and get a refund sooner rather than later.

[graycyn]

I guess I'll see if it persists over the course of a day or two. I used it the night before last on 3% and it wasn't flickering then. I would probably go for an exchange, because I do like the screen!

My eyes are definitely sensitive to too much light reflecting back, so in a dark room, I am almost always going to be on lower settings. I started higher, but it was driving my eyes buggy, so I lowered it until I felt comfortable.

[Uschiekid]

Just a quick note about the battery,...
especially if you haven't charged it, don't be concerned it it falling too quickly...and even if you have, it takes a few charge cycles before you have a more accurate % given.

[Dr. Drib]

If the full battery charge doesn't cure that flicker, I would return it post-haste.

I don't own an Aura (yet), but I do own a Kobo Glo and a Kindle Paperwhite.

Flickering is NOT something you want - if it continues, then I would suggest that it is defective and would return it for a replacement.




Don

[graycyn]

I am watching for it, but it hasn't returned as yet.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by Uschiekid

Just a quick note about the battery,...
especially if you haven't charged it, don't be concerned it it falling too quickly...and even if you have, it takes a few charge cycles before you have a more accurate % given.

Yeah, I figure more charge cycles are needed before making any judgement on the battery. It dropped to 47% and then just stalled out there. Today it is down to 42%. I think once I am just reading, and not trying to put the device through all its paces, things will improve.

[Breid]

I have been getting a flicker on my Kobo Glo recently. Usually turning it off and back on again fixes this. I am not very happy that this has happened with my Glo after less than 6 month's use (admittely I read for about 2 hrs per day). If this is happening to your brand new Aura, my advise is to send it back for a replacement.

[rihkama]

Kobo Glo (and Aura HD and other readers with LED lighs) most likely use PWM to adjust the brightness and that can cause visible flickering for some people if brightness is set too low.

See, eg: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=205938

[Nil Einne]

I'm still surprised it's so common that some people can see flickering particularly on relatively high end product. While I understand they're a minority, is it really that hard to get you PWM frequency right so hardly anyone sees flickering?

[graycyn]

I've seen the flicker twice, both times at 4%, the last time the battery was also getting low.

I'm still debating on a return, but if flicker tends to happen only at that low setting, I'm not sure it is worth the hassle. I read at 5 and 6% the last couple nights, no problem with flicker.

I'll keep my eye on it, but the screen is perfect, no bright spots like some have found, so I'm not going to rush a return.

[ewphoenix123]

Flickering only occurs when you run the LEDs on settings below their limits. So it may happen when the battery is very low and they don't get enough juice.
But it shouldn't happen with normal settings you can reach with the inteface, so imo you have a slightly defective unit.
The reports about flickering glo's were for the majority (if not all) reported on machine that were forced below normal settings with a plugin.

If it's easy for you to return the unit I would consider it.

[graycyn]

Well, a return is probable. Last night I was reading in a partly lit room, with the light at 18% and I was getting a flicker every time I turned the page. And then sometimes a random flicker while reading. This had not happened before, so it seems the problem *is* getting worse. And the battery was around 70%

Further, the two-page turn problem was happening about every 3 pages, which made it REALLY annoying! Oddly, that didn't happen this morning with the light off. I haven't heard anyone else talking about the two-page turn thing, so maybe that is only a defect in *my* Aura.

It's a pity, because the screen is nice, no pinholes in the glow light or anything. Hope the next will be as good.

[ewphoenix123]

I got my Aura on Thursday, and after two night reading tests I an confirm that there is no flicker at all even at 1% light level.

You have a defective unit and should return it, the light is supposed to be "perfect" and not annoying.