Aura HD or Aura H2O

[effnflowers]

I'm having a hard time deciding whether I should buy the HD or the H2O. Both are "preowned" but the HD is $35 less than the H2O. Is the H2O worth $35 more? I'm mostly concerned about screen clarity and system performance. Is the HD as durable as the H2O or does one have a higher failure rate than the other? Are there any other things I should factor into my decision?

I'm spending more than I wanted to and I'm getting to point of paralysis through analysis so I thought I seek some objective opinions. Thanks in advance for any help.

[frostschutz]

H2O display should be better than the HD. But you might not notice if you don't put both devices right next to each other... If you already had a HD there would be little reason to upgrade...

H2O is also waterproof but you can't trust it, especially not on a 2nd hand device. The water seal is easy to break (using just your fingernails on the bezel), I also had a fintie case lift off the bezel of a H2O when clipping it in.

Are you ordering these online or do you have a chance to see them in real? You could check if one had any problems (with the front light or whatever) and then choose the better one.

Saving $35 is not wrong. Getting a good reader you can enjoy for some time is not wrong either. In the end, it's your choice.

[effnflowers]

Originally Posted by frostschutz

H2O display should be better than the HD. But you might not notice if you don't put both devices right next to each other... If you already had a HD there would be little reason to upgrade...

H2O is also waterproof but you can't trust it, especially not on a 2nd hand device. The water seal is easy to break (using just your fingernails on the bezel), I also had a fintie case lift off the bezel of a H2O when clipping it in.

Are you ordering these online or do you have a chance to see them in real? You could check if one had any problems (with the front light or whatever) and then choose the better one.

Saving $35 is not wrong. Getting a good reader you can enjoy for some time is not wrong either. In the end, it's your choice.

Thanks for the reply. Ordering online so no chance of seeing either one before buying. The HD seller hasn't replied to any of the messages I've sent requesting clarification so I think I've convinced myself to go with the H2O. $100 for an H2O that was supposedly used for one week seems fair.

Does the H2O have a micro SD slot? Some articles online say yes but there is no mention of it on the Kobo web site.

[frostschutz]

H2O does have an external SD card slot (hidden under the hatch so you can't see it in most photos). It's the Glo HD [and possible future devices] that doesn't have one anymore.

$100 for a working H2O is a steal, but $65 for an aura hd even more so. Wow.

Here's to hoping you won't be scammed.

[effnflowers]

Originally Posted by frostschutz

H2O does have an external SD card slot (hidden under the hatch so you can't see it in most photos). It's the Glo HD [and possible future devices] that doesn't have one anymore.

$100 for a working H2O is a steal, but $65 for an aura hd even more so. Wow.

Here's to hoping you won't be scammed.

Thanks for the SD card info.

Now you have me thinking the HD is the way to go. Now I just need to make a move before someone else jumps on them.

[JSWolf]

The Aura HD screen is a little bit fuzzy. The H2O uses a Carta screen. The H2O is 6.8" with better contrast and clearer. So I would spend the extra and get the H2O. I would not buy an Aura. It's just not all that good. And compared tot he H2O, even less not that good.

[booklover6]

FYI that looks like the seller I bought my most recent Kobo Mini from. No problems at all with the transaction or the device. I say go for it. I'd probly go with the H2O, but I really love the back of the Aura HD that I have.

[effnflowers]

Originally Posted by booklover6

FYI that looks like the seller I bought my most recent Kobo Mini from. No problems at all with the transaction or the device. I say go for it. I'd probly go with the H2O, but I really love the back of the Aura HD that I have.

Is the H2O the same seller you bought your Mini from?

[effnflowers]

Well in the end I decided to go with the H2O for a couple of reasons;

- Slightly better screen
- Soft touch coating on the back
- Newer so less ware and tear, hopefully
- Newer so fewer cycles on the battery, again hopefully


Thanks to all who posted opinions. Now the really hard part of waiting until it arrives next Tuesday.

[booklover6]

Yes, if you were looking at ebay, I am sure it's the same seller.

[effnflowers]

Yup, I got it off ebay. Glad to hear your Mini worked out okay. That makes me feel a little less anxious. I always get a little nervous when I buy spendy stuff on ebay, at least until I get it. Thanks for letting me know.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The Aura HD screen is a little bit fuzzy.

Don't be ridiculous. No doubt the H2O has the better screen, but calling the Aura HD's screen fuzzy is just silly.

[dordale]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Don't be ridiculous. No doubt the H2O has the better screen, but calling the Aura HD's screen fuzzy is just silly.

I agree with this. I have an Aura HD, and while I'm sure the H2O has a better screen, I'd never describe my Aura HD's screen as "fuzzy". It's perfectly fine for reading on--even at smaller font sizes.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by dordale

I agree with this. I have an Aura HD, and while I'm sure the H2O has a better screen, I'd never describe my Aura HD's screen as "fuzzy". It's perfectly fine for reading on--even at smaller font sizes.

But you do have to admit that the Aura is not as clear as the H2O when a side-by-side comparison is done.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Don't be ridiculous. No doubt the H2O has the better screen, but calling the Aura HD's screen fuzzy is just silly.

Yes, and reviewers who compared them side by side at the time of the H2O's release said the improved screen of the H2O was barely noticeable.