A word of caution about third-party sleep covers

[MGlitch]

So back on topic, we always are saying there’s no reason to power off your Kobo. Sleep is the preferred state since it consumes very little energy. And even with tinkering I rarely power off the Sage.

Is the design of the case silly sure. But is the design horrible? Nah. Honestly I wish the Libra 2 cover had less of an impression where the button is, but such is life.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

So back on topic, we always are saying there’s no reason to power off your Kobo. Sleep is the preferred state since it consumes very little energy. And even with tinkering I rarely power off the Sage.

Is the design of the case silly sure. But is the design horrible? Nah. Honestly I wish the Libra 2 cover had less of an impression where the button is, but such is life.

But then here's my thought process:

Current firmware seems to be pretty buggy as per the thread on it.

Easiest fix when bugs crop up is to restart.

This thread started as removing the reader from a third party cover was difficult. But you really needn't remove your reader from the cover very often unless the cover designer does something stupid, like block the power button.

So who is causing more trouble to the end user?

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

But then here's my thought process:

Current firmware seems to be pretty buggy as per the thread on it.

Easiest fix when bugs crop up is to restart.

This thread started as removing the reader from a third party cover was difficult. But you really needn't remove your reader from the cover very often unless the cover designer does something stupid, like block the power button.

So who is causing more trouble to the end user?

The third party cover since it’s difficult to remove. Previous firmware cam be installed and firmware has been fairly bug free for awhile now at least beyond requiring forced reboots. Even then the official sleep cover slides off easily.

[Burblebup]

Originally Posted by AnimalOfArt

Always make sure you buy a TPU cover with an elastic shell.

That looks like what I bought, and I was able to take it off a few times without any hassle. And yet that one time, it got caught in the seam of the Sage's back case and nearly pulled it apart, which is a no no for me. Either way, the Sage's magnetic back is far superior and easier to take out.

[Burblebup]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

The third party cover since it’s difficult to remove. Previous firmware cam be installed and firmware has been fairly bug free for awhile now at least beyond requiring forced reboots. Even then the official sleep cover slides off easily.

Yes, it is so easy to remove the Sage (even though I haven't had to yet) that the absence of a hole for the button (I can see both why they did it and why it is potentially a design flaw) is a minor consideration. Also, as the sleepcover function works properly on this one, I don't need to turn it off and use the power button like with the third party cover. And it maintains the sleek feel of the Sage without added bulk, too.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

The third party cover since it’s difficult to remove. Previous firmware cam be installed and firmware has been fairly bug free for awhile now at least beyond requiring forced reboots. Even then the official sleep cover slides off easily.

But of course there is no need to remove the Sage from a third party cover to restart as that cover will leave the power button accessible.

Originally Posted by Burblebup

(I can see both why they did it and why it is potentially a design flaw)

Potentially?

Also, as the sleepcover function works properly on this one, I don't need to turn it off and use the power button...

Until you do of course. There is a difference between putting it to sleep and powering it off.

Look, you like the cover. Bully for you. Perhaps it is a good case in spite of the poor design. But defending a cover that is not properly designed for the reader and dismissing it away criticisms with 'they knew what they were doing' just feels like someone has already drunk the Kool-Aid.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Potentially?

Yes, potentially. Personally, I didn't notice that the power button was covered until days after getting the Sage and its cover. The device has been in my wife's hands since before Christmas, and so far she hasn't had any need to use it.

From one point of view, it is a nice sleek cover that has no unnecessary holes that could get caught on something. That should make it stronger and last longer. And it also means that people aren't accidentally putting the device to sleep, or worse, turning it off, because of how they hold it. Or playing with the button.

So, I think "potentially" is a good word to describe this. I know that you won't agree with that. But, there are reasons why this is a sensible design.

[Burblebup]

Off the top of my head, I would sum up the pros and cons as follows:

Official cover

Pros:
 Excellent quality, designed by the manufacturer for a perfect fit
 Reader held in magnetically, making it easy to remove
 SleepCover function works perfectly
 Maintains the dimensions of the reader
 Marginally lighter than unofficial cover

Cons:
 Expensive
 No button hole
 Not a wrap-over cover, so sides exposed and higher risk of damage if dropped
 Lack of design choices (two colours only)

Unofficial cover

Pros:
 Decent enough generic quality, designed for a good fit
 Cheaper than official cover
 Button hole
 Plenty of design choices (range of colours and patterns)
 Wrap-over cover with rubber bits on the corners, possibly providing better protection if dropped

Cons:
 Rim of wrap-over cover has the potential to pull open the device
 SleepCover function sometimes fails due to ill-fitting magnets, meaning battery drains overnight
 Adds bulk to the reader
 Marginally heavier than official cover

[Burblebup]

I think I have given them both a fair-enough appraisal to inform those undecided which to get.

[Burblebup]

P.S. I have listed the lack of a button hole as a con, but really I don't think it's an issue if your Sage and cover are working properly. But it's true that if you have a glitchy reader that needs to be frequently restarted, or the PowerCover function on your cover doesn't work well for whatever reason, then it would indeed be a con. Oh, and for those who read in the bath (not me, personally), the official cover will make your life easier. as you won't have to peel off the cover each time.

[BiliBug]

I think it's interesting that the official cover with the magnetic attachment is lighter than the 3rd party rubber shell cases. I guess the difference in the edge covering comes into play. The official case for the Kindle Voyage also attached to the device magnetically. While it provided easy removal, I found that the metal plate in the back of the cover added substantial weight.

One nice feature of that case was that while it did cover the power button on the back of the Voyage, it had its own button extension, kind of like what you would see on a phone case, so that the power button was still usable. I would prefer that to the actual cutout present on most 3rd party cases.

[Burblebup]

Originally Posted by BiliBug

I think it's interesting that the official cover with the magnetic attachment is lighter than the 3rd party rubber shell cases. I guess the difference in the edge covering comes into play. The official case for the Kindle Voyage also attached to the device magnetically. While it provided easy removal, I found that the metal plate in the back of the cover added substantial weight.

One nice feature of that case was that while it did cover the power button on the back of the Voyage, it had its own button extension, kind of like what you would see on a phone case, so that the power button was still usable. I would prefer that to the actual cutout present on most 3rd party cases.

The unofficial SleepCover (at least the one I bought) is marginally heavier, by 5 grams or so, I seem to recall (can't remember exactly). But yeah, I guess it's the extra bulk on the sides.