Kobo Aura, worth buying?

susaz · 10-01-2016, 05:54 PM

Hi all!
I live in Buenos Aires Argentina, where the oldest of old thing get to us 2 or 3 years after. Nowadays, thankfully, there's a steady offer of Kobo readers. Since I mostly sideload books in spanish from local ebook stores, a "free" reader has always been the best choice.

My Kobo Glo is showing its age. The battery lasts about 15 days, and although I love it so very much now, it has taken a lot of beating back a year ago with serious overnight battery draining. That, no doubt, has serious damage to the battery in the long run.

Kobo Glo HD and Aura H20 are so incredibly expensive (about 250 bucks) and well beyond reach that I could afford them in a couple of months. Specially the H2O that I'm very fond of the idea, and could prove very useful due to my clumsiness with liquids

But there's an Aura (normal, not HD) on sale right now, fresh sealed box for about 130 bucks. Should I go for it or the H2O is a better buy?

New device offerings are not constant, they could be gone tomorrow for all I know, so I'm a little uncertain. Upgrade now to the Aura or wait for an H2O? Will the Aura hold its ground for 2 years? (that's the average time of renewal of my readers).

Sorry for the rant! Thanks all!

ZodWallop · 10-01-2016, 10:06 PM

Well, it's hard to say if it's 'worth it' as that's a personal choice. I bought my Aura just a few months back and like it a lot. No regrets so far.

How do you feel about the screen size of the Aura vs the H20? To me, the H20 is bigger than I want. The waterproofing is a nice plus for the H20, but the H20 is double the cost of the Aura.

Based on opinions here, both seem to be solid devices. I think you'll be happy whichever you choose.

Ksquared · 10-02-2016, 07:42 PM

I lack the perspective or the bias of having used other e-readers in the touch and backlight era. The Aura was my first ereader after a Kobo wifi.

I have had mine for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with it. I especially like the flush screen and small size, which is why the new offerings are not interesting me.

In the USA, $130 dollars would be high for and Aura today, but I think you would be happy with it.

Dryhte · 10-03-2016, 05:04 AM

I have the original Kobo Aura (flush capacitative screen). I'm totally happy with it, though I'd try and find a Kobo Glo HD if it broke, just for the added resolution (I have some comic PDF's that could do with some extra resolution).

I used the original Glo before the Aura, and I loved it just as much (and the Touch before that - no complaints except that they're a bit... fragile

all of them).

ZodWallop · 10-03-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksquared

In the USA, $130 dollars would be high for an Aura today...

Yeah, I saw them going for $50 on eBay. (So tempting to buy a second one at that price!)

Not sure what the cost would be to ship to Argentina though.

the.Mtn.Man · 10-03-2016, 02:04 PM

I've had my Aura for about 2-years, and I love it. The size, the form-factor, the features -- all of them score top-marks as far as I'm concerned. I especially like the flush bezel (no more crud accumulating around the edges of the screen!) and the capacitative touchscreen which I find to be more accurate and responsive than the infrared sensors on other models. It's one of those seemingly rare products that gets everything right.

church mouse · 10-03-2016, 03:51 PM

Never had an Aura, but I bought an H2O as an upgrade from a Glo and, much as I liked the extra resolution, I stopped using the H2O because I found it a bit too big for comfortable one handed reading .

Sent via Tapatalk

ZodWallop · 10-04-2016, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the.Mtn.Man

...It's one of those seemingly rare products that gets everything right.

Everything except the SD card, that sticks out of the bottom and has been accidentally ejected by me while reading! Sheesh, I wish the Kobo engineers would have given that a little more thought.

Still, in principle I agree with you. The Aura is a lovely device that I would buy again.

susaz · 10-07-2016, 01:02 AM

I still remember when the Aura came out, everyone was raving about it, and I felt lucky to be able to buy the Glo! Buying abroad is no longer an option, the very strict customs regs make it very expensive (more than the 130 bucks with some courier such as DHL, I wouldn't trust it to a simple mail!). My last bought abroad reader was my Sony T1, since then I have to buy locally whatever is available.
Thanks! I think the Aura for now is the best bang for the buck!!!

Geenween · 10-09-2016, 08:24 AM

My friend has an 6" Aura and screen-wise I far prefer the one on my Kobo Glo (both are the older models, not the HD/new edition versions). The flush screen of the Aura loses in definition compared to the Glo to me. Still my friend uses it and is very satisfied.

Question Mark · 10-09-2016, 03:07 PM

I have both the Aura and the KA1. Really like them both. I also had the Aura HD, but didn't much care for it. Gave it away when I got the Aura.

As to which is better, the Aura or the KA1? That's hard to say. The Aura is smaller and has a microSD card slot. However, the KA1's larger screen size makes it better, although still far from ideal, for reading PDFs.

So I think it would depend on what kind of files you'll be primarily reading. However, either one would make a decent ereader.

jeffery · 10-09-2016, 04:45 PM

I've had my aura HD only a few days now. I was reading on a kindle paperwhite prior to this one.

I switched to gain the support for epubs, my favorite format and the format I keep 100k+ books in. Managing this many books is done through calibre and calibre talks perfectly with the kobo.

With kindle I had to convert then email each book to amazon, then they would send it to my kindle. a hassle I no longer wanted.

The kindle may be slightly more comfortable to hold, but that is the only advantage it has over the Aura HD imho.

I like the larger screen, I like the font size/type choices, The lighting is better than kindles, a rare reader with a microSD slot, and ofcourse EPUBS!

Given how much I like it, I will be purchasing an aura one in the near future. I bought this Aura HD from amazon as a used item in like new condition for just under $100, and it came with a decent case.

I'll say this though, even after buying the aura one, I will keep this HD. The microSD slot is worth it's weight in gold if you have a lot of books.

meeera · 10-09-2016, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geenween

My friend has an 6" Aura and screen-wise I far prefer the one on my Kobo Glo (both are the older models, not the HD/new edition versions). The flush screen of the Aura loses in definition compared to the Glo to me. Still my friend uses it and is very satisfied.

I have both and I'd rather read on the Aura than the Glo, because I often read in dim light. The very dimmest Glo setting is still too much for my eyes when other ambient light is lacking.

jeffery · 10-13-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

I have both and I'd rather read on the Aura than the Glo, because I often read in dim light. The very dimmest Glo setting is still too much for my eyes when other ambient light is lacking.

I also hacked my Aura HD it now has 64gb of internal memory.

10-01-2016, 05:54 PM	#1
susaz Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 664784 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Buenos Aires Argentina Device: Nook Color, Grammata Papyre 6.2, Sony PRS T1, Nook ST Glow,Kobo Glo	Kobo Aura, worth buying? Hi all! I live in Buenos Aires Argentina, where the oldest of old thing get to us 2 or 3 years after. Nowadays, thankfully, there's a steady offer of Kobo readers. Since I mostly sideload books in spanish from local ebook stores, a "free" reader has always been the best choice. My Kobo Glo is showing its age. The battery lasts about 15 days, and although I love it so very much now, it has taken a lot of beating back a year ago with serious overnight battery draining. That, no doubt, has serious damage to the battery in the long run. Kobo Glo HD and Aura H20 are so incredibly expensive (about 250 bucks) and well beyond reach that I could afford them in a couple of months. Specially the H2O that I'm very fond of the idea, and could prove very useful due to my clumsiness with liquids But there's an Aura (normal, not HD) on sale right now, fresh sealed box for about 130 bucks. Should I go for it or the H2O is a better buy? New device offerings are not constant, they could be gone tomorrow for all I know, so I'm a little uncertain. Upgrade now to the Aura or wait for an H2O? Will the Aura hold its ground for 2 years? (that's the average time of renewal of my readers). Sorry for the rant! Thanks all!

10-09-2016, 04:45 PM	#12
jeffery Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 565332 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: kobo aura hd	Aura HD I've had my aura HD only a few days now. I was reading on a kindle paperwhite prior to this one. I switched to gain the support for epubs, my favorite format and the format I keep 100k+ books in. Managing this many books is done through calibre and calibre talks perfectly with the kobo. With kindle I had to convert then email each book to amazon, then they would send it to my kindle. a hassle I no longer wanted. The kindle may be slightly more comfortable to hold, but that is the only advantage it has over the Aura HD imho. I like the larger screen, I like the font size/type choices, The lighting is better than kindles, a rare reader with a microSD slot, and ofcourse EPUBS! Given how much I like it, I will be purchasing an aura one in the near future. I bought this Aura HD from amazon as a used item in like new condition for just under $100, and it came with a decent case. I'll say this though, even after buying the aura one, I will keep this HD. The microSD slot is worth it's weight in gold if you have a lot of books.

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10-01-2016, 10:06 PM	#2
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,478 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Well, it's hard to say if it's 'worth it' as that's a personal choice. I bought my Aura just a few months back and like it a lot. No regrets so far. How do you feel about the screen size of the Aura vs the H20? To me, the H20 is bigger than I want. The waterproofing is a nice plus for the H20, but the H20 is double the cost of the Aura. Based on opinions here, both seem to be solid devices. I think you'll be happy whichever you choose.

10-02-2016, 07:42 PM	#3
Ksquared Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 2635236 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA Device: Original Kobo Aura 6", Libra H2O	I lack the perspective or the bias of having used other e-readers in the touch and backlight era. The Aura was my first ereader after a Kobo wifi. I have had mine for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with it. I especially like the flush screen and small size, which is why the new offerings are not interesting me. In the USA, $130 dollars would be high for and Aura today, but I think you would be happy with it.

10-03-2016, 05:04 AM	#4
Dryhte Crow Posts: 133 Karma: 10808 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Where The Sun Don't Shine (much) Device: (Vivlio) Pocketbook Touch HD3	I have the original Kobo Aura (flush capacitative screen). I'm totally happy with it, though I'd try and find a Kobo Glo HD if it broke, just for the added resolution (I have some comic PDF's that could do with some extra resolution). I used the original Glo before the Aura, and I loved it just as much (and the Touch before that - no complaints except that they're a bit... fragile all of them).

10-03-2016, 02:04 PM	#6
the.Mtn.Man Guru Posts: 710 Karma: 2483502 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo Aura	I've had my Aura for about 2-years, and I love it. The size, the form-factor, the features -- all of them score top-marks as far as I'm concerned. I especially like the flush bezel (no more crud accumulating around the edges of the screen!) and the capacitative touchscreen which I find to be more accurate and responsive than the infrared sensors on other models. It's one of those seemingly rare products that gets everything right.

10-03-2016, 03:51 PM	#7
church mouse Evangelist Posts: 485 Karma: 5277078 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo Clara HD, Boox Poke 2, PocketBook Verse Pro (634)	Never had an Aura, but I bought an H2O as an upgrade from a Glo and, much as I liked the extra resolution, I stopped using the H2O because I found it a bit too big for comfortable one handed reading . Sent via Tapatalk

10-07-2016, 01:02 AM	#9
susaz Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 664784 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Buenos Aires Argentina Device: Nook Color, Grammata Papyre 6.2, Sony PRS T1, Nook ST Glow,Kobo Glo	I still remember when the Aura came out, everyone was raving about it, and I felt lucky to be able to buy the Glo! Buying abroad is no longer an option, the very strict customs regs make it very expensive (more than the 130 bucks with some courier such as DHL, I wouldn't trust it to a simple mail!). My last bought abroad reader was my Sony T1, since then I have to buy locally whatever is available. Thanks! I think the Aura for now is the best bang for the buck!!!

10-09-2016, 08:24 AM	#10
Geenween Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Italy Device: Kobo Glo, Energy reader Pro+	My friend has an 6" Aura and screen-wise I far prefer the one on my Kobo Glo (both are the older models, not the HD/new edition versions). The flush screen of the Aura loses in definition compared to the Glo to me. Still my friend uses it and is very satisfied.

10-09-2016, 03:07 PM	#11
Question Mark Wizard Posts: 1,419 Karma: 6513838 Join Date: Mar 2016 Device: More than I need, but not as many as I would like.	I have both the Aura and the KA1. Really like them both. I also had the Aura HD, but didn't much care for it. Gave it away when I got the Aura. As to which is better, the Aura or the KA1? That's hard to say. The Aura is smaller and has a microSD card slot. However, the KA1's larger screen size makes it better, although still far from ideal, for reading PDFs. So I think it would depend on what kind of files you'll be primarily reading. However, either one would make a decent ereader.

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