Quest for a new simple 6-inch reader

[crAss]

Almost a decade has passed since I bought my Bookeen Cybook Muse Frontlight. I have read hundreds of books these past years and I really like the device.
First problem was the worn out sleeve, which I replaced with a generic one since I could not find an original one. Small issue.
Second problem is that the middle button in the bottom is progressively not working as intended. Instead of bringing up a menu it moves to the next page. Again, given that I do not read books in parallel, it is bothersome when loading a new book.
Finally, the battery has lost a considerable part of its juice. This was what led me to start searching for a replacement one.

Specs I want:
- 6 inch
- Black and white only
- Charge through USB-C
- Frontlight (warm light preferable)
- Hardware buttons for page change (old habits since the Bookeen Cybook Gen3 days)
- Full compatibility with Calibre. I have my library there and load books in my ebook.
- The lighter the software the better. I just read books on this one, using only bookmarks.

As I was going around I found just one ebook reader with all the above, the PocketBook Verse Pro (ok, the pro adds waterproofing not a deal breaker, but since I am buying one such device every ten years I do not care to spend a little more).

Are there any more comparable readers out there I was unable to find?

[DNSB]

You could also check the Kobo Clara BW though that lacks the hardware buttons. If you want compatibility with calibre, Kobo's ereaders are the gold standard there.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by crAss

As I was going around I found just one ebook reader with all the above, the PocketBook Verse Pro (ok, the pro adds waterproofing not a deal breaker, but since I am buying one such device every ten years I do not care to spend a little more).

I think the PocketBook Verse Pro looks good. (I don't have one, I have its predecessor, the Touch HD 3 which, I think, is pretty much the same). In my opinion, it's weakest feature is its dictionary. I've found a Webster's International Abridged Dictionary (I think from a link MobileRead) that works well. You used to be able to buy the same Oxford Dictionary for the PocketBooks as used in the Kindle, in Sonys and now Kobos, but I can't find it for sale anymore. (I've got it on my old Russian, Basic Lux, but the license is not transferable.)

Good luck.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I think the PocketBook Verse Pro looks good. (I don't have one, I have its predecessor, the Touch HD 3 which, I think, is pretty much the same). In my opinion, it's weakest feature is its dictionary. I've found a Webster's International Abridged Dictionary (I think from a link MobileRead) that works well. You used to be able to buy the same Oxford Dictionary for the PocketBooks as used in the Kindle, in Sonys and now Kobos, but I can't find it for sale anymore. (I've got it on my old Russian, Basic Lux, but the license is not transferable.)

Good luck.

Pocketbook's weakest feature is font handling. There's not way to up the weight of fonts. So if the font you've installed is too light, you are out of luck.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by crAss

Almost a decade has passed since I bought my Bookeen Cybook Muse Frontlight. I have read hundreds of books these past years and I really like the device.
First problem was the worn out sleeve, which I replaced with a generic one since I could not find an original one. Small issue.
Second problem is that the middle button in the bottom is progressively not working as intended. Instead of bringing up a menu it moves to the next page. Again, given that I do not read books in parallel, it is bothersome when loading a new book.
Finally, the battery has lost a considerable part of its juice. This was what led me to start searching for a replacement one.

Specs I want:
- 6 inch
- Black and white only
- Charge through USB-C
- Frontlight (warm light preferable)
- Hardware buttons for page change (old habits since the Bookeen Cybook Gen3 days)
- Full compatibility with Calibre. I have my library there and load books in my ebook.
- The lighter the software the better. I just read books on this one, using only bookmarks.

As I was going around I found just one ebook reader with all the above, the PocketBook Verse Pro (ok, the pro adds waterproofing not a deal breaker, but since I am buying one such device every ten years I do not care to spend a little more).

Are there any more comparable readers out there I was unable to find?

The Bookeen Cybook Muse Frontlight is a nice device. I have enjoyed many hours of pleasant reading on this e-reader. The text presentation is also very aesthetically pleasing.

Probably the closest in terms of simplicity of operation are the PocketBook e-readers (which have many more additional features than Bookeen). Aesthetically, the Kobo is perhaps more similar, with its header and footer, although without a text separation line.

Personally, I would buy a PocketBook e-reader to replace it, as it meets all the requirements you mention, although the Kobo Clara BW is not a bad option either.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Pocketbook's weakest feature is font handling.

Just out of curiosity, what would you say is Kobo's weakest feature?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by cellaris

Just out of curiosity, what would you say is Kobo's weakest feature?

I'd say it's the lack of syncing non-Kobo purchases.

[Aleron Ives]

I'd probably say stability. Having to reboot from a crash now and then is annoying at best and could be a dealbreaker for people who aren't tech savvy.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I'd probably say stability. Having to reboot from a crash now and then is annoying at best and could be a dealbreaker for people who aren't tech savvy.

Older Kobo models were pretty stable (I had a Libra H2O that never crashed or froze). Stability issues seem to have started with the Sage and Libra 2 in 2021 and continued with newer models.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by cellaris

Just out of curiosity, what would you say is Kobo's weakest feature?

No 7″ B&W model.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I'd probably say stability. Having to reboot from a crash now and then is annoying at best and could be a dealbreaker for people who aren't tech savvy.

I highly disagree. I have an Auro H20 that I've used for years and a Libra 2. Both are very stable. Readers usually only have an issue if the ebook has structural errors. Because i edit my ebooks, I make sure they pass error checking. And because of this, I have no stability issues.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

No 7″ B&W model.

Agreed!

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Stability issues seem to have started with the Sage and Libra 2 in 2021 and continued with newer models.

Huh, I guess I picked the wrong time to jump on board on the stability front, but I'm sure glad I got a Libra 2 before Kobo discontinued it.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

Huh, I guess I picked the wrong time to jump on board on the stability front, but I'm sure glad I got a Libra 2 before Kobo discontinued it.

Me too, its flaws nothwithstanding. I sold my Libra H2O after buying the Libra 2, although it was more stable. The screen was not all that good, however - mine had a green tint and the contrast was rather poor. The screen of my Libra 2 is much better, and mine rarely crashes, maybe once every few months.

[Quoth]

My Libra H2O and Libra2 screens are identical.

I think there is a big variation in Eink Corp's eink screen quality for the same model screen, unlike any other display technology.