Libra Kobo Libra H2O - first reviews

[Gone]

Originally Posted by Izalith6

Just received my Libra! Screen doesn't look green as others have said, but I have the white model. The backlight is a bit uneven, it's darker towards the grip side of the eReader, but I'm just thinking of it the way the curve of a book will effect the amount of light on the page it's not bothering me yet. My Aura One Limited Edition does have a better screen, blacks seem blacker which makes it easier to read with a dim backlight, making it easier in the eyes. The Libra however is much more responsive, ergonomic, and light weight. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adjust to the smaller screen, I like reading a large font. Overall I'm impressed with the Libra considering the price point.

Yes, me too.

I went from a Clara HD to a Libra H20.

I prefer the back of the Libra, it feels more like smooth rubber, less slippery plastic than the Clara. Of course, it is easier to hold with only one hand. And the inch more for the screen is just the perfect size for me.

[bookyboy]

Did we ever get some consensus on whether the white or black Libra H2O had less of the "green screen" thing?

[jafmaw]

Originally Posted by bookyboy

Did we ever get some consensus on whether the white or black Libra H2O had less of the "green screen" thing?

I have the black Libra; the color of the screen is never green under any conditions.

[tourneur]

I think there is just one forum member who called the black Libra's screen 'green'. Here's a side by side pic I made with the Clara. If the Libra screens are green then all the Clara screens are green too.

It also makes absolutely no sense for there being any screen tint difference between white and black Libra's. That would mean there would be some deliberate hardware difference between these two models (except the color of the plastic) and why on earth would Kobo do that. It would also only complicate production greatly.

There is however a perceived color difference due having a white or black frame around the screen.

[bookyboy]

@tourneur:

Yours looks like a really great unit for sure..

To be fair to whichever forum member you mean, I've seen video reviews also where I thought to myself the screen seemed a touch green tinged.

I've gone though enough Kobo's that I completely believe people get good/better/great/worse/bad units of the same model.

The Kobo QC is all over the map from my experience.

[tourneur]

Originally Posted by bookyboy

I've gone though enough Kobo's that I completely believe people get good/better/great/worse/bad units of the same model.

The Kobo QC is all over the map from my experience.

Yep, I agree their QC is definitely not where it should be. And the screens in Kobo ereaders could also have a slightly different tint compared to other brands.

But with regards your question if there is a difference between black and white Libra's I don't buy that. There is an optical illusion at play though which is perhaps just as strong as if there really was a hardware difference.

[Edemen]

Hello.
I don't use screen rotation, I always hold Libra so that the buttons are on the right.
Is there any way to prevent screen rotation?

[forster01]

i guess its the same as on forma - press a picture (icon on the top of the inbook meny) for a rotation and choose portrait only

[Sirtel]

I have a black Libra and the screen is green-tinged when the comfort light is off. But it's only visible in a dark or very dim room. It's not visible in daylight or in a well-lit environment, it's also not visible with the warm light on. So no, I wouldn't say it's an optical illusion. Obviously there are differences between individual screens. Perhaps there are more black units in use than whites and so more reports about the green tinge on black Libras.

[LATony]

Originally Posted by Edemen

Hello.
I don't use screen rotation, I always hold Libra so that the buttons are on the right.
Is there any way to prevent screen rotation?

Yes. Settings - Reading Settings - Reading orientation. You can choose between auto rotate, portrait, or landscape.

[Gone]

Originally Posted by bookyboy

Did we ever get some consensus on whether the white or black Libra H2O had less of the "green screen" thing?

Maybe, but you can adjust it.

See in that video, from GoodEreader comparing the Libra with Oasis : https://youtu.be/-6EzvMrjSSg?t=503

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tourneur

I think there is just one forum member who called the black Libra's screen 'green'. Here's a side by side pic I made with the Clara. If the Libra screens are green then all the Clara screens are green too.

It also makes absolutely no sense for there being any screen tint difference between white and black Libra's. That would mean there would be some deliberate hardware difference between these two models (except the color of the plastic) and why on earth would Kobo do that. It would also only complicate production greatly.

There is however a perceived color difference due having a white or black frame around the screen.

Both screens look good. My guess is the greenish tint seen in some videos is due to the lighting and the camera.

[Gone]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Both screens look good. My guess is the greenish tint seen in some videos is due to the lighting and the camera.

Mine is kind of green too.

It shows in a dark room with no ambiant lighting from the device.

[bonnerable]

TLDR: I love my Libra. White light is greenish.

I've been using my white Libra & official sleepcover for almost a month now and here are the things I like and don't like so far.

I'm upgrading from Glo HD so there will be some comparison between the two.
I also used to have an Inkbook Prime HD (IPHD) which was supposedly the replacement/upgrade for my Glo hd. Unfortunately, I cracked the screen in less than a week's time. There'll be some comparison between it & the Libra as well.

LIKES:

Sunken screen
- No unwanted touches to the screen even when holding on the thin bezel side; with the IPHD my fingers were straining in holding the bezels so as not to touch the screen;
- No glare from the bezels; with the IPHD the black bezels produces glare which gives me headache

Comfortlight
- The orange light is a joy to use which is the main reason I've upgraded from the Glo HD and I don't notice any unevenness on my unit (or decide for yourself with my pics); BTW the white light is greenish compared to my Glo HD but not a deal breaker

Faster UI & latest firmware
- The UI feels faster. Also, the latest firmware now has the ability to turn off page numbers for full screen reading.

Screen size
- I find the 7" screen to be optimal. A compromise between portability and more screen space. Comics are now more readable compared to 6". Even the PDF formatted novels are also readable so I don't convert them anymore to epub.

White Frame Color
- Initially I preferred the black as white looks nice but I'm assuming might be distracting -- apparently not at all; Even when the room lights are off, all I can mostly see is the illuminated screen and the light bouncing off from the white frame is very faint. Also, the white went well with the pink cover and my vinyl stickers.


DISLIKES:

Weight & Size
- I find it heavy even without a cover; I was originally eyeing for the Pocketbook Touch HD 3 at 155grams but the prices I paid for the Libra & the cover were really tempting
- The bezel with the page turn buttons could have been made smaller, maybe reduce it by 25%

Limited storage
- 8GB feels insufficient now that I'm loading more comics. I upgraded my Glo HD's internal sd to 32GB and my late IPHD has a card slot. I don't mind losing water resistance to having an upgradable storage.

Official Sleepcover
- The fold easily got flimsy; I was only able to use the stand functionality a few times
- The faux leather layer is thin (though the hard card material inside is thick) and the corners fray easily


NEUTRAL:
Shape
- I really wanted page turn buttons but the shape needs getting used to

No dropbox integration
- The forma has it and hopefully it gets cascaded to lower models; it's not a dealbreaker but will be a welcome addition

All in all, I really love using my libra. The dislikes are something I can live with and the likes brought so much more value for me.

Attached are some pics:
* Bought some vinyl wall stickers at a local hardware and it cut for the libra's front & back
* Side by side as well with my Glo HD

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by bonnerable

TLDR: I love my Libra. White light is greenish.

Thanks for confirming the green tinge is not limited to black Libras.

Personally I don't find the Libra heavy at all, but then I use it without a cover (keep those smelling salts at hand, JSWolf ) and I was used to the Oasis 2 before. I agree the greenish tint is not a dealbreaker, as it can be rectified with the comfort light, and I too find the 7'' screen to be the perfect size. My 7.8'' Nook is a bit too large and heavy for me.

I've found myself using the Libra more than my other readers. I still like the Oases very much, but the Libra is more comfortable to hold and the screen is almost as good (except for the uneven light). So I've been grabbing the Libra for my reading sessions lately. Now if only the Oasis was made of comfy plastic instead of cold slippery aluminum... what a stupid decision from Amazon that was.