Aura HD vs H2O

themikeyt · 05-08-2015, 09:57 PM

So, I own the Aura HD, and I quite like it. Though, a few complaints.. I don't like it's weight, or the back of it. I find it a little uncomfortable gripping it with one hand.

Also, recently, it appears that it has a little bit of blotchy lighting on the bottom. Anyone else?

Now, I ask this, because, I've been looking at the H20.

Thoughts? Worth it? Seems like a great device, and seems to have a lot of positive feedback. The cost is high, but, I'm a avid reader, so, it isn't a issue.

Mike

Phogg · 05-08-2015, 10:07 PM

I think if the light was not blotchy at the bottom before but is now then something is occluding the LED lenses and it might be possible to pop off the cover and clean the screen edge and the lenses.

That said, the slightly larger screen on the H2O is nice, and a reader you can use while soaking in the tub rocks.

Also, Indigo has a twenty percent off sale through the end of the month. See the link in the Deals and Freebies forum.

dordale · 05-08-2015, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phogg

That said, the slightly larger screen on the H2O is nice, and a reader you can use while soaking in the tub rocks.
.

Actually the Aura HD and the H2O have the same screen size. It's the Aura (non-HD) that has a smaller screen.

Stingo · 05-09-2015, 11:59 AM

Same size but not same screen. The H2O screen is sharper and very evenly lit.

dordale · 05-09-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingo

Same size but not same screen. The H2O screen is sharper and very evenly lit.

Not arguing with you--I'd love an H2O--I received my Aura HD as a birthday present just before the H2O was announced. But--I find my Aura HD to be evenly lit. Can't comment on the sharpness compared to the H2O, but the screen on my Aura HD seems very sharp to me.

arspr · 05-09-2015, 04:22 PM

I've owned both and the difference is not the frontlight but Carta vs. Pearl. H2O blacks are blacker and whites are whiter. The difference is really pretty clear.

In the rest of specs and behavior they are just the same. Screen sharpness is the same, speed is the same, touch response is the same. Only contrast is clearly improved.

But if you don't mind expending (quite) some money and if you continually use it, you won't regret the upgrade.

ottdmk · 05-09-2015, 04:53 PM

I recently upgraded from an Aura HD to an Aura H2O. (My HD fell victim to my clumsiness.)

The two devices have virtually the same resolution (the difference is 10 pixels in one direction) and they have the same screen size. The H2O has a Carta e-ink screen which has noticeably better contrast then the HD's Pearl screen.

So for $10CDN you get a Carta screen plus water and dust proofing.

themikeyt · 05-09-2015, 05:25 PM

Thanks everyone.

I got the H20, and I do noticed a huge difference in the lighting. I haven't sat down to read it yet, but, it also felt lighter which I like.

My Aura HD was a replacement from Kobo as my previous one went kaput on me. Since then, it seems to have some blotching on the bottom for lighting which drew me a little batty, and it always appeared to be a slight 'yellowish' hue to the screen. It could be that I am going mad, but, either way, I like the h2O so far. Plus, I tend to transit, so, if it ever rains, I have little fear.

Thanks everyone

Mike

jackastor · 05-10-2015, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themikeyt

Thanks everyone.

I got the H20, and I do noticed a huge difference in the lighting. I haven't sat down to read it yet, but, it also felt lighter which I like.

My Aura HD was a replacement from Kobo as my previous one went kaput on me. Since then, it seems to have some blotching on the bottom for lighting which drew me a little batty, and it always appeared to be a slight 'yellowish' hue to the screen. It could be that I am going mad, but, either way, I like the h2O so far. Plus, I tend to transit, so, if it ever rains, I have little fear.

Thanks everyone

Mike

Take the madness. Nothing wrong with a little madness every now and then.
Its what keeps us smiling!

regards

Jack

Gone · 05-10-2015, 01:42 PM

I owned a Kobo Aura HD and switched to Kobo H20.

There's a big difference in the screen quality, more white, better contrast. I'm pretty happy with it.

But if you don't like the bigger size and weight, maybe get a Kobo Glo HD then. Or wait for a new Kobo Aura ?

Ken Maltby · 07-30-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackastor

Take the madness. Nothing wrong with a little madness every now and then.
Its what keeps us smiling!

regards

Jack

"You May Be Right" - Billy Joel

Luck;
Ken

Rizla · 07-30-2015, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themikeyt

Thanks everyone.

I got the H20, and I do noticed a huge difference in the lighting. I haven't sat down to read it yet, but, it also felt lighter which I like.

My Aura HD was a replacement from Kobo as my previous one went kaput on me. Since then, it seems to have some blotching on the bottom for lighting which drew me a little batty, and it always appeared to be a slight 'yellowish' hue to the screen. It could be that I am going mad, but, either way, I like the h2O so far. Plus, I tend to transit, so, if it ever rains, I have little fear.

Thanks everyone

Mike

What about the darkness / contrast of the fonts? Do the H2O fonts "pop" out more than the Aura HD? Is it very noticeable?

booklover6 · 07-30-2015, 04:10 PM

A seller on Amazon has the Aura HD for $100, says they are new, and they are brown. I am so tempted. But maybe it's not worth getting the Aura HD. What do you folks think?

MacEachaidh · 08-01-2015, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

A seller on Amazon has the Aura HD for $100, says they are new, and they are brown. I am so tempted. But maybe it's not worth getting the Aura HD. What do you folks think?

I have one of the brown Aura HDs (they call it "Espresso") and I'm really happy with it. I like the size of the screen, and I also like the size of the bevel (which lets me grip it one-handed without my thumb activating the touch-screen). My hands are larger than average, so sometimes smaller is actually less comfortable. I find the weight of the HD just right, and isn't an issue. I wasn't at all convinced by the back of the HD at first -- it's alarmingly slippery, and I still much prefer the Touch's "quilted" back and rubber-like feel overall -- but I've learned to live with it, and it's never actually slipped out of my hand.

The screen of the Aura H2O looks nice, but (subjectively) not nicer to a degree that would prompt me to make a new purchase while my HD still functions.

re: the blotchiness of the screen light -- it seems to be the luck of the draw. My first Aura HD had patchy light across the bottom of the screen from day one, and in a darkened room even showed shafts of brighter light up the screen; it was quite distracting. But Kobo recently replaced the device because of hardware faults, and the replacement has a very even light with no discernible patches at all.

brudigia · 08-01-2015, 10:23 AM

Are the cover exchangeable ? I' d like to substitute my HD cover with an original Kobo cover, but I cannot seem to find them anymore.

05-08-2015, 09:57 PM	#1
themikeyt Member Posts: 21 Karma: 12146 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	Aura HD vs H2O So, I own the Aura HD, and I quite like it. Though, a few complaints.. I don't like it's weight, or the back of it. I find it a little uncomfortable gripping it with one hand. Also, recently, it appears that it has a little bit of blotchy lighting on the bottom. Anyone else? Now, I ask this, because, I've been looking at the H20. Thoughts? Worth it? Seems like a great device, and seems to have a lot of positive feedback. The cost is high, but, I'm a avid reader, so, it isn't a issue. Mike

05-08-2015, 10:07 PM	#2
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I think if the light was not blotchy at the bottom before but is now then something is occluding the LED lenses and it might be possible to pop off the cover and clean the screen edge and the lenses. That said, the slightly larger screen on the H2O is nice, and a reader you can use while soaking in the tub rocks. Also, Indigo has a twenty percent off sale through the end of the month. See the link in the Deals and Freebies forum. Last edited by Phogg; 05-08-2015 at 10:09 PM.

08-01-2015, 10:23 AM	#15
brudigia Evangelist Posts: 485 Karma: 1401828 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Torino - Italy Device: iPAD AirPro M1 12.9, Kindle Scribe, Kobo Elipsa, iPhone XV	H2O and HD cover Are the cover exchangeable ? I' d like to substitute my HD cover with an original Kobo cover, but I cannot seem to find them anymore.

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05-09-2015, 11:59 AM	#4
Stingo Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1334691 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami Device: KH2O, KPW2, KDXG, KPW1, K3, S505	Same size but not same screen. The H2O screen is sharper and very evenly lit.

05-09-2015, 04:22 PM	#6
arspr Dead account. Bye Posts: 587 Karma: 668244 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: none	I've owned both and the difference is not the frontlight but Carta vs. Pearl. H2O blacks are blacker and whites are whiter. The difference is really pretty clear. In the rest of specs and behavior they are just the same. Screen sharpness is the same, speed is the same, touch response is the same. Only contrast is clearly improved. But if you don't mind expending (quite) some money and if you continually use it, you won't regret the upgrade.

05-09-2015, 04:53 PM	#7
ottdmk Wizard Posts: 1,217 Karma: 3804496 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Libra 2, Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus, Lenovo Tab M9	I recently upgraded from an Aura HD to an Aura H2O. (My HD fell victim to my clumsiness.) The two devices have virtually the same resolution (the difference is 10 pixels in one direction) and they have the same screen size. The H2O has a Carta e-ink screen which has noticeably better contrast then the HD's Pearl screen. So for $10CDN you get a Carta screen plus water and dust proofing.

05-09-2015, 05:25 PM	#8
themikeyt Member Posts: 21 Karma: 12146 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	Thanks everyone. I got the H20, and I do noticed a huge difference in the lighting. I haven't sat down to read it yet, but, it also felt lighter which I like. My Aura HD was a replacement from Kobo as my previous one went kaput on me. Since then, it seems to have some blotching on the bottom for lighting which drew me a little batty, and it always appeared to be a slight 'yellowish' hue to the screen. It could be that I am going mad, but, either way, I like the h2O so far. Plus, I tend to transit, so, if it ever rains, I have little fear. Thanks everyone Mike

05-10-2015, 01:42 PM	#10
Gone Out of order Posts: 601 Karma: 1652684 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Libra Colour	I owned a Kobo Aura HD and switched to Kobo H20. There's a big difference in the screen quality, more white, better contrast. I'm pretty happy with it. But if you don't like the bigger size and weight, maybe get a Kobo Glo HD then. Or wait for a new Kobo Aura ?

07-30-2015, 04:10 PM	#13
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	A seller on Amazon has the Aura HD for $100, says they are new, and they are brown. I am so tempted. But maybe it's not worth getting the Aura HD. What do you folks think?

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