Kindle Voyage - First Impressions

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Because I already had a nice PW2 (a 3G I passed to hubby) I knew what I wanted mine to look like, and it took three devices before I got a perfect one, but this one is even better than hubbys .

I've bought a new case (I had the pink, now I treated myself to the persimmon) and bought the extended insurance and still saved over £100 compared the the Voyage so I'm very happy

Nice! I love those little cases for the Paperwhites. I have the purple and the pink. I still love my PW2, but the new 2014 PW is even nicer.

[speedlever]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Nice! I love those little cases for the Paperwhites. I have the purple and the pink. I still love my PW2, but the new 2014 PW is even nicer.

Hold on a sec... the PW2 = the PW2014, right? So what exactly are you saying?

I just got my PW2/PW2014 a couple of days ago. I can compare it side-by-side with a PW2012 (PW1) and a K3. When I get some spare time, I'll start a thread on the comparison.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by speedlever

Hold on a sec... the PW2 = the PW2014, right? So what exactly are you saying?

I just got my PW2/PW2014 a couple of days ago. I can compare it side-by-side with a PW2012 (PW1) and a K3. When I get some spare time, I'll start a thread on the comparison.

To clarify:

PW1 - 2012
PW2 - 2013 (this is what I have)
PW3 - 2014 (has 4GB of space compared to 2GB's of the previous models, and the screen appears a little bit sharper to my eyes than the PW2 from 2013, at least the ones I saw.)

So you have the newest version of the device if you bought it end of this year. I'm not sure why no one on here is calling the 3rd edition of the PW the PW3, but the version from this year is technically the 3rd version of the PW.

I guess Amazon didn't announce it as new really? But it is indeed different (also has 4GB's of storage, I believe) and improved from the version from the previous year.

Edited to clarify. It hasn't been stated by Amazon that it's different from the 2013 model, (other than storage size) but to my eyes the screen appears to be improved.

[speedlever]

That is the first that I've heard of any screen changes for the PW2014. I know that Kindle bumped up the PW2 from 2GB to 4GB earlier this year and was under the impression that the PW2014 was simply a continuance of the PW2/4GB.

I certainly can't tell much (if any) difference between my daughter's PW1 and my PW2014 when the screen light it off. But my PW2014 is a bit faster in operation than the PW1.

I'll have to get some comparison images at 0 light, 5, 10, 15, and 20. Up until about light level 8, I'd say the PW1 is whiter than my PW2014. After level 8, I'd say my PW2014 is whiter. But I don't need a bright light in daylight. No light will do. So I rarely need more than level 10 or 12 and often less.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Look, you can get a shell for the PW (link)

OMG... is there something like that, but with a book style cover attached to it, and magnets in the right side of the rim to keep it closed, for either the KPW1/2 or Voyager?

Most of the 'slim' covers I can find for the KPW1 and KPW2 have protrusions for the magnets, clasps, or they don't go all the way around, so they have only corners or edges everywhere.

That's the reason why I now use a pleather slip-in case instead of a slim one, but that wouldn't work very well with the Voyager's buttons and light sensors, should I decide to upgrade.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by speedlever

That is the first that I've heard of any screen changes for the PW2014. I know that Kindle bumped up the PW2 from 2GB to 4GB earlier this year and was under the impression that the PW2014 was simply a continuance of the PW2/4GB.

I certainly can't tell much (if any) difference between my daughter's PW1 and my PW2014 when the screen light it off. But my PW2014 is a bit faster in operation than the PW1.

I'll have to get some comparison images at 0 light, 5, 10, 15, and 20. Up until about light level 8, I'd say the PW1 is whiter than my PW2014. After level 8, I'd say my PW2014 is whiter. But I don't need a bright light in daylight. No light will do. So I rarely need more than level 10 or 12 and often less.

I compared my PW from 2013 to the recent PW from 2014 in best buy and also recently with a friend's PW 2014 and to me there is a noticeable difference in the screen with the new PW 2014. It has slightly better contrast than the PW from last year. I think it's honestly very comparable to the voyage to my eyes, but the voyage is slightly sharper and crisper. I don't think it's by a whole lot though, imo.

The screen is also very even and clean on the new 2014 models. While my PW from 2013 is excellent, I know this was not the case for all of them, having seen more than a few of them via exchanges and also pics on the board. The new PW 2104 definitely looks improved to my eyes.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I'm not sure why no one on here is calling the 3rd edition of the PW the PW3, but the version from this year is technically the 3rd version of the PW.

I guess Amazon didn't announce it as new really?

That's it; the KPW3 does not officially exist. It's just a KPW2 now having 4GB storage. It was upgraded silently, and all references to gigabytes seem to have been removed and replaced "holds thousands of books" for all Kindles.

I never heard that the 4GB KPW2 had a different screen compared to the 2GB version.

On a side note, the KPW2 (at least, maybe even the 1) has always been 4GB in Japan.

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I compared my PW from 2013 to the recent PW from 2014 in best buy and also recently with a friend's PW 2014 and to me there is a noticeable difference in the screen with the new PW 2014.

Sorry to say, but you can't compare devices like that. The two 2014 KPW's are better than *your* 2013 KPW. It's an N=2 vs. an N=1 comparison, so there are not enough devices available to draw a conclusion. It doesn't prove that the latest 2014 version is always better than any 2013 version.

If you would have compared 100 KPW 2013's against 100 KPW 2014 (latest version), and found that in most cases (let's say, >=80% or so) the 2014 screen was better, then you would have a solid basis of stating that the latest 2014 screen is better, or at least, different

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

PW3 - 2014 (has 4GB of space compared to 2GB's of the previous models, and the screen is a bit sharper than the PW2 from 2013)

It's funny I was thinking that myself. The PW2 I got yesterday is definately better than the one we got in May, I couldn't place why but the screen is brighter and the text seems a fraction blacker.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Sorry to say, but you can't compare devices like that.

I just did.

It's an N=2 vs. an N=1 comparison, so there are not enough devices available to draw a conclusion. It doesn't prove that the latest 2014 version is always better than any 2013 version.

If you would have compared 100 KPW 2013's against 100 KPW 2014 (latest version), and found that in most cases (let's say, >=80% or so) the 2014 screen was better, then you would have a solid basis of stating that the latest 2014 screen is better, or at least, different

This is true, and going by how wildly these devices vary, it may have just been a fluke. However, on the 2 newer screens I saw, the text is noticeably sharper and the screens more even than any of the PW's from 2013 I saw. Granted, you're certainly correct, I have not seen 100 of them, but the few I saw were noticeably better to my eyes, so I think it's possible some improvements may have been made. I'm sticking to that.

Originally Posted by Josieb1

It's funny I was thinking that myself. The PW2 I got yesterday is definately better than the one we got in May, I couldn't place why but the screen is brighter and the text seems a fraction blacker.

Exactly my experience too!

[soulfuldog]

Perhaps just improved/more consistent manufacturing process instead of any actual improvement to the screen?

One thing I am certain of is you are far better to wait to buy a newly released ereader, either for an updated version of the same model (PW2 > PW1) or buy one six months after its initial release. Early adopters might get the joy of a shiny new toy asap, but those who are willing to wait are more likely to end up with a better ereader!

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

Perhaps just improved/more consistent manufacturing process instead of any actual improvement to the screen?

One thing I am certain of is you are far better to wait to buy a newly released ereader, either for an updated version of the same model (PW2 > PW1) or buy one six months after its initial release. Early adopters might get the joy of a shiny new toy asap, but those who are willing to wait are more likely to end up with a better ereader!

Perhaps that is the case, but truly the font is noticeably darker on the devices I saw, the screen whiter and very even. The device really does seem improved. I was confused by it! And I agree it is always better to wait - now if only I could manage that!

Love your dog, btw. Assuming that is your dog in your avatar. What a darling face!

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Perhaps that is the case, but truly the font is noticeably darker on the devices I saw, the screen whiter and very even. The device really does seem improved. I was confused by it! And I agree it is always better to wait - now if only I could manage that!

Move to Europe

The Voyage will be released on November 4 in Germany, but if it's ordered now, the delivery date will be somewhere in early January. It will probably appear in German Media Markt stores around the same time. This would be the fastest way to get one.

If I'd want to do it officially, i.e. wait until the KV becomes available for international order, the earliest time to get one would be somewhere in Febuary, and I'd also pay more. (The KPW2, in May, would cost €129 in Germany, but would cost €169 when ordering the International one from Amazon.com.)

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

PW3 - 2014 (has 4GB of space compared to 2GB's of the previous models, and the screen is a bit sharper than the PW2 from 2013)

The PW 2014 that has been "released" is supposedly the Japanese version - maybe overruns, undersells, whatever, but not a new version, per se - according to reports. They may have just unlocked the extra space to give access to all that was available. Don't really think they would build two different PWs with different storage. Not really a new model, just new to us. OTOH I also feel that the screen seems sharper, though I only have a PW1. I'm really quite pleased with it.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Move to Europe

The Voyage will be released on November 4 in Germany, but if it's ordered now, the delivery date will be somewhere in early January. It will probably appear in German Media Markt stores around the same time. This would be the fastest way to get one.

If I'd want to do it officially, i.e. wait until the KV becomes available for international order, the earliest time to get one would be somewhere in Febuary, and I'd also pay more. (The KPW2, in May, would cost €129 in Germany, but would cost €169 when ordering the International one from Amazon.com.)

But you're buying H2O

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

But you're buying H2O

If Kobo would stop wasting half the screen space and abandon that weird KEPUB format, I would in a heartbeat. Now, I don't even know if most of the features will work with EPUB.

The continued bug reports are no help either. At least, the Kindle works, without any weird glitches.