Get grandma reading again!

mattcd216 · 06-08-2023, 09:38 AM

Ok I’m on a mission to get my gran with bad eyesight back in to the lovely world of books. I showed her my kobo nia with font enlarged and she was amazed.
Asking for suggestions that meet the following requirements:

cheap (second hand, this will likely be mislaid often)
magnetic sleep/wake case (minimal button pressing - arthritis)
backlight
uk library (overdrive) compatibile (not essential)

Thank you community!

JSWolf · 06-08-2023, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcd216

Ok I’m on a mission to get my gran with bad eyesight back in to the lovely world of books. I showed her my kobo nia with font enlarged and she was amazed.
Asking for suggestions that meet the following requirements:

cheap (second hand, this will likely be mislaid often)
magnetic sleep/wake case (minimal button pressing - arthritis)
backlight
uk library (overdrive) compatibile (not essential)

Thank you community!

In the other thread, I recommended a 7" Kobo Libra 2 because of the 7" screen and the better contrast. A 6" screen may very well be too small for someone with bad eyesight. Sure you can make the font larger on a 6" screen, but it may not look good.

Plus you'll find most old Kobo are not Overdrive compatible.

ZodWallop · 06-08-2023, 11:39 AM

My mom is 76 and I gave her a 6" Nook Glowlight 3 and she loves it. Larger screens are nice, but don't think 6" won't agree with old eyes, especially if cost is a consideration.

Why not look for an older Kobo? The models listed below all have lighted screens, sleep covers and work with Overdrive in the UK (thank you for mentioning location. It makes it SO much easier!).

Except for the Nia, these are all older model Kobos that have been replaced by newer models. You should be able to find these used on eBay for a reasonable price:

Kobo Nia
Kobo Aura edition 2
Kobo Clara HD
Kobo Aura H2O edition 2
Kobo Libra H2O

Calenorn · 06-08-2023, 11:55 AM

Some ereaders can switch to a landscape display; longer lines of text would help when using a large font. The Libra H2O, for example.

JSWolf · 06-08-2023, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

My mom is 76 and I gave her a 6" Nook Glowlight 3 and she loves it. Larger screens are nice, but don't think 6" won't agree with old eyes, especially if cost is a consideration.

Why not look for an older Kobo? The models listed below all have lighted screens, sleep covers and work with Overdrive in the UK (thank you for mentioning location. It makes it SO much easier!).

Except for the Nia, these are all older model Kobos that have been replaced by newer models. You should be able to find these used on eBay for a reasonable price:

Kobo Nia
Kobo Aura edition 2
Kobo Clara HD
Kobo Aura H2O edition 2
Kobo Libra H2O

Sure you can make the font size large enough. But large enough could look terrible on a 6" screen. Go for a 7" screen and no need to worry if it'll be good enough as it will be good enough.

JSWolf · 06-08-2023, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calenorn

Some ereaders can switch to a landscape display; longer lines of text would help when using a large font. The Libra H2O, for example.

Reading landscape is not good (IMHO). Plus it's not nearly as easy to hold.

ApK · 06-08-2023, 02:26 PM

Wow, no one corrected "backlight" to "frontlight?"

Sometimes I miss the simple, innocent pedantry of the old days. :-)

mattcd216 · 06-08-2023, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Wow, no one corrected "backlight" to "frontlight?"

Sometimes I miss the simple, innocent pedantry of the old days. :-)

ha very good point!

mattcd216 · 06-08-2023, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

My mom is 76 and I gave her a 6" Nook Glowlight 3 and she loves it. Larger screens are nice, but don't think 6" won't agree with old eyes, especially if cost is a consideration.

Why not look for an older Kobo? The models listed below all have lighted screens, sleep covers and work with Overdrive in the UK (thank you for mentioning location. It makes it SO much easier!).

Except for the Nia, these are all older model Kobos that have been replaced by newer models. You should be able to find these used on eBay for a reasonable price:

Kobo Nia
Kobo Aura edition 2
Kobo Clara HD
Kobo Aura H2O edition 2
Kobo Libra H2O

This is great, thank you

JSWolf · 06-08-2023, 02:43 PM

With large text, a 6" screen leave much more chance for wide gaps then a 7" screen.

DNSB · 06-08-2023, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Wow, no one corrected "backlight" to "frontlight?"
Sometimes I miss the simple, innocent pedantry of the old days. :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcd216

ha very good point!

I noticed it but since a non-tech question, I let it go. I mean, you can only say that an eInk screen is opaque and so needs to be lit from the front so many times.

DNSB · 06-08-2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

With large text, a 6" screen leave much more chance for wide gaps then a 7" screen.

Ah, but if you read using left justified text, that is not a worry. Since no eInk ereader is capable of microjustication at this point in time, there is no other fix.

JSWolf · 06-08-2023, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Ah, but if you read using left justified text, that is not a worry. Since no eInk ereader is capable of microjustication at this point in time, there is no other fix.

ePub does variable space better then KePub.

But one point that was pointed out int he other thread was buttons. If buttons would be better for Grandma, then the Libra 2 is it.

graycyn · 06-08-2023, 08:41 PM

As someone who's only a decade younger than "grandma," regarding any case/cover selected, I recommend something in a bright color, or distinctive pattern, as I misplace stuff more than I like to admit, and something that stands out is far easier for me to find. Even if you have to "mod" it for her, that might help.

Since you may be buying secondhand, look for listings that include a case with the device. As devices age, it often becomes more difficult to find a sleep/wake cover for them.

A larger screen is very nice, but not essential if you have to keep costs down. I think the front light IS essential for older eyes.

Good luck and I think if you can find the right reader, your grandma will LOVE being able to read again!

mattcd216 · 06-09-2023, 03:35 AM

@graycyn really appreciate the advice, thank you.

I think an kobo Clara HD needs to be found

Matt

06-08-2023, 09:38 AM	#1
mattcd216 Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Device: kindle 4 D01100	Get grandma reading again! Ok I’m on a mission to get my gran with bad eyesight back in to the lovely world of books. I showed her my kobo nia with font enlarged and she was amazed. Asking for suggestions that meet the following requirements: cheap (second hand, this will likely be mislaid often) magnetic sleep/wake case (minimal button pressing - arthritis) backlight uk library (overdrive) compatibile (not essential) Thank you community! Last edited by mattcd216; 06-08-2023 at 09:54 AM.

06-08-2023, 11:39 AM	#3
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,072 Karma: 108646675 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3	My mom is 76 and I gave her a 6" Nook Glowlight 3 and she loves it. Larger screens are nice, but don't think 6" won't agree with old eyes, especially if cost is a consideration. Why not look for an older Kobo? The models listed below all have lighted screens, sleep covers and work with Overdrive in the UK (thank you for mentioning location. It makes it SO much easier!). Except for the Nia, these are all older model Kobos that have been replaced by newer models. You should be able to find these used on eBay for a reasonable price: Kobo Nia Kobo Aura edition 2 Kobo Clara HD Kobo Aura H2O edition 2 Kobo Libra H2O Last edited by ZodWallop; 06-08-2023 at 11:42 AM.

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06-08-2023, 11:55 AM	#4
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,165 Karma: 8710811 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	Some ereaders can switch to a landscape display; longer lines of text would help when using a large font. The Libra H2O, for example.

06-08-2023, 02:26 PM	#7
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,321 Karma: 67930154 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	Wow, no one corrected "backlight" to "frontlight?" Sometimes I miss the simple, innocent pedantry of the old days. :-)

06-08-2023, 02:43 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,376 Karma: 129333690 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	With large text, a 6" screen leave much more chance for wide gaps then a 7" screen.

06-08-2023, 08:41 PM	#14
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,503 Karma: 11250344 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Kindle Oasis 2, Sony PRS-T2	As someone who's only a decade younger than "grandma," regarding any case/cover selected, I recommend something in a bright color, or distinctive pattern, as I misplace stuff more than I like to admit, and something that stands out is far easier for me to find. Even if you have to "mod" it for her, that might help. Since you may be buying secondhand, look for listings that include a case with the device. As devices age, it often becomes more difficult to find a sleep/wake cover for them. A larger screen is very nice, but not essential if you have to keep costs down. I think the front light IS essential for older eyes. Good luck and I think if you can find the right reader, your grandma will LOVE being able to read again!

06-09-2023, 03:35 AM	#15
mattcd216 Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2023 Device: kindle 4 D01100	@graycyn really appreciate the advice, thank you. I think an kobo Clara HD needs to be found Matt

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