Wanting to upgrade my e-reader, thoughts appreciated.

[lovemonster]

So I've been using the Kobo Aura HD for 5+ years now. I've found at this point that upgrading may be worthwhile for the following reasons-

1. The screen just seems more gray/green compared to what I've seen of the newer Kindle Paperwhite which looks to have a whiter background from video comparisons I've seen on Youtube.

2. The software, even after reinstalling, is so slow. I like to make highlights and the movement, accuracy, and speed is atrocious even compared to my memories of using a very early Kindle 10+ years ago. Maybe something is wrong with my device though.

Most importantly-

3. I like to read at night and, astonishingly, the light from the Aura HD has been unpleasant. It's like the text appears too muddy and thin at dimmer light and otherwise uncomfortable with brighter lighting. The contrast never seems "right" and reading on an iPad in the dark is strangely more comfortable.

So I'm thinking between the PW3/4/Voyage or Kobo Clara HD. Has anyone tried these and have a favorite?

Normally wouldn't consider the out of production Voyage but I found a great deal on one and for some reason in Youtube video comparisons, the screen color and contrast seem slightly better than all of the others. Is it just my imagination? Anyway, all replies are greatly appreciated and thanks!

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by lovemonster

So I've been using the Kobo Aura HD for 5+ years now. I've found at this point that upgrading may be worthwhile for the following reasons-

1. The screen just seems more gray/green compared to what I've seen of the newer Kindle Paperwhite which looks to have a whiter background from video comparisons I've seen on Youtube.

2. The software, even after reinstalling, is so slow. I like to make highlights and the movement, accuracy, and speed is atrocious even compared to my memories of using a very early Kindle 10+ years ago. Maybe something is wrong with my device though.

Most importantly-

3. I like to read at night and, astonishingly, the light from the Aura HD has been unpleasant. It's like the text appears too muddy and thin at dimmer light and otherwise uncomfortable with brighter lighting. The contrast never seems "right" and reading on an iPad in the dark is strangely more comfortable.

So I'm thinking between the PW3/4/Voyage or Kobo Clara HD. Has anyone tried these and have a favorite?

Normally wouldn't consider the out of production Voyage but I found a great deal on one and for some reason in Youtube video comparisons, the screen color and contrast seem slightly better than all of the others. Is it just my imagination? Anyway, all replies are greatly appreciated and thanks!

The Voyage has the best contrast and darkest text of all Kindles, but it has a famously uneven frontlight (not all Voyages, but many of them). The Paperwhites have generally more even frontlight, but the text contrast isn't as good as on the Voyage.

[Nausicaa]

Try an OLED display at night. It gets dimmer than any eink with frontlight I used. I can show screenshots but its basically mostly black since you can turn off every individual LED, and you can set the text to a color like red that doesn't disturb your night vision. Something like a samsung tablet or a phone you had lying around.

[BookCat]

If the Kobo Clara you're thinking of buying is a new one, maybe try that, but be sure that you can return it if you don't like it. A few Clara's have a problem with light bleed (bright spots of light) but provided you get a good one, they're loved by those who have them. Unfortunately, the one I was sent (this is some time ago) had very bad light bleed and was returned.

[4691mls]

I recently bought a Kobo Clara HD - haven't noticed any light bleed problem on mine.

I find that if I am reading in a dark room and move the color selector all the way to the orange end of the spectrum it looks too muddy for me so I usually set it a little closer to the middle. (Of course everyone's eyes are different.)

In the font settings it is possible to change the weight (boldness) of the text. A heavier weight can help if you are reading with the Clara's light at a low level in a dark room.

I haven't tried the Amazon ereaders so I can't help you with the comparison.

[slkissinger]

I have an addiction to ereaders. If you don't care about waterproof (which I don't think you do), from your list of possibilities, if it were me, I would get a Voyage first, because it is STILL the most clear text of any of the ereaders I have; then a Clara HD, because it's so light and easy to use--and it has the glowlight (Voyage doesn't), which makes it easier (for me at least) to read in the dark.

Since you currently have a Kobo--you may want to get the Clara HD; unless the Voyage is just an awesome deal you can't pass it up. Switching to Amazon store/infrastructure from Kobo might be annoying (it might not; only you can answer that question).

Paperwhite (any version); don't get me wrong, I've loved my Paperwhite when it was the new thing (the original original one); but the micro improvements, even the latest flush screen (which my sister has, so I've used it for a few hours to test), doesn't compete IMO with the Clara HD for the light, nor the Voyage for text crispness.

This wasn't on your list... but the one I read the most @night is the Pocketbook Touch HD 3. It took a few weeks to get shipped (no US distributor); but I do like the lighting on it, and the text is crisp enough.

[lovemonster]

Thanks so much everyone for the replies!! I am most likely to pick the Voyage for text crispness as I think my main problem is with text on my current ereader looking too "soft" even with bolder fonts. I hope the Carta is also a noticeable change from Pearl, even if subtlety.

Originally Posted by Nausicaa

Try an OLED display at night. It gets dimmer than any eink with frontlight I used. I can show screenshots but its basically mostly black since you can turn off every individual LED, and you can set the text to a color like red that doesn't disturb your night vision. Something like a samsung tablet or a phone you had lying around.

If you can take a pic I would appreciate that, so I can get an idea of how dim it can go while being readable. Have you read a lot under these conditions without disruption to your sleep? I really like reading on my iPad but notice my insomnia is worse spending too much night time with it, unfortunately. Haven't tried red text yet though.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by lovemonster

Thanks so much everyone for the replies!! I am most likely to pick the Voyage for text crispness as I think my main problem is with text on my current ereader looking too "soft" even with bolder fonts. I hope the Carta is also a noticeable change from Pearl, even if subtlety.



If you can take a pic I would appreciate that, so I can get an idea of how dim it can go while being readable. Have you read a lot under these conditions without disruption to your sleep? I really like reading on my iPad but notice my insomnia is worse spending too much night time with it, unfortunately. Haven't tried red text yet though.

The first post in this thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=292336 has pictures of the Voyage in a dark room with brightness settings across the full brightness range, with every setting between 0 and 6 inclusive, then every third level.

This thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=292421 is a poll of what brightness setting people use to read in a completely dark room. In bed with the voyage about 6" from my eyes, I use level 6. Sitting in a dark room with the Voyage about a foot from my eyes, I use level 7. I thought I used darker setting than most, but looking at the poll results again, I guess not.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by lovemonster

Thanks so much everyone for the replies!! I am most likely to pick the Voyage for text crispness as I think my main problem is with text on my current ereader looking too "soft" even with bolder fonts. I hope the Carta is also a noticeable change from Pearl, even if subtlety.

The change from Pearl to Carta is very noticeable. I upgraded from an original Aura to a Clara and suddenly my perfectly fine Aura seemed practically unreadable.

[Tarana]

I have 3 Voyages and have never figured out the uneven lighting thing people talk about. Mine all have even lighting. FWIW, my sister likes the current Paperwhite. Since she bought it, she used it a lot in motel rooms in the evening and in bed. (about 5 weeks). I have no experience with Kobo units.

[lovemonster]

I decided today to pursue a deal on the Voyage and am getting it soon. Can't wait for the sharper text and checking out the Carta screen. Thank you everyone for your replies and thoughts!!

[TheMadBrewer]

I've been using the Voyage since it first came out (on my 3rd one -- 1st was stolen, 2nd stopped working during warranty period). I really, really like it but it seems to be getting a bit flakey (have to do a hard reset every month or so). I also recently had a scare as I left on a plane in Amsterdam on my way home to LA -- diligent work by KLM (and $80 to DHL) got it back to me. In the meantime I had to use an older (bought 2017) Paperwhite and I really really hated it. It got me thinking that I would be looking at a replacement (for when it happens) and so I am here.

I do also have a reMarkable -- which I find too large to use a general eReader (though I love for note taking). And I have tried my brother's Oasis which I also did not like (neither does he, that is why he let me try it )

I do have a bunch of Amazon books, but the vast bulk are under $5 specials I got at one time or another -- most I had trouble reading once, so re-reading them is not an issue. I so I am not tied to the Kindle ecosystem.

It looks like the Kobo lines are pretty much the only alternative out there?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by TheMadBrewer

It looks like the Kobo lines are pretty much the only alternative out there?

Not necessarily. There are Nooks, Pocketbooks, Tolinos. The latter two might be hard to get in the US, but perhaps not impossible. Nook readers are known for their good hardware, but they're not the best option for sideloading your books. Still, many members here love them.

[lumpynose]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Not necessarily. There are Nooks, Pocketbooks, Tolinos. The latter two might be hard to get in the US, but perhaps not impossible. Nook readers are known for their good hardware, but they're not the best option for sideloading your books. Still, many members here love them.

Good e-Reader / goodereader.com sells the PocketBook, and perhaps the Tolinos. I definitely cannot recommend them; their web page is dodgy and I was worried that I was going to get charged twice because it wasn't handling PayPal correctly and I had to back up and try again. I never received any email confirming my order from Good e-Reader; the only confirmation I received was from PayPal, and my credit card company warning me of an international charge. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

[lumpynose]

Originally Posted by TheMadBrewer

It looks like the Kobo lines are pretty much the only alternative out there?

The user interface for getting around in My Books is far superior on the Kobo compared to the Kindle. I have an ancient Kindle Touch and its klunky user interface is practically identical to the Kindle Oasis.