Used Kobo glo hd or what?

fru_ita · 08-26-2017, 05:30 AM

Hi everyone,

I own a very old Kindle 4nt. It is still working great but it lacks a led light and the low resolution has become unbearable.

The physical cursor/buttons are great though as it is the very low weight.
I am looking for a new reader with the following required specs:
1-300dpi
2-hackable (koreader, etc)
3-6" display
4-as light as possible

2 rules out kindles. 3 and 4 rule out the kobo aura one and (mostly, tested at a local shop) the h2o2.
The glo hd would be ideal, a friend has one and it is indeed great, but it is discontinued and the kobo aura 2edition is basically a glo hd without the 300dpi display. While the 212 vs 300 difference might not bother me much (have to check in person), it feels a step backwards.

Should I try to look for a used glo hd in good condition or there are reasons/rumors to expect Rakuten to update the aura 2ed with a more up to date 300 dpi model (even at a higher price range) anytime soon?

JSWolf · 08-26-2017, 05:33 AM

Have you considered an H2O?

fru_ita · 08-26-2017, 06:05 AM

Yep, I gave a look at the h2o 2edition yesterday at local store and it felt a bit too big and too heavy. it is almost 25% heavier than my current kindle 4nt (207gr vs 170gr). The glo hd is 180gr.

I guess I am overly picky but the 300dpi infrared display of the kobo glo hd looked crisper than the 265dpi capacitive screen of the h2o2.

JSWolf · 08-26-2017, 06:58 AM

I have the original H2O and the height is not an issue for me. I rather like the larger screen and I don't find the slightly lower DPI to be an issue. It's high enough that it looks plenty sharp.

The other thing is that with the H2O, you'll get a full warranty.

davidfor · 08-26-2017, 07:50 AM

@fru_ita: The Glo HD is an excellent device. I've been using one up until about three weeks ago when I got an Aura ONE. I might still go back to it and let my wife use the Aura ONE. I like the smaller size for my commute, but the Aura ONE is very, very nice.

I don't know when Kobo will release their next device. But, I think if Kobo were releasing something in their September/October time, we would have heard something by now. That means the next release is probably March/April. I hope it is a 6" 300 dpi device, as I think dropping the Glo HD at the time they did was a mistake. But, if I was making a be, I'd expect a refresh of the Aura ONE.

What all that says is that if you can find a Glo HD in good condition, go for it. They are an excellent device. If it fits you for size and screen resolution, it's probably what you should get.

Willa · 08-26-2017, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

I've been using one up until about three weeks ago when I got an Aura ONE. I might still go back to it and let my wife use the Aura ONE. I like the smaller size for my commute, but the Aura ONE is very, very nice.

You've been allowed to buy an Aura ONE?!

PeterT · 08-26-2017, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willa

You've been allowed to buy an Aura ONE?!

I think he was walking through a store and one of them took a suicidal leap into his shopping basket.

davidfor · 08-26-2017, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willa

You've been allowed to buy an Aura ONE?!

Allowed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I think he was walking through a store and one of them took a suicidal leap into his shopping basket.

I think I'll go with that story. Of course, the credit card also tried to escape, but I managed to wrestle it back after it waved hi to it's little electronic friend in the shop.

DNSB · 08-26-2017, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willa

You've been allowed to buy an Aura ONE?!

Perhaps more asking for forgiveness than permission?

davidfor · 08-27-2017, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Perhaps more asking for forgiveness than permission?

Would I do that?

fru_ita · 08-30-2017, 04:06 AM

First, thanks for the replies.

I did my homework and managed to find two Kobo glo hd for sale.

One comes at 80 euros, used (lightly, bought in March 2017), apparently great condition, seller looks reliable.

The other one is sold as new, 119 euros (original price used to be 129 euros). The online store is an authorized dealer and they will let me return the kobo within the first 14 days and provide the standard two years warranty.
In practice since the glo hd is discontinued the warranty, if ever needed, will actual be a credit towards a new/different ereader.

Which one should I go for?
I checked the forums for failure rates and it looks to me that kobos are much more likely to present issues both as new and after weeks/months than Kindle's (more reports and Amazon has a larger user base!), is that really the case?

JSWolf · 08-30-2017, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fru_ita

I checked the forums for failure rates and it looks to me that kobos are much more likely to present issues both as new and after weeks/months than Kindle's (more reports and Amazon has a larger user base!), is that really the case?

This is not true. I've read plenty of messages about issues with Kindles including problems with firmware updates. A lot of problems you read about are user error. I've never once had a problem with my H2O. I've had it since November 27, 2014. No Reader is perfect.

booklover6 · 08-30-2017, 06:59 AM

I pre-ordered my Glo HD, so I've had it since launch. never a single problem.

Bald Eagle · 08-30-2017, 08:53 AM

The problem with all lighted readers is the evenness of the lighting. That is not an issue when the units are new and in stock, you simply buy the next one and return the ones that don't meet your expectations. I went through 3 H2Os (1st gen) and 2 A1 until I found the one I kept. I kept the first HD I bought.
Since you only have one shot that might be an issue for you. I would go to the shop that offers the return.

JSWolf · 08-30-2017, 03:29 PM

The light on my H2O is very even. It's the only one I've ever owned.

08-26-2017, 05:30 AM	#1
fru_ita Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 11064 Join Date: Aug 2017 Device: kindle 4nt	Used Kobo glo hd or what? Hi everyone, I own a very old Kindle 4nt. It is still working great but it lacks a led light and the low resolution has become unbearable. The physical cursor/buttons are great though as it is the very low weight. I am looking for a new reader with the following required specs: 1-300dpi 2-hackable (koreader, etc) 3-6" display 4-as light as possible 2 rules out kindles. 3 and 4 rule out the kobo aura one and (mostly, tested at a local shop) the h2o2. The glo hd would be ideal, a friend has one and it is indeed great, but it is discontinued and the kobo aura 2edition is basically a glo hd without the 300dpi display. While the 212 vs 300 difference might not bother me much (have to check in person), it feels a step backwards. Should I try to look for a used glo hd in good condition or there are reasons/rumors to expect Rakuten to update the aura 2ed with a more up to date 300 dpi model (even at a higher price range) anytime soon?

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08-26-2017, 05:33 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,545 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Have you considered an H2O?

08-26-2017, 06:05 AM	#3
fru_ita Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 11064 Join Date: Aug 2017 Device: kindle 4nt	Yep, I gave a look at the h2o 2edition yesterday at local store and it felt a bit too big and too heavy. it is almost 25% heavier than my current kindle 4nt (207gr vs 170gr). The glo hd is 180gr. I guess I am overly picky but the 300dpi infrared display of the kobo glo hd looked crisper than the 265dpi capacitive screen of the h2o2.

08-26-2017, 06:58 AM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,545 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have the original H2O and the height is not an issue for me. I rather like the larger screen and I don't find the slightly lower DPI to be an issue. It's high enough that it looks plenty sharp. The other thing is that with the H2O, you'll get a full warranty.

08-26-2017, 07:50 AM	#5
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	@fru_ita: The Glo HD is an excellent device. I've been using one up until about three weeks ago when I got an Aura ONE. I might still go back to it and let my wife use the Aura ONE. I like the smaller size for my commute, but the Aura ONE is very, very nice. I don't know when Kobo will release their next device. But, I think if Kobo were releasing something in their September/October time, we would have heard something by now. That means the next release is probably March/April. I hope it is a 6" 300 dpi device, as I think dropping the Glo HD at the time they did was a mistake. But, if I was making a be, I'd expect a refresh of the Aura ONE. What all that says is that if you can find a Glo HD in good condition, go for it. They are an excellent device. If it fits you for size and screen resolution, it's probably what you should get.

08-30-2017, 04:06 AM	#11
fru_ita Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 11064 Join Date: Aug 2017 Device: kindle 4nt	First, thanks for the replies. I did my homework and managed to find two Kobo glo hd for sale. One comes at 80 euros, used (lightly, bought in March 2017), apparently great condition, seller looks reliable. The other one is sold as new, 119 euros (original price used to be 129 euros). The online store is an authorized dealer and they will let me return the kobo within the first 14 days and provide the standard two years warranty. In practice since the glo hd is discontinued the warranty, if ever needed, will actual be a credit towards a new/different ereader. Which one should I go for? I checked the forums for failure rates and it looks to me that kobos are much more likely to present issues both as new and after weeks/months than Kindle's (more reports and Amazon has a larger user base!), is that really the case?

08-30-2017, 06:59 AM	#13
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I pre-ordered my Glo HD, so I've had it since launch. never a single problem.

08-30-2017, 08:53 AM	#14
Bald Eagle Connoisseur Posts: 93 Karma: 1228255 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Aura H2O, Aura One, Libra Colour	The problem with all lighted readers is the evenness of the lighting. That is not an issue when the units are new and in stock, you simply buy the next one and return the ones that don't meet your expectations. I went through 3 H2Os (1st gen) and 2 A1 until I found the one I kept. I kept the first HD I bought. Since you only have one shot that might be an issue for you. I would go to the shop that offers the return.

08-30-2017, 03:29 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,545 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The light on my H2O is very even. It's the only one I've ever owned.

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