Aura NEW Kobo Aura Impressions Thread!

[mr_nihilism]

Originally Posted by revs

How do you find it weight wise compared to the Aura?

The Aura is just so darn light that the jump to the HD is noticeable, but it's something I quickly got used too. It is worth pointing out though that there is no grip surface on the back of the AuraHD and it can be slippery. I cannot really hold it in one hand unless the bottom corner is resting in the center of my palm to support it from slipping out of my hand like a wet fish.

Still, the screen is superior and the lighting is as well. Reading just feels better on it.

Originally Posted by Chocky

Not perfect, still got the lines at the top of the screen, but only noticeable in bright sunlight, so I will see if I can live with it for a few days.

If not, then it will be returned.

No leakage or pin holes though.

Has anybody NOT had this problem?

[Twyn]

I ended up buying an Aura online to be able to return it and get my money back if I was not satisfied (french law for online bought items). And I will in fact return it tomorrow.

The screen capacitive touchscreen is very nice, the light is good (no pinhole). In terms of contrast and screen color, the Aura is not better in my opinion than my PRS-650 or my Kobo Mini, even worse for the characters sharpness. But good enough to keep it anyway.

Then I used it with my bedside lamp and I got the pattern problem (probably made worse by the fact my lamp is a LED lamp). It's a really disturbing pattern, the top part of the screen becomes difficult to focus on, almost painful for the eyes. The Aura (or at least my Aura) is unusable for me.

My initial plan was to get a Glo instead, then I noticed the thread on the pattern problem was about the Glo. So I'm left without a backlit ereader for now. Perhaps I'll take a look at what Bookeen has to offer...

[Ripplinger]

The pattern problem from that thread on the Glo is different than the pattern on the Aura. On the Glo it seems to be a defective screen for those seeing it. I have a Glo and there's absolutely nothing like it on my reader at all... not from any angle, any exterior light source, nor any brightness setting for the Glo light. The Aura though seems to have a diamond-shaped pattern across the entire screen as part of the device (possibly from the capacitive touch layer?), which is visible (and annoying to some) depending on the light source, viewing angle, eyesight, etc.

I'd suggest trying to take a look at a Glo. Or since you can freely return it if purchased online, you might try it. I think the Glo has the best light out there between all the front-lit readers available (even across the screen, no color blotches) and the hardware is about as perfect as you can get.

[Twyn]

The pattern problem I have on my Aura is the same as the one described in the Glo thread: a "brushed sparkling effect" on the top 20% of the screen (hard to describe).
The diamond-shaped pattern on the entire screen did not bother me at all since it is very very small.

Perhaps I'll try the Glo anyway like you said, but the pattern problem seemed quite frequent from what I read (in the problem's thread, perhaps that's why ).

[rxmom03]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

Has anybody NOT had this problem?

I don't have the best eyesight (main reason I bought my first ereader) but I can't find any pinpricks on my screen (I have turned the light up high 3-4 times and looked specifically for that) and I can't see the lines that people talk about. I love my Aura and wouldn't trade it for anything (the Kobo bookstore is a whole different subject!).

Mary

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Twyn

The pattern problem I have on my Aura is the same as the one described in the Glo thread: a "brushed sparkling effect" on the top 20% of the screen (hard to describe).

I have the same effect in a small area on my Aura HD, but it's only visible if I turn up the light very high, like 80% or more (which I never do, so it didn't bother me).

It looks as if someone painted "light" onto the screen with a brush, but only a few strokes.

I think that this is not a "serial problem" of the Aura (HD) or the Glo but a manufacturing defect - at least what I have is.

[mystika1]

I also have the Kobo Glo and my screen has no flaws. I really enjoy reading on it.

Penny

[Lyn2012]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

Has anybody NOT had this problem?

My Aura has no pin holes, and even though I have tried under all lighting conditions, I can't see any lines.

The one thing I do have is that the top 1" of the screen can appear slightly brighter than the rest of the screen. The first day or two this bothered me, but to be honest, after a week I either no longer notice it or the effect has virtually disappeared.

I did take my Aura into Smiths to compare with the one on display and found that my screen was quite a bit lighter (without light on). IMO the difference in screen lightness seems to vary from device to device whether you are looking at Sony, Kindle or Kobo readers.

While I could see the difference in sharpness and screen colour between the Aura and Aura HD, I much prefer the size, level screen, capacitive touch and weight of the Aura so will definitely be keeping it. I just wish the ultra slim eBay cases would hurry up and appear.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by mystika1

I also have the Kobo Glo and my screen has no flaws. I really enjoy reading on it.

Penny

Same here, my Glo is perfect and beautiful.

[anacreon]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

The Aura is just so darn light that the jump to the HD is noticeable, but it's something I quickly got used too. It is worth pointing out though that there is no grip surface on the back of the AuraHD and it can be slippery. I cannot really hold it in one hand unless the bottom corner is resting in the center of my palm to support it from slipping out of my hand like a wet fish.

Still, the screen is superior and the lighting is as well. Reading just feels better on it.

I did consider the Aura on first reports, because of my HD's weight and slipperiness, but I decided to try a skin first (Decalgirl's matte black woodgrain). It definitely improves my hold, so I do read one handed fairly frequently and long - small arthritic hands notwithstanding.

I had read that it was easy to apply, but I had difficulties with the front part so it is far from perfect there (I'm never good for those things and should have waited for competent hands). Since I chose matte black, it doesn't show too much though. Also it eliminates any reflections and doesn't show finger traces like the original surface does, so I kept the front skin, warts and all.

I am not impressed with the quality of the aura as seen on this thread and others, and think I'll wait for a lightweight 6" with the definition and screen quality of the HD - unless I'm seduced when manipulating the real thing, but I doubt it.

[93terp]

Originally Posted by Noritje

Been reading this thread for a while. I lost my kobo Glo few weeks back, left it a hotel and when called they said nothing was found. I am pretty sure it was there but oh well.

Noritje - I have a brand new Kobo Glo that I'm selling. PM me if you are interested.

[slantybard]

Originally Posted by Twyn

Then I used it with my bedside lamp and I got the pattern problem (probably made worse by the fact my lamp is a LED lamp). It's a really disturbing pattern, the top part of the screen becomes difficult to focus on, almost painful for the eyes. The Aura (or at least my Aura) is unusable for me.

Just out of curiosity, why were you using the bedside lamp to read instead of the built in light on the Aura? If you prefer to use external light sources, then I suggest that none of the current frontlight e-readers would suite you. There are some really nice high contrast e-readers without a light available.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by slantybard

Just out of curiosity, why were you using the bedside lamp to read instead of the built in light on the Aura? If you prefer to use external light sources, then I suggest that none of the current frontlight e-readers would suite you. There are some really nice high contrast e-readers without a light available.

Not Twyn but I prefer a bedside light when available. I bought the Aura HD to see if I liked the light. I don't like the Aura HD aesthetically either, but it is probably due to it's software quirks that I find it looks uglier every time I use it. I do like the mini though so go figure.

Helen

[Twyn]

Same here, I prefer to use the bedside when I can (easier on the eyes).
I use the built in light when my wife is trying to sleep.

[meeera]

I find bedtime reading most comfortable when I have my LED lamp pointed off to the ceiling for diffuse dim light, and my Glo on at minimum or near-minimum.