Kobo Aura HD: is it still worthy?

Mokmo31 · 09-07-2016, 06:59 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm a happy owner of a Kobo Glo, which I'm going to pass to my girlfriend. I've just purchased an use Glo HD, but I found a guy who sells the Kobo Aura HD at a very reasonable price.

I read a lot of reviews stating that, though both HD and H2O share a similar hardware and display resolution, the Aura H2O has a better definition and frontlight (but I don't really case it's waterproof).
Now, given that the Aura HD has been released 3 years ago and it's now out of production, the Aura H2O is quite expensive (but it may a life-long reader), I'd like to read some b/w comics and I own a 9.7'' tablet, do you think I should make a step forward and buy the H2O? Or Aura HD is still a valid option?

Thanks in advance

booklover6 · 09-07-2016, 07:13 AM

I have the Aura HD and I love it. I have never tried to read comics on it. The device is still a very valid option, yes. I would recommend it, if the price is really good. Yes the H2O may have a better contrast, but unless you have them side by side, you'll never know.

RZetlin · 09-07-2016, 07:35 AM

I owned the Aura HD. It was Kobo first attempt at creating a "large" eReader so the device does have some pros and cons with it.

Compared to the H2O and Aura One, the Aura HD is heavier and less eloquent.

If you can the Aura HD at a good price, I would recommend it.

Mokmo31 · 09-07-2016, 07:56 AM

Thank you for your advices, @booklover6 and @Rzetlin!

The heaviness is something I don't really mind since I read mainly at home, but I do really care about the definition and the contrast.

As far as you know, does a larger screen (despite being bigger by only 0,8'') implies a better reading experience?

I'm still doubtful wether to buy one or the other, I should really make up my mind soon!

PS: probably the Aura One might be my lifetime reader, but 230 € is quite a great expense for me...

robko · 09-07-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mokmo31

As far as you know, does a larger screen (despite being bigger by only 0,8'') implies a better reading experience?

That's a very personal preference. Personally, I'd have had a hard time going back to 6" from the 6.8" Aura HD. Now after a week with the Aura One at 7.8" the HD looks tiny. But there are people who love 6" or even the 5" (?? I think) Kobo Mini. To me it's just nicer to have more words/screen. The tradeoff is a slightly heavier device.

JSWolf · 09-07-2016, 06:51 PM

I think those that prefer 6" have never tried 6.8". Once you do, I don't think you'll go back. I can see for some that 7.8" is too big, but I don't see 6.8" as too big.

booklover6 · 09-07-2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I think those that prefer 6" have never tried 6.8". Once you do, I don't think you'll go back. I can see for some that 7.8" is too big, but I don't see 6.8" as too big.

That's not true for me. I have and enjoy reading on my 5" Kobo Mini, my 6.8" Kobo Aura HD, and my 2 - 6" devices. I seldom take my Aura HD out of the house.

JSWolf · 09-07-2016, 07:18 PM

My H20 goes out of the house quite a lot. The only thing I might want to get is a new case.

booklover6 · 09-07-2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My H20 goes out of the house quite a lot. The only thing I might want to get is a new case.

Are you thinking of getting an Aura One?

I did recently get a nice padded case for my Aura HD, so I can take it out. It's a lot heavier than my Mini, though!

JSWolf · 09-07-2016, 08:18 PM

If I do get an Aura One, I'll wait a bit. But for now, my H2O will do.

graycyn · 09-09-2016, 12:25 PM

I'm still using and love my Aura HD! It would be hard to go back to a smaller screen size, I definitely feel that the 6.8" screen was a huge plus in reading experience. I'm contemplating going still larger with the Aura ONE tho....

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

JSWolf · 09-09-2016, 01:21 PM

The Aura HD is still worthy depending on the price. I should be cheaper enough than the H2O.

barryem · 09-09-2016, 06:57 PM

I'm about to find out about the Aura HD because of a kind person in this forum. I mentioned that I live in a retirement home in another thread and that some of the people here could use a larger ereader with larger text and she offered to send it to someone. I asked my neighbor who said he'd love it and she's sending it all the way to Arkansas from Spain. It probably will arrive next week.

He's been using a Kindle and never used any other device and I'll probably have to set it up for him and get him some books and show him how to use it so I'll get a chance to see my first Aura HD.

I personally don't think I'll like the larger screen. The only thing I don't like about my Voyage is that it's screen is larger than my phone's screen, which seems the perfect size to me. But I'm pretty eager to see it. I also have an original Aura and it'll be interesting to compare it with that.

Barry

JSWolf · 09-10-2016, 04:01 AM

I think you'll be surprised and you'll like the larger screen. One thing I think will go over well is that because the screen of the Aura HD is larger, it can fit more words per line at a larger font size before the font size is too big for the screen.

Also, when you apply some of the patches to the firmware, you get some really useful features. Another thing is that if you install the alternate hyphenation dictionary that I posted in the Kobo Developer's forum, you'll have better hyphenation whcih is especially useful if the text has to be made larger.

One thing that will help is setting things up to be able to remove the DRM so any Kindle eBooks can be converted to ePub.

09-07-2016, 06:59 AM	#1
Mokmo31 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	Kobo Aura HD: is it still worthy? Hi everyone, I'm a happy owner of a Kobo Glo, which I'm going to pass to my girlfriend. I've just purchased an use Glo HD, but I found a guy who sells the Kobo Aura HD at a very reasonable price. I read a lot of reviews stating that, though both HD and H2O share a similar hardware and display resolution, the Aura H2O has a better definition and frontlight (but I don't really case it's waterproof). Now, given that the Aura HD has been released 3 years ago and it's now out of production, the Aura H2O is quite expensive (but it may a life-long reader), I'd like to read some b/w comics and I own a 9.7'' tablet, do you think I should make a step forward and buy the H2O? Or Aura HD is still a valid option? Thanks in advance

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aura HD Kobo Glo/Aura/Aura HD future firmware feature request thread	arspr	Kobo Reader	25	03-26-2015 05:19 AM
Replacing Nook Simple Touch: Onyx T68 vs Kobo Aura vs Kobo Aura H2O	iNovelReader	Which one should I buy?	0	10-28-2014 01:40 AM
Kobo Aura H20 vs Aura HD comparison photos	Fanchee	Kobo Reader	13	10-08-2014 01:53 PM
Dymo tape fix for eBay Kobo Aura and Aura HD covers	RobertJSawyer	Kobo Reader	2	02-10-2014 10:34 AM
Canadian shoppers discount on kobo aura and aura hd	eejit	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	4	11-28-2013 01:43 AM

09-07-2016, 07:13 AM	#2
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 have the Aura HD and I love it. I have never tried to read comics on it. The device is still a very valid option, yes. I would recommend it, if the price is really good. Yes the H2O may have a better contrast, but unless you have them side by side, you'll never know.

09-07-2016, 07:35 AM	#3
RZetlin Addict Posts: 383 Karma: 3461302 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura One, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD (RIP)	I owned the Aura HD. It was Kobo first attempt at creating a "large" eReader so the device does have some pros and cons with it. Compared to the H2O and Aura One, the Aura HD is heavier and less eloquent. If you can the Aura HD at a good price, I would recommend it.

09-07-2016, 07:56 AM	#4
Mokmo31 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	Thank you for your advices, @booklover6 and @Rzetlin! The heaviness is something I don't really mind since I read mainly at home, but I do really care about the definition and the contrast. As far as you know, does a larger screen (despite being bigger by only 0,8'') implies a better reading experience? I'm still doubtful wether to buy one or the other, I should really make up my mind soon! PS: probably the Aura One might be my lifetime reader, but 230 € is quite a great expense for me...

09-07-2016, 06:51 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I think those that prefer 6" have never tried 6.8". Once you do, I don't think you'll go back. I can see for some that 7.8" is too big, but I don't see 6.8" as too big.

09-07-2016, 07:18 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My H20 goes out of the house quite a lot. The only thing I might want to get is a new case.

09-07-2016, 08:18 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If I do get an Aura One, I'll wait a bit. But for now, my H2O will do.

09-09-2016, 12:25 PM	#11
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,591 Karma: 11722446 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma, Kindle Oasis 2	I'm still using and love my Aura HD! It would be hard to go back to a smaller screen size, I definitely feel that the 6.8" screen was a huge plus in reading experience. I'm contemplating going still larger with the Aura ONE tho.... Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

09-09-2016, 01:21 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The Aura HD is still worthy depending on the price. I should be cheaper enough than the H2O.

09-09-2016, 06:57 PM	#13
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I'm about to find out about the Aura HD because of a kind person in this forum. I mentioned that I live in a retirement home in another thread and that some of the people here could use a larger ereader with larger text and she offered to send it to someone. I asked my neighbor who said he'd love it and she's sending it all the way to Arkansas from Spain. It probably will arrive next week. He's been using a Kindle and never used any other device and I'll probably have to set it up for him and get him some books and show him how to use it so I'll get a chance to see my first Aura HD. I personally don't think I'll like the larger screen. The only thing I don't like about my Voyage is that it's screen is larger than my phone's screen, which seems the perfect size to me. But I'm pretty eager to see it. I also have an original Aura and it'll be interesting to compare it with that. Barry

09-10-2016, 04:01 AM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I think you'll be surprised and you'll like the larger screen. One thing I think will go over well is that because the screen of the Aura HD is larger, it can fit more words per line at a larger font size before the font size is too big for the screen. Also, when you apply some of the patches to the firmware, you get some really useful features. Another thing is that if you install the alternate hyphenation dictionary that I posted in the Kobo Developer's forum, you'll have better hyphenation whcih is especially useful if the text has to be made larger. One thing that will help is setting things up to be able to remove the DRM so any Kindle eBooks can be converted to ePub.

Advert

Advert