Libra Kobo Libra H2O - first reviews

[omro]

I bit the bullet and I bought a Libra H2O to replace my now aging Aura HD.

Initial thoughts:

Positives:
- It is significantly lighter.
- It is significantly faster.
- It is far easier to hold one handed and press the buttons to turn the pages, than to hold the Aura at the corner in such a way that you can lift up your thumb to change the page.
- The text is actually a little clearer than on the Aura.

Negatives:
- I normally have the Aura at 25% backlight, but the Libra seems a lot darker at this level.
- At higher backlight levels, the half of the screen closest to the buttons seems distinctly greyer than the side furthest away.

[nightcolors]

I finally ordered a Libra. It should get here next week, I expect. I'm going from Sony T1 to Kobo Libra. I've been doing lots of reading on old posts about what might be different, but there's so much information and I'm not even sure the posts I'm reading from years ago are still relevant? I'm trying to figure out how the collection system works for Kobos. For my T1, I can just transfer my ebooks using calibre to get them to the collection I want them to go into. Is it the same for Kobo? Thank you.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by nightcolors

I finally ordered a Libra. It should get here next week, I expect. I'm going from Sony T1 to Kobo Libra. I've been doing lots of reading on old posts about what might be different, but there's so much information and I'm not even sure the posts I'm reading from years ago are still relevant? I'm trying to figure out how the collection system works for Kobos. For my T1, I can just transfer my ebooks using calibre to get them to the collection I want them to go into. Is it the same for Kobo? Thank you.

Despite the age of this thread it should still cover what you need to do. Though visually some aspects may have changed as calibre got updates.

But yes you can use calibre to send books over and get them sorted into collections even if the collection needs to be created in the process.

ETA forgot to link the thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=193184

[69carat]

Originally Posted by omro

Is this your first Kobo? If not, how does the screen compare to earlier versions you've used?

Is it much more comfortable to hold?

It is my first Ereader ever. I like the 7" screen and it is small enough to take it everywhere in a bag.
Very light weight. I am very happy of my purchase

[Fumbar]

I bought the Libra about a week ago. I have enjoyed it very much so far. It is my first ereader.

The only issue I have had with it is that it seemed to factory reset itself about two days ago. I cannot guarantee that I did not somehow inadvertently cause it to reset as it was 5am at the time and very dark in my room. What happened was the ereader lagged a bit on a menu and mashed the page turn button. The screen then went dark. I held the power button down assuming it had turned off (the room was completely dark and I could not see the screen). When the back-light turned back on the device was resetting itself. My understanding is that you must hold down the page turn button and the power button to reset the device. The page turn button was not depressed, either by sticking nor by my pressing it down, as I pressed the power button.

Right before the device froze I noticed that the very bottom of every page was displaying the tops of the characters from the next page. The book file was a kepub. After the spontaneous reset this issue was no longer present.

Has anyone else experienced random resets or the weird "half-line displayed" bug?

This whole event worried me but I have been overall very happy with the Libra. Assuming no more issues I would recommend 100%

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Fumbar

Has anyone else experienced random resets or the weird "half-line displayed" bug?

I can't help you with the random reset but the bit I bolded has a simple explanation.

In kepubs you see the cut-off lines if you have your line spacing set too small. Increase it a bit and the problem will go away. The definition of "too small" may vary depending on your reading font of choice.

Getting the kepub renderer changed so this does not happen is an entirely different matter and probably something only Kobo could do. Don't hold your breath, though.

The problem does not seem to affect standard epubs which are read with the Adobe renderer.

[SusanReads]

Even though I loved a lot of things about the Libra, I have returned it.

I know lots of people have said to me that the screen might not be the most important thing about an e-reader. But I kept getting tired eyes and headaches after reading in the dark on the Libra for a few hours. I never had that with my Kindles, and when I switched to my Kindle Voyage I didn't have that same problem.

Now it might all be in my head, but somehow I felt as if the frontlight was more like that of a tablet/phone than that of an e-ink screen. My Kindle screens felt quieter and calmer, less grainy too.

So I ordered an Oasis 3. At first to just have an extra e-reader (one can never have enough e-readers ), but now that I've seen the difference between the screens firsthand (most noticable in the dark, but actually quite visible in any lighting except for full sunlight) I can definitely say that the Kindle screen is so much better.

Am I just that sensitive? Because not a lot of other people seem to comment on this. So I feel as if it's just me.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

Am I just that sensitive? Because not a lot of other people seem to comment on this. So I feel as if it's just me.

Even if it IS "just you", it's your money, and your reading experience, so it's only your opinion that matters. I've had two different Kobos since switching from Kindle Paperwhites last year and love them both, but if there's one thing that the MR forums make VERY clear it's that reading is an intensely personal, endlessly subjective experience. So this future Libra owner says enjoy your Kindles!

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

Even though I loved a lot of things about the Libra, I have returned it.

I know lots of people have said to me that the screen might not be the most important thing about an e-reader. But I kept getting tired eyes and headaches after reading in the dark on the Libra for a few hours. I never had that with my Kindles, and when I switched to my Kindle Voyage I didn't have that same problem.

Now it might all be in my head, but somehow I felt as if the frontlight was more like that of a tablet/phone than that of an e-ink screen. My Kindle screens felt quieter and calmer, less grainy too.

So I ordered an Oasis 3. At first to just have an extra e-reader (one can never have enough e-readers ), but now that I've seen the difference between the screens firsthand (most noticable in the dark, but actually quite visible in any lighting except for full sunlight) I can definitely say that the Kindle screen is so much better.

Am I just that sensitive? Because not a lot of other people seem to comment on this. So I feel as if it's just me.

Sorry to read that your Libra proved unsatisfying. I can believe that, although I don't have such a drastic experience myself (but then, I never read in the dark). Yes, the screen of my Oasis 3 is better than the screen of my Libra, but I wouldn't say it's much better, except in the dark. Otherwise they're pretty close, imho. Unfortunately for many people who can't keep the lights on at night, all the faults of eink screens and frontlights are especially noticeable in the dark.

[SusanReads]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Even if it IS "just you", it's your money, and your reading experience, so it's only your opinion that matters. I've had two different Kobos since switching from Kindle Paperwhites last year and love them both, but if there's one thing that the MR forums make VERY clear it's that reading is an intensely personal, endlessly subjective experience. So this future Libra owner says enjoy your Kindles!

You're absolutely right. I actually felt slightly guilty for not keeping the Libra (I'm not a big Amazon fan on principe alone). But if the screen bothers me it's better to switch to Kindles again.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Sorry to read that your Libra proved unsatisfying. I can believe that, although I don't have such a drastic experience myself (but then, I never read in the dark). Yes, the screen of my Oasis 3 is better than the screen of my Libra, but I wouldn't say it's much better, except in the dark. Otherwise they're pretty close, imho. Unfortunately for many people who can't keep the lights on at night, all the faults of eink screens and frontlights are especially noticeable in the dark.

Yes, in good lighting during the day I was fine, but in the evenings (and nights, since I read when I can't sleep) the screen made my eyes tired (could be that part's in my head, but it felt that way to me).

I still like the features Kobo offers though. But the screens of the Kindle remain my favorite. And that jailbreaking business looks pretty daunting (even if it were already possible for the Oasis 3), so I don't think I will go that far with my Kindle(s).

[mathil]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

Am I just that sensitive? Because not a lot of other people seem to comment on this. So I feel as if it's just me.

I haven't had any problems with my Libra, and to be honest I don't remember anyone ever mentioning something like this here. My screen also doesn't look grainy or 'not calm', it looks just normal. I do read at night but I keep the frontlight very low - anything over 3-4% would be too bright for me (I'm very shortsighted, so I need to keep the reader very close to my face to be able to read without glasses in bed).
With that said, if you had an issue with it you were right to return it - it's your right as a customer. It might be that the frontlight wasn't particularly good or even on your device in particular and that was more visible in the dark, or maybe you are indeed more sensitive than the average user, but user experience is very subjective. I'm not sure if you were here when the first ereaders with frontlight came out, but the debates were endless... people were returning Paperwhites two or three times before finding one that was 'good enough', frontlights that were even for one user were terrible for others the technology has much improved, but @Uncle Robin makes a very good point - it's an incredibly subjective experience. Just look at the page number thread

[SusanReads]

Originally Posted by mathil

I haven't had any problems with my Libra, and to be honest I don't remember anyone ever mentioning something like this here. My screen also doesn't look grainy or 'not calm', it looks just normal. I do read at night but I keep the frontlight very low - anything over 3-4% would be too bright for me (I'm very shortsighted, so I need to keep the reader very close to my face to be able to read without glasses in bed).
With that said, if you had an issue with it you were right to return it - it's your right as a customer. It might be that the frontlight wasn't particularly good or even on your device in particular and that was more visible in the dark, or maybe you are indeed more sensitive than the average user, but user experience is very subjective. I'm not sure if you were here when the first ereaders with frontlight came out, but the debates were endless... people were returning Paperwhites two or three times before finding one that was 'good enough', frontlights that were even for one user were terrible for others the technology has much improved, but @Uncle Robin makes a very good point - it's an incredibly subjective experience. Just look at the page number thread

The page number thread is quite hilarious actually. But I'm not joining that particular discussion.

And I've had this same issue with a Kobo Clara HD which I bought (and sold) this year. I figured it was just that device and didn't think twice to buy the Libra. But you guys are right, it is a subjective experience. I'm just a little sad a Kobo device is not for me (even though I'm quite happy with my Oasis now).

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by mathil

@Uncle Robin makes a very good point - it's an incredibly subjective experience. Just look at the page number thread

The very thread I was thinking of when I made my comment

[mathil]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

The page number thread is quite hilarious actually. But I'm not joining that particular discussion.

And I've had this same issue with a Kobo Clara HD which I bought (and sold) this year. I figured it was just that device and didn't think twice to buy the Libra. But you guys are right, it is a subjective experience. I'm just a little sad a Kobo device is not for me (even though I'm quite happy with my Oasis now).

You and me both

Then it might be something in the Kobo frontlight technology? It's fascinating, I have to say maybe now that you mentioned it other people will come forward with similar complaints. Still, if you're happy with your Oasis that's all that matters

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

You're absolutely right. I actually felt slightly guilty for not keeping the Libra (I'm not a big Amazon fan on principe alone). But if the screen bothers me it's better to switch to Kindles again.

I remember when the PW1 first came out. There were all kinds of problems with the light. blobs, color streaks, etc.

Try again. You might find the next Libra to have a screen you like.