A couple questions about Paperwhite and Oasis

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Probably not because they're both waterproof. I know (by reading) that the Oasis is nearly impossible to get into and I'm guessing that the newest Paperwhite would be also. Paperwhite versions 1 through 3 are relatively easy to open up and work on.

From what I have read, the PW4 is easy enough to open, but the waterproof coating on the circuit board complicates connecting to the serial port. I don't recall reading how that affects battery changing.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

...It has been a surprise to find that there are some battery options out there for the KK.

Kindle Keyboards aren't particularly hard to open up and work on. It's definitely worth replacing the battery in a Kindle Keyboard (in my opinion, anyhow).

As for opening the the PW 4, see the post by j.p.s. Maybe they've used a different method of waterproofing than they used on the original Oasis. So that could be good news.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

From what I have read, the PW4 is easy enough to open, but the waterproof coating on the circuit board complicates connecting to the serial port. I don't recall reading how that affects battery changing.

So maybe the Paperwhite waterproofing uses the method used in a modern Tolino or Kobo?

[azayn]

One consideration about the Kobo Libra is there have been reports of uneven lighting on some units. Unless you buy from a US retailer with a good return policy, it could be risky to buy a Kobo sight unseen.

The frontlight on my Oasis 3 though is the best I've seen on any eInk device. I've played around with a Nook Glowlight Plus and Likebook Mars (returned recently) and the frontlight on the Oasis was superior to both.

I'm not entirely sure why this is. All of the aforementioned devices have the same Carta 300ppi screens. My thought is either the extra LEDs on the Oasis illuminate the screen better or possibly the glass layer helps achieve uniform lighting. Or maybe some combination of the two. This is the main reason why I'm sticking to my Kindle even though I like Kobo's software better.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by azayn

One consideration about the Kobo Libra is there have been reports of uneven lighting on some units. Unless you buy from a US retailer with a good return policy, it could be risky to buy a Kobo sight unseen.

If MR is any guide, there have been more problems with Formas than Libras
when it comes to uneven lighting. That said, this was one of the reasons I held off getting a Libra, but after the frequency of reports here about such issues declined, it seems that Kobo has fixed the problems noted with the early Libras. I'm a long way from the US, and I bought sight unseen, and my Libra is just fine. This also seems to be true for most MR posters who've bought Libras in this calendar year at least.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

If MR is any guide, there have been more problems with Formas than Libras
when it comes to uneven lighting. That said, this was one of the reasons I held off getting a Libra, but after the frequency of reports here about such issues declined, it seems that Kobo has fixed the problems noted with the early Libras. I'm a long way from the US, and I bought sight unseen, and my Libra is just fine. This also seems to be true for most MR posters who've bought Libras in this calendar year at least.

My Libra (bought when released) seemed quite uneven at first, but frankly I stopped noticing it pretty quickly.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

My Libra (bought when released) seemed quite uneven at first, but frankly I stopped noticing it pretty quickly.

Thanks - that matches what I'd noticed - most of the mentions of uneven Libra lighting seemed to be in early models. "Never buy version 1.0 of anything"

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Thanks - that matches what I'd noticed - most of the mentions of uneven Libra lighting seemed to be in early models. "Never buy version 1.0 of anything"

Nah. I've bought all my ereaders since 2016 right after release (the Oasis 1, the Oasis 2 and the Oasis 3, the Nook Glowlight 2019, the Libra) and they've all been perfectly fine, apart from the slightly uneven frontlight of the Oasis 2 and the Libra. OTOH I bought my Voyage 1,5 years after release and it has the most uneven frontlight of all (otherwise it's perfectly fine too). One can get a lemon either way.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

One can get a lemon either way.

Indeed. It remains true though that from the very small and non-representative sample that is MR, there have been more complaints about Libra lighting from people who bought early than those who did not.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Indeed. It remains true though that from the very small and non-representative sample that is MR, there have been more complaints about Libra lighting from people who bought early than those who did not.

I guess the reason can also be that most MR members who bought the Libra at all bought it in the beginning. So there were more complaints then.

Anyway it was the opposite with the Oasis 3. Those who bought it upon release praised its even screen, but some of the later buyers complained about the uneven frontlight.

Eh. As always, one can get a confirmation for whatever bias one has.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Eh. As always, one can get a confirmation for whatever bias one has.

Confirmation bias is very real, but I have no bias on this issue. I did not say "early Libras had problems with the lighting, later ones did not". I drew no conclusions and made no assertions.

ALL I said was that reports here of problems with the lighting were more common from buyers of early models than otherwise. That was a simple statement of fact, it did happen that way. I was also careful to describe the sample as "small and non-representative"

[JSWolf]

What I find interesting is that the Kindle Oasis is still more expensive then the Kobo Libra H2O even when the Oasis is 20% off.

[azayn]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I find interesting is that the Kindle Oasis is still more expensive then the Kobo Libra H2O even when the Oasis is 20% off.

Well the Libra lacks some of the premium touches that the Oasis has: plastic vs metal body, indented screen, inferior frontlight. Maybe it would be more appropriate to compare the Oasis to the Forma as it's their top of the line unit. The Libra seems to straddle an odd place somewhere between the Paperwhite and the Oasis.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by azayn

One consideration about the Kobo Libra is there have been reports of uneven lighting on some units. Unless you buy from a US retailer with a good return policy, it could be risky to buy a Kobo sight unseen.

The frontlight on my Oasis 3 though is the best I've seen on any eInk device. I've played around with a Nook Glowlight Plus and Likebook Mars (returned recently) and the frontlight on the Oasis was superior to both.

The Kobo Libra H2O lighting was an issue way bad when it was released. But it's been fixed since. So now there is no issue with the light.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by rcentros

It's definitely worth replacing the battery in a Kindle Keyboard (in my opinion, anyhow).

Well, I have ordered a replacement battery for one of my Keyboards. So we will see how that goes.

The spare Keyboard that I have, that did belong to my father is going to Amazon as a trade-in for % off a new Kindle.