Kobo Aura H2O - First Impressions - Page 14

doxallday · 10-13-2014, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

This is the last one, I won't tempt fate any further. Number three or nothing.

On the bright side, pun intended, the screen is now to your liking.

Sure, it's a bummer to have to replace it again, but none of it is your fault, and once you get that 6.8" beauty and start crunching page numbers, you won't be letting go.

Josieb1 · 10-14-2014, 08:15 AM

My 3rd H20 has arrived. It has a nice white strip running up the screen from the bottom, its not as yellow as the first one, but its dirty compare to my second one which has the format disc error.

I've arranged for a collection tomorrow and a refund. I've given up for now. I'll wait for WHSmith to get them and see how their demo model looks. If I like the look of it I might get one from them but by then the Voyage will be out so who knows

I just don't understand why I've had such bad luck.

murg · 10-14-2014, 08:25 AM

Maybe it'll be a good thing that they won't show up in Australia for a couple of months...

simond · 10-14-2014, 08:35 AM

On the other hand mine's been fine, even survived an "accidental" dunking in the bath...

Josieb1 · 10-14-2014, 08:41 AM

I'm really upset tbh. I don't want to be stuck with just Amazon ereaders but it seems I have no choice. I know quality control varies a great deal but ereaders are not cheap devices so you think they would take more care.

I've emailed my feedback to Kobo, not sure if they will reply but at least I've told them about my experience.

Just as an aside I love my little Kobo Aura, it's not the best screen clarity, especially in the evening at low light, but it's does have pin pricks which I decided to accept, not wanting a replacement at the time I bought it in case the replacement was worse.

soulfuldog · 10-14-2014, 08:49 AM

Although plenty of people buy new models as soon as they are released, I am always wary in case of any early teething troubles. So perhaps you could just stick with your Aura for now, wait until say March next year and then try buying the H2O (or Voyage). That way they will hopefully have ironed out any quality control issues and you will have more chance of getting a 'good' model?

simond · 10-14-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I'm really upset tbh. I don't want to be stuck with just Amazon ereaders but it seems I have no choice. I know quality control varies a great deal but ereaders are not cheap devices so you think they would take more care.

I've emailed my feedback to Kobo, not sure if they will reply but at least I've told them about my experience.

Just as an aside I love my little Kobo Aura, it's not the best screen clarity, especially in the evening at low light, but it's does have pin pricks which I decided to accept, not wanting a replacement at the time I bought it in case the replacement was worse.

I have a good quality Aura HD going spare if that takes your fancy at all as I'm now happy with the H2O, have been putting off selling it just in case I changed my mind

Josieb1 · 10-14-2014, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simond

I have a good quality Aura HD going spare if that takes your fancy at all as I'm now happy with the H2O, have been putting off selling it just in case I changed my mind

Problem is I wanted the waterproofing part of the H20, I wanted it for the bath and when I go on holiday next year.

For now I might as well carry on reading my Aura in the bath. But thanks for the offer.

s4nder · 10-14-2014, 12:20 PM

My H2O arrived today and the screen and lighting both look excellent. Very crisp and clear with slightly warmer than neutral lighting.

I'm most impressed by the near zero amount of ghosting. For the first time I'm satisfied not to do a full refresh at every page turn which will increase battery life. Now to upgrade firmware, add translation dictionaries and full screen reading.

sparklemotion · 10-14-2014, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I'm really upset tbh. I don't want to be stuck with just Amazon ereaders but it seems I have no choice. I know quality control varies a great deal but ereaders are not cheap devices so you think they would take more care.

I've emailed my feedback to Kobo, not sure if they will reply but at least I've told them about my experience.

Just as an aside I love my little Kobo Aura, it's not the best screen clarity, especially in the evening at low light, but it's does have pin pricks which I decided to accept, not wanting a replacement at the time I bought it in case the replacement was worse.

I'm really sorry, Josie. So disappointing. I had a lot of problems with my PW's before getting a good one so I sympathize. You would think for the price of these devices they would go through better quality control measures.

luvhilndr · 10-14-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4nder

My H2O arrived today and the screen and lighting both look excellent. Very crisp and clear with slightly warmer than neutral lighting.

Warmer is exactly the word I was looking for to describe how it looks compared to the cooler bluish tone of my Kobo Glo. There are no shadows or brighter spots anywhere on the screen, unlike the Paperwhite 2 that I returned. A crisp, clear, larger screen - what's not to love? Now to find something to put it in. Probably a sleeve and a skin once decalgirl has them.

Anthem · 10-14-2014, 01:17 PM

These are somewhat distressing things to hear and remind me very strongly of my experience with the second model Paperwhite. I ended up having to exchange that twice, and finally just returned the third one for a full refund. Every unit had it's own problems and I didn't want to try anymore.

Strangely, I purchased a basic 5-button Kindle (previous low-end model) which has always been perfectly fine and didn't require any replacements or refunds. Go figure.

robko · 10-14-2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthem

These are somewhat distressing things to hear and remind me very strongly of my experience with the second model Paperwhite. I ended up having to exchange that twice,

Really, aside from Josieb1's bad luck there has been almost no reports of issues with H2O's. That's doing pretty well considering Kobo said it was their biggest numbers of pre-order's ever.

doxallday · 10-14-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robko

Really, aside from Josieb1's bad luck there has been almost no reports of issues with H2O's. That's doing pretty well considering Kobo said it was their biggest numbers of pre-order's ever.

I believe most users here pre-ordered; considering no major rants have been voiced, I'd say that's a pretty good figure. Can't speak about Kindle side and how Amazon fares with 'fault'-rates on launch.

ctjalsma · 10-14-2014, 07:22 PM

Received my H2O today (ordered on the 6th). Previously used the Aura HD (lost while passing through Chicago/Ohare).

Unit was almost fully charged, synced right up, have been side loading with Calibre. I like the screen very much, better than the HD, and I agree with the "warmer" comments, but that's what I prefer anyway (I always set the iPad readers to Sepia background). Other than that, works mostly like the HD so far. Works fine with the HD's USB cable as well.

Unlike some others, I liked the funny rear shape of the HD, felt better to hold (I have large hands), but the H2O is fine. So add me to the happy camper list.

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10-14-2014, 08:15 AM	#197
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,086 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2	My 3rd H20 has arrived. It has a nice white strip running up the screen from the bottom, its not as yellow as the first one, but its dirty compare to my second one which has the format disc error. I've arranged for a collection tomorrow and a refund. I've given up for now. I'll wait for WHSmith to get them and see how their demo model looks. If I like the look of it I might get one from them but by then the Voyage will be out so who knows I just don't understand why I've had such bad luck.

10-14-2014, 08:25 AM	#198
murg No Comment Posts: 3,240 Karma: 23878043 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Australia Device: Kobo: Not just an eReader, it's an adventure!	Maybe it'll be a good thing that they won't show up in Australia for a couple of months...

10-14-2014, 08:35 AM	#199
simond Fanatic Posts: 532 Karma: 1062755 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, UK Device: Kobo Aura One, iPad, iPhone	On the other hand mine's been fine, even survived an "accidental" dunking in the bath...

10-14-2014, 08:41 AM	#200
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,086 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2	I'm really upset tbh. I don't want to be stuck with just Amazon ereaders but it seems I have no choice. I know quality control varies a great deal but ereaders are not cheap devices so you think they would take more care. I've emailed my feedback to Kobo, not sure if they will reply but at least I've told them about my experience. Just as an aside I love my little Kobo Aura, it's not the best screen clarity, especially in the evening at low light, but it's does have pin pricks which I decided to accept, not wanting a replacement at the time I bought it in case the replacement was worse.

10-14-2014, 08:49 AM	#201
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	Although plenty of people buy new models as soon as they are released, I am always wary in case of any early teething troubles. So perhaps you could just stick with your Aura for now, wait until say March next year and then try buying the H2O (or Voyage). That way they will hopefully have ironed out any quality control issues and you will have more chance of getting a 'good' model?

10-14-2014, 12:20 PM	#204
s4nder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 546874 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Aura One	My H2O arrived today and the screen and lighting both look excellent. Very crisp and clear with slightly warmer than neutral lighting. I'm most impressed by the near zero amount of ghosting. For the first time I'm satisfied not to do a full refresh at every page turn which will increase battery life. Now to upgrade firmware, add translation dictionaries and full screen reading.

10-14-2014, 01:17 PM	#207
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	These are somewhat distressing things to hear and remind me very strongly of my experience with the second model Paperwhite. I ended up having to exchange that twice, and finally just returned the third one for a full refund. Every unit had it's own problems and I didn't want to try anymore. Strangely, I purchased a basic 5-button Kindle (previous low-end model) which has always been perfectly fine and didn't require any replacements or refunds. Go figure.

10-14-2014, 07:22 PM	#210
ctjalsma Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Indianola, WA Device: Aura H2O, iphone 5s, iPad Air 2	Received my H2O today (ordered on the 6th). Previously used the Aura HD (lost while passing through Chicago/Ohare). Unit was almost fully charged, synced right up, have been side loading with Calibre. I like the screen very much, better than the HD, and I agree with the "warmer" comments, but that's what I prefer anyway (I always set the iPad readers to Sepia background). Other than that, works mostly like the HD so far. Works fine with the HD's USB cable as well. Unlike some others, I liked the funny rear shape of the HD, felt better to hold (I have large hands), but the H2O is fine. So add me to the happy camper list.

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