Aura Problem with scratches?

U2Bono269 · 08-31-2014, 09:48 PM

I've had a Kobo Aura for about 2 months now, and I am not all that happy about the screen.

I've been willing to overlook the 2 pinprick light defects in the screen, but the overall durability has been questionable. I take good care of my electronics. My Kobo goes into a sleeve when I'm not using it, and I treat it gently. But even so, after 2 months it's covered in scratches that look really annoying and affect the enjoyment of my reading.

Has anyone else had this problem? I've owned Nooks, iPhones, Nexus tablets, and an iPad. I've never scratched any of them, but I've got 6 or 7 noticeable scratches and scuffs on my 2-month old Aura.

I plan on calling Kobo tomorrow. I hope I have a good chance of a positive outcome.

Canuck_in_Japan · 08-31-2014, 09:53 PM

I find it hard to believe that your screen is covered on scratches (although I'm not accusing you of making it up of course.) I usually keep mine in the front pocket of my shoulder bag along with other bits and pieces (no cover) and as far as I'm aware, it's relatively scratch free. That said, I think the screens of these readers are plastic so are probably more prone to scratching than a phone screen would be.

U2Bono269 · 08-31-2014, 10:09 PM

I understand why you'd think that. But I'm looking at it right now and I count 4 noticeable scratches, each 1-3 inches long running from the top edge of the Aura. There are also 3 "scuff" marks that look like patches of dirt right in the middle of the screen. Thinking that's what it was, I gave it a thorough cleaning with alcohol lens wipes. They are definitely scratches.

In the middle and bottom of the screen, there are a bunch of small scratches running in various directions.

I thought perhaps there was something in the sleeve that was causing it, but it's clean.

Interestingly enough, the big scuffs, which are the most annoying and noticeable to me, were not there yesterday. All I did with the reader today was read on the couch. I put it away when I was finished.

The biggest concern to me is that it *should* take some sort of noticeable impact to scratch one of these. I *should* know, unequivocally, that I caused a scratch on my screen.

The problem with that is that if I were Kobo, I wouldn't believe my story and chalk it up to misuse.

There is a part of me that just wants to buy a new reader despite the fact that I just spent $100 on this one. This is going to drive me insane.

hleo12 · 08-31-2014, 11:08 PM

This might not help, but you could check the inside of your sleeve. I use a sleeve for one of my portable gaming console (3DS) and found there were some plastic bits inside. That could cause the scratches on your device. I'm not using my sleep cover anymore so my Glo is naked as the day it was born, and still no scratches. Though, the sunken-in screen might be a contributing factor for that, since the Aura's screen is flushed with its bezels.

meeera · 09-01-2014, 12:31 AM

I can't detect any scratches at all on my Aura, but I keep it in a book-type cover, not a sleeve. I have longish fingernails, too, but I'm reasonably careful with them.

Discuss with the seller, I guess, about the apparent vulnerability; but scratches don't materialise - something has happened to your device.

Ripplinger · 09-01-2014, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Discuss with the seller, I guess, about the apparent vulnerability; but scratches don't materialise - something has happened to your device.

Have to agree with that, scratches just don't appear for no reason. I know some of the first Auras had a type of scratching visible on the upper part of the screen, more like a faint cross-hatching that was visible, but it doesn't sound at all like that's what you're describing.

Do you have any pets? Kids? Live with anyone at all? Anyone who might have just looked at it out of curiousity and accidentally damaged the screen using a sharp object on it rather than just their finger? Or banged their rings against the glass?

Quexos · 09-01-2014, 01:56 AM

Had mine for over a year and I don't have a single scratch on it.
Scratches don't come out of nowhere so if you have them it must be that the screen has been rubbing on something fairly hard. I don't know what though and it's up to you to find out.

paola · 09-01-2014, 04:45 AM

no scratches on my Aura (nor on my Mini) either - for both, though, I use a book-like cover (thin sleep cover for the Aura).

AbPho · 09-01-2014, 07:43 AM

That sucks. My touch got scratched on the second day of owning it. Have a case for both my units how.

How callused/rough are your finger tips? I'm worried that that would be a potential problem with me given the soft screen on the eReaders.

Checking the inside of the case is a good idea. Mine has these huge product tags. Cutting them off is going to be a little difficult. If I don't get them all the way to the stitching then the cut edge might end up being a problem.

U2Bono269 · 09-01-2014, 07:59 AM

Yes, I have a toddler and a cat...which is why I keep my ereaders safely put away. Once it's put away in the case, it goes away in my bag for work.

I never had this problem with either of my e-ink Nooks. I never kept them in a case and never had a single scratch in 4 years.

There's nothing in the sleeve, it's clean and the lining feels soft. I wonder if it's the level screen. Maybe the way I typically handle an ereader was ok for a recessed screen, but a problem for the flat bezel? Either way, it shouldn't scratch this easily.

But regardless, I'm going to call them this morning. I'm not expecting them to do anything about it, but it can't hurt to try. I didn't mention it before, but I've been having swipe problems too...I swipe the screen to turn the page and half of the time, the pages go backwards. We'll see what they say.

PeterT · 09-01-2014, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

But regardless, I'm going to call them this morning. I'm not expecting them to do anything about it, but it can't hurt to try.

Remember it's a holiday today in North America, Labour Day, so support might be less than usual.

U2Bono269 · 09-01-2014, 08:21 AM

Thanks. I forgot Canada celebrates Labor Day too.

Lyn2012 · 09-01-2014, 09:01 AM

I've had my aura for nearly a year now. For the first 3 months it was without any cover at all, since then with a cheap book type cover, but the screen is as scratch free as when I bought it.

Canuck_in_Japan · 09-01-2014, 09:06 AM

Actually, after looking at my ereader closely, I do have a few scratches on the screen. But it's not something I would (and indeed, I haven't until now) notice while reading.

U2Bono269 · 09-01-2014, 09:10 AM

Well, thinking that I wouldn't get them on a holiday, I sent them an email. They called me within 5 minutes, which is pretty cool.

The person on the phone was understanding and seemed perplexed by the scratches and pinpricks. We did (another) factory reset, but it didn't do anything regarding the page-turn issue. They asked for a bunch of photos. I'm attaching the photos of the scratches to this post.

Not all of them are visible in the photo. Some just wouldn't show when I took the pictures.

However, when I turned it off and the screen turned black, I actually found more scratches that I hadn't seen before. The bottom has whole sections of little scuffs. I either have a defective screen or its just not very durable.

Either way, I'm regretting my purchase right now. I will either be stuck with a scratched device that will probably continue to get worse, or if I'm lucky enough to get a new one, who's to say it won't happen again?

08-31-2014, 09:48 PM	#1
U2Bono269 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 13110 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad Air 2	Problem with scratches? I've had a Kobo Aura for about 2 months now, and I am not all that happy about the screen. I've been willing to overlook the 2 pinprick light defects in the screen, but the overall durability has been questionable. I take good care of my electronics. My Kobo goes into a sleeve when I'm not using it, and I treat it gently. But even so, after 2 months it's covered in scratches that look really annoying and affect the enjoyment of my reading. Has anyone else had this problem? I've owned Nooks, iPhones, Nexus tablets, and an iPad. I've never scratched any of them, but I've got 6 or 7 noticeable scratches and scuffs on my 2-month old Aura. I plan on calling Kobo tomorrow. I hope I have a good chance of a positive outcome.

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08-31-2014, 09:53 PM	#2
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,475 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	I find it hard to believe that your screen is covered on scratches (although I'm not accusing you of making it up of course.) I usually keep mine in the front pocket of my shoulder bag along with other bits and pieces (no cover) and as far as I'm aware, it's relatively scratch free. That said, I think the screens of these readers are plastic so are probably more prone to scratching than a phone screen would be.

08-31-2014, 10:09 PM	#3
U2Bono269 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 13110 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad Air 2	I understand why you'd think that. But I'm looking at it right now and I count 4 noticeable scratches, each 1-3 inches long running from the top edge of the Aura. There are also 3 "scuff" marks that look like patches of dirt right in the middle of the screen. Thinking that's what it was, I gave it a thorough cleaning with alcohol lens wipes. They are definitely scratches. In the middle and bottom of the screen, there are a bunch of small scratches running in various directions. I thought perhaps there was something in the sleeve that was causing it, but it's clean. Interestingly enough, the big scuffs, which are the most annoying and noticeable to me, were not there yesterday. All I did with the reader today was read on the couch. I put it away when I was finished. The biggest concern to me is that it should take some sort of noticeable impact to scratch one of these. I should know, unequivocally, that I caused a scratch on my screen. The problem with that is that if I were Kobo, I wouldn't believe my story and chalk it up to misuse. There is a part of me that just wants to buy a new reader despite the fact that I just spent $100 on this one. This is going to drive me insane.

08-31-2014, 11:08 PM	#4
hleo12 Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 5078890 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Kobo Glo (deceased), Kindle 4th, Kindle Basic 10th Generation	This might not help, but you could check the inside of your sleeve. I use a sleeve for one of my portable gaming console (3DS) and found there were some plastic bits inside. That could cause the scratches on your device. I'm not using my sleep cover anymore so my Glo is naked as the day it was born, and still no scratches. Though, the sunken-in screen might be a contributing factor for that, since the Aura's screen is flushed with its bezels.

09-01-2014, 12:31 AM	#5
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 can't detect any scratches at all on my Aura, but I keep it in a book-type cover, not a sleeve. I have longish fingernails, too, but I'm reasonably careful with them. Discuss with the seller, I guess, about the apparent vulnerability; but scratches don't materialise - something has happened to your device.

09-01-2014, 01:56 AM	#7
Quexos Member Retired Posts: 1,999 Karma: 11348924 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Limbo Device: none	Had mine for over a year and I don't have a single scratch on it. Scratches don't come out of nowhere so if you have them it must be that the screen has been rubbing on something fairly hard. I don't know what though and it's up to you to find out.

09-01-2014, 04:45 AM	#8
paola Wizard Posts: 2,824 Karma: 5843878 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Device: Pocketbook Pro 903, (beloved Pocketbook 360 RIP), Kobo Mini, Kobo Aura	no scratches on my Aura (nor on my Mini) either - for both, though, I use a book-like cover (thin sleep cover for the Aura).

09-01-2014, 07:43 AM	#9
AbPho Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 19100 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: SpaceStation Earth Device: AuraHD, GloHD	That sucks. My touch got scratched on the second day of owning it. Have a case for both my units how. How callused/rough are your finger tips? I'm worried that that would be a potential problem with me given the soft screen on the eReaders. Checking the inside of the case is a good idea. Mine has these huge product tags. Cutting them off is going to be a little difficult. If I don't get them all the way to the stitching then the cut edge might end up being a problem.

09-01-2014, 07:59 AM	#10
U2Bono269 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 13110 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad Air 2	Yes, I have a toddler and a cat...which is why I keep my ereaders safely put away. Once it's put away in the case, it goes away in my bag for work. I never had this problem with either of my e-ink Nooks. I never kept them in a case and never had a single scratch in 4 years. There's nothing in the sleeve, it's clean and the lining feels soft. I wonder if it's the level screen. Maybe the way I typically handle an ereader was ok for a recessed screen, but a problem for the flat bezel? Either way, it shouldn't scratch this easily. But regardless, I'm going to call them this morning. I'm not expecting them to do anything about it, but it can't hurt to try. I didn't mention it before, but I've been having swipe problems too...I swipe the screen to turn the page and half of the time, the pages go backwards. We'll see what they say.

09-01-2014, 08:21 AM	#12
U2Bono269 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 13110 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad Air 2	Thanks. I forgot Canada celebrates Labor Day too.

09-01-2014, 09:01 AM	#13
Lyn2012 Addict Posts: 382 Karma: 1118562 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Middlesex, UK Device: Kobo Aura One, iPhone 8, iPad Pro	I've had my aura for nearly a year now. For the first 3 months it was without any cover at all, since then with a cheap book type cover, but the screen is as scratch free as when I bought it.

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09-01-2014, 09:06 AM	#14
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,475 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	Actually, after looking at my ereader closely, I do have a few scratches on the screen. But it's not something I would (and indeed, I haven't until now) notice while reading.

09-01-2014, 09:10 AM	#15
U2Bono269 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 13110 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad Air 2	Well, thinking that I wouldn't get them on a holiday, I sent them an email. They called me within 5 minutes, which is pretty cool. The person on the phone was understanding and seemed perplexed by the scratches and pinpricks. We did (another) factory reset, but it didn't do anything regarding the page-turn issue. They asked for a bunch of photos. I'm attaching the photos of the scratches to this post. Not all of them are visible in the photo. Some just wouldn't show when I took the pictures. However, when I turned it off and the screen turned black, I actually found more scratches that I hadn't seen before. The bottom has whole sections of little scuffs. I either have a defective screen or its just not very durable. Either way, I'm regretting my purchase right now. I will either be stuck with a scratched device that will probably continue to get worse, or if I'm lucky enough to get a new one, who's to say it won't happen again?