Forma build quality

LordReginaldC · 07-13-2021, 05:41 PM

I'm trying to decide between the Forma and an Oasis, warm light is a high priority as I do most of my reading in the dark before bed. I used to have a Kobo Aura One and was super disappointed in the warm light quality, it was so horribly distributed with light and dark spots it was distracting. I sent that one back and they replaced it and the problem was still there but moved around. Then one day I was wiping the screen down, doesn't require much pressure if any at all and the screen substrate broke, like it was just ready to go at the slightest touch. It's been a paperweight since. I chalked it up to Kobos quality control and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Seeing as its been years, can anyone attest to how even the warm lighting is now? Are they built to be a little more durable at this point? I'd like to get out of the walled amazon garden, but man their devices are bulletproof and lighting is superb.

koboy · 07-13-2021, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordReginaldC

I'm trying to decide between the Forma and an Oasis, warm light is a high priority as I do most of my reading in the dark before bed. I used to have a Kobo Aura One and was super disappointed in the warm light quality, it was so horribly distributed with light and dark spots it was distracting. I sent that one back and they replaced it and the problem was still there but moved around. Then one day I was wiping the screen down, doesn't require much pressure if any at all and the screen substrate broke, like it was just ready to go at the slightest touch. It's been a paperweight since. I chalked it up to Kobos quality control and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Seeing as its been years, can anyone attest to how even the warm lighting is now? Are they built to be a little more durable at this point? I'd like to get out of the walled amazon garden, but man their devices are bulletproof and lighting is superb.

the Forma as a plastic substrate therefore it should be more durable. i believe the Oasis is Glass, but don't quote me on that

best wishes koboy

Sirtel · 07-13-2021, 06:31 PM

The lighting varies from device to device. There have been both complaints and praises of both the Forma and the Oasis frontlights. It seems to be the matter of luck.

tschucha · 07-13-2021, 06:36 PM

I think you would be OK with either device but might like the Oasis a bit better for what you described.

I'm actually on the other side of the fence. I'd pick the Forma but.... it does has it's share of flaws most notably the angled buttons on a rubberized plane on the side. The rubberized part marks up way too easily. The other flaw is the position of the USB port and the power button on the side of the device. It's very easy to accidentally power the device off. I don't like the USB port there either but that is not a big deal. But the Kobo wins for me in that it a very easy device to work with, has a ton of options and the screen is great, lighting works fine and it is slightly larger than the Oasis.

My wife prefers the Oasis. The case feels higher quality. I don't like the Kindle OS as much myself. The screen is slightly smaller but the power button and USB port are placed more ergonomically to me anyway. She has no problems with the lighting and since I side load all of her books and she just reads has no problem with the user interface.

I'm surprised that you had issues with the Kobo Aura One. In my eyes that device was probably the best e-reader I have ever owned. I had no problem with the lighting or the build quality. I'd love it if Kobo would build a 10 inch version of it without the note taking capability.

LordReginaldC · 07-13-2021, 07:28 PM

I agree with not being a fan of kindles OS, and the bigger screen is also a big plus for the kobo to me. Also I use library ebooks a lot so the kobo just has a lot going for it, but I had such a bad experience I just don’t wanna risk another $200+ dollars. That Aura One was great in every way other than the lighting and screen breaking. Lasted me 2 whole months. I don’t have a way to see any in person to feel and decide on the quality for myself.

Thanks for the input, strangers.

Dr. Drib · 07-14-2021, 09:41 AM

Strangers?!?

We're all brothers and sisters, with little bits of squabbling going on here and there.

mesamay2003 · 07-14-2021, 11:21 AM

I have the Oasis, and I like it, but I was close to purchasing the Forma, but decided to go with the Libra H20 instead, because of the lighting, screen, power button and rubberized finish issues with the Forma. I spend most of my time reading on the Libra now, and I'm very happy with it...battery life is much better than my Oasis, screen is great and the same size, comfortable to hold and use, etc. Very happy with the Libra H20, and the cost savings is a bonus. 8 gigs is plenty for me as I use my ereaders for mostly text based books.

07-13-2021, 05:41 PM	#1
LordReginaldC Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: Kindle Voyage	Forma build quality I'm trying to decide between the Forma and an Oasis, warm light is a high priority as I do most of my reading in the dark before bed. I used to have a Kobo Aura One and was super disappointed in the warm light quality, it was so horribly distributed with light and dark spots it was distracting. I sent that one back and they replaced it and the problem was still there but moved around. Then one day I was wiping the screen down, doesn't require much pressure if any at all and the screen substrate broke, like it was just ready to go at the slightest touch. It's been a paperweight since. I chalked it up to Kobos quality control and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Seeing as its been years, can anyone attest to how even the warm lighting is now? Are they built to be a little more durable at this point? I'd like to get out of the walled amazon garden, but man their devices are bulletproof and lighting is superb.

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07-13-2021, 06:31 PM	#3
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,473 Karma: 239219543 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	The lighting varies from device to device. There have been both complaints and praises of both the Forma and the Oasis frontlights. It seems to be the matter of luck.

07-13-2021, 06:36 PM	#4
tschucha Zealot Posts: 147 Karma: 52546 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Sage	I think you would be OK with either device but might like the Oasis a bit better for what you described. I'm actually on the other side of the fence. I'd pick the Forma but.... it does has it's share of flaws most notably the angled buttons on a rubberized plane on the side. The rubberized part marks up way too easily. The other flaw is the position of the USB port and the power button on the side of the device. It's very easy to accidentally power the device off. I don't like the USB port there either but that is not a big deal. But the Kobo wins for me in that it a very easy device to work with, has a ton of options and the screen is great, lighting works fine and it is slightly larger than the Oasis. My wife prefers the Oasis. The case feels higher quality. I don't like the Kindle OS as much myself. The screen is slightly smaller but the power button and USB port are placed more ergonomically to me anyway. She has no problems with the lighting and since I side load all of her books and she just reads has no problem with the user interface. I'm surprised that you had issues with the Kobo Aura One. In my eyes that device was probably the best e-reader I have ever owned. I had no problem with the lighting or the build quality. I'd love it if Kobo would build a 10 inch version of it without the note taking capability.

07-13-2021, 07:28 PM	#5
LordReginaldC Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2021 Device: Kindle Voyage	I agree with not being a fan of kindles OS, and the bigger screen is also a big plus for the kobo to me. Also I use library ebooks a lot so the kobo just has a lot going for it, but I had such a bad experience I just don’t wanna risk another $200+ dollars. That Aura One was great in every way other than the lighting and screen breaking. Lasted me 2 whole months. I don’t have a way to see any in person to feel and decide on the quality for myself. Thanks for the input, strangers.

07-14-2021, 09:41 AM	#6
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Strangers?!? We're all brothers and sisters, with little bits of squabbling going on here and there.

07-14-2021, 11:21 AM	#7
mesamay2003 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Libra H20	I have the Oasis, and I like it, but I was close to purchasing the Forma, but decided to go with the Libra H20 instead, because of the lighting, screen, power button and rubberized finish issues with the Forma. I spend most of my time reading on the Libra now, and I'm very happy with it...battery life is much better than my Oasis, screen is great and the same size, comfortable to hold and use, etc. Very happy with the Libra H20, and the cost savings is a bonus. 8 gigs is plenty for me as I use my ereaders for mostly text based books.

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