Thinking about a new Kobo

AnemicOak · 05-23-2017, 05:26 PM

I'm thinking it might finally be time to retire my well used Aura HD (purchased mid-late April 2013) from everyday service. It's been pretty great once I got used to Kobo differences when coming from Kindle and has seen over 1K books read on it (if all goes well the new device will see similar service). Still works okay (power slider is a little flakey), but would like a Carta screen among other things. Even though I'm here a lot and know quite a bit about devices in general I figure it's never a bad idea to have insight from others who have hands on with the actual devices (I know H2O-2 experience is very limited yet).

Looking at three devices...

Aura H2O
Aura H2O-2
Aura One

Considering the original H2O because of the card slot, but not married to having one. Kind of like the idea of the 7.8" screen on the One, but I've fallen behind on what bugs/issues the device may have. I believe it was having lighting & battery issues?

Some questions that come to mind (that I'm currently researching)...

Not a big user of lighting (probably used it 3-4 hours in 4 years). Do any of the devices have a separate on/off for that like the Aura HD?

Are the devices with capacitive touch (H2O-2, One) having spotting/blotching issues like the capacitive Kindles have had? Also can anyone verify if the H2O-2 is capacitive or IR? (reviews differ)

How much of the 8GB internal memory on the -2 and One is available for actual storage use?

Early reviewers have the -2 as not having a rubberized back like the One, has that turned out to be the case for in hand devices people are starting to get? (not sure if the reviewers got production units or not).

booklover6 · 05-25-2017, 09:26 AM

I can only comment on the Aura HD vs. the Aura H2O v.1. I decided to get the H2O, with the intention of keeping the HD. But once I had both in hand, the screen of the H2O was just SO remarkably better, that I immediately sold the HD. The screen on mine, IMO, is perfect, the lighting very even, and the text was just so much sharper. I was sad I hadn't gotten the newer product a long time ago.

The case is really nice, too, if you are able to get it for free when you purchase from Kobo.com.

No it does not have a separate light button. I do like that it has a button instead of a slider.

I've been using the SD card in this, despite not using one in the HD. It is nice to have the option.

Hope this helps!

JSWolf · 05-25-2017, 09:33 AM

The light on my H2O is even as well.

ottdmk · 05-25-2017, 04:13 PM

Absolutely love my H2O. As I don't need the card slot, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a H2O Edition2 should something untoward happen.

JSWolf · 05-25-2017, 04:14 PM

I have the original H2O and I've never used the card slot. So I could easily grab the H2O2 and not miss the card slot at all.

AnemicOak · 05-25-2017, 04:27 PM

I use the card slot on my HD all of the time as things stand right now. I like to have all of my books on device.

At this point I've also added an iPad Mini into what I'm considering and just keeping the HD around for the few times I need something for full sunlight.

JSWolf · 05-25-2017, 04:46 PM

If you want a new Kobo and the slot, get the original H2O while it's still available.

booklover6 · 05-27-2017, 07:01 AM

A rather scathing review of the new H2Ov2 here.

Makes me glad I got the original.

JSWolf · 05-27-2017, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

A rather scathing review of the new H2Ov2 here.

Makes me glad I got the original.

Some of that review is just ridiculous. I cannot say all of it is silly, but some is.

meeera · 05-27-2017, 08:15 AM

I'm more interested in comparisons between the original H2O and the new H2O. First impressions (that's not a review) stating that the device that's $110 more expensive looks a bit better aren't all that useful to me. How about reviewing real issues that have affected some other devices, like evenness of colour illumination? Battery life? Instead of just subjective impression of weight and plastic-feel? It sounds like this person hasn't actually tried to read anything yet.

05-23-2017, 05:26 PM	#1
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Thinking about a new Kobo I'm thinking it might finally be time to retire my well used Aura HD (purchased mid-late April 2013) from everyday service. It's been pretty great once I got used to Kobo differences when coming from Kindle and has seen over 1K books read on it (if all goes well the new device will see similar service). Still works okay (power slider is a little flakey), but would like a Carta screen among other things. Even though I'm here a lot and know quite a bit about devices in general I figure it's never a bad idea to have insight from others who have hands on with the actual devices (I know H2O-2 experience is very limited yet). Looking at three devices... Aura H2O Aura H2O-2 Aura One Considering the original H2O because of the card slot, but not married to having one. Kind of like the idea of the 7.8" screen on the One, but I've fallen behind on what bugs/issues the device may have. I believe it was having lighting & battery issues? Some questions that come to mind (that I'm currently researching)... Not a big user of lighting (probably used it 3-4 hours in 4 years). Do any of the devices have a separate on/off for that like the Aura HD? Are the devices with capacitive touch (H2O-2, One) having spotting/blotching issues like the capacitive Kindles have had? Also can anyone verify if the H2O-2 is capacitive or IR? (reviews differ) How much of the 8GB internal memory on the -2 and One is available for actual storage use? Early reviewers have the -2 as not having a rubberized back like the One, has that turned out to be the case for in hand devices people are starting to get? (not sure if the reviewers got production units or not).

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05-25-2017, 09:26 AM	#2
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	I can only comment on the Aura HD vs. the Aura H2O v.1. I decided to get the H2O, with the intention of keeping the HD. But once I had both in hand, the screen of the H2O was just SO remarkably better, that I immediately sold the HD. The screen on mine, IMO, is perfect, the lighting very even, and the text was just so much sharper. I was sad I hadn't gotten the newer product a long time ago. The case is really nice, too, if you are able to get it for free when you purchase from Kobo.com. No it does not have a separate light button. I do like that it has a button instead of a slider. I've been using the SD card in this, despite not using one in the HD. It is nice to have the option. Hope this helps!

05-25-2017, 09:33 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,976 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The light on my H2O is even as well.

05-25-2017, 04:13 PM	#4
ottdmk Wizard Posts: 1,196 Karma: 3765734 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Libra 2, Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus, Lenovo Tab M8 HD	Absolutely love my H2O. As I don't need the card slot, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a H2O Edition2 should something untoward happen.

05-25-2017, 04:14 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,976 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have the original H2O and I've never used the card slot. So I could easily grab the H2O2 and not miss the card slot at all.

05-25-2017, 04:27 PM	#6
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I use the card slot on my HD all of the time as things stand right now. I like to have all of my books on device. At this point I've also added an iPad Mini into what I'm considering and just keeping the HD around for the few times I need something for full sunlight.

05-25-2017, 04:46 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,976 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you want a new Kobo and the slot, get the original H2O while it's still available.

05-27-2017, 07:01 AM	#8
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	A rather scathing review of the new H2Ov2 here. Makes me glad I got the original.

05-27-2017, 08:15 AM	#10
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,659 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I'm more interested in comparisons between the original H2O and the new H2O. First impressions (that's not a review) stating that the device that's $110 more expensive looks a bit better aren't all that useful to me. How about reviewing real issues that have affected some other devices, like evenness of colour illumination? Battery life? Instead of just subjective impression of weight and plastic-feel? It sounds like this person hasn't actually tried to read anything yet.