Elipsa 2E Suggestions for covers? Film required?

[carpler]

Hello everyone!
I have just received the Kobo Elipsa 2E and am considering buying a cover.
I have several questions about it.

1) The first thing I'd like to ask owners is how you rate the official sleepcover. I've read conflicting opinions, but I'd like to know if you recommend it or not.

2) Since the cost of the sleepcover is quite high, does anyone recommend an alternative cover? I'd like to find out if there are really good products, not just cheaper ones.

3) Lastly: do you think a protective film is necessary for this ereader? Maybe it's unnecessary and I'm only asking because I'm used to it with a new smartphone, but I'm asking for an opinion anyway. Incidentally, I think the question is more delicate in this case, as it can change a lot the felling of the pen when sliding it around.

Thanks to anyone who would like to reply!

[JSWolf]

A sleepcover is what you want. There is no alternative. As for a screen protector, that's not needed at all.

[carpler]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A sleepcover is what you want. There is no alternative. As for a screen protector, that's not needed at all.

Thank you for your reply!
But do you recommend the original Kobo sleepcover (although quite expensive)? Or is any alternative OK?

EDIT
On Amazon, besides the original Kobo one, I can practically find only covers of this type: various brands and prices are listed, but apart from the colours, they all look the same to me.
The one I put the link to is very reasonably priced (less than €14).
Does anyone have a cover of this type? What do you think? I found few reviews to get an idea....

Regarding the screen protector: I have never put it on any of my ereaders, but the Elipsa is the most expensive ereader I have ever bought, so I have an instinct to try to preserve it as much as possible.
I figured the film wouldn't be needed anyway (hoping not to ruin the screen anyway!).

[Nikoz]

Originally Posted by carpler

3) Lastly: do you think a protective film is necessary for this ereader? Maybe it's unnecessary and I'm only asking because I'm used to it with a new smartphone, but I'm asking for an opinion anyway. Incidentally, I think the question is more delicate in this case, as it can change a lot the felling of the pen when sliding it around.

For me, it is necessary. Not so much to protect the screen from scratches, but it avoids having to clean dust and fingerprints from the screen every other day. Plus I like the feel of it under the fingers. Word of advice, if you get one make sure it's really matte: the first one I ordered wasn't, at all, and turned the screen into a smartphone screen.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Nikoz

For me, it is necessary. Not so much to protect the screen from scratches, but it avoids having to clean dust and fingerprints from the screen every other day.

So you prefer cleaning dust and fingerprints from the screen protector every day? Given that most screens these days are oleophobic, fingerprints are not the bugaboo they were years back and given that my ereaders live in their sleep covers, I'm not worried about scratches.

[JSWolf]

An eInk screen does not need a screen protector. Never has, never will. It's just a money making scheme.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

An eInk screen does not need a screen protector. Never has, never will. It's just a money making scheme.

Wouldn't that depend on the user and/or screen? I have seen multiple eink screens with scratches. In the past, there was a "key drop test" to see how easily the screen scratches.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Wouldn't that depend on the user and/or screen? I have seen multiple eink screens with scratches. In the past, there was a "key drop test" to see how easily the screen scratches.

I've had a number of Readers over the years and I've never once scratch the screen.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've had a number of Readers over the years and I've never once scratch the screen.

Yes, but you tend to use a cover, don't you? Do you remember the key drop tests?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Yes, but you tend to use a cover, don't you? Do you remember the key drop tests?

The OP is asking for a suggestion for a cover. So the OP does not also need a screen protector.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The OP is asking for a suggestion for a cover. So the OP does not also need a screen protector.

You didn't answer my question.

Again, wouldn't it depend on the user? I seem to recall at least one post of a cat jumping on a screen and scratching it. So it seems possible for a user to temporarily leave the cover open, and a cat jumping on it. Or temporarily leaving the cover open and dropping keys on it.

Also, you said:

An eInk screen does not need a screen protector. Never has, never will. It's just a money making scheme.

To me that is a universal statement. No mention of a cover. No mention that that is your experience.

Try to remember that other people may read threads in the future and may get the wrong information from your proselytizing posts.

[John F]

FWIW, if I was using a cover (which I do not), I wouldn't use a protective film. But I am fairly careful with my reader. My readers do not have any scratches on them. However, my mother has scratched the screens on most (naybe all) of the readers she has used (she does not use a cover).

[carpler]

Thank you all for your answers.

Regarding the screen protector: as I wrote, I too in the ereaders I have had never put it on, but in this case, given the cost of the Elipsa, I asked for your opinion.
After a few days of use I too believe that the screen protector is not needed: in fact, the screen seems to have been "treated" to make the pen slide better. Any film would change the smoothness of writing (I think almost certainly for the worse).

Regarding the cover, however, I am still very undecided.
In the meantime, I ordered this one on Amazon (which I paid very little for, only 13.50€). The quality of the materials is decent and I think it is good that it wraps around the ereader, even the corners, protecting the whole ereader, not just the screen.
On the other hand, the build quality is not great: when closed, the cover does not adhere well to the screen (I have a similar cover on my Kobo Forma and it works much better).
But what I consider to be the real weak point of this cover is its weight, which is a whopping 267g! The total weight of the Elipsa with the cover and stylus is 670g: for long reading sessions this is a considerable weight.
To summarise, although not excellent, the cover seems to me to protect the eredaer well, but makes the user experience considerably worse.
I am really very undecided whether to keep it or return it to Amazon and find another one.
The question would remain as in the first post: which one to choose?
The original Kobo sleepcover, besides costing way too much (in my opinion), only protects the screen, but perhaps doesn't weigh down the ereader too much.

On Amazon, apart from the Kobo one and the one I already bought, there seems to be no alternative (the other covers all look the same as the one I already have).

Do you have any other suggestions?

[Rugbyfan1986]

Why not just use a stylus, that willl eliminate the issue of fingerprints.

[Gnome de Plume]

Rather than covers, for many years I’ve enjoyed using Emmerson Gray’s felt sleeves (https://www.emmersongray.co.uk/) when I travel and need to carry my reader in a backpack or suitcase. The rest of the time, especially at home, I don’t bother with any protection at all. I’ve never had any problems with damage or scratching - these things nowadays are so light and oleophobic/scratch-resistant that fragility isn’t nearly as much of a concern.