Abandoning Android for H2O or Voyage

[darryl]

I have decided to abandon my beloved Android e-ink devices in favour of either a Voyage or H2O. The main reason for this move is to take advantage of the better display technology.

I have, for most of the past year, been enjoying somewhat of a fling with EInk Readers running Android, namely the Onyx T68 and later the Boyue T62. They are very versatile devices, and, unlike other eink devices, offer the ability to participate in the "walled gardens" of all of the major players, with the notable exception of Apple. Also very attractive is the ability to install and run other Android Applications. In fact, both the T68 and the T62 are fully featured Android tablets with E-Ink screen.

One disadvantage common to all Android Tablets as opposed to dedicated, usually Linux based e-readers is battery life. For an Android device, think tablet. The battery life is generally better measured in days rather that weeks. Another disadvantage which applies to E-Ink Android readers is that general Android applications are designed to run on a Colour Screen. On e-ink, this can lead to unreadable or even blank displays which can not necessarily be remedied short of re-writing the application or sometimes applying a new theme. Neither disadvantage is insurmountable, but may be deal-breakers for some.

The Onyx T68 is a beautiful device. The 6.8 inch screen is the same as that used on the Aura HD. I would say that the quality is about the same as a first generation Paperwhite, which is still very good. It comes with the Google Play Store already installed. As well as the disadvantages inherent in e-ink Android devices at the moment, it comes with a big one of its own. Some users report big problems with touch accuracy. I did not notice any problems with my device at first, but as I used it more noticed that I was having to tap slightly below the area I wanted to select, and there were more "misses" than I would have liked. Whilst relatively minor, this became increasingly annoying to me the more I used the device. I really only use it for reading mostly fiction. However, for those needing to highlight, take notes etc it could be a disastrous problem. I had expected the problem would be solved by a firmware update, but it seems that the problem is in fact hardware. It also seems that Onyx does not regard this as a serious problem. The Screen accuracy was compared unfavourably with the Boyue, which uses older screen technology and of course has the smaller 6 inch rather than the 6.8 inch display. As the accuracy problem became increasingly annoying to me, I decided to try a Boyue, as I liked much of the Android experience, including the Google Play Store, Calibre Companion and the apps for all the major walled gardens.

Booxter, a member here, who runs an online store selling Onyx devices at http://ereader-store.de/en/17-onyx-boox, is generally very helpful and has apparently been instrumental in having Onyx try to fix the accuracy issue. However, in Post #272 of this thread (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...nyx+t68&page=7 he states, when queried whether the screen "may be defective"; "No, I am just saying my opinion, that the touch screen accuracy of current stock of 6.8" capacitive EINK screens is not perfect. For big amount of customers it is acceptable though." Needless to say, I do not regard this as acceptable at all. I won't say I will never buy another Onyx Reader, but before I do I would want to be very satisfied both that the particular display problem had been solved and also that this near enough is good enough "acceptable quality" attitude has gone. It's a shame, because Onyx is making some beautiful readers. But they are premium products at premium prices, and "acceptable" is not good enough.

The Boyue T62 is a much cheaper device than the Onyx, and it looks it. The 6 inch screen is inferior to the screen on the Onyx and much older technology, but the quality is still more than acceptable. The touch screen is very accurate, much more so than on the Onyx. It is probably fair to say that the performance makes this device much like what the Onyx should have been. It comes without the Google Play Store installed, but this is quickly remedied by following the very good instructions here on Mobileread for rooting the device and installing it. It is IMO much better value for money than the Onyx.

However, I have, as mentioned at the beginning of the post, decided to abandon Android despite its many advantages. Firstly, I really only want a great device to read on. I found that, despite the many apps available on Android, the only ones I really used were the reading apps. In theory its nice to have all the other apps available, and to some who want to do more on their device it could be a real advantage. Me, I just want to read. Secondly, the ability to participate in the various "walled gardens" rather than be restricted to a single one one a device, whilst nice as a backup to Apprentice Alf, is not essential. In the worst case scenario separate readers may be required, though of course both don't need to be the very latest technology. And for me, the dominant reason outweighing the advantages of Android is the quality of the displays on the Aura H2O and the Kindle Voyage, which are a significant improvement over the Onyx, the Boyue and my first generation Paperwhite. It is quite simply time to update.

[HarryT]

Having bought both an H2O and a Voyage, I settled on the Voyage as my preferred device.

Why? Three main reasons.

1. Although the slightly larger screen of the H2O is very good indeed, its touchscreen is not good at all. It's fine for turning pages, but trying to accurately select text, or activate a small hyperlink, can be extremely frustrating. This is very important to me, because I need to read a lot of academic texts (which have a lot of endnotes) for the course I'm doing. On the Voyage, highlighting text and selecting small hyperlinks is 100% accurate, 100% of the time. It just works.

2. The Kindle's dictionaries are way, way better than Kobo's. I like looking up unfamiliar words in the dictionary.

3. Having used the T68, I missed having page turn buttons on the H2O. The "haptic sensors" (ie page turn buttons) on the Voyage work extremely well.

Because of these factors, I've now sold my H2O and am very happily using the Voyage. If all I used it for was reading novels, the H2O would be a great choice, but not for my needs.

I should note that some people have issues with a colour gradient on the Voyage's screen. I don't see it at all.

[darryl]

Thanks Harry. Both the H2O and the Voyage have beautiful screens. I'm going to go the route you did and try both. I'm particularly curious how well the automatic sensor adjustment of the light works on the Voyage. This could be a great feature, or a disaster. So far there seem to be very different opinions.

My use is a little different to yours, so I may not come to the same decision. The only way to really find out is to try them both, though from what I have read so far it sounds like I would be very happy with either (or both).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by darryl

I'm particularly curious how well the automatic sensor adjustment of the light works on the Voyage. This could be a great feature, or a disaster. So far there seem to be very different opinions.

I find that it works well, but if it doesn't work for you, there's no disaster - you can simply turn it off (there's a "Set light level automatically" check box above the brightness setting slider).

My use is a little different to yours, so I may not come to the same decision. The only way to really find out is to try them both, though from what I have read so far it sounds like I would be very happy with either (or both).

Sounds like a sensible way forward.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by HarryT

1. Although the slightly larger screen of the H2O is very good indeed, its touchscreen is not good at all. It's fine for turning pages, but trying to accurately select text, or activate a small hyperlink, can be extremely frustrating. This is very important to me, because I need to read a lot of academic texts (which have a lot of endnotes) for the course I'm doing. On the Voyage, highlighting text and selecting small hyperlinks is 100% accurate, 100% of the time. It just works.

2. The Kindle's dictionaries are way, way better than Kobo's. I like looking up unfamiliar words in the dictionary.

I read a lot of endnote-ridden non-fiction as well, and I don't really have an issue with the accuracy of my H2O. But perhaps I have smaller fingers than you do . And I love the pop-up notes kepubs do; I missed those since my Cybook Gen3 gave up the ghost, and it's the main reason I use the Kobo Touch Extended Plugin. I can't really judge text selection; I don't do that.

I am with you on 2), though. If someone figures out a way to use my Chambers 10th I used on my Cybook and Kindle DXG on my H2O, I will be a very happy camper...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

I read a lot of endnote-ridden non-fiction as well, and I don't really have an issue with the accuracy of my H2O. But perhaps I have smaller fingers than you do . And I love the pop-up notes kepubs do; I missed those since my Cybook Gen3 gave up the ghost, and it's the main reason I use the Kobo Touch Extended Plugin. I can't really judge text selection; I don't do that.

Perhaps I had a unusually inaccurate touchscreen, then, but mine was just horrendous. I'd sometimes have to tap the screen a dozen time to get a footnote hyperlink to activate - generally all that would happen is that it would turn the page.

The Kindle supports pop-up footnotes, too. Photograph attached.

[cct1]

I have both, and prefer the H20 by a large margin.

I love the 6.8 screen, it feels more like a page, the Voyage feels like I'm reading part of a page. The lighting and screen on the H20 is much, much better than the Voyage--looks more natural, less electronic.

I don't use the dictionary much; I read nonfiction exclusively, and footnotes are fine for me; they come up easy, but the Voyages pop ups are slick. The H20 screen is perfectly fine for page turns, Harry is right in that if you're constantly clicking on words for definition or footnotes the Voyage is better. I initially like the page turn buttons on the Voyage, but finally gave up on them, and have gone back to screen touch on the Voyage mainly because the bezel is really to thin for my hands to comfortably use them. Much easer to tap the page.

The H20 has quickly become my go to reader at home, and I use it as my first choice whenever possible, the Voyage, for out and about--it's so small it really is perfect for this.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kindle supports pop-up footnotes, too. Photograph attached.

Cool. I didn't know that.

[Rizla]

Useful reviews. The Boyue sounds like a solid e-ink android device.

[darryl]

I now have an H2O courtesy of Chapters Indigo. From order to delivery, Canada to Australia, took only one week. Fantastic experience, and I would not hesitate to order from them again. With very limited experience so far, I already love the screen. It is a huge improvement over the Onyx T62 and the Paperwhite 1. And touch screen accuracy is far better than the Onyx. I've found the reading software for KEPubs excellent so far. I actually like the layout as is and have not so far made any modifications to it. I have not bothered to test the rendering of epubs, as the conversion to KEPub is trivial using Calibre.

I also ordered a Kindle Voyage about the same time, via http://www.eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au/, a site which offers some good deals for Australians. Their Paperwhite deals at the moment are also quite good. I have dealt with them in the past and found that they usually ship very promptly and ate trustworthy. If there is a delay or problem they contact you by email promptly and follow any directions given. In this case, the site featured the Japanese edition of the Voyage for a reasonable price which I ordered. When not shipped after a couple of days they contacted me to say they were out of stock but expected more in about 4 days. This time having passed, they emailed again to advise they had not received new stock and had been advised the delay could be as long as January. I cancelled the order and they promptly processed a refund.

I have only praise for EGlobal's handling of the matter. However, not so Amazon. In most respects I am an Amazon fan. However, it is incredible to me that that, particularly at this time of year, the Kindle Voyage does not seem to be available in Australia at any reasonable price. Even sites which sell at prices which I regard as outrageous rip-off's have sold out! If I wanted one that badly my only reasonable option would be to order from Amazon in the US and use a forwarder to send the device to Australia. Of course, now I have my H2O and, on my limited use of it so far I am very happy. I did want to try both and pick the one I liked best, but now may well not bother by the time the Voyage does become available here. Regrettable as Amazon is so good in most aspects.

[HarryT]

The Voyage is out of stock for everyone, darryl; it has nothing to do with Australia. Amazon UK, for example, are quoting a delivery date of 22nd December for orders placed today.

[darryl]

Thanks Harry. Probably my disappointment showing. I thought I had actually secured one. And I can be a little paranoid about how badly Australian's are sometimes treated, both on price and availability. The reality is that I was lucky to find the H2O at an efficient retailer who ships to Australia.