Looking for a new Kobo

[gavalanche20]

Hey guys,

My Kobo Glo HD died last week after accidentally getting stepped on (don't ask), so I'm looking for a new device. Unfortunately the Glo HD does not appear to be available anymore at our local stores. I purchased an Aura Edition 2 but am generally disappointed, it's certainly not worth almost as much as I paid for the Glo HD. If it helps, I'm from Canada, so Kindle and Kobo are pretty much what I'm looking at here.

Right now I'm looking at eBay or Amazon, and have whittled it down to the original Aura, a Glo HD, or a Mini. I have a few questions;

-How's durable is the original Aura? I hear it has a glass screen, so would it be one to scratch/break easily?
-Also how's the screen, since it uses glass (more glare?) and a lower resolution than the Glo HD? The Edition 2 resolution is starting to grow on me, although I balk at the price compared to what I paid for the Glo HD, to use that as a yardstick.
-How are custom fonts on the Mini? I believe I read somewhere that the Mini was around the 160s in terms of dpi.
-Do the Aura and Mini have Pocket integration?
-To anybody who has the Kobo Clip light for the Mini, how well does it work compared to a frontlight? I see a local Craiglist posting that bundles a case and the light with a Mini, which I'm also considering.
-Also, any recommended sellers on eBay/Amazon?

Basically the most important things for me are Pocket integration, readability, and also custom fonts, which should be no problem with the patching system.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Silverty]

Can I ask if Aura Edition 2 was cheaper, would you like it more/keep it? I'm just curious because I'm looking at it as well but I'll probably wait until it comes on sale. Especially since you mentioned it growing on you.

[issybird]

Coming from the Glo HD, you might not be happy with the resolution on the Mini. It's also slow and only has about one gb of available storage, which kepubs eat up quickly.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

-How's durable is the original Aura? I hear it has a glass screen, so would it be one to scratch/break easily?

I keep mine in a sleeve, but I read it naked. I've dropped it (on a carpeted floor) a couple of times while walking to the break room and am none the worse for it.

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

-Also how's the screen, since it uses glass (more glare?) and a lower resolution than the Glo HD?

I don't notice any glare when I'm reading. I haven't owned a 300DPI reader, so I can't compare.

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

-Do the Aura and Mini have Pocket integration?

The Aura does.

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

-Also, any recommended sellers on eBay/Amazon?

I'm pretty sure this is who I bought mine from. $50.00 and free shipping. Not bad: eBay link to Spinningnoon

[booklover6]

That's the seller I bought a Mini from, for $30. Love it but lighted really is better. Also the Mini is 200 dpi.

[barryem]

I bought an original Aura shortly after they became available and it's held up very well. Recently I found someone on Ebay selling like-new Auras for $50 and I've bought two of them. They are in fact like new. They come in a box that's been opened but is in like-new condition as is the device itself.

I do most of my reading with Kindles but I live in a retirement home and I like having spares available so I can loan books to my neighbors and these are ideal for that. Also I enjoy using them myself.

The screen on the Aura has a less even light than the newer models or the Kindles but it's not bad. I read with mine a lot. I don't think it's a bad choice at all. I'm not sure it's the best choice but it's certainly a good choice.

Barry

[344a]

Once I had a thought of buying Kindle 2016, which is lightweight and not very expensive. But when I noticed that it got no frontlight, I gave it up. I think having frontlight is quite important when it comes to the matter of reading.

[meeera]

If I were you I'd look for an aftermarket Glo HD, before they disappear, for the screen resolution and good lighting as much as anything else. They share firmware. All have a thin glass substrate and breakability isn't going to vary substantially - all need to be handled with some care.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by 344a

Once I had a thought of buying Kindle 2016, which is lightweight and not very expensive. But when I noticed that it got no frontlight, I gave it up. I think having frontlight is quite important when it comes to the matter of reading.

A basic model Kindle has a lower resolution than an Aura, no light, no SD card, costs $30 more and has ads.

Of course the Kindle will be new in box whereas the $50 Auras aren't 'new' (Mine seemed new when I got it. Anyone know what the story is with this seller?)

[gavalanche20]

Originally Posted by Silverty

Can I ask if Aura Edition 2 was cheaper, would you like it more/keep it? I'm just curious because I'm looking at it as well but I'll probably wait until it comes on sale. Especially since you mentioned it growing on you.

Possibly. What was growing on me was the lower screen resolution, as it does have the slight (in my opinion) advantage of fonts showing up thicker than on the Glo HD. However, like I said, it's certainly not worth almost as much as a Glo HD.

By the way, thanks for your help everybody, I have decided to go for the original Aura. The Edition 2 will be going back to the store shortly. On a final note, does anyone know if the official Edition 2 case would fit on the original Aura? (I'm guessing no, partly because of the power button placement, but you never know)

Cheers!

[meeera]

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

Possibly. What was growing on me was the lower screen resolution, as it does have the slight (in my opinion) advantage of fonts showing up thicker than on the Glo HD.

Font thickness shouldn't have to be a consideration: If you use the patch, you can adjust font weight even on side-loaded fonts.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by gavalanche20

On a final note, does anyone know if the official Edition 2 case would fit on the original Aura? (I'm guessing no, partly because of the power button placement, but you never know)

Different form factors, too.

Aura Edition 2: 159 × 113 × 8.5 mm

Original Aura: 150 x 114 x 8.1 mm

[344a]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

A basic model Kindle has a lower resolution than an Aura, no light, no SD card, costs $30 more and has ads.

Of course the Kindle will be new in box whereas the $50 Auras aren't 'new' (Mine seemed new when I got it. Anyone know what the story is with this seller?)

I know what you meant. I've also checked the ebay you told me. Since I am not living in the US, I need to pay extra US$20 for delivery. And I really don't want to pay that.

I found a new Kindle 2016 which is selling for US$50 in my local market . But still, without the frontlight, I have to think it thoroughly.

[barryem]

I definitely wouldn't get the Kindle without a front light. That makes a huge difference. Front lights took ereaders out of the stone age and into the twilight zone.

It's not just about reading in poor light, either. Even in good light the screen's background is whiter and the contrast is greatly increased. It makes for a much better reading experience.

Barry

[gavalanche20]

Originally Posted by meeera

Font thickness shouldn't have to be a consideration: If you use the patch, you can adjust font weight even on side-loaded fonts.

True, and I used that patch even with the Glo HD but the higher resolution can be a disavantage at times for me. For example I prefer the way Baskerville looks on the Edition 2 than on the Glo HD as it just looks darker in a way the weight patch on the Glo doesn't quite get.