Moving away from Amazon

Volanare · 12-07-2021, 04:48 PM

And I've mostly narrowed down my search to either a kobo (Libra 2 I think is the model I'm eyeing) or a Onyx Boox Leaf which I'm having a hard time finding much info on since its rather new

Pros for the Onyx
Android meaning its possible to install for example the Kindle app and I can skip converting any kindle books I already own

Display size of 7 inches is imo the sweet spot
The ability to add physical page turn buttons in the form of a case is pretty nice

Down sides: Its a little more expensive but not overly so
Some reviews say Onyx CS leaves a lot to be desired (I would likely purchase through goodereader so hopefully if I had any issues I could work with them instead)

Kobo pros:
Comes with physical page turn buttons out of the box
KOReader fairly straight forward
These seem to have the latest and greated Carted 1200

Cons:
I dunno these seem to be fairly decent hardware

ZodWallop · 12-08-2021, 10:27 AM

Reading through your list, the choice seems obvious. Buy the Libra.

But if you do go for the Onyx:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volanare

(I would likely purchase through goodereader so hopefully if I had any issues I could work with them instead)

Don't count on it. I have not heard any positive reviews of purchases from GoodEreader if any sort of issues or follow-up were required. They also mark things up outrageously

Why not just try the Onyx website?

You don't mention your location. If you are in the US, I'd recommend ordering the Libra from Walmart, rather than from Kobo. Yes, there is the shame from ordering from Walmart, but they are very speedy shippers (I got my Clara in a day) and if there are issues, you can return it to any of their stores (though they likely won't have other Libras in stock for a direct exchange).

Edit: Onyx or Kobo, don't be afraid of converting books you purchased from Amazon. The initial set up takes maybe fifteen minutes.. I don't know how many books you would be starting with, but the conversion of a single book takes seconds.

For me, it is worth having all my books backed up as DRM-free ePubs, though not everyone here agrees.

LDB · 12-08-2021, 11:02 AM

I have recently begun using my Kobo Aura One seriously. The more I use it the more I like it. It is MUCH faster to wake up than my Kindle Oasis. The only thing I can see that Kindle has going for it is quantity of books. Going forward I think my only decision will be whether to get an Elipsa for the added screen real estate or not. That will be debated against the added 4.6oz of weight.

j.p.s · 12-08-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Why not just try the Onyx website?

Onyx is also a third party seller on amazon.com with fulfillment by amazon.

Volanare · 12-08-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Onyx is also a third party seller on amazon.com with fulfillment by amazon.

Are the Onyx boox good? The reviews are kinda hit or miss about them being android based and that adding complexity

hobnail · 12-08-2021, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDB

The only thing I can see that Kindle has going for it is quantity of books.

I buy all of my books from Amazon and use the DeDRM plugin to remove the drm and then convert them to epub in calibre.

Oops, I keep forgetting that in order for that to work you need an existing Kindle.

hobnail · 12-08-2021, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volanare

Are the Onyx boox good? The reviews are kinda hit or miss about them being android based and that adding complexity

I seem to be an outlier because I think android on an e-ink device is a mistake; android and its apps are designed for a color screen, not 16 levels of gray. And anyhow, I'm buying an ereader for reading books and I have an android tablet for tablet stuff.

j.p.s · 12-08-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volanare

Are the Onyx boox good? The reviews are kinda hit or miss about them being android based and that adding complexity

I don't know, the only Onyx I've purchased was the M92, which was way before they went from linux to android. My Deep Guide on youtube seems to like modern Onyx a lot, I thought the PDF viewing options (cropping, 2-columns -> 1-column, etc) were the best I have seen, but it was just too slow. That was a long time ago.

ZodWallop · 12-08-2021, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobnail

I buy all of my books from Amazon and use the DeDRM plugin to remove the drm and then convert them to epub in calibre.

Oops, I keep forgetting that in order for that to work you need an existing Kindle.

Not at all. I do the same and have never owned a Kindle.

I just download using Kindle for PC (I use an old version to avoid .KFX format).

Skydog · 12-08-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volanare

And I've mostly narrowed down my search to either a kobo (Libra 2 I think is the model I'm eyeing) or a Onyx Boox Leaf which I'm having a hard time finding much info on since its rather new

Pros for the Onyx
Android meaning its possible to install for example the Kindle app and I can skip converting any kindle books I already own

Display size of 7 inches is imo the sweet spot
The ability to add physical page turn buttons in the form of a case is pretty nice

Down sides: Its a little more expensive but not overly so
Some reviews say Onyx CS leaves a lot to be desired (I would likely purchase through goodereader so hopefully if I had any issues I could work with them instead)

Kobo pros:
Comes with physical page turn buttons out of the box
KOReader fairly straight forward
These seem to have the latest and greated Carted 1200

Cons:
I dunno these seem to be fairly decent hardware

IMHO, running Android apps on an ereader is pointless and I've never understood the desire to do so. They are developed to run on tablets and phones with color displays, not a grayscale device. Having owned an Onyx, I speak from experience. I recommend purchasing a Kobo and leaving your Android apps on a tablet. As others have mentioned, it is very simple (and quick) to convert your Amazon library.

John F · 12-08-2021, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Not at all. I do the same and have never owned a Kindle.

I just download using Kindle for PC (I use an old version to avoid .KFX format).

+1

(although I did own a Kindle, I didn't use it for stripping DRM)

rcentros · 12-08-2021, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Not at all. I do the same and have never owned a Kindle.

I just download using Kindle for PC (I use an old version to avoid .KFX format).

If you're using Linux, just pick up a Kindle Basic "no-touch" on Shop Goodwill (for $20 or so, including shipping), register it on Amazon and then you can "download to USB."

rcentros · 12-08-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobnail

I seem to be an outlier because I think android on an e-ink device is a mistake; android and its apps are designed for a color screen, not 16 levels of gray. And anyhow, I'm buying an ereader for reading books and I have an android tablet for tablet stuff.

Not an outlier in my opinion. This is the way I look at it. But some folks like the versatility of an eInk Android tablet.

ZodWallop · 12-09-2021, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Not an outlier in my opinion. This is the way I look at it. But some folks like the versatility of an eInk Android tablet.

That is undoubtedly true. But sometimes I think the vast majority of those folks are people on this board purchasing their first e-ink device, afraid they are going to be locked in to a single store/format.

I felt the same way before I purchased an e-ink device and figured it out.

Pajamaman · 12-09-2021, 12:27 PM

I have multiple Onyx devices and am very happy with them. I can use any reading app I like (alreaderx and koreader currently). It is very easy to organize books as I just put them in folders. Formatting books is unnecessary as alreaderx and koreader can do it on the fly. Also the orange comfort light is the darkest, apart from the nook. It does have a high learning curve; it is a much more complex device than a kobo or a kindle. But it has far more features. The comments about most apps not being designed for e-ink etc are true, but onyx includes refresh mode options to deal with screen flashing and animation.

I suppose I could deal with Kobo if I had to (koreader can be installed), but I loathe kindles because they are so restricted.

12-07-2021, 04:48 PM	#1
Volanare Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 164 Join Date: Dec 2014 Device: none	Moving away from Amazon And I've mostly narrowed down my search to either a kobo (Libra 2 I think is the model I'm eyeing) or a Onyx Boox Leaf which I'm having a hard time finding much info on since its rather new Pros for the Onyx Android meaning its possible to install for example the Kindle app and I can skip converting any kindle books I already own Display size of 7 inches is imo the sweet spot The ability to add physical page turn buttons in the form of a case is pretty nice Down sides: Its a little more expensive but not overly so Some reviews say Onyx CS leaves a lot to be desired (I would likely purchase through goodereader so hopefully if I had any issues I could work with them instead) Kobo pros: Comes with physical page turn buttons out of the box KOReader fairly straight forward These seem to have the latest and greated Carted 1200 Cons: I dunno these seem to be fairly decent hardware

12-08-2021, 11:02 AM	#3
LDB Baker Street Irregular Posts: 460 Karma: 9920853 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston suburb Device: Oasis 3, PaperWhite 5, Aura One, Glowlight Plus, Scribe, Sage	I have recently begun using my Kobo Aura One seriously. The more I use it the more I like it. It is MUCH faster to wake up than my Kindle Oasis. The only thing I can see that Kindle has going for it is quantity of books. Going forward I think my only decision will be whether to get an Elipsa for the added screen real estate or not. That will be debated against the added 4.6oz of weight. Last edited by LDB; 12-08-2021 at 11:19 AM.

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12-09-2021, 12:27 PM	#15
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,874 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	I have multiple Onyx devices and am very happy with them. I can use any reading app I like (alreaderx and koreader currently). It is very easy to organize books as I just put them in folders. Formatting books is unnecessary as alreaderx and koreader can do it on the fly. Also the orange comfort light is the darkest, apart from the nook. It does have a high learning curve; it is a much more complex device than a kobo or a kindle. But it has far more features. The comments about most apps not being designed for e-ink etc are true, but onyx includes refresh mode options to deal with screen flashing and animation. I suppose I could deal with Kobo if I had to (koreader can be installed), but I loathe kindles because they are so restricted.