Libra 2 Kobo Libra 2 first impressions

[martinot]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

I'm very OCD about the battery life of my ereaders so I never let it get lower than 65% or so, but I have my Libra 2 attached to my computer every few days to upload books and then I leave it for like half an hour. Usually that let's it stay between 70 and 100% at all times.

So honestly I'm not sure about the battery life. I have noticed it drains a lot quicker than any of my Kindles ever did, but it's not bothering me at all.

If I had to guess hoe much it drains I would say like 4 to 5% an hour when I'm reading?



PS, I've also had the device freeze for like 3 times in the first few days where I had to push the power button for a long time to restart it, but nothing after that.

Genereally it is quite bad for the batterier to stay longer times over 90% SoC. For long term battery health they are best used at around 50% SoC.

[martinot]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I have no need for a Forma and the 'Wedge of Woe' light issue that accompanies it, in addition to the problematic power button. If I did get an additional Kobo (just recently purchased the Kobo Libra 2), it would be the Sage with it's new features and better screen than the Forma.

I find the Oasis 3 to be a great ebook reader. The Kobo Libra 2 should be a wonderful addition to my arsenal of ereaders.

(When the Forma drops to $100 - or below - I might possibly buy one.)

A lot of people with both Oasis 3 and Forma, prefer the non slippery texture of the Forma compared to the Oasis. The wedge grip of the Forma is fantastic from an ergonomical point of view.

The power button is bad, but I have the sleep cover so almost never use it. The page turn buttons on the Forma is way better than on the Libra, and those are the buttons you press many more times.

[mathil]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Does anyone have the original Aura H2O and the Libra 2? If so,can you do a comparison of the screens. I know the H2O has a lower resolution screen. Thanks.

In terms of pure contrast, the Aura H2O's background is definitely lighter than the Libra 2 (there's pretty much the same difference there was with the Libra H2O), but the Libra 2's blacks are much darker. I personally wouldn't read on the Libra 2 with the frontlight turned off, but I could do that on the Aura H2O. When you turn it on though, the reading experience on the Libra 2 is infinitely better - the blacks stay black and the background becomes white, while on the Aura H2O the frontlight (besides being overall worse/not as even because of older tech, though it wasn't bad for the time) just washes everything out and makes the blacks greyer.

Then there's everything else that comes with the new device - The Libra 2's UI, page turns, refresh time ecc. are way faster, there's minimal ghosting compared to the Aura H2O which is pretty bad etc. And of course the resolution. I read at smaller font sizes and I wouldn't be able to do that on the Aura H2O without setting refresh at every page, but I can definitely do that on the Libra 2, and I am very picky about how sharp the text needs to look.

[Buhaj]

I've bought both PW5 and Libra 2 so I can test them and return one. I can definitely say text on Kobo looks more black than on Kindle. PW5 still looks good, but having them side by side one can tell the difference. Before I got the parcels, I was thinking I'll just switch to PW5 from my current device, but now I'm not sure yet.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by Buhaj47

I've bought both PW5 and Libra 2 so I can test them and return one. I can definitely say text on Kobo looks more black than on Kindle. PW5 still looks good, but having them side by side one can tell the difference. Before I got the parcels, I was thinking I'll just switch to PW5 from my current device, but now I'm not sure yet.

which one looks best (text wise) with the front light off?

best wishes koboy

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by martinot

Genereally it is quite bad for the batterier to stay longer times over 90% SoC. For long term battery health they are best used at around 50% SoC.

Which is a great suggestion. Except that it means you can't actually use the battery for what it is meant for, to run something independent of a wired power source. I mean, if you follow that suggestion, it means you are keeping the battery between 40% and 60% charge which means you are only using about a fifth of the possible runtime. Which basically means you are maintaining the long-term health of the battery so that you don't use it.

Stop worrying, just use the battery as you need to. Anything you do to extend the overall life of Li-Ion basically means you don't actually use it, have to actually work at it, and doesn't necessarily give much benefit.

[A-Curiosity]

Just got my Libra 2 – the screen is rather nice, although it's not as uniform as I had hoped. I don't seem to have any battery issues, fortunately, and the device is reasonably sturdy. The only thing that bothers me is the wedge and how the buttons are so close to it – I definitely don't find that ergonomic.

[Buhaj]

Originally Posted by koboy

which one looks best (text wise) with the front light off?

The difference is smaller here, Kobo still has slightly blacker text, but at the same time the screen looks a bit darker (still have the protective foil on, but I don't think it should impact the text too much). I'd say 55 to 45 for the Libra 2.

Originally Posted by A-Curiosity

The only thing that bothers me is the wedge and how the buttons are so close to it – I definitely don't find that ergonomic.

The button placement is not perfect, but if someone reads without a cover, I still find the Kobo more ergonomic than PW5 even if one only uses touch screen.

[martinot]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Which is a great suggestion. Except that it means you can't actually use the battery for what it is meant for, to run something independent of a wired power source. I mean, if you follow that suggestion, it means you are keeping the battery between 40% and 60% charge which means you are only using about a fifth of the possible runtime. Which basically means you are maintaining the long-term health of the battery so that you don't use it.

Stop worrying, just use the battery as you need to. Anything you do to extend the overall life of Li-Ion basically means you don't actually use it, have to actually work at it, and doesn't necessarily give much benefit.

Of course you should not be afraid to sometimes charge it to 100%. I do that as well. I just say that it is really bad for the battery chemistry to stay constantly, or at a majority of the time, between 90-100% SoC.

This is not unique for e-readers. It is often the same with computers, phones and BEV. One should for most common batteries not have them charged att 100% for prolonged time. That will often degrade the battry capacity of your phone or laptop (or car or e-reader) rapidly.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by martinot

A lot of people with both Oasis 3 and Forma, prefer the non slippery texture of the Forma compared to the Oasis. The wedge grip of the Forma is fantastic from an ergonomical point of view.

The power button is bad, but I have the sleep cover so almost never use it. The page turn buttons on the Forma is way better than on the Libra, and those are the buttons you press many more times.

I've owned the Oasis 3 and have always had a cover on it. It's not slippery at all and has served me well. The screen is wonderful.

When the Kobo Libra 2 arrives, I'm sure I'll be quite happy with my purchase.

The wedge grip on the Forma continues with a similar design [wedge grip/lip grip] on the Libra 2. I'm sure it will be comfortable. For me, however, the screen on the Libra 2 is the main thing, and is reported to be quite nice. Also, it is evenly lit (my boldface).

Thank you for your thoughts.

[martinot]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I've owned the Oasis 3 and have always had a cover on it. It's not slippery at all and has served me well.

Sure it is not slippery with an extra cover covering the slippery metal of it. I referenced to the actual e-reader without cover.

[martinot]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

The wedge grip on the Forma continues with a similar design [wedge grip/lip grip] on the Libra 2. I'm sure it will be comfortable. For me, however, the screen on the Libra 2 is the main thing, and is reported to be quite nice. Also, it is evenly lit (my boldface).

The Forma is also very evenly lit. Just so you know.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by martinot

The Forma is also very evenly lit. Just so you know.

Yours is, perhaps, but many aren't (the infamous light wedge issue).

[Josieb1]

Amazon have emailed me estimated date for the black Libra 2 of between December 21st and January 28th. Same for the Poppy Red cover. Nothing for the white Libra 2 or Lavender cover.

Argos have the Sage this week. They removed the listing for the two Libra 2’s. No one else here has anything, and Kobo still haven’t shipped my Forma 32GB order from the 21st

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Amazon have emailed me estimated date for the black Libra 2 of between December 21st and January 28th. Same for the Poppy Red cover. Nothing for the white Libra 2 or Lavender cover.

Argos have the Sage this week. They removed the listing for the two Libra 2’s. No one else here has anything, and Kobo still haven’t shipped my Forma 32GB order from the 21st

I've found that I actually prefer my uneven Sage to my perfect Libra 2. The contrast is about the same and I love the larger screen. The weight difference doesn't bother me too much (and I'm no athlete by any yardstick )

So my suggestion would be to go and look at that Sage when it arrives to the store.