Got my new Oasis today, first impressions

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Don't forget the lightest Kindle at 161g. If weight is more important than light.

Indeed. It's light because of its lack of light .

[jscris]

Originally Posted by Barty

Can someone with both new oasis and voyage comment on contrast? I saw a reddit thread where a few people reported their voyage has better contrast, specifically, the text is darker on the voyage using same font and size. They compensate by using the bold option. That's disappointing, considering the price.

Yes, it is disappointing. The light seems very even on my KOA2 but I have to admit, in comparison, the Voyage has a denser black. It's unfortunate because that's a major reason why I wanted the KOA2, combined with the larger screen.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by jscris

Yes, it is disappointing. The light seems very even on my KOA2 but I have to admit, in comparison, the Voyage has a denser black. It's unfortunate because that's a major reason why I wanted the KOA2, combined with the larger screen.

I don't see it myself, but doesn't the fact that you can now choose five different levels of "Boldness" matter more? If find that setting the boldness up a notch makes a tremendous difference to readability.

[jscris]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't see it myself, but doesn't the fact that you can now choose five different levels of "Boldness" matter more? If find that setting the boldness up a notch makes a tremendous difference to readability.

I haven't updated to the latest fw and haven't used it much because I don't have a cover yet. It's really not comfortable to hold without a cover, imho. I should have a cover by the end of the week. I hope the boldness doesn't make for less sharpness, but that sounds likely and I don't know what that would do in night mode. A denser black would be very nice in night mode. That would be a contrast adjustment, I assume.

[Derek87]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Thanks for your thorough report. I am particularly interested in your comments about reading while lying in bed as I do the same.

How does the Oasis feel weight-wise compared to the PW3? I was hoping the ergonomic/assymetric balance would make it feel lighter, but reading your post, it seems this is not the case? Does the Oasis actually feel heavier than your PW3? Thanks!

hi Odazimu,

it's strange: true to spec. if you pick up the Oasis, it feels lighter than the PW3. yet, in several different attempts to try it out yesterday, i kept coming back to the fact that it made my hand sore after reading it for more than 10-15 minutes. i've tried a bunch of different grips, but in the end, i have the same issue.

one reason for upgrading from the PW3 is that i thought that the asymmetric design would make holding the kindle more comfortable. but as it turns out, whether i am gripping it too firmly or the balance just affects my grip, i am finding it uncomfortable even after a short period of time. the PW3 was never super comfortable, but i somehow managed to read with it in bed, even when sick, which means i was able to by swapping hands read for at least 2-3 hours straight without leaving my hands hurting/aching.

this morning, in a fit of spontaneity, i decided to order a refurbished 1st gen Oasis from Amazon. it is my hope that by shaving a few ounces, it will be comfortable to read in bed while lying on my back (i do have concerns that a refurbished unit may have lighting issues, but i'll cross that bridge when i come to it).

if that doesn't work out, i guess i'll stick to the PW3 although i think after seeing the very even, milky white (even with the slight gradient) display of the KO2, it will be hard to return to my comparatively splotchy PW3 screen. i also might be willing to give a Voyage a try if a good deal appears on Black Friday or Cyber Monday (i think it hit $150 last year).

i'll try the Oasis 2 a couple more nights (while i wait for the Oasis 1), but i'm pretty sure i'm going to have to return the Oasis 2. if my primary reading wasn't lying on m back reading in bed, i would definitely keep it. but seeing that this is my primary method of reading, i'm not willing to cope with my hands hurting after using the kindle for a modest period of time.

[HarryT]

Interesting how we all experience things differently. For me, the fact that most of the weight of the KO2 is in the "bulge" makes it really comfortable to hold!

[jscris]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Interesting how we all experience things differently. For me, the fact that most of the weight of the KO2 is in the "bulge" makes it really comfortable to hold!

I usually prop mine, anyway, on a pillow or book holder, but I tried holding it just to see and found it extremely slippery.

[radamo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Interesting how we all experience things differently. For me, the fact that most of the weight of the KO2 is in the "bulge" makes it really comfortable to hold!

I have found the same to be true for me.

[Derek87]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Interesting how we all experience things differently. For me, the fact that most of the weight of the KO2 is in the "bulge" makes it really comfortable to hold!

I completely agree. screen uniformity and comfort seem to vary a huge amount between the different members on this board.

i still am befuddled (being an engineer/scientist) in how this KO2 could be less comfortable than the PW3, but it is somehow is even after repeated attempts and reading sessions this weekend.

before this experience, i was absolutely convinced that the KO1 was the device for me based on its lightness (but i was gun-shy to purchase give the $290 price tag and reports of lighting issues). so, i am trying to keep my expectations low for the KO1 on its way to me. (for $199, if it somehow turns out satisfactory for comfort and lighting, i'll be really pleased)

that being said, i think the KO2 would be fantastic if it weren't for my reading habits/posture. reading on the sofa, the KO2 is very comfortable and light, and if i could read sitting up in bed, i'd be fine too. but because of some pinched nerve issues, i have to sleep/read lying on my back, so that makes my e-reader usage very restricted and thus my preferences on the very far side of the pickiness scale.

[rem736]

Originally Posted by Derek87

i still am befuddled (being an engineer/scientist) in how this KO2 could be less comfortable than the PW3, but it is somehow is even after repeated attempts and reading sessions this weekend.

the aluminum casing around reader that extend to the sides level with the surface can be a little sharp compared to holding something that's a plastic/rubber composite. i also have the nook glowlight plus (aluminum back extending to screen level on the sides as well) and the edges are definitely sharper. holding it with the meaty part of your thumb/palm pressing against the edge will leave a mark after a bit.

[Derek87]

Originally Posted by rem736

the aluminum casing around reader that extends to the sides level with the surface can be a little sharp compared to holding something that's a plastic/rubber composite. i also have the nook glowlight plus (aluminum back extending to screen level on the sides as well) and the edges are definitely sharper. holding it with the meaty part of your thumb/palm pressing against the edge will leave a mark after a bit.

interesting...

my issue isn't really with sharp edges, but i find my muscles/tendons in my hand start aching after a short period of reading while lying on my back. i'm sure we all have different reading postures and hand holds. for whatever reason i haven't found one that works for me with the KO2.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't see it myself, but doesn't the fact that you can now choose five different levels of "Boldness" matter more? If find that setting the boldness up a notch makes a tremendous difference to readability.

For me it's the same, upping the boldness really helps. But it does reduce the sharpness of fonts somewhat and I can see how it would bother people who are sensitive to such things. It doesn't bother me personally.

[Atunah]

I don't see any reduction in sharpness on my KO2. I compared it now side by side with my Voyage, KO1 with various settings and its about the same. With or without bold. Same sharpness, same contrast. The backround on the KO2 has a wee bit of a different tone than my KO1, but it doesn't affect anything.

I guess as always, screens vary.

[Avwriter]

Originally Posted by Derek87

Finally got mine after much waffling and reading all the input on this thread.

Buying tips/experiences:
- bought mine through Amazon Prime Now. based on what i found on Reddit, i became aware that they often have several models available there immediately.
(also, when i was at the Amazon Book store in San Jose last weekend, the staff told me they had all models in stock with a range of 2-8 in quantity, but i wasn't ready to pull the trigger at that point. but if you have a pop up store near you, that might be a faster way to get a new Oasis too)
- as suggested somewhere else, i also initiating a chat session asking if they could transfer my "special offers removed" from my Paperwhite. the rep said they would make a one time exception for me being a loyal customer, and removed the special offers on my Oasis while keeping them off of my PW as well!

First impressions:

Good:
- no splotches or cones on this screen nor pinholes, etc. i had to go through 3 PWs to get the one i currently have, and in comparison the Oasis is still significantly better than my PW3 in this regard. the PW3 was acceptable, but now in comparison, i can see the obvious improvement. the screen is beautiful.
- new font options without using RAMP kludge (of course this is on the PW3 too but i like this enhancement ... i haven't found the use of the bold options yet, but i may explore them with other fonts beyond Bookerly at some point)
- the screen size increase is probably the most surprising benefit. i didn't think going up 1" would be that big a deal. this is the tied for the biggest benefit with the clean background relative to my PW3.
- construction with aluminum: i don't have an issues with the edges being too sharp although i would agree they could have rounded things more (see apple devices). but the device feels very solid and well built. and thankfully, the "cold touch" doesn't bother this guy with generally very warm hands.

Bad/Ugly:
- slight gradient in light intensity diminishing from thick side to thin side and a very very slight yellowing tint emerges in certain scenarios on the furthest edge on the thin side. honestly, for me, i'm on the borderline OCD here...i probably wouldn't have noticed it if i hadn't been looking for it (and read about it on the web :\) . and because it's all subjective and variable from unit to unit, i think its hard to measure by photograph and comparing with others on the web. the only way to come up with a somewhat objective comparison is to look at several units side by side in person with other folks on the forum (which is not possible). i think the acceptability of this will be in the eye of the beholder. interestingly, i do see that this gradient white to yellow is more evident in dim lighting than during daytime nor in complete darkness (the latter is how i typically read). it may have to do with the way our home's family room lighting is that causes the issue to be more prevalent.
- "Waking up" ... this is really annoying and a surprising change coming from my PW3 which for all intents and purposes comes up instantly when i open my cover or hit the "power button" (i usually keep my PW3 out of case at home and i don't have a case for the Oasis yet). did they implement a more aggressive power saving mode for the Oasis? i will ultimately come to live with this, but i am hoping that maybe that this long delay can be fixed/improved in a future firmware update.
- the jury is still out on comfort holding it in bed. and this is a big concern for me. i posted a couple weeks ago asking about how people hold it. i read on my back in bed and then hold the kindle over my head. not completely over my head, but sort of at an angle maybe over my neck/upper chest. last night, i couldn't really find a very comfortable way to hold the device, especially to make use of the page turning buttons. time will tell, but right now, this is perhaps my biggest sticking point.

this comfort issue is sticking point that may lead me to return the Oasis is if i can't find a comfortable way to hold it. i think i'll just have to try using it and see if i can come up with a good grip that works for lying in bed. (reading in chair at a table isn't an issue). i had long been interested in the original Oasis for its ridiculously light weight, but all the issues with very uneven lighting and cone effects both written about here and in other forums and a couple i saw on display kept me from dropping $290 on one. i did see Amazon occasionally has refurbished ones for sale for $199 from time to time. it might be worth trying one of those out to see if i get lucky for the lighting issue.

(aside: i typically hold my PW3 with one hand forming an L with my thumb and pointer finger and then rest the other three fingers behind...it works, but i often have to switch my hands due to fatigue. i was hoping to avoid this fatigue or discomfort with the Oasis and it's asymmetric balance)

on the flip side, the Oasis 2 is a winner for me just by virtue of the bigger screen. i was surprised to be wowed by that difference, but it's huge. of course, maybe that is coming at the cost of finding a comfortable grip/balance in my hand.

time will tell... i am willing to give this a shot for a few more days, if not a couple of weeks, but i need to figure out how to hold it comfortably. if so, then i think i can live with the small color/brightness gradient. even with that gradient, i would say the screen is superior to my PW3 (without even considering the bigger screen size). but of course at the price difference, it better be a nicer screen...

Thank you for the very detailed review. One of the best on this thread.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by Derek87

... it's strange: true to spec. if you pick up the Oasis, it feels lighter than the PW3

I was hoping you’d say that.

... yet, in several different attempts to try it out yesterday, i kept coming back to the fact that it made my hand sore after reading it for more than 10-15 minutes. i've tried a bunch of different grips, but in the end, i have the same issue.

one reason for upgrading from the PW3 is that i thought that the asymmetric design would make holding the kindle more comfortable. but as it turns out, whether i am gripping it too firmly or the balance just affects my grip, i am finding it uncomfortable even after a short period of time.

And I was hoping you would not say that

... this morning, in a fit of spontaneity, i decided to order a refurbished 1st gen Oasis from Amazon. it is my hope that by shaving a few ounces, it will be comfortable to read in bed while lying on my back (i do have concerns that a refurbished unit may have lighting issues, but i'll cross that bridge when i come to it).

I love the light weight and ergonomics of the Oasis 1, though my screen does have faint light cones and a slight gradient. But I can read on it longer without my hands hurting than I can with my Voyage because of the ergonomics.

I have been tempted by the Oasis 2 because of reports of great screens, but it sounds like there’s some variability there, and I suspect the O2 will be too heavy for me

Incidentally, I use a nifty strap that makes it much easier to hold Kindles (and smartphones and tablets): https://www.amazon.com/TFY-Security-...004705-5862604 and https://www.amazon.com/TFY-Security-...004705-5862604

Thanks for all your insights. Hope your new Oasis 1 is a keeper!