Kindle Voyage - First Impressions

Originally Posted by Drew0020

A rep called me as well. I accepted the exchange. New unit will be here tomorrow. The defective (I hope) is going directly to the Amazon labs for review. This sounds like a good thing, but I am still stunned at how this happened in the first place.

I will update everyone on my replacement unit tomorrow. I will give Amazon credit for the phone call and the 1 day turn-around time. They quickly corrected a big customer service issue.

They also did that for a few people here in the MR forum during the PW1 and/or PW2 roll out. They kept telling them they would hand pick good units to send them. I hope they get you a good one.

[Drew0020]

Originally Posted by jswinden

They also did that for a few people here in the MR forum during the PW1 and/or PW2 roll out. They kept telling them they would hand pick good units to send them. I hope they get you a good one.

I didn't know that. If the replacement is bad (and I really believe they all have this "feature") then I am getting my money back. I just think some people don't notice it for whatever reason.

[judith009]

I didn't notice it at all at first. But after learning about it here, now it's constantly noticeable and annoying for me. Especially at night, it almost seems like the eyes have to adjust to the color difference when jumping from the bottom to the top of the screen.

I'm curious to hear if the replacement devices still have issues.

Did anyone confirm what caused this problem on the previous models?

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by judith009

I didn't notice it at all at first. But after learning about it here, now it's constantly noticeable and annoying for me. Especially at night, it almost seems like the eyes have to adjust to the color difference when jumping from the bottom to the top of the screen.

I'm curious to hear if the replacement devices still have issues.

Did anyone confirm what caused this problem on the previous models?

There hasn't been a previous model of the Voyage and the PW1 used a different screen. Most of the issues were fixed with the PW2. Yes there is still a small amount of shadowing at the bottom of the screen but the bulk of the screen is a uniform colour. This issue is new.

Originally Posted by judith009

I didn't notice it at all at first. But after learning about it here, now it's constantly noticeable and annoying for me. Especially at night, it almost seems like the eyes have to adjust to the color difference when jumping from the bottom to the top of the screen.

I'm curious to hear if the replacement devices still have issues.

Did anyone confirm what caused this problem on the previous models?

I think the most likely cause for the PW1 was the poorly designed and/or manufactured light layer which was supposed to distribute light evenly along the entire surface of itself. It failed miserable in doing that. There will always be some variations in light distribution, but that particular light layer was really bad a distributing light evenly. The PW2 was much improved, but the main issue it had (to me anyway) was that the light layer slightly blurred the text. The PW1 also blurred the text a bit. Kindles without light layers had sharper text. So we assume that the light layer sitting above the text was causing the blur to text.

[pghaworth]

I'm still experimenting with my Voyage, even though it has to go back because of the screen. I was hoping it was my tired eyes, but the issue persists. I'm having an easier time holding it, but I also took a bunch of Aleve and that does help. I will still need a silicone case so that I can hold it more easily sans pain pills.

[treadlightly]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

I'm still experimenting with my Voyage, even though it has to go back because of the screen. I was hoping it was my tired eyes, but the issue persists. I'm having an easier time holding it, but I also took a bunch of Aleve and that does help. I will still need a silicone case so that I can hold it more easily sans pain pills.

Have you considered using something that holds the device for you? I use a CoylCushion when sitting, eating or lying down so I am hands-free while reading. There are other similar products out there.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Psykhe

Not exactly. Some people complain that they cannot turn off the light.

I.e. I've seen someone write that he wants to turn off the light during daytime because it annoys his eyes. Considering the light of the PW2 is at lowest setting so dim that it is basically not usable for reading in a completely dark room I find that a bit "make-believe". A white paper reflects during daytime more light than a PW2 emits at lowest brightness.

What about:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=238855
and
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=212162

Someone has also opened a reader up and inserted an additional resistor in series with the LEDs, but I can not find that post at the moment.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

Have you considered using something that holds the device for you? I use a CoylCushion when sitting, eating or lying down so I am hands-free while reading. There are other similar products out there.

I have something similar already. That's the only way I can hold my PW1 because it's defective and does page turns from the top, left, and right bezels. I thought I was hitting the screen until I had my hand fully on the left bezel only, and it turned the page when I shifted my position slightly on the bezel. I have watched it happen from the top bezel and the right bezel, as well. I like to read and hold my Kindles, with page turn buttons right at my fingertips, and within easy reach. With fibro and carpal, repetitive, unnecessary movements tire you and cause pain ultimately.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by negris123

An amazon customer rep called me (without me requesting a call) yesterday after seeing my review on their voyage page. They supposedly had a way of getting a replacement to me sooner. I already got a refund when they told me it would take another month to get a replacement. I would had tried a replacement at first but after reading all the reviews and looking at all the pictures I am convinced that many devices (if not all of them) look like this. There is no point in getting a replacement. At least, I am not willing to take that chance. This is the first time I have a customer rep call me, clearly Amazon is on high alert about this.

I was called by an Amazon rep (as was another user on here) in my dealings with the PW1. I can't even remember how many he sent me, 6 or 7, I'd say. After trying maybe 3 or 4 he told me they were talking to their techs and working with the lab and they had resolved it and that I would be happy with the next one they sent. I give them credit for trying, but it never happened and I never received a good one. Every one suffered the same issues. I'm not trying to be a downer, I'm just saying if anyone else receives this type of call don't get your hopes up.

I do really hope this time is different and people taking up their offer for replacements get good ones.

[mr_nihilism]

Originally Posted by SCION

After using the device in different reading conditions I decided the defect is not acceptable. It's noticeable. Period.

Spoke to Amazon (love how they call you in 5 minutes!) and told the representative about the discoloration. She didn't sound surprised. Leads me to believe the reps have been put on alert. Of course she promptly offered to send me a replacement, but it's out of stock (sounded like she knew this already, but went through the motion of checking anyway). Because she can't send a replacement, she issued a refund without me asking. Just like that. Advised me to place an order for another Voyage scheduled to ship end of November, which I did. Received two emails immediately after the call ended. A confirmation of the refund and a return shipping label.

Consistently amazing customer service. You get 30 days to return the device, so I'll keep using it for the time being. Perhaps the November ship date will be bumped up.

That really is impressive. The service that is.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by jswinden

For those of you who remember and had the Sony PRS-300 and/or PRS-350, then you might remember that some of them came with a custom made Case Logic zippered, protective case. I still have my case and the case dwarfs the Voyage, so the Voyage is definitely quite a bit smaller than the old Sony 5" screen readers. See attached photos.

......

How does the K4NT look in the same case?

[SCION]

Originally Posted by negris123

An amazon customer rep called me (without me requesting a call) yesterday after seeing my review on their voyage page. They supposedly had a way of getting a replacement to me sooner. I already got a refund when they told me it would take another month to get a replacement. I would had tried a replacement at first but after reading all the reviews and looking at all the pictures I am convinced that many devices (if not all of them) look like this. There is no point in getting a replacement. At least, I am not willing to take that chance. This is the first time I have a customer rep call me, clearly Amazon is on high alert about this.

Because of this post and others similar, I called Amazon this morning. Informed them I found it disconcerting that people who posted critical reviews on their site were contacted directly and offered early replacements (although the item is out of stock), yet I was not when I spoke with someone. The person claimed ignorance and escalated the call. The second person boldly stated no such thing could occur; Amazon doesn't directly reach out to people who write reviews. Told her I wasn't buying that, more than a handful of folks have claimed the same thing, surely they aren't making this up. She then escalated the call and lo and behold the next person said, stock has become available sooner than expected. And to expect shipment (of the replacement) the first week of November.

Here's the follow-up email I received after the call:
"Hello ...,

I've set a reminder to e-mail you back regarding our conversation today about the replacement Kindle's shipping details.

I appreciate your patience while I continue to work on this matter.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Best regards,
..."

Originally Posted by j.p.s

How does the K4NT look in the same case?

Sorry but I don't have a K4NT to test with the case. I had one a couple of years ago and going strictly from memory I think it was considerably bigger than the Voyager is now. But memory is something I don't trust much at my age!

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Sorry but I don't have a K4NT to test with the case. I had one a couple of years ago and going strictly from memory I think it was considerably bigger than the Voyager is now. But memory is something I don't trust much at my age!

They're actually quite close in size. The Voyage seems to be a tad wider. I tried putting it into the K4NT case, but it wouldn't fit and there was no way I was going to force it.