Kobo Glo HD

[93terp]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Mine was delivered to the US in 2 days via USPS ground, I'm pretty sure they're just covering all possibilities. My package did require a signature though, so you know to watch for the mailman or have someone there who can sign.

Good to know, thanks!

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by aceflor

So I am guessing you never saw the Glo first vs second generation and the blue lights.

It's true, I think all screens from Amazon/Kobo/Sony/Nook have had issues of some sort or other. My H20 is the best I have personally had as far as screen uniformity, but I agree the voyage screen has better sharpness and contrast with the H20 a notch below it. I actually noticed it most with book covers. Still, I love the perfectly uniform screen on my H20 and it just makes all the difference for me.

I am still so happy with my H20 and just love the thing. As much as one can love an e-reader. (which is a lot, in my case. )

I have not seen the Glo HD in person, and won't be getting one, but it would be nice if it was comparable to the voyage as far as sharpness and contrast goes.

I'd so love to have one perfect e-reader with everything. Contrast and sharpness of the voyage along with some of the kindle software features, but the uniform and also larger screen of the H20 plus the freedom to configure that the kobo has. Ah, one can dream.

Love your avatar, btw.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I don't have the Glo, but on my h20 page turns were slower until I converted my books to kepub format, then everything was smoother and faster.

I tried some kepubs on my Glo HD, and I am amazed at the difference in page turn speed.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

It's true, I think all screens from Amazon/Kobo/Sony/Nook have had issues of some sort or other. My H20 is the best I have personally had as far as screen uniformity, but I agree the voyage screen has better sharpness and contrast with the H20 a notch below it. I actually noticed it most with book covers. Still, I love the perfectly uniform screen on my H20 and it just makes all the difference for me.

I am still so happy with my H20 and just love the thing. As much as one can love an e-reader. (which is a lot, in my case. )

I have not seen the Glo HD in person, and won't be getting one, but it would be nice if it was comparable to the voyage as far as sharpness and contrast goes.

I'd so love to have one perfect e-reader with everything. Contrast and sharpness of the voyage along with some of the kindle software features, but the uniform and also larger screen of the H20 plus the freedom to configure that the kobo has. Ah, one can dream.

Oh I so agree with you !!
I'd want Voyage's sharpness and design with Kobo's configuration possibilities.But then we both know I'd still be not 100% happy with.... the cases ! So the game would start all over again !!!!

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Love your avatar, btw.

Who would not love Mucha ? Thanks

[disconnected]

I can’t say that my eyes are forgiving, exactly, they’re just not very good. I really can’t tell that letters on a screen are slightly blurry unless I have my nose about two inches away from them.

My Voyage is of the two-toned variety. It isn’t the color variation itself that’s the problem, it’s that it creates an optical illusion; the text in the yellower section seems to be smaller or further away than the text on the rest of the screen. The effect is so strong that it’s impossible to ignore; I find myself moving the reader about in an attempt to read the top part of every page. It doesn’t help that despite the new high-res screen Amazon hasn’t added any more font sizes; I need something between the fourth and fifth ones.

On the other hand, I have no problem at all with the screens on either my PW1 or my six-inch Aura. When I look closely I can see that the text is not as sharp as the Voyage’s, and if I think about it I can see that there are various shadows, blotches, and light leaks, but I’m totally unconscious of all that when I’m reading.

The screen on my H2O seems perfect to me, no matter how closely I look at it. It’s a uniform cream color throughout and the text has no blurred edges. There’s plenty of room for the title at the top, page number on the bottom, and lots of that nice empty space all around that everyone else thinks is horribly wasteful.

For my absolutely ideal ereader to exist, I guess it would have to have color, and it would probably have to be two sizes at once. My H2O is great at home but the six-inch Aura is more portable.

On a less rational note, there’s just something about the small Aura that I find very appealing. Its proportions are unusual -- my other ereaders, like most modern printed books, are comparatively tall and narrow and thick while the Aura is short and wide and thin. It somehow feels like an old book to me – an effect enhanced by the fact that I have a very light and soft black cover on it. Someone in another thread had pictures of a cover that they’d dressed up by putting a skin on it and I’ve done the same – my husband scanned the cover of a paperback copy of Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage and printed it on sticker paper for me. It’s beyond ridiculous how much I love it.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by disconnected

...For my absolutely ideal ereader to exist, I guess it would have to have color, and it would probably have to be two sizes at once. My H2O is great at home but the six-inch Aura is more portable.

On a less rational note, there’s just something about the small Aura that I find very appealing. Its proportions are unusual -- my other ereaders, like most modern printed books, are comparatively tall and narrow and thick while the Aura is short and wide and thin. It somehow feels like an old book to me – an effect enhanced by the fact that I have a very light and soft black cover on it. Someone in another thread had pictures of a cover that they’d dressed up by putting a skin on it and I’ve done the same – my husband scanned the cover of a paperback copy of Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage and printed it on sticker paper for me. It’s beyond ridiculous how much I love it.

Same here. We have an Aura and we all love its proportions. But my kids would rather read on their PW2 in the end.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I don't have the Glo, but on my h20 page turns were slower until I converted my books to kepub format, then everything was smoother and faster.

Thanks for the tip.

[Fx_]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Which one did you decide on, Kobo or Kindle?

Sadly, converting pdf to epub/azw is problematic at best. Have you checked out the Calibre forums? If not, you might start here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118605

I went with Voyage.
Already checked Calibre, and even went further to try other ways like pdf2htmlEX.

------
For those whom are still searching for their next Ereader.
Here are my reasons to go with Voyage:

Voyage got a faster SOC, so in future it might be rooted. Software openness doesn't bother me too much. Even if it did, I could get it rooted with serial connection right now. The logic here, software is changeable, however CPU isn't. Despite that, Voyage software seems to render text more sharper than Glo HD which is more important to me than loading .epub directly.

Glo HD advantage is that it got the font's weight option. This is responsible for increasing the boldness, in which it could make the text to appear more darker. I'm assuming I could do the same thing through modifying .azw/.epub css/html file with a font-weight: 900 (max boldness) (check www.w3schools.com/cssref/pr_font_weight.asp for more info, and bear in mind it depends on the font). This solution would require you to be modifying each Ebook to fit with the font's weight you pick. Anyway, Kindle store is not supported in my place so I'll be spending my time transferring/converting my Ebooks through PC.

Touch keys seems a gimmick, however I find the concept to be interesting so if it will make my reading experience better, why not?

Unlike what reviewers saying, I believe that Glo HD is an upgrade of Glo, in itself it's a revial of Paperwhite not Voyage. Think it as this way, Glo HD is geared towards being more financially feasible. Think of it in this way, why Aura is being more experesive with it's cheap old pearl screen Aura VS. Glo HD offered cheaply with a modern screen Glo HD. The price of Aura and Glo HD doesn't seems right at all. You could guess from this indirect analogy that more cost cutting approches went with Glo HD than Voyage.
Apparently, the QC with Kobo is less than Amazon's Kindle Voyage as I already read from different buyers review. Do not take my words on this.


Finally, I have to add this, neither Kindle nor Kobo are manufacturing the E-ink screens. Actually E Ink Corporation does, and the quality control should be associated to them, specifically the poor quality-control and the multi-color issue. Needless to say, material choice, front glass, battery , etc.. are Amazon's/Kobo's fault.


Hope you guys find this post useful.



Note: This post isn't meant to be offending anyone.

[Fx_]

I apologize I can't edit my previous post, there are many mistake.
Keep in mind, I meant Aura HD. However, you could extend it to H2O, etc... My point is still going to be valid.

[bullet]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Mine was delivered to the US in 2 days via USPS ground, I'm pretty sure they're just covering all possibilities. My package did require a signature though, so you know to watch for the mailman or have someone there who can sign.

I ordered mine from Kobo on line last Wed. afternoon. It shipped from Hong Kong Thu. 9:48 pm. I got in in NW MT Fri. 11:30 am. FedEx/Kobo have their acts together.
Signature required.

[Nick_1964]

Originally Posted by Fx_

Unlike what reviewers saying, I believe that Glo HD is an upgrade of Glo, in itself it's a revial of Paperwhite not Voyage. Think it as this way, Glo HD is geared towards being more financially feasible. Think of it in this way, why Aura is being more experesive with it's cheap old pearl screen Aura VS. Glo HD offered cheaply with a modern screen Glo HD. The price of Aura and Glo HD doesn't seems right at all. You could guess from this indirect analogy that more cost cutting approches went with Glo HD than Voyage.
Apparently, the QC with Kobo is less than Amazon's Kindle Voyage as I already read from different buyers review. Do not take my words on this.

I can't change what you believe,and I don't feel offended.
But a "believe" can only be based on experience, what you don't have with the Kobo.
Don't judge what a device can,only by it's price, being cheaper doesn't mean,being less good.
Sometimes it is like with printers, they sell it under the price,just to get money from the cartridges.
Kobo can be more cheap when they think to earn more on the books.
When they made the price of the Kobo the same as the Voyager,it will not be better or the same quality of the Voyage.
I only read epubs because that is the majority of the books being sold here, I don't want to convert every book.
I think the whole comparisation between the Glo HD and the Voyage is wrong, a Glo HD is a Glo HD, and a Voyage is a Voyage both with cons and pro's.
A Kobo is very easy to root, so that will not be my issue.
For sure,you can make the darkness of a font as much as possible on a Voyage so it looks like the Glo HD, but u can do the same trick on the Glo making it even more dark.
Not want to rant or insult but judging a device you never tried only by make a comparisation of the price is maybe wrong.
An more expensive device doesn't have to be better, most of the time you will be more ripped off.
One manufacturer is happy with a marge of 10% while another wants 20%.
You can change it around, they could keep the price of the Voyage so high because there was no competition, that doesn't make a cheaper device less better,it only tells that Amazon made big money with it,and they can't make it to drop it now to come a bit more close to the Glo HD.

You made your choice,and I hope you are happy with it, but the points to "defend" your choice are in my humble opinion not based on real arguments, only based about what your "underbelly" says.
But as long as you are happy with it, it is fine to me !!
But I think you believe what Amazon tries to do to defend their higher price by pretending that a higher price does mean that it is a higher quality.
It's not.

[Fx_]

I am not defending, and neither attacking anyone.

Believe is "to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so", which means experience is not the only source of believing.
The believe I have is from the information I gathered, and I believe if you jumped from the 10th floor you will be done, neither I am sure you experienced this scenario, and still you are believing in the same way I do.
In addition, price is an indicator, and one indicator is not enough to be solely basing your judgment on. Still, price as an indicator is a good tool to use. The easy use of this indicator in when you are comparing silvers to golds, yet as an indicator the result you get is depending on how you are intercepting it.
However, "Don't judge what a device can,only by it's price, being cheaper doesn't mean,being less good.". This seems to be offending me, and somehow an ignorant with respect to my earlier post. I did not discriminate Glo HD as an option because it was cheaper, flipping the table between Voyage and Glo HD and keeping the price as it is, would result me into committing the same decision I had earlier.

Anyhow, Kobo VS Amazon businesses are different while Amazon is in advantage to sell virtual goods, Kobo isn't. Primarily, as they are paying rents, etc... and their bread and butter is selling physical books. So, trying to convince me they are seeking to sell Ebooks more than physical one doesn't make much sense to me. This way, they try to squeeze their profits from each device they sells; also do not tell me Glo HD isn't targeting Voyage (in term of price) as a competitor.
Summarizing this: Amazon is in advantage to subsidize Kindle prices, and they do not while Kobo are in disadvantage of selling eBooks, and they cannot subsidize their ereaders.

"I only read epubs because that is the majority of the books being sold here, I don't want to convert every book."
I am not judging you. Read, and consume your books the way your heart's like.

You said in response to me:
"I think the whole comparisation between the Glo HD and the Voyage is wrong, a Glo HD is a Glo HD, and a Voyage is a Voyage both with cons and pro's."
I said:
"I believe that Glo HD is an upgrade of Glo, in itself it's a revial of Paperwhite not Voyage."
You are denying my comparison, in the same time you are mentioning an example with the same position to me (Glo HD and Voyare are not comparable to each other's). Yet, I think apples are comparable to apples (hence a brand of ereader verus another brand of ereader).

"For sure,you can make the darkness of a font as much as possible on a Voyage so it looks like the Glo HD, but u can do the same trick on the Glo making it even more dark."
No, you cannot, and I "believe" you cannot. Feel free to prove me wrong on this one, and consider it as a challenge.

"Not want to rant or insult but judging a device you never tried only by make a comparisation of the price is maybe wrong."
Again, clearly I did not take price is as only indicator for my decision (mentioned earlier in my post).


"You made your choice,and I hope you are happy with it, but the points to "defend" your choice are in my humble opinion not based on real arguments, only based about what your "underbelly" says."
My choice is based on me researching the devices available to market right now, and selecting the one that fits me more with respect to my needs rather than my "underbelly" or even yours. Again, I wasn't defending my choice, I was hoping that my post was beneficent to other people whom are nearly in the same position as I was. Moreover, I though it was necessary to payback the information I got, in order to help others.

"But I think you believe what Amazon tries to do to defend their higher price by pretending that a higher price does mean that it is a higher quality."
Not really, the higher price of the ereader postponed me from gripping one earlier. Higher prices are actually an indicator of how much engineering, material, researching, and even software development that went into the product. The question if the price is justified of what you are getting is another matter. Now, add to this equation the open market nature of the world, and the monopolistic terms, and you get yourself a better picture of the price of products. In which, I am not being ignorant of.

[Ripplinger]

I only have a PW2 to do any comparisons with, but is the firmware that different between the PW2 and the Voyage that they included the ability to darken fonts on the Voyage? I know on the PW2 there is absolutely no ability to darken, thicken, or add weight to any font, and you're stuck with the few system fonts. Even the original Glo lets you darken fonts much more than the PW2 does, giving much more contrast when needed.

I would think firmware features are pretty much the same across one brand's readers, like it is with all of Kobo's readers. I don't want to add to the discussion about comparing a Kobo to a Kindle, but I'm really curious if the Voyage really does have a way to darken fonts that their PW2 does not?

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

is the firmware that different between the PW2 and the Voyage that they included the ability to darken fonts on the Voyage? I know on the PW2 there is absolutely no ability to darken, thicken, or add weight to any font, and you're stuck with the few system fonts.

but I'm really curious if the Voyage really does have a way to darken fonts that their PW2 does not?

No, it doesn't. The Voyage is the same as the PW - the same fonts, the same margins, the same font sizes (I think, though they may be displayed differently due to the screen resolution). No way to darken the fonts. You are stuck with what comes on the device, unless the document has an embedded font, in which case, you can select "publisher default" in font settings.

[murg]

Originally Posted by Fx_

Finally, I have to add this, neither Kindle nor Kobo are manufacturing the E-ink screens. Actually E Ink Corporation does, and the quality control should be associated to them, specifically the poor quality-control and the multi-color issue. Needless to say, material choice, front glass, battery , etc.. are Amazon's/Kobo's fault.

While the parts are being manufactured by someone else, it is Kobo's/Amazon's responsibility to properly QA the devices.