Migrating from Kindle Oasis to ?Which Kobo?

[CRussel]

OK, I've had just about enough of Amazon. I've loved my Oasis 3, but it's time for a new eReader that isn't tied to Amazon. I have over 4,000 books in my Calibre library, all with DRM removed, so migrating my library isn't an issue. But I have decided to buy a new eReader, and Kobo seems the best overall option. I want simple, I want page-turn buttons, and I'm not really interested in colour or huge screens. I read books, and having something that will fit in my back pocket is a definite plus.

Suggestions and comments on which one to buy? Or Kobo alternatives that meet the necessary criteria. (Anything tied to Google is NOT an option, just to be clear!)

[Quoth]

I'd say Libra / Libra 2, but it's gone. The Libra colour is inferior for text to Oasis 2, Libra, Libra2, Original Aura H2O HD etc.

So nearest is the 8" Kobo Sage. I just bought a 2nd in case they do what happened to Libra2.


Integrates with Calibre. I sent 8034 ebooks in one go to the new one. I'd backed up current one reading status with Kobo Utilities.

The Import after eject took a while. Then I reconnected (which updates series, subtitle etc) and restored reading positions.

Calibre sets Cover, Author, Title, subtitle, series, publisher info, blurb/comment and collections on a Kobo.

I have the official Sideloaded Mode set, so the the home page is the library, not adverts etc. Unlike Amazon you can revert to any earlier FW for the model. No need for frontlight (which can be amber tinted) if enough light to read a paperback (as with Oasis 2 I had).

You can still use Whispernet + WiFi to download from Amazon to Oasis 3 and deDRM the KFX to Calibre (at the moment).

The epub is the best format for Calibre and editing CSS etc. You can use books bought anywhere except Barnes&Noble and Apple (Amazon ebooks need the Oasis 3 as cache). Not limited to Kobo Store.

It's a bit bigger than the Oasis 2 or 3 (a Libra 2, now only S/H is similar size, I have Libra and Libra 2).

[CRussel]

@Quoth: I was looking at the Kobo Sage or Libra 2 as a possible? I admit, I'm also considering Boox, probably the Boox Page?

I'm a bit concerned that the Sage is 8" and won't fit in my pocket. The Oasis is tight, so I suspect that's the largest I can handle.

As for stores? Honestly, as long as I can handle DRM, I can deal with it. I don't like that the Boox is tied in to Google, but I trust (?) that I can ignore the Google store for pretty much everything.

[Quoth]

The Android ereaders use MTP, so copying more than few books at a time fails.
I'd get a Onyx Boox or a Pocketbook if Kobo didn't exist. I have a 7.8" Android ereader (Boyue, phoenixed as Meebook) and it totally depends on the app installed. it's gathering dust. Turning off the Google framework breaks some apps.

The Pocketbook models vary in goodness and some / many (?) are not Android.

Android ones are poor on battery life, many worse than the Sage.

Maybe you might find a refurbished Libra2, or a nice jacket or bag for the Sage. A back pocket is risky anyway.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by CRussel

OK, I've had just about enough of Amazon. I've loved my Oasis 3, but it's time for a new eReader that isn't tied to Amazon. I have over 4,000 books in my Calibre library, all with DRM removed, so migrating my library isn't an issue. But I have decided to buy a new eReader, and Kobo seems the best overall option. I want simple, I want page-turn buttons, and I'm not really interested in colour or huge screens. I read books, and having something that will fit in my back pocket is a definite plus.

Suggestions and comments on which one to buy? Or Kobo alternatives that meet the necessary criteria. (Anything tied to Google is NOT an option, just to be clear!)

I cannot recommend any Kobo. The Libra 2 was discontinued and not replaced. The Libra Color is lousy because of the color filter. The Clara BW is 6". The Clara Colour is 6" and poor because of the color filter. The Sage is 8" but has a poor battery. The Elipsa is 10.3" and also has a poor battery.

[Quoth]

The Sage is certainly a poorer battery than other Kobos, but more than the Android based eink. Over 20 hours solid reading and 45 minutes recharge while reading.

Often charged enough when on PC for Calibre. I leave it charging after eject.

I used PW3, H2O original, Libra, Libra 2 and find battery run time of the Sage fine. The Elipsa is too big and heavy to read novels.

Loads of people like the portability of the 6" models.

[CRussel]

I wouldn't mind a 6" reader. Portability is more important than screen size. But the 6" Kobo readers don't have buttons. Sorry, that's a deal breaker.

It's too bad the Libra 2 is discontinued. It sounds like it would be perfect. The Sage is a bit big, though I might have to go that way.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The Android ereaders use MTP, so copying more than few books at a time fails.
I'd get a Onyx Boox or a Pocketbook if Kobo didn't exist. I have a 7.8" Android ereader (Boyue, phoenixed as Meebook) and it totally depends on the app installed. it's gathering dust. Turning off the Google framework breaks some apps.

The Pocketbook models vary in goodness and some / many (?) are not Android.

Android ones are poor on battery life, many worse than the Sage.

Maybe you might find a refurbished Libra2, or a nice jacket or bag for the Sage. A back pocket is risky anyway.

Yeah, I know back pockets are risky. But so far, I haven't had one fail. (knock on wood). Saying that, however, even my jacket inside pocket can be problematic for larger readers. I'd be happy to find a refurbed Libra 2, but suspect that's not easy to find. Or I just stick with my Oasis 3 until it totally dies. I have no issues with adding books to it from any source that allows me to remove DRM. And I still have old Kindles tied to various Amazon stores (UK, Canada, and US) that I can download to and convert. At least for the moment. The day they kill that? I am absolutely cancelling my Amazon accounts.

[Chi Cygni]

Well, it is not a Kobo but there's still BW Pocketbook Era on Amazon US (219 USD)
Has buttons. 7 inch. I have one, very pleased with it. Slightly smaller that Oasis 3 which I also have.
I have direct link to it but not sure I can post it here, haven't posted in 9 years

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Or Kobo alternatives that meet the necessary criteria. (Anything tied to Google is NOT an option, just to be clear!)

In terms of features, the PocketBook Era might be the closest alternative to what you are looking for (with all its differences to the Kindle Oasis, which are not few) among the e-readers currently on the market. And PocketBook also has other e-readers of smaller and larger sizes, all of them with page-turn (and multifunction) keys.

[jillmess]

I have a kobo libra2 (non colour) and a clara colour. My sister has a libra colour. You may notice a difference if you put the screens side by side, but once you have the lighting to your own preference reading on any of these is just fine in my experience. If possible try for yourself first.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Or I just stick with my Oasis 3 until it totally dies.

Or until the next Kobo announcements. It's been quite a while since the last launch - ten months - and their pattern has been pretty close to yearly launches. They must be aware of the community love for the discontinued Libra 2, so who knows?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by meeera

They must be aware of the community love for the discontinued Libra 2, so who knows?

Why do you think they're aware of it? Maybe the Libra Colour sells better? (I ask with genuine curiosity, as I'm one of those wishing for a new b/w Libra or Sage).