(Germany) Any sleek looking 6.5"+ EReaders other than the PW5/KOA3?

hanakomisa · 07-20-2022, 05:04 AM

Hello! I've been lurking here for quite a bit since I got my PW2 2 weeks ago and been hooked on it ever since, and now i'm accumulating a 120 EUR budget for my next reader. (I usually buy second hand so I'm sure I can find something in my budget.)

I've been eyeing the PW5 or the Oasis 3 but I have a few concerns regarding both of them:

1. The Oasis 3 would probably be very awful to try and replace the battery once it dies (I think it's a valid concern since I'm buying second hand)
2. FW versions of them might be higher than what WatchThis supports. KOReader has spoiled me on my PW2

Also, I live in Germany so Kobo devices aren't really available here, and I'm not sure how close Tolino devices are to them (I am aware that Kobo bought Tolino a while back). So I'm looking for recommendations.

I primarily consume content in English so content availability in German is irrelevent to me.

I would prefer it to have:
1. a 6.5" screen or bigger
2. Something with decent 3rd party software support
3. Wouldn't break my bank, as I mentioned above since I don't have that high of a budget. Second hands are okay for me.

Sirtel · 07-20-2022, 07:27 AM

Kobo Libra 2 or Libra H2O would be the best option. You can buy them from elsewhere in Europe, I bought mine from Amazon.fr. Tolinos have different software, I'm not sure if they support KOReader.

hanakomisa · 07-20-2022, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Kobo Libra 2 or Libra H2O would be the best option. You can buy them from elsewhere in Europe, I bought mine from Amazon.fr. Tolinos have different software, I'm not sure if they support KOReader.

AFAIK the software is android very heavily skinned, but the versions they run on are ancient from my googling around (Tolino Vision 5 runs on Android 4.4.2?). I also don't know how "hardened" the software is against rooting and other things.

Checking on amazon.fr, doesn't seem like there are any Libra 2 that ships to the Hesse region, and the ones available in Germany are 170 EUR. I guess it's more saving up if no better option pops up.

Sirtel · 07-20-2022, 09:17 AM

There's also the new Pocketbook Era. You can install KOReader on it, but it's just been released and so is even more expensive than the Libra 2.

hanakomisa · 07-20-2022, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

There's also the new Pocketbook Era. You can install KOReader on it, but it's just been released and so is even more expensive than the Libra 2.

Yep, could barely see them around from my search. I'm probably gonna go with the PW5 since I found a listing that shows it's on 5.14.2 and is just right in my budget.

j.p.s · 07-20-2022, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanakomisa

The Oasis 3 would probably be very awful to try and replace the battery once it dies (I think it's a valid concern since I'm buying second hand)

I have not seen any reports of anyone opening an Oasis 2 or Oasis 3 without destroying it.

svenlind · 07-21-2022, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Kobo Libra 2 or Libra H2O would be the best option. You can buy them from elsewhere in Europe, I bought mine from Amazon.fr. Tolinos have different software, I'm not sure if they support KOReader.

Kobo Libra 2 is avaiable at amazon germany here

hanakomisa · 07-21-2022, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I have not seen any reports of anyone opening an Oasis 2 or Oasis 3 without destroying it.

Which is why I decided against it. Talking to a discord friend they also recommended against the Oasis for it's impossibility to repair as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by svenlind

Kobo Libra 2 is avaiable at amazon germany here

Thank you, I've already bit the bullet and bought myself the Papwerwhite 5 though. Maybe for my next device since I might get into collecting these devices for fun once I have a better income.

hanakomisa · 07-22-2022, 06:06 AM

Update! I got my Paperwhite Kids, and it came on 5.14.0.1, the important part is to untick "Link your account" before buying the device. Same applies to the Fire tablets if you want an older version of the software.

Michal Jancik · 10-12-2022, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanakomisa

AFAIK the software is android very heavily skinned, but the versions they run on are ancient from my googling around (Tolino Vision 5 runs on Android 4.4.2?). I also don't know how "hardened" the software is against rooting and other things.

Checking on amazon.fr, doesn't seem like there are any Libra 2 that ships to the Hesse region, and the ones available in Germany are 170 EUR. I guess it's more saving up if no better option pops up.

Since you live in Germany, I would recommend the "Tolino Vision 6" (New "7" Screen E-INK Carta 1200) version.
To my surprise, it has an excellent screen, better than the Kobo Libra 2.
It has a really strong contrast and sharpness of font.

Compared to other book readers, it has the advantage that you can choose from several electronic book providers (onleihe.de etc).

https://mytolino.com/products/tolino-vision-6/

Compared to its predecessor, it is not based on Android 4.* but Android 8.*. Installing an APK application is not that complicated and there is no need to ROOT.

JSWolf · 10-12-2022, 10:06 AM

@hanakomisa given that you live in Germany, if you do use Overdrive or ever will use Overdrive, you won't be able to use it with a Kindle. You are best with a Kobo or Tolino.

kandwo · 10-12-2022, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michal Jancik

Since you live in Germany, I would recommend the "Tolino Vision 6" (New "7" Screen E-INK Carta 1200) version.
To my surprise, it has an excellent screen, better than the Kobo Libra 2.
It has a really strong contrast and sharpness of font.

Compared to other book readers, it has the advantage that you can choose from several electronic book providers (onleihe.de etc).

https://mytolino.com/products/tolino-vision-6/

Compared to its predecessor, it is not based on Android 4.* but Android 8.*. Installing an APK application is not that complicated and there is no need to ROOT.

How can the screen be better if it's the same hardware? (Well, except for the processor, but I'd expect the casing and the screen to be the same.) Have you compared them side by side?

Quoth · 10-12-2022, 03:53 PM

There is a slight variation of brightness (with same lighting and front light off) even with the same model. Not usually enough to show on a single photo taken of the two ereaders together. Comparing online images or your own ereader with online images is pointless even with a calibrated HDR monitor because you don't know lighting and exposure and camera/phone used.

JSWolf · 10-12-2022, 04:18 PM

@hanakomisa One advantage to the Tolino Vision 6 is that you can install the Android Kindle app and have the best of both worlds (ePub & Kindle).

ZodWallop · 10-12-2022, 06:29 PM

Guys, they bought their reader months ago.

07-20-2022, 05:04 AM	#1
hanakomisa Neon, she/her Posts: 41 Karma: 5000 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Hesse, Germany Device: PW2,3,5, Fire HDX 7"	(Germany) Any sleek looking 6.5"+ EReaders other than the PW5/KOA3? Hello! I've been lurking here for quite a bit since I got my PW2 2 weeks ago and been hooked on it ever since, and now i'm accumulating a 120 EUR budget for my next reader. (I usually buy second hand so I'm sure I can find something in my budget.) I've been eyeing the PW5 or the Oasis 3 but I have a few concerns regarding both of them: 1. The Oasis 3 would probably be very awful to try and replace the battery once it dies (I think it's a valid concern since I'm buying second hand) 2. FW versions of them might be higher than what WatchThis supports. KOReader has spoiled me on my PW2 Also, I live in Germany so Kobo devices aren't really available here, and I'm not sure how close Tolino devices are to them (I am aware that Kobo bought Tolino a while back). So I'm looking for recommendations. I primarily consume content in English so content availability in German is irrelevent to me. I would prefer it to have: 1. a 6.5" screen or bigger 2. Something with decent 3rd party software support 3. Wouldn't break my bank, as I mentioned above since I don't have that high of a budget. Second hands are okay for me.

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07-20-2022, 07:27 AM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,335 Karma: 225099840 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Kobo Libra 2 or Libra H2O would be the best option. You can buy them from elsewhere in Europe, I bought mine from Amazon.fr. Tolinos have different software, I'm not sure if they support KOReader.

07-20-2022, 09:17 AM	#4
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,335 Karma: 225099840 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	There's also the new Pocketbook Era. You can install KOReader on it, but it's just been released and so is even more expensive than the Libra 2.

07-22-2022, 06:06 AM	#9
hanakomisa Neon, she/her Posts: 41 Karma: 5000 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Hesse, Germany Device: PW2,3,5, Fire HDX 7"	Update! I got my Paperwhite Kids, and it came on 5.14.0.1, the important part is to untick "Link your account" before buying the device. Same applies to the Fire tablets if you want an older version of the software.

10-12-2022, 10:06 AM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,417 Karma: 129358310 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@hanakomisa given that you live in Germany, if you do use Overdrive or ever will use Overdrive, you won't be able to use it with a Kindle. You are best with a Kobo or Tolino.

10-12-2022, 03:53 PM	#13
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,395 Karma: 87454321 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	There is a slight variation of brightness (with same lighting and front light off) even with the same model. Not usually enough to show on a single photo taken of the two ereaders together. Comparing online images or your own ereader with online images is pointless even with a calibrated HDR monitor because you don't know lighting and exposure and camera/phone used.

10-12-2022, 04:18 PM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,417 Karma: 129358310 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@hanakomisa One advantage to the Tolino Vision 6 is that you can install the Android Kindle app and have the best of both worlds (ePub & Kindle).

10-12-2022, 06:29 PM	#15
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,079 Karma: 108646675 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3	Guys, they bought their reader months ago.

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