Pocketbook Era first look

[trekk]

I ordered my second device. I hope it will turn out better.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by trekk

I ordered my second device. I hope it will turn out better.

Hope it does. Good luck.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by tomsem

And now it's 24 Jul.

And it has now shipped, arriving tomorrow!

[cellaris]

It has already arrived. Very nice and very heavy, with a too irregular illumination for me. I still have to adjust it and install KOReader. My first impression is: what a pity!

[trekk]

Originally Posted by cellaris

It has already arrived. Very nice and very heavy, with a too irregular illumination for me. I still have to adjust it and install KOReader. My first impression is: what a pity!

I understand you very well. This device is so good, it's just annoying that it should fail because of the lighting.

I got my second device today and it's better than the first one. The gradient is still visible dependent on the ambient light. I am not 100 % satisfied, but I think I'll keep it.

I got KoReader running, but I also like the native reading app, allthough it is very limited.

[cellaris]

I definitely have no luck with e-readers with LEDs on the sides. It's the last one I'll buy. If you're not too fussy about lighting you might enjoy the PocketBook Era.

KOReader works fine. I have installed version 2022.06-06 (the following ones give me problems with dictionaries, just like with Android) to test the WI-FI issue and no problems.

And about the ergonomics, I find it too heavy to hold with one hand, but it's a personal problem of mine because it has also happened to me with the rest of the e-readers I've had from other brands. Apart from the first Oasis (without cover) I have never been satisfied with the ergonomic shape of e-readers.

All in all, I am personally very disappointed with the PocketBook Era. If anyone wants a different opinion I recommend you to visit the German forum https://www.e-reader-forum.de/t/pock...rungen.158884/

[trekk]

Originally Posted by cellaris

If you're not too fussy about lighting you might enjoy the PocketBook Era.
https://www.e-reader-forum.de/t/pock...rungen.158884/

Problem is that I am fussy. And because I like the Era in a LOT of ways, I really don't want to be.

That is why I tried be critical but also to find good arguments for the device (mainly in the German forum you linked). But my screen looks similar to yours. Now that the light is getting dimmed, you can see the poor lighting particulary well.

Unfortunately this also applies to the second device, although not to this extend. It is OK in daylight, but becomes a problem for me when daylight subsides.

I have a 6 year old Kindle Oasis, a 5 year old Kindle Oasis 2 and a Kobo Libra H2O. All have that gradient, but so small that I can live well with it. With the two Eras I have here the gradient is so unfortunately strong, that I know that it will always bother me.

I'll sleep over it for a night and then I will decide whether I will return one or both devices.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by trekk

I'll sleep over it for a night and then I will decide whether I will return one or both devices.

I haven't returned it, but I've already sold it. The PocketBook Era is definitely not for me. I'll stick with the InkPad X, which did impress me the first time I saw it (and which in landscape mode bears some similarity to the Era), and my old and beloved Touch HD 2. I'll wait for the next PocketBook device.

[MultiKoopa]

Does the PocketBook Era have a Dark Mode?

[trekk]

Originally Posted by MultiKoopa

Does the PocketBook Era have a Dark Mode?

No, but you can have night mode in third-party programs like KOReader.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I definitely have no luck with e-readers with LEDs on the sides. It's the last one I'll buy. If you're not too fussy about lighting you might enjoy the PocketBook Era.

KOReader works fine. I have installed version 2022.06-06 (the following ones give me problems with dictionaries, just like with Android) to test the WI-FI issue and no problems.

And about the ergonomics, I find it too heavy to hold with one hand, but it's a personal problem of mine because it has also happened to me with the rest of the e-readers I've had from other brands. Apart from the first Oasis (without cover) I have never been satisfied with the ergonomic shape of e-readers.

All in all, I am personally very disappointed with the PocketBook Era. If anyone wants a different opinion I recommend you to visit the German forum https://www.e-reader-forum.de/t/pock...rungen.158884/

You will find it very difficult these days to find a decent Reader without a front light. As for ergonomics, bigger screens mean heavier because of the weight of the screen. And if you want one with a decent battery, that's not going to be all that light. And yes, it does seem that the squarish design is the one in favor with 7" screen Readers these days.

[trekk]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I definitely have no luck with e-readers with LEDs on the sides. It's the last one I'll buy.[/url]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You will find it very difficult these days to find a decent Reader without a front light.

He only ment the ones with side LEDs.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You will find it very difficult these days to find a decent Reader without a front light. ...

The PocketBook Basic is lightless (and touchless).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by trekk

I'll sleep over it for a night and then I will decide whether I will return one or both devices.

I'm really sorry to hear all of this. I was kind of looking forward to the Era, but was worried about the side-lighting. Maybe they'll get it fixed. Kobo had early issues with some of their side-lit readers but apparently they got better. I just don't think the side-lit design is the best way to go. I wish PocketBook had gone with 6.8" "traditional" design (like the PaperWhite 5).

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You will find it very difficult these days to find a decent Reader without a front light. As for ergonomics, bigger screens mean heavier because of the weight of the screen. And if you want one with a decent battery, that's not going to be all that light. And yes, it does seem that the squarish design is the one in favor with 7" screen Readers these days.

I am referring to e-readers with the LEDs on the right or left side. And I am also referring to the weight in relation to the ergonomic design (to hold with one hand). Of course nothing prevents you from holding it with two hands, which is what I do in these cases. The PocketBook Era weighs more than the PocketBook InkPad 3 for other reasons, not because of the size of the screen or the battery.

Why don't I adapt to the LEDs on the right or left side? Because the light gradient is in the direction of reading and I find it on every line I read. On e-readers with the LEDs at the bottom (of course, they also have a light gradient), you have one side more illuminated than the other, but not in the reading direction. Personally I find it more appropriate. And that's why, in general, I have less problems with the illumination of these e-readers. I'm not trying to convince anyone that they are better, they just suit my preferences better.