Kobo Libra 2 availability in EU (DE)?

[Tintenfisch]

Good midday, everyone!
I am interested in buying a 7" ereader in Black-White with buttons.

So far PocketBook Era & Kobo Libra 2 are most promising candidates.
I cannot see them in real life (no electronics store here has them both), so I relied on youtube comparisons – and Kobo Libra 2 seems to have the better, more contrast display than PB Era (both being b/w Carta 1200).

But, however, Kobo Libra 2 I cannot find available in Germany! It is said out of production. Used prices are ridiculous (500 € I found one offer for not-new-condition).
Does anyone know if it is somewhere available (in new condition) or in the EU, some EU online shops?
Or can you order it in Japan still? So I will pay expensive Japan>Germany shipping + tax tariff, but still worth it!

Thank you, friends of Kobo!

[Sirtel]

It was discontinued a while ago. So a used device is probably your only option.

[PeterT]

Have you looked at the Tolino offerings? I know you want 7" but the Epos 3 might be an option at 8"

[qkqw]

Sure you can get it in Germany, and actually all of EU. For example: https://www.coolblue.nl/en/product/9...our-black.html

[Tommalka]

Tolino Vision 6 is essentially the Kobo Libra 2, widely avaible

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by qkqw

Sure you can get it in Germany, and actually all of EU. For example: https://www.coolblue.nl/en/product/9...our-black.html

That's not Libra 2, it's the Libra Colour.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Tommalka

Tolino Vision 6 is essentially the Kobo Libra 2, widely avaible

The firmware is different, though.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Tommalka

Tolino Vision 6 is essentially the Kobo Libra 2, widely avaible

The Tolino Vision 6 and the Kobo Libra 2 are the same on the outside and very different on the inside. Although I personally use my Tolino e-readers much more than my Kobos (I have two Tolino Vision 6s that suit my preferences better than the Kobo Libra 2), a person looking for a Kobo for its features is likely to be disappointed with a Tolino.

And between the two options you raise, the PocketBook Era is the more realistic one (I presume that Kindle and other Android e-readers are ruled out for some unspecified reason). I am not particularly satisfied with my PocketBook Era but there are many people who enjoy it and recommend it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by cellaris

The Tolino Vision 6 and the Kobo Libra 2 are the same on the outside and very different on the inside. Although I personally use my Tolino e-readers much more than my Kobos (I have two Tolino Vision 6s that suit my preferences better than the Kobo Libra 2), a person looking for a Kobo for its features is likely to be disappointed with a Tolino.

And between the two options you raise, the PocketBook Era is the more realistic one (I presume that Kindle and other Android e-readers are ruled out for some unspecified reason). I am not particularly satisfied with my PocketBook Era but there are many people who enjoy it and recommend it.

I find the current Kindle UI to be a right mess.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by cellaris

…

And between the two options you raise, the PocketBook Era is the more realistic one (I presume that Kindle and other Android e-readers are ruled out for some unspecified reason). I am not particularly satisfied with my PocketBook Era but there are many people who enjoy it and recommend it.

I saw the Pocketbook Era a few weeks ago in a local shop and was impressed. I'd have bought it if I didn't already have too many ereaders. The shop guy let me play with it. It had some version of Alice in Wonderland on it. Page turn buttons less visible and no pokey-up edge like on the Kobos with page turn buttons. Seems to also have menu and back (or is it home?) buttons.

[Tintenfisch]

Thank you very much for your replies!

Indeed I researched into the Kobo & Tolino and found that many users found the Tolino laggy and gets less good updates than the Kobo (even though hardware is similar).
Also, some say hardware from Kobo is slightly better, feels "less cheap".

So I want to go for Kobo, since I am a total computer beginner (I even struggle with simple Calibre tasks) and can never in a 100 years hack the Tolino to become a Kobo.

The 8" looks nice, but too large for my user case, so the Epos 3 and Sage are too large for me. 6" too small.

So the result is:

• Kobo Libra 2 not available any more
• Tolino software not good enough
• Pocket Era seems to be the deal (although worse display contrast + some say laggy software)

I think I will trigger the PocketBook Era and return, if contrast is too unpleasant and software too laggy.
Or try 8" devices (Sage, Epos) anyway and start weight lifting so I can hold the heavier 8" device longer in my hand.
Thank you!

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Seems to also have menu and back (or is it home?) buttons.

The four keys on PocketBook e-readers are multifunctional. You can assign various tasks, both global and specific to the reading programme, in single or long presses. They are very useful.

[PeterT]

Searching on Amazon.de for Kobo Libra 2 I did find a couple. I had to look at the "Other buying options" on the main listing that had stated out of stock.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Tintenfisch

I am a total computer beginner (I even struggle with simple Calibre tasks) and can never in a 100 years hack the Tolino to become a Kobo.

There is no need to convert a Tolino into a Kobo. Simply accessing Android and installing various apps is more than enough to have an e-reader with more options. You can use other reading software or you can use the Tolino reading software and use the Android apps to make some improvements, especially in terms of dictionaries, translators, Wikipedia or web search.

Accessing Android is very simple. You copy the applications to be installed to the root of the reader, enter a numerical code in the Tolino search panel and install the applications. In a minute you have everything installed.

(I'm not saying this to convince you to buy a Tolino, but simply to make it clear that the process is very simple and within the reach of any user).

[Tintenfisch]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Searching on Amazon.de for Kobo Libra 2 I did find a couple. I had to look at the "Other buying options" on the main listing that had stated out of stock.

Thank you, I saw it, but 300 EUR for "used like new" was too expensive for me for a 4 year old device.

I now went with the PocketBook Era.
Unfortunately, I am not happy with the display. It is dark and bad contrast. It is a shame, display is the most important thing for me. I don't care if a device "feels" more premium or more plastic or looks more cheap or more luxury laying on the desk. I only care what my eyes read for hours = display.

But all other up-to-date devices either color nowadays or 6". I don't know what to do next.