Sage Kobo Sage opinions

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

FWIW, although I am returning my Sage, I think it has one of the best, and most evenly lit, screens I have ever seen (including my Kindle Voyage). That, in my book, is THE reason to get the Sage -- the superb display (and the USB-C). And I typically read at around 60% brightness. I'm returning because I didn't like the weight/balance/grip/button placement as compared to my Forma -- and without them side-by-side, the Forma display is still excellent (although admittedly with the button-side darker stripe folks have commented on over the years).

I don't have a button side darker stripe on my Forma.

[Deobulakenyo]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

FWIW, although I am returning my Sage, I think it has one of the best, and most evenly lit, screens I have ever seen (including my Kindle Voyage). That, in my book, is THE reason to get the Sage -- the superb display (and the USB-C). And I typically read at around 60% brightness. I'm returning because I didn't like the weight/balance/grip/button placement as compared to my Forma -- and without them side-by-side, the Forma display is still excellent (although admittedly with the button-side darker stripe folks have commented on over the years).

The problem is my libra h20 when photographed and videoed does not show the uneven lighting but i see it in actual use. The photos and videos of the Sage i see show a little of the brighter spots, so to me if my libra h2o bothers me, for sure the sage's screen may bother me even more.

I like the bigger screen. That is my main consideration for it because i like reading mangas and thr libra h20 is quite small for my taste for mangas. My plan was to selk my likebook p78 which i use for mangas now and and use a single device (Sage).

I guess i will keep my keep my p78 for mangas after all

[John Hopper]

Originally Posted by FireFrog

That or they aren't picky.

Obviously there are some defective units out there, but whether screens have lighting issues is to some degree subjective. Some people on forums complained bitterly about pink and green blotches on the early paperwhites, but I could never see them. Similarly with cones on the Oasis 1. The Voyage has the best screen of any kindle though, super contrast.

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[Almamida]

Originally Posted by Deobulakenyo

The problem is my libra h20 when photographed and videoed does not show the uneven lighting but i see it in actual use. The photos and videos of the Sage i see show a little of the brighter spots, so to me if my libra h2o bothers me, for sure the sage's screen may bother me even more.

I like the bigger screen. That is my main consideration for it because i like reading mangas and thr libra h20 is quite small for my taste for mangas. My plan was to selk my likebook p78 which i use for mangas now and and use a single device (Sage).

I guess i will keep my keep my p78 for mangas after all

I k now exactly what you're talking about and I can confirm you that the Sage is far from the Libra H2O disaster in my case.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John Hopper

Obviously there are some defective units out there, but whether screens have lighting issues is to some degree subjective. Some people on forums complained bitterly about pink and green blotches on the early paperwhites, but I could never see them. Similarly with cones on the Oasis 1. The Voyage has the best screen of any kindle though, super contrast.

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I can see the lighting issues when I look at my devices in a dark room. But as that's not my normal reading environment, I'm usually not really bothered.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

So, having posted my initial impressions of the Sage (vs. my Forma) a number of pages back, I have decided to return the Sage (bought at Kobo -- customer service is, in theory, sending me labels in the next day or two).

The main reason is, to me, it's just not as comfortable to hold in one hand as the Forma is. One, it is heavier by 1.5 ounces. Sounds like that shouldn't make a difference, but to me, at least it does. Two, the back is more plastic-y and less rubbery -- it is a bit less grippy.

Secondarily, I don't like the new buttons or their placement. They're right up against the curved edge and, with my fat thumbs, I often don't get a full press.

Also, without increasing the screen size, the Sage's bezels are a tiny bit wider and it is also a few millimeters taller. I just don't get Kobo making it heavier and bigger than the Forma.

I have ordered a new Forma to replace the one I have with a gouge in its screen.

Definitely the screen on the Sage is gorgeous. High contrast and sharp fonts, fully consistent white (almost) across the background. But if I'm not holding it side-by-side with the Forma, the Forma also looks great (even with the weird stripe at certain light levels on the button side).

I think my concerns about Sage battery life have proven to be unfounded. No scientific measurement, but it appears to be holding up pretty well.

Other positives of the Sage -- I don't find page turns any faster, but other UI interactions -- e.g., going to the chapter index, searching within the book for a character name -- seem a tiny, tiny bit faster.

Also, if you're willing to spring for Kobo's cover, I really like the magnetic attachment (and the green color).

But, at the end of the day, comfort holding the device is the key determinant for me -- so I'm sticking with the Forma (at least for now).

With any luck, your new Forma will not have the stripe. Mine, purchased mid-September does not. It does have the slight halo on the button side that I've seen in pictures of the Sage.


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[graycyn]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I don't have a button side darker stripe on my Forma.

Me neither. I think they may have finally fixed that.


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[JSWolf]

I'm going to wait until I can get the Sage in a local store. I'll be able to open the box and see if I can keep it or return it right then and there.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

FWIW, although I am returning my Sage, I think it has one of the best, and most evenly lit, screens I have ever seen (including my Kindle Voyage). That, in my book, is THE reason to get the Sage -- the superb display (and the USB-C). And I typically read at around 60% brightness. I'm returning because I didn't like the weight/balance/grip/button placement as compared to my Forma -- and without them side-by-side, the Forma display is still excellent (although admittedly with the button-side darker stripe folks have commented on over the years).

I just wanted to say thank you, to you and everyone else who has posted their experiences with the Sage.

I'm an ereader junkie (about two dozen bought over the past ten years) and, although I had some misgivings just based on the specs, I was very close to ordering the Sage, despite having bought a second Forma not too long ago. I'm now totally convinced that the Sage isn't for me (with my small, weak hands), for exactly the weight/balance/grip/button placement reasons that you mention.

I'm one of those people that consider the Forma almost magical, and I’m really crushed to think that it might be a one-off.

[John Hopper]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I can see the lighting issues when I look at my devices in a dark room. But as that's not my normal reading environment, I'm usually not really bothered.

Also some of these lighting issues are visible only at higher brightness levels but I never have the brightness higher than 30% or so on any ereader.

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[papaholmz]

Any opinions on upgrading from the Kobo Aura 1 Special Edition to the Kobo Sage? Looks like my reading experience will basically be the same (I don't foresee myself using a stylus), so the things that might make it worth the upgrade would be:

1) Waterproof
2) USB-C
3) Dropbox connectivity
4) Faster processor

My Aura 1 still works flawlessly, so I'm questioning if I'll really need/use the upgraded features or not.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by papaholmz

Any opinions on upgrading from the Kobo Aura 1 Special Edition to the Kobo Sage? Looks like my reading experience will basically be the same (I don't foresee myself using a stylus), so the things that might make it worth the upgrade would be:

1) Waterproof
2) USB-C
3) Dropbox connectivity
4) Faster processor

My Aura 1 still works flawlessly, so I'm questioning if I'll really need/use the upgraded features or not.

Kobo Aura One is already waterproof: Rated IPX8 - up to 60 mins in 2 metres of water. So you *have* that feature.

I do have the Forma which has Dropbox connectivity and *I LOVE IT* ... makes it SO easy to transfer books wirelessly! For me, that's just a killer feature that I use constantly.

But I might be more special case, since I'm making my own ebooks and therefore, continually testing. With the KA1, I worried that I would kill the USB port with the constant use, although it has held up just fine so far. But I don't have to worry about that now with the Forma!

Whether USB-C, Dropbox and a faster processor are enough for an upgrade, I couldn't say. For myself, I'm tempted by the darker blacks of the Sage screen, and the faster processor, but I don't have a super strong need. My plan is to wait, and in a year or so when my KA1 battery is worse off, maybe pick one up on sale.

Meanwhile, both my Forma and KA1 are serving me well.

[sanch]

Originally Posted by papaholmz

so the things that might make it worth the upgrade would be:

5) Physical page turn buttons!

[koboy]

Originally Posted by sanch

5) Physical page turn buttons!

6) flexible/plastic substrate.

best wishes koboy

[Krios]

Originally Posted by koboy

6) flexible/plastic substrate.

best wishes koboy

Sage uses glass substrate.