My Voyage v Kobo H2O experience

[cct1]

I really wanted the Voyage to be a home run, mainly because of the Amazon ecosystem--I agree it's seamless, and I wanted to stick with an Amazon reader for the convienence. But, for me, the H20 turns out to be the home run in the hardware category, and it trumps the seamlessnes of Amazon's ecosystem. Once calibre is up and configured, it's not much bother to send books purchased on Amazon to the H20; it's worth the extra step (to me); the H20 is just that much better than the Voyage. I still have a book on prime on the voyage, and when I switch back to it from the kobo, it's kind of a bummer.

The more I read on the H20 the more I like it, it's by far the closest an ereader screen has come to looking/feelin like an actual book. The Kobo cover compliments the device nicely. if you're having issues with the Voyage, I'd strongly recommend the H20, especially if you have even a slight desire for a larger screen. The H20 is the first reader I've owned that I can honestly say hasn't had me wondering when the next generation of ereaders was coming out; it's good enough that I'd replace it when it finally dies, but the screen is so good IMHO further improvements begin to hit the law of diminishing returns. It's the first screen I've looked at and didn't say "I wish the font was sharper," or "I wish the lighting was better."

In a perfect world, Amazon would acquire Kobo. But since that's not happening soon, I'm now in the Kobo camp after four Kindles.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by cct1

I really wanted the Voyage to be a home run, mainly because of the Amazon ecosystem--I agree it's seamless, and I wanted to stick with an Amazon reader for the convienence. But, for me, the H20 turns out to be the home run in the hardware category, and it trumps the seamlessnes of Amazon's ecosystem. Once calibre is up and configured, it's not much bother to send books purchased on Amazon to the H20; it's worth the extra step (to me); the H20 is just that much better than the Voyage. I still have a book on prime on the voyage, and when I switch back to it from the kobo, it's kind of a bummer.

The more I read on the H20 the more I like it, it's by far the closest an ereader screen has come to looking/feelin like an actual book. The Kobo cover compliments the device nicely. if you're having issues with the Voyage, I'd strongly recommend the H20, especially if you have even a slight desire for a larger screen. The H20 is the first reader I've owned that I can honestly say hasn't had me wondering when the next generation of ereaders was coming out; it's good enough that I'd replace it when it finally dies, but the screen is so good IMHO further improvements begin to hit the law of diminishing returns. It's the first screen I've looked at and didn't say "I wish the font was sharper," or "I wish the lighting was better."

In a perfect world, Amazon would acquire Kobo. But since that's not happening soon, I'm now in the Kobo camp after four Kindles.

Wow. I shoulda had a V8, I mean an H2O. I'll definitely give it a go for my upgrade next time around.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by cct1

...The more I read on the H20 the more I like it, it's by far the closest an ereader screen has come to looking/feelin like an actual book...

Interesting, I've read this quite a few times.
Strange enough, I see it exactly the other way around.
I don't want my "digital world" to mirror reality (i.e. the former "analog world").
I want it to be superior respectively don't compare to the past.

About 2 years ago, lots of members complained about eInk not being "black on white" but "dark grey on light grey". Now Voyage is extremely close to "white" and lots of members want it to be more yellowish. I, on the other hand, want my readers to be "as white as possible" for the very best contrast ratio.

As always:
If I use H2O's, perfectly fine (at least the scree is, I don't like the form factor though. A bit too bulky for me). But if I compare to Voyage, I find it lacks a bit of contrast.
But there's probably no "right or wrong" or "best screen", it probably just comes down to a matter of personal taste. And probably your reading environment (inside, outside, dimly lit room, ...)...

[cct1]

I agree with you, it comes down to personal taste. I love the color of the h20 page--it's a cream white, it looks very natural, without the electric coldness of the voyage, and none of the grayness of the basic kindle. It all depends on what you like.

The h20 is bigger/heavier than the Voyage, but I can hold it with one hand, and to be honest, it's less bulky than what it looks like in pictures, I was concerned about thie weight initially but now that I have one its a nonissue. If they came out with a lighter h20 I wouldn't rush to replace the one I have now, it's reasonable the way it is. As for the physical dimensions, height and width are perfect, it could be a little thinner, but it's not a big deal.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised about--the build quality is every bit as good as the voyage, it's very clean and minimalist, it doesn't look or feel cheap at all, a concern I had as the Voyage is well built structurally. I like the page buttons on the voyage but I've grown to like the clean look of the kobo's bezel even more.

Funny thing is I really don't care about the waterproof aspect, it actually was a negative--I figured I was paying for a feature I'd never use. While that remains true, the h20 is so good otherwise as a reader that it doesn't matter.

Anyway, I've finally found an ereader that I really love instead of really like.

[induna]

Yes, this whole "It should be/look/feel/act more like a book" thing confuses me. The first widely available e-ink reader, the Sony PRS-500, was a truly revolutionary device because, for the first time, we had a device we could treat as if it were a book in terms of its basic function, but with which we could read any book (with a little work to get it on the device).

For me, the central purpose of an e-reader is to allow me to read text when and where I want without having to think about the device itself. This is why battery life and a screen that be easily read in any light is so important. I also want it to ONLY be for reading text for many reasons. But, beyond those functional requirements, I'm certainly open to change and innovation.

E-ink readers are functionally far superior to paper books for reading. The latest batch of readers is far more functional than the PRS-500. The next generation, if there is one, will hopefully be more functional than this one. Except for the fact that they display text in an easily readable format without distractions, e-ink readers are not, nor ever have been, anything like a paper book. I find it very amusing, for example, that there are so many complaints about the latest Amazon case for the Voyage simply because it doesn't "open like a book" but flips open. Why in the world should a case for an electronic device "open like a book" simply because that device is used to read text? It reminds me of the original IBM PC keyboard that was made to mimic the keyboard of a Selectric typewriter, or the original electric light fixtures that were made to resemble gas fixtures simply because that was what people were used to. Both designs were soon abandoned.

We use what works best for us to accomplish the task. The paradigm of a paper folio, or a scroll, has no actual relevance at all to an electronic reading device.

[pagepack]

Originally Posted by induna

Yes, this whole "It should be/look/feel/act more like a book" thing confuses me.

For me I don't want to look at a frontlit ebook reader and think the light looks good, I don't actually want to be aware that a light is being used at all. The H20 achieves this better than my PW2, not seen a voyage yet.

[jlinear]

I have recently switched from using Kindle e-readers to a Kobo H20. I preordered a Kindle Voyage but decided to return it. The increased pixel count certainly improved text sharpness but, to my eyes, at the expense of thinner and lighter fonts. Unfortunately, Amazon seems to be indifferent to improving it's font handling software. And text readability is what I look for first and foremost in an e-reader. I very much like the ability to side-load fonts onto my H20 and the ability to manipulate them using Kobo patches. And the larger screen results in fewer page turns. And, as cct1 has mentioned, using Calibre to adjust and send my books to H20 has become second nature. I still purchase my books at Amazon. So far I am very glad I made the switch.

[93terp]

Originally Posted by cct1

I really wanted the Voyage to be a home run, mainly because of the Amazon ecosystem--I agree it's seamless, and I wanted to stick with an Amazon reader for the convienence. But, for me, the H20 turns out to be the home run in the hardware category, and it trumps the seamlessnes of Amazon's ecosystem. Once calibre is up and configured, it's not much bother to send books purchased on Amazon to the H20; it's worth the extra step (to me); the H20 is just that much better than the Voyage. I still have a book on prime on the voyage, and when I switch back to it from the kobo, it's kind of a bummer.

The more I read on the H20 the more I like it, it's by far the closest an ereader screen has come to looking/feelin like an actual book. The Kobo cover compliments the device nicely. if you're having issues with the Voyage, I'd strongly recommend the H20, especially if you have even a slight desire for a larger screen. The H20 is the first reader I've owned that I can honestly say hasn't had me wondering when the next generation of ereaders was coming out; it's good enough that I'd replace it when it finally dies, but the screen is so good IMHO further improvements begin to hit the law of diminishing returns. It's the first screen I've looked at and didn't say "I wish the font was sharper," or "I wish the lighting was better."

In a perfect world, Amazon would acquire Kobo. But since that's not happening soon, I'm now in the Kobo camp after four Kindles.

I completely agree! Couldn't have said it better.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by cct1

In a perfect world, Amazon would acquire Kobo. But since that's not happening soon, I'm now in the Kobo camp after four Kindles.

That would not be a perfect world at all. Fewer readers with an SD card socket. Less font customization, 6.8" screen probably gone, fewer epub vendors, and there would still be the possibility that Amazon would decide to stay with their lighting and dump Kobo's.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by cct1

I really wanted the Voyage to be a home run, mainly because of the Amazon ecosystem--I agree it's seamless, and I wanted to stick with an Amazon reader for the convienence. But, for me, the H20 turns out to be the home run in the hardware category, and it trumps the seamlessnes of Amazon's ecosystem. Once calibre is up and configured, it's not much bother to send books purchased on Amazon to the H20; it's worth the extra step (to me); the H20 is just that much better than the Voyage. I still have a book on prime on the voyage, and when I switch back to it from the kobo, it's kind of a bummer.

The more I read on the H20 the more I like it, it's by far the closest an ereader screen has come to looking/feelin like an actual book. The Kobo cover compliments the device nicely. if you're having issues with the Voyage, I'd strongly recommend the H20, especially if you have even a slight desire for a larger screen. The H20 is the first reader I've owned that I can honestly say hasn't had me wondering when the next generation of ereaders was coming out; it's good enough that I'd replace it when it finally dies, but the screen is so good IMHO further improvements begin to hit the law of diminishing returns. It's the first screen I've looked at and didn't say "I wish the font was sharper," or "I wish the lighting was better."

In a perfect world, Amazon would acquire Kobo. But since that's not happening soon, I'm now in the Kobo camp after four Kindles.

With the exception of Amazon acquiring Kobo, I agree wholeheartedly.

[cct1]

I get the Amazon part, and agree with it (it was actually what I was trying to say but it didn't--I wasn't clear on that; poorly stated on my part). What I meant was in a perfect world, Amazon would have the H20, with it's 6.8 inch screen, and side loading capability, font custimization, etc. with access to the Amazon ecosystem. Best of both worlds. It'll never happen, but if Kobo's hardware, with it's flexibility and quality was combined with Amazon's software and ecosystem, that would be an unbeatable (if unrealistic) combination.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by cct1

if Kobo's hardware, with it's flexibility and quality was combined with Amazon's software and ecosystem, that would be an unbeatable (if unrealistic) combination.

I have long felt this way. But Amazon is the old spinster aunt who is not about to change her ways.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by cct1

I get the Amazon part, and agree with it (it was actually what I was trying to say but it didn't--I wasn't clear on that; poorly stated on my part). What I meant was in a perfect world, Amazon would have the H20, with it's 6.8 inch screen, and side loading capability, font custimization, etc. with access to the Amazon ecosystem. Best of both worlds. It'll never happen, but if Kobo's hardware, with it's flexibility and quality was combined with Amazon's software and ecosystem, that would be an unbeatable (if unrealistic) combination.

Nothing to stop you from buying books from Amazon, and reading them on your H2O. That's exactly what I do.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Crowl

Personally, I would find the increase in size to be a reason for the Kobo not to be the winner since it might be enough to push it beyond the size that comfortably fits my jacket pockets so for me the Kindle is the clear winner even before I consider the ecosystem point where Kindle really excels.

Having the Kobo be too large for your jacket pockets is a very good win for the H2O. Putting a Reader in a pocket like that is a good way to get it broken.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Having the Kobo be too large for your jacket pockets is a very good win for the H2O. Putting a Reader in a pocket like that is a good way to get it broken.

Yes we know you think the ereader should be carried around in a vault everywhere but that is not realistic. I recommend putting your ereader in your jacket pocket and even doing it WITHOUT a cover! Live on the wild side.