08-16-2023, 09:42 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Posts: 7
Karma: 10
Join Date: Aug 2023
Device: Kobo Forma
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Alternatives to Kobo Forma
Am I just unlucky or is Kobo Forma a heap of junk? The Forma was my first e-reader and I quickly fell in love and bought one for my partner. Since then, I have had so many frustrating issues that the relationship has become extremely bitter! (My partner's has become unusable with battery charging issues 14 months after buying it. Mine was replaced after 8 months and another 8 months later my replacement is having power issues.)
So now it's time to look at alternatives available in Australia. This is my wish list:
Thankyou in advance for your ideas. |
08-17-2023, 03:55 AM | #2 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,417
Karma: 16297052
Join Date: Sep 2022
Device: Kobo Libra 2
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If you like Android, there are various manufacturers that make Android-based e-readers, such as Boox. You can get 7.8, 10.3, or 13.3" screens. Kobo also makes the 8" Sage and the 10.3" Elipsa, but as you've already noticed, Kobo's firmware can be dodgy. It's also likely that the Sage is going to get replaced in the next six months, so you probably wouldn't want to buy one right now. The Elipsa just got updated earlier this year.
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08-17-2023, 05:19 AM | #3 |
the rook, bossing Never.
Posts: 12,324
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ireland
Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11
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Android is far more troublesome than Kobo. I've both.
I think you were unlucky with the Forma. |
08-17-2023, 06:45 AM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,420
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
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I also think you've been unlucky. I've had no major issues with the 3 Kobos I've used (my current ones have been in daily use for almost 2 years now). That said, I don't install every firmware update that's released; often I skip several of them, especially when other users report bugs.
Kindles are the least buggy ereaders IMO. But the only Kindle with a big screen is the Scribe, and it's not waterproof. Moreover, Overdrive books can be read on Kindles only in the US, not elsewhere in the world. |
08-17-2023, 01:03 PM | #5 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,207
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus, Lenovo Tab M8 HD
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I've owned five Kobos so far... and the only reason I've owned so many is that I have a bad habit of breaking them. I agree with the others... you've been unlucky.
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08-17-2023, 01:08 PM | #6 |
Bibliophagist
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
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Also you might want to realize that reading on a boat unless you are planning on sticking to fresh water is not a good idea unless you happen to own the Kobo Aura H2O which was physically sealed. The current generation of waterproof ereaders use a conformal coating (see HZO for instance). This means that while water may get into the device, in theory, it should not damage the electronics. Unfortunately, the IP testing is done with plain water. This means that salt water, soapy water, etc. are not something to immerse your ereader in or even get splashed by. The USB connector for instance will corrode very happily after being in contact with salt water.
So if your ereader contacts salt water, an immediate rinse with fresh water should keep any damage from happening but there is no guarantee. |
08-17-2023, 01:47 PM | #7 | |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 76,310
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
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Quote:
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08-17-2023, 02:02 PM | #8 |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 40,363
Karma: 156982136
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
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Whereas in a small boat, you are a lot more likely to get splashed when the boat is in motion or in one case, to have a salmon land in your lap.
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08-17-2023, 02:04 PM | #9 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 76,310
Karma: 136006010
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
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If I was in a small boat, my Kobo would stay in my bag if I brought it with me. Last time I did that was on a ferry. But I also had my dog with me so reading was out.
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08-17-2023, 04:30 PM | #10 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 7,522
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo Glo HD
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Anecdotaly, I was on a ferry recently in choppy salt water and spray was hitting us. I was reading on my Clara 2E and it has been fine.*
*I am not endorsing this behavior. |
08-18-2023, 07:11 AM | #11 |
the rook, bossing Never.
Posts: 12,324
Karma: 90943357
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ireland
Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11
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I'd want a tether on me and the ereader if it was rough.
If I had a fiver for everything dropped overboard on a dinghy… Last item was my son-in-law's hat. |
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