Refurbished Kobo Aura HD or Glo / New Paperwhite / Aura

HeavyLiquid · 03-01-2017, 07:03 PM

Greetings,

I'm looking for an eReader. I have a kobo mini to throw around so I probably don't care so much about portability. I'll be using koreader mostly and some overdrive books. The paperwhite doesn't work with overdrive in Canada which detracts a bit but is not a deal breaker. I care mostly about a good reading experience and a good light. I'm probably not very picky.

In Canada
Factory Refurb - Kobo Aura HD - ~$125 after shipping and tax
Factory Refurb - Kobo Glo - ~$90.5 after shipping and tax
New Kobo Aura - 147.00 after tax
Kindle Paperwhite - 158.00 after tax

The refurbs are from the Kobo store.

I'm leaning towards the Kobo Aura HD even though it's older. Sounds like the best deal to me. I could probably get a used Kobo Glo for ~$80.

Thoughts? Is there something better, the new H20 is too expensive.

barryem · 03-01-2017, 11:05 PM

I bought a couple of these from this seller on Ebay a few months ago. Both were perfect. I recently bought a third one from them for a neighbor and it was also just like new, box and all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobo-Aura-Di...jHUogBCEH52XdA

It's a very good price for a really nice device. I prefer Kindles but I have uses for extra readers, living in a retirement home with lots of neighbors.

Barry

robko · 03-01-2017, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyLiquid

I'm leaning towards the Kobo Aura HD even though it's older. Sounds like the best deal to me. I could probably get a used Kobo Glo for ~$80.

Thoughts? Is there something better, the new H20 is too expensive.

As long as you're not opposed to the bigger screen (to me it's a bonus, but some people don't like it), the HD is a good reader. I would definitely go with it over the Glo due to the newer/better tech and bigger screen. The Glo HD would be another excellent choice if you came across it.

ZodWallop · 03-02-2017, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

I bought a couple of these from this seller on Ebay a few months ago. Both were perfect. I recently bought a third one from them for a neighbor and it was also just like new, box and all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobo-Aura-Di...jHUogBCEH52XdA

It's a very good price for a really nice device. I prefer Kindles but I have uses for extra readers, living in a retirement home with lots of neighbors.

Barry

I can back-up Barry's experience with that seller on eBay. And an Aura at $50 is half the price of all the readers you mentioned.

Pajamaman · 03-02-2017, 12:03 PM

I wouldn't get the Aura HD. The text was kind of pale. It annoyed me.

dordale · 03-02-2017, 02:35 PM

Hmmm...another opinion on the Aura HD--I have one and up until I got the Aura One, it was my go to reader. I really liked it--didn't notice the text being pale as Pajamaman did. Could be differences in the manufacturing process. I found the screen to be crisp and sharp--and the ability to adjust the weight of the fonts gives it a plus over the Kindle readers as far as display contrast is concerned.

HeavyLiquid · 03-02-2017, 07:48 PM

Wow. Thanks for the replies! I have a line on a used kindle pw2 for $60 CND which makes it the cheapest option by a bit since $50 USD is more with exchange.

I think it'll be fine for my uses?

HeavyLiquid · 03-02-2017, 08:52 PM

Actually overdrive .epub is a requirement. Back to Kobo.

Care · 03-03-2017, 02:14 PM

I had a kobo Aura and I loved it. I can't find it though and I'm going crazy. I have the mini but it's too small for my recipe books and doesn't light up for nighttime. I haven't looked in quite a while so I haven't seen the newer readers. I do know I personally didn't like the screen size of the HD one as it was too big for me.

I will probably stick with kobo because I have kobo books and I can get more library books.

barryem · 03-03-2017, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dordale

Hmmm...another opinion on the Aura HD--I have one and up until I got the Aura One, it was my go to reader. I really liked it--didn't notice the text being pale as Pajamaman did. Could be differences in the manufacturing process. I found the screen to be crisp and sharp--and the ability to adjust the weight of the fonts gives it a plus over the Kindle readers as far as display contrast is concerned.

Someone in this forum sent me an Aura HD to set up and give to one of my neighbors and I did so. I thought it had a fine screen. I have the Aura mentioned in my earlier post and the Aura HD screen was better.

I do most of my reading on a Paperwhite or a Voyage, which I do prefer because of the interface and the store, but the screen on the Aura HD was as good as them.

Barry

Pajamaman · 03-03-2017, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyLiquid

Wow. Thanks for the replies! I have a line on a used kindle pw2 for $60 CND which makes it the cheapest option by a bit since $50 USD is more with exchange.

I think it'll be fine for my uses?

Should be okay. I think you can jailbreak it too. But no overdrive.

Kimberly.L · 03-17-2017, 03:42 PM

Hey guys, first time here, I was looking at getting http://www.ebay.com/itm/272125740867?var=570935616829 that yawl suggested and was wondering a few things.

First I have a lot of ebooks most are MOBI and Epub and I use caliber to manage them, I also borrow a lot from the library so will that ereader be good for that?
Also was wondering how the light is on it since I read a lot at night or would the H20 be better?

booklover6 · 03-17-2017, 04:14 PM

Your link is not working.

Convert all your MOBi to Epub.

The light is perfect for reading at night.

Epub library books will work fine.

ZodWallop · 03-17-2017, 06:36 PM

Kimberly, I own one of the eBay Auras you linked to and I'm very happy with it.

You'll have to convert your MOBI to ePub to read on the Kobo. Calibre is very good about that. (You can actually get a plug in for Calibre that will convert your books when it sends them to the device so you don't need to convert anything.)

As for borrowing from the library, as far as I know, Kobo doesn't work for that in the US, though Kindle does. I don't borrow books from the library though, so seek advice from other folks.

I like the light. I tend to keep my light very low (like 10-15%) and when I read in the dark, I notice a little splotching/dark areas near the bottom of the screen. But as far as I know, that would happen with any e-reader set super low like that. It doesn't impact my reading in any way.

For $50.00, I'd happily buy another. They are the best deal going, unless my library news is a deal breaker.

Terisa de morgan · 03-17-2017, 06:54 PM

Kobo works in USA for libraries, that is not a problem (unless you cannot use ADE)

03-01-2017, 07:03 PM	#1
HeavyLiquid Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kobo Mini	Refurbished Kobo Aura HD or Glo / New Paperwhite / Aura Greetings, I'm looking for an eReader. I have a kobo mini to throw around so I probably don't care so much about portability. I'll be using koreader mostly and some overdrive books. The paperwhite doesn't work with overdrive in Canada which detracts a bit but is not a deal breaker. I care mostly about a good reading experience and a good light. I'm probably not very picky. In Canada Factory Refurb - Kobo Aura HD - ~$125 after shipping and tax Factory Refurb - Kobo Glo - ~$90.5 after shipping and tax New Kobo Aura - 147.00 after tax Kindle Paperwhite - 158.00 after tax The refurbs are from the Kobo store. I'm leaning towards the Kobo Aura HD even though it's older. Sounds like the best deal to me. I could probably get a used Kobo Glo for ~$80. Thoughts? Is there something better, the new H20 is too expensive.

03-17-2017, 03:42 PM	#12
Kimberly.L Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Alabama Device: nook color/kindle fire	Hey guys, first time here, I was looking at getting http://www.ebay.com/itm/272125740867?var=570935616829 that yawl suggested and was wondering a few things. First I have a lot of ebooks most are MOBI and Epub and I use caliber to manage them, I also borrow a lot from the library so will that ereader be good for that? Also was wondering how the light is on it since I read a lot at night or would the H20 be better? Last edited by Kimberly.L; 03-17-2017 at 04:40 PM. Reason: fixed link...maybe

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Paperwhite 3, Glo HD or Aura H2O?	Elodoriel	Which one should I buy?	97	10-01-2016 09:43 PM
Kobo Aura H20 or Glo HD, Kindle Voyage or the All-New Kindle Paperwhite	crissman	Which one should I buy?	5	07-03-2015 09:03 PM
Aura HD Kobo Glo/Aura/Aura HD future firmware feature request thread	arspr	Kobo Reader	25	03-26-2015 05:19 AM
Kobo Aura/Glo or Kindle Paperwhite?	jenniann111	Which one should I buy?	2	09-02-2014 01:16 AM
Glo to Aura Upgrade Questions (Are Reading Stats Available on Aura)?	TimeEffect	Kobo Reader	8	05-05-2014 12:10 AM

03-01-2017, 11:05 PM	#2
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I bought a couple of these from this seller on Ebay a few months ago. Both were perfect. I recently bought a third one from them for a neighbor and it was also just like new, box and all. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobo-Aura-Di...jHUogBCEH52XdA It's a very good price for a really nice device. I prefer Kindles but I have uses for extra readers, living in a retirement home with lots of neighbors. Barry

03-02-2017, 12:03 PM	#5
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,827 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	I wouldn't get the Aura HD. The text was kind of pale. It annoyed me.

03-02-2017, 02:35 PM	#6
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	Hmmm...another opinion on the Aura HD--I have one and up until I got the Aura One, it was my go to reader. I really liked it--didn't notice the text being pale as Pajamaman did. Could be differences in the manufacturing process. I found the screen to be crisp and sharp--and the ability to adjust the weight of the fonts gives it a plus over the Kindle readers as far as display contrast is concerned.

03-02-2017, 07:48 PM	#7
HeavyLiquid Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kobo Mini	Wow. Thanks for the replies! I have a line on a used kindle pw2 for $60 CND which makes it the cheapest option by a bit since $50 USD is more with exchange. I think it'll be fine for my uses?

03-02-2017, 08:52 PM	#8
HeavyLiquid Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: Kobo Mini	Actually overdrive .epub is a requirement. Back to Kobo.

03-03-2017, 02:14 PM	#9
Care Aes Sedai Posts: 659 Karma: 46166 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini, had a Nook, NOOKcolor, Nook STR.	I had a kobo Aura and I loved it. I can't find it though and I'm going crazy. I have the mini but it's too small for my recipe books and doesn't light up for nighttime. I haven't looked in quite a while so I haven't seen the newer readers. I do know I personally didn't like the screen size of the HD one as it was too big for me. I will probably stick with kobo because I have kobo books and I can get more library books.

03-17-2017, 04:14 PM	#13
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	Your link is not working. Convert all your MOBi to Epub. The light is perfect for reading at night. Epub library books will work fine.

03-17-2017, 06:36 PM	#14
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 10,994 Karma: 108312789 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3	Kimberly, I own one of the eBay Auras you linked to and I'm very happy with it. You'll have to convert your MOBI to ePub to read on the Kobo. Calibre is very good about that. (You can actually get a plug in for Calibre that will convert your books when it sends them to the device so you don't need to convert anything.) As for borrowing from the library, as far as I know, Kobo doesn't work for that in the US, though Kindle does. I don't borrow books from the library though, so seek advice from other folks. I like the light. I tend to keep my light very low (like 10-15%) and when I read in the dark, I notice a little splotching/dark areas near the bottom of the screen. But as far as I know, that would happen with any e-reader set super low like that. It doesn't impact my reading in any way. For $50.00, I'd happily buy another. They are the best deal going, unless my library news is a deal breaker.

03-17-2017, 06:54 PM	#15
Terisa de morgan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,234 Karma: 11768331 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Device: Kobo Clara/Aura One/Forma,XiaoMI 5, iPad, Huawei MediaPad, YotaPhone 2	Kobo works in USA for libraries, that is not a problem (unless you cannot use ADE)

Advert

Advert