Kobo Clara HD or Libra H2O?

[jackj]

I've used 6" Kindles since they first came out, including most recently a PW4. They've met my needs well, which is mostly getting free books from my public library through OverDrive. I've also owned a Kobo Glo HD since that model was released, purchased primarily to sideload books my my library's Cloud Library service, which doesn't work with Kindle.

I hadn't used the Kobo for over a year, but just got it out for a book I can't get from OverDrive. I forgot how nice it is. It's a little sluggish and the default dictionary is too limited (I assume I can upgrade it, tho), but I like just about everything else about it, especially adjusting the brightness without going to a menu.

But I wish I could get books directly from OverDrive with it, which apparently only the newer models can do. Yeah, sideloading is possible there, but I had Adobe Digital Editions with a passion, as it causes me nothing but grief with authorization hassles.

I've been happy with the portability of the 6" readers, so I'm pretty confident the Clara HD will work well for me. But I'm tempted to splurge the extra US$50 for the Libra, mostly to see if I like the bigger screen. Waterproofing doesn't mean much to me, and I don't need page buttons. I also own four 6" readers already, so adding a fifth seems excessive.

Anyone tried the Libra only to wish they'd saved some cash and gotten a Clara to better fit in a pocket or an overstuffed bag?

The screen issues on the Libra are only a slight concern for me. I'm not super picky about even lighting, though I'm sure the worst of the Libras would have disappointed me. I think I can live with the darker edge.

Also wondering if anyone has a recent shipping time for purchases from Kobo.com to the states (Indiana, in my case). I understand they ship from Toronto. I'd rather buy from them than Walmart, but not if it'll take more than a couple days extra.

Thanks!

[ZodWallop]

I recommend you look at Indigo.ca. They have the Libra listed at $199 which comes to under $150 USD. They also had a pop-up saying if you signed up for what I'm sure is their spam list, they will give you 10% off of a $50+ order.

As for choosing between the two, I can't help. I've always stuck with 6" readers. My only reason for looking at the Libra is the waterproofing and buttons and you already said those don't matter much to you.

I don't think the Libra is all that much larger than the Clara due to the smaller bezels on three sides of the screen. Maybe someone that has both could post a pic of the two side-by-side.

[jackj]

Thanks for the tip on Indigo. I went ahead and put the Clara in my cart (I guess I'm leaning toward being cheap), but unfortunately it looks like the 10% promo doesn't apply to electronics. Darn.

And yeah, the Libra screen isn't that much bigger. I'd love to see them side by side, especially in person, but it doesn't look my local Walmarts stock them.

[jackj]

Just following up here, in case anyone from the US looks into Indigo. After I put in my address, it switched to US dollars at $139, plus $18 shipping, so considerably more than kobo.com our Walmart. I do remember that I purchased my Glo HD from Indigo, though, and it was the cheapest option at that time. But not now, based on my experience.

Still, I appreciate the tip ZodWallop. Always looking to save a few bucks if I can.

[4691mls]

side-by-side photos here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh....php?p=3886389

[HLS]

I own both. Both are really good. I tend to use Libra H2O. I purchased through Walmart. The same device it just has Walmart banding at startup

[HLS]

Originally Posted by jackj

Thanks for the tip on Indigo. I went ahead and put the Clara in my cart (I guess I'm leaning toward being cheap), but unfortunately it looks like the 10% promo doesn't apply to electronics. Darn.

And yeah, the Libra screen isn't that much bigger. I'd love to see them side by side, especially in person, but it doesn't look my local Walmarts stock them.

Libra is much better in the hands. The extra inch makes a HUGE difference.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jackj

Thanks for the tip on Indigo. I went ahead and put the Clara in my cart (I guess I'm leaning toward being cheap), but unfortunately it looks like the 10% promo doesn't apply to electronics. Darn.

And yeah, the Libra screen isn't that much bigger. I'd love to see them side by side, especially in person, but it doesn't look my local Walmarts stock them.

And now you can remove the Clara HD from your cart. I have a Kobo Aura H2O with a 6.8" screen and there is no way I would by a Clara HD as my main Reader. I like the larger screen. I think you'd enjoy the larger 7" screen over the smaller 6" screen. So please do yourself a favor and go for the Libra.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by HLS

I purchased through Walmart. The same device it just has Walmart banding at startup

You can easily remove the Walmart branding. I did.

[mtreader]

How do you remove the branding?

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by jackj

But I wish I could get books directly from OverDrive with it, which apparently only the newer models can do. Yeah, sideloading is possible there, but I had Adobe Digital Editions with a passion, as it causes me nothing but grief with authorization hassles.

I've been happy with the portability of the 6" readers, so I'm pretty confident the Clara HD will work well for me. But I'm tempted to splurge the extra US$50 for the Libra, mostly to see if I like the bigger screen. Waterproofing doesn't mean much to me, and I don't need page buttons. I also own four 6" readers already, so adding a fifth seems excessive.

If you buy any Kobo that supports Overdrive you can check out the book on Overdrive with that new Kobo, and then you can download and read it directly on your old Kobos as well (without ADE). So, if you bought the Libra, you could check out the book on it and read it on your Kobo Glo HD if you wanted to (maybe the Kobo Glo HD would be your "traveling reader"). I've got an Aura 2 (mostly for that purpose of using Overdrive). Even my Kobo Mini can read the book checked on the Aura 2.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by jackj

I hadn't used the Kobo for over a year, but just got it out for a book I can't get from OverDrive. I forgot how nice it is. It's a little sluggish and the default dictionary is too limited (I assume I can upgrade it, tho), but I like just about everything else about it, especially adjusting the brightness without going to a menu.

Thanks!

With regards to the dictionary, please make sure to read some of the threads in the Kobo forum regarding dictionaries.

Shari

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by mtreader

How do you remove the branding?

If you mean branding on a Kobo it's simply a matter of editting a text file on the device that specifies an affiliate.

[HLS]

Originally Posted by mtreader

How do you remove the branding?

Do a search here. it was posted before. I do not remember how off hand but it was easy

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by mtreader

How do you remove the branding?

Connect your Kobo to your PC, tell Windows or Mac (or Linux) to show hidden files and go into the .kobo (with the dot in front) directory. There you will find a file named affiliate.conf. Edit that with a text editor (not a word processor) and change affiliate=walmart to affiliate=kobo.