Boyue T61/T62 / Icarus Illumina E653 review and Onyx T68 comparison

[rchusid]

Originally Posted by blue_skies

Thank you very much for your reply. I guess as long as it just stops after playing one recording, and isn't draining the battery, that would be fine. Does it typically go into some sort of sleep mode when its been inactive for a while?

Yes, it sort of goes to sleep. If you are using it regularly, I think you would prefer to avoid shutting it down completely so it is ready whenever you turn it on. The only time it makes sense to completely shut it down is if you won't be using it for a while and want to be sure the battery hasn't drained further.

Keep in mind that it is an Android tablet. If you use apps which work in the background they can use up power. If concerned about power, don't have it checking email, RSS feeds, and Facebook notifications in the background. Many of us use Greenify to keep apps from working in the background, but this is only needed if putting on apps which would use power.

I figure that if someone is rooting and using Google Play, it makes sense to add Greenify to prevent much power use, and use a program such as Set CPU to minimize power use when sleeping. If someone is only side loading a handful of programs without rooting, they should be ok as long as they don't add programs which are frequently working in the background.

[blue_skies]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

If you use Calibre, I suggest getting the Calibre Companion android app. You can get it from the Amazon app store, and there is a demo version you can try first. There is a forum here for it and it's dev is one of Calibre's devs. You don't need to root to use the Amazon app store, but you do need to allow installation of apps from unknown sources in the settings on the T62.

Okay. Thank you for letting me know about Calibre Companion, and that I can use Amazon app store without rooting. I think rooting is way over my head at this point, considering I still haven't determined how exactly one would "side-load" an app or even how to install one. I am used to downloading and installing programs on a PC... and totally unfamiliar with apps.

Originally Posted by rchusid

Yes, it sort of goes to sleep. If you are using it regularly, I think you would prefer to avoid shutting it down completely so it is ready whenever you turn it on. The only time it makes sense to completely shut it down is if you won't be using it for a while and want to be sure the battery hasn't drained further.

Keep in mind that it is an Android tablet. If you use apps which work in the background they can use up power. If concerned about power, don't have it checking email, RSS feeds, and Facebook notifications in the background. Many of us use Greenify to keep apps from working in the background, but this is only needed if putting on apps which would use power.

I figure that if someone is rooting and using Google Play, it makes sense to add Greenify to prevent much power use, and use a program such as Set CPU to minimize power use when sleeping. If someone is only side loading a handful of programs without rooting, they should be ok as long as they don't add programs which are frequently working in the background.

Ah, okay. So I shouldn't really need Greenify or Set CPU if I am careful regarding the power usage of the apps I add. Thank you for clarifying that.

Does anyone use the built-in reading app? Is Moon+ free or Pro much better?

Also, when I was watching a video demonstration of the T62, I was disappointed to see that most of the book covers would not display. Is this a continuing issue or has it been resolved? Any advice on how to minimize this problem? If the covers don't show, is it difficult to figure out what your book titles are? (Do the titles still show with relatively large enough font to make it easily readable?)

After using a Kindle Keyboard, I was really looking forward to being able to see the book covers on my device.

[rchusid]

Originally Posted by blue_skies

I am not familiar with Android and Apps in general. Is it necessary to root the T62 in order to install the Apps mentioned above? Can I get them from the GoodReader Eink App Store App? Would I just use WiFi to download apps from the GoodReader store app?

Could I also just download an Android app to my notebook PC and then use the USB cable to transfer it to the T62?

It is not necessary to root if you don't want to. I eventually rooted but when I first got mine I sideloaded Moon+ Reader and Dropbox. I used Dropbox to both transfer additional apps and to synchronize page between this reader and my phone and tablets. I subsequently added the Amazon App store. A lot can be done with this without rooting.

Regarding your questions on music, how music is handled will depend upon the app. I have not used the built in app so I can't say whether that will meet your needs. There are multiple music apps available and many are likely to meet your needs. If you want your music stored in separate folders and you can't get this to work with whatever programs you are using, try out MortPlayer. It is a free music app which is folder based. They also have an audiobook player. Both are free. They are somewhat limited by today's standards but are simple programs which might meet your needs on this device.

[rchusid]

Originally Posted by blue_skies

Ah, okay. So I shouldn't really need Greenify or Set CPU if I am careful regarding the power usage of the apps I add. Thank you for clarifying that.

Does anyone use the built-in reading app? Is Moon+ free or Pro much better?

Also, when I was watching a video demonstration of the T62, I was disappointed to see that most of the book covers would not display. Is this a continuing issue or has it been resolved? Any advice on how to minimize this problem? If the covers don't show, is it difficult to figure out what your book titles are? (Do the titles still show with relatively large enough font to make it easily readable?)

After using a Kindle Keyboard, I was really looking forward to being able to see the book covers on my device.

As long as you don't have apps running frequently in the background you shouldn't need to use Set CPU or Greenify.

I have only used Moon+ Reader on this. I use it frequently and didn't mind paying the $5 for the pro version. I don't recall how much the free version is limited, but certainly try that first before paying for the pro.

For some reason on all my devices most of the book covers show in Moon+ but some don't. It must be an issue with the files. One of the many things I like about Moon+ Reader is that it includes the ability to download book covers.

One of the built in readers is based upon FB Reader, which I sometimes use on my tablets. The main program does not display book covers in the way which most reader programs do. They have more recently put out an add on which will give an interface with covers. It is either ad supported or paid. It does work well on my tablets, but I do like Moon+ better. I don't know if it will work with the version of FB Reader on this device.

It is certainly worth trying out the readers already installed on the reader, but I ultimately changed from FB Reader to Moon+ as my main reading app on my phone and tablets, preferring its features. I did get by find with FB Reader on my phone and tablets for quite a while so you might be satisfied with the version on this reader.

I don't know for sure if it would matter, but I would suggest avoiding ad supported programs and pay for those you wind up using (after testing the free versions). I wonder how much battery power is used in downloading the displayed ads and personally would rather pay for a handful of programs as opposed to risking this.

[blue_skies]

Originally Posted by rchusid

It is not necessary to root if you don't want to. I eventually rooted but when I first got mine I sideloaded Moon+ Reader and Dropbox. I used Dropbox to both transfer additional apps and to synchronize page between this reader and my phone and tablets. I subsequently added the Amazon App store. A lot can be done with this without rooting.

Regarding your questions on music, how music is handled will depend upon the app. I have not used the built in app so I can't say whether that will meet your needs. There are multiple music apps available and many are likely to meet your needs. If you want your music stored in separate folders and you can't get this to work with whatever programs you are using, try out MortPlayer. It is a free music app which is folder based. They also have an audiobook player. Both are free. They are somewhat limited by today's standards but are simple programs which might meet your needs on this device.

Thank you so much! That is very helpful.

Originally Posted by rchusid

As long as you don't have apps running frequently in the background you shouldn't need to use Set CPU or Greenify.

I have only used Moon+ Reader on this. I use it frequently and didn't mind paying the $5 for the pro version. I don't recall how much the free version is limited, but certainly try that first before paying for the pro.

For some reason on all my devices most of the book covers show in Moon+ but some don't. It must be an issue with the files. One of the many things I like about Moon+ Reader is that it includes the ability to download book covers.

One of the built in readers is based upon FB Reader, which I sometimes use on my tablets. The main program does not display book covers in the way which most reader programs do. They have more recently put out an add on which will give an interface with covers. It is either ad supported or paid. It does work well on my tablets, but I do like Moon+ better. I don't know if it will work with the version of FB Reader on this device.

It is certainly worth trying out the readers already installed on the reader, but I ultimately changed from FB Reader to Moon+ as my main reading app on my phone and tablets, preferring its features. I did get by find with FB Reader on my phone and tablets for quite a while so you might be satisfied with the version on this reader.

I don't know for sure if it would matter, but I would suggest avoiding ad supported programs and pay for those you wind up using (after testing the free versions). I wonder how much battery power is used in downloading the displayed ads and personally would rather pay for a handful of programs as opposed to risking this.

I think I will follow your advice and try the built-in apps and the free versions... and then pay for the non-ad supported ones if I like them. I really don't want to see ads, but I also hadn't even considered the energy usage involved. That is a very good point. Thanks again!

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by blue_skies

Okay. Thank you for letting me know about Calibre Companion, and that I can use Amazon app store without rooting. I think rooting is way over my head at this point, considering I still haven't determined how exactly one would "side-load" an app or even how to install one. I am used to downloading and installing programs on a PC... and totally unfamiliar with apps.



Ah, okay. So I shouldn't really need Greenify or Set CPU if I am careful regarding the power usage of the apps I add. Thank you for clarifying that.

Does anyone use the built-in reading app? Is Moon+ free or Pro much better?

Also, when I was watching a video demonstration of the T62, I was disappointed to see that most of the book covers would not display. Is this a continuing issue or has it been resolved? Any advice on how to minimize this problem? If the covers don't show, is it difficult to figure out what your book titles are? (Do the titles still show with relatively large enough font to make it easily readable?)

After using a Kindle Keyboard, I was really looking forward to being able to see the book covers on my device.

If you use Calibre Companion you don't have to worry about seeing covers in any reading app. You use CC to organize and then open the book from CC. It will show a list if reading apps you have installed and you pick which one you want. Also, the Amazon app store should have most of the apps you want so you won't need to sideload if you don't want to.

[DarKHawK]

Hello Guys,

Which e-reader would you recommend? The Boyue T62+ or the Onyx T68?

My criteria for choosing would be:

1- Build quality.
2- The Boyue has an E-Ink Carta while the Onyx has a pearl, but the onyx has a larger display. I can’t decide on that since I haven’t seen any of the screens.

3- Software implementation and speed.

Some side notes:
The Boyue has a 3000 mah battery while the Onyx has a 1700 mah battery.

On taobao (The Chinese eBay), they say that there are some updates to the T68 which fixes the lowest brightness settings (v1.63), fixes the touch (v1.65) and that v1.7 which will be released in April will upgrade the android to v4.4 from v4.0 which is supposed to increase the performance.

I will root the any of those devices once I get it, so the presence of the Google Play out of the box is not an issue.

I like the Kindle Voyage and I will not mind paying the premium price, It looks quite nice and those x-ray, time until chapter end features are quite nice, but I would prefer having an Android based reader.

So which of those devices would you recommend, or would you recommend another device all together or advise me to wait for another device that will be released in the near future. (I currently own a nook, the one without back light).

Thank you.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by DarKHawK

Hello Guys,

Which e-reader would you recommend? The Boyue T62+ or the Onyx T68?

My criteria for choosing would be:

1- Build quality.
2- The Boyue has an E-Ink Carta while the Onyx has a pearl, but the onyx has a larger display. I can’t decide on that since I haven’t seen any of the screens.

3- Software implementation and speed.

Some side notes:
The Boyue has a 3000 mah battery while the Onyx has a 1700 mah battery.

On taobao (The Chinese eBay), they say that there are some updates to the T68 which fixes the lowest brightness settings (v1.63), fixes the touch (v1.65) and that v1.7 which will be released in April will upgrade the android to v4.4 from v4.0 which is supposed to increase the performance.

I will root the any of those devices once I get it, so the presence of the Google Play out of the box is not an issue.

I like the Kindle Voyage and I will not mind paying the premium price, It looks quite nice and those x-ray, time until chapter end features are quite nice, but I would prefer having an Android based reader.

So which of those devices would you recommend, or would you recommend another device all together or advise me to wait for another device that will be released in the near future. (I currently own a nook, the one without back light).

Thank you.

Onyx has serious quality control problems so I would definitely recommend against the T68. The T68 did have an update that supposedly fixed the touch problems, but it didn't fix mine. The only thing the T68 has is a larger screen, but if the device performs poorly the size is meaningless. The T62 has very good battery use now for me.

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by DarKHawK

Hello Guys,

Which e-reader would you recommend? The Boyue T62+ or the Onyx T68?

My criteria for choosing would be:

1- Build quality.
2- The Boyue has an E-Ink Carta while the Onyx has a pearl, but the onyx has a larger display. I can’t decide on that since I haven’t seen any of the screens.

3- Software implementation and speed.

I suspect that the only thing the T68 has going for it is the larger screen. As well as the software issues already noted for the T68, it only has a single core CPU, whereas the T62+ is dual core (and is thus considerably faster).

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by DarKHawK

Hello Guys,

Which e-reader would you recommend? The Boyue T62+ or the Onyx T68?

My criteria for choosing would be:

1- Build quality.
2- The Boyue has an E-Ink Carta while the Onyx has a pearl, but the onyx has a larger display. I can’t decide on that since I haven’t seen any of the screens.

3- Software implementation and speed.

Some side notes:
The Boyue has a 3000 mah battery while the Onyx has a 1700 mah battery.

On taobao (The Chinese eBay), they say that there are some updates to the T68 which fixes the lowest brightness settings (v1.63), fixes the touch (v1.65) and that v1.7 which will be released in April will upgrade the android to v4.4 from v4.0 which is supposed to increase the performance.

I will root the any of those devices once I get it, so the presence of the Google Play out of the box is not an issue.

I like the Kindle Voyage and I will not mind paying the premium price, It looks quite nice and those x-ray, time until chapter end features are quite nice, but I would prefer having an Android based reader.

So which of those devices would you recommend, or would you recommend another device all together or advise me to wait for another device that will be released in the near future. (I currently own a nook, the one without back light).

Thank you.

Just for completeness' sake, I'll mention that Onyx also offers the C67 ML, which is the same size as the Boyue T62 and seems to have fewer quality control issues than the T68 had (has?). However, having said that, I also agree that you'll do better with the Boyue T62 or T62+. In terms of performance, build quality, battery life, space for apps, and space for data, the T62 is way ahead of the T68.
If the T62+ does indeed have a Carta display, that makes it an even better choice.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

Just for completeness' sake, I'll mention that Onyx also offers the C67 ML, which is the same size as the Boyue T62 and seems to have fewer quality control issues than the T68 had (has?). However, having said that, I also agree that you'll do better with the Boyue T62 or T62+. In terms of performance, build quality, battery life, space for apps, and space for data, the T62 is way ahead of the T68.
If the T62+ does indeed have a Carta display, that makes it an even better choice.

Yes, I forgot about the space for apps. The T68 ran out of space very quickly.

[DarKHawK]

Thank you guys for the replies.

Last question, How does the Kindle Voyage compare to the T62+?

[blue_skies]

Originally Posted by DarKHawK

Thank you guys for the replies.

Last question, How does the Kindle Voyage compare to the T62+?

I was wondering about that also. I found this video comparison, but I think they are comparing the Kindle Voyage with the Boyue T62 and not the plus one with the Carta screen. At least I hope so, because I was kind of shocked how much better and sharper the Kindle screen looked, side by side with the T62:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkKiUo1xUZI

I went ahead and ordered the T62+... so I guess I will see for my self in a couple weeks.


Screencap from the Video - Kindle Voyage on left and Boyue T62 on right:

[DarKHawK]

Originally Posted by blue_skies

I was wondering about that also. I found this video comparison, but I think they are comparing the Kindle Voyage with the Boyue T62 and not the plus one with the Carta screen. At least I hope so, because I was kind of shocked how much better and sharper the Kindle screen looked, side by side with the T62:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkKiUo1xUZI

I went ahead and ordered the T62+... so I guess I will see for my self in a couple weeks.


Screencap from the Video - Kindle Voyage on left and Boyue T62 on right:

I also saw that video, and I got the impression that the reviewer was a little biased towards the Kindle.

What I wanted feedback about was:
1- Does the flush bezel real matter?
2- Are those haptic feedback buttons real practical or it is just a gimmick?
3- How does the Kindle reading application compare to other android based readers like the moon reader and the cool reader?

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by DarKHawK

Thank you guys for the replies.

Last question, How does the Kindle Voyage compare to the T62+?

The Voyage has a new, higher resolution screen, but is virtually impossible to root (you apparently need to open it up and solder in a serial port to do so). So if you are happy being locked into the Kindle Walled Garden, it's very good (if pricey), if you want any degree of customisation, not so much.