An abundance of Claras, a derth of Libra(s)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by talaivan

I have the Libra Colour and find it is as good for reading BW books as the Sage or the Elipsa. I wonder if the people complaining about it have actually tried using it. In fact, I can't tell the difference in the image of text except for size.

I've used most of the different eInk panels since the Sony Reader PRS-500. So I do know what a darker panel is like and while the panel on the Libra Colour is readable, it;s not as good as the panel on the Libra 2.

I know if I had a darker panel, I there are times I would have to either turn on the light, up the font size or both with the LC where I don't have to do either with the L2.

Because I've used panels that are darker with less contrast then the Carta 1200, I don't need to see the LC in person to know what it's like reading plain text. The only thing I don't know is if I would see the sparkels on the Kaleido panel with text. If I did, that would be annoying to me.

With the L2, in bed with no lights on, I have the light set to 3. I cannot do that with the LC as I would not be able to read.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Being "used to something" is another way of saying that's what we expect. I expect that my eReader will have good contrast, with a black font and a whitish screen. I see colored (and grayish) fonts inserted in Internet texts all the time. To me they're, at best, a distraction or, at worse, cause me to squint because (especially with grayish text) the contrast is not as good and the text is not as clear.

I've got nothing against color eReaders for those who want them. I understand that not everyone has the same taste (or the same eyes). But to say I prefer black text on whitish background because I'm "stuck in my ways" or "I don't think it can be done another way" is simply not the case. There's a reason why paper books are not (often) printed with a non-black font and it's not because black is the only choice. It's because black on white creates the best contrast. And good, dark contrast in fonts is what I'm looking for — in both an eReader or in a paper book.

I only wanted to point out that we are children of the way things are done in our time. We have always read in black and white because that is how the books we know have been distributed (with the odd anecdotal exception). This is what I mean when I say that we have not been able to choose. We cannot go to a bookshop and ask for a book with chapter headings in blue, quotations in red and notes in green. Just as we cannot go to a newsagent and ask for a black and white version of a magazine that has been printed in colour. We have no choice. And we are used to it because that is how we have lived it, not because we have stagnated. This is not a complaint, nor is it a criticism of the way we read.

But this has not always been the case. We sometimes forget that there was a time when printed books were not considered "real" books. Federico da Montefelto abhorred them because he was a child of the age of the marvellous illuminated manuscripts (where the presence of colour did not confuse anyone, but differentiated and clarified the text). For the exquisite readers of the 15th century, a book printed in black and white was little short of an abomination.

I have nothing against monochrome e-readers, on which I have read for many years and where I still occasionally read. But I don't see them as the finished product of a deliberate and thoughtful design that has decided to exclude colour because it makes for better reading. "That's it, we've done it. This is what we wanted to offer and what readers want". I rather think that the absence of colour in e-readers is due to a technological limitation and that they will continue to evolve in the direction of colour. But maybe I'm completely wrong.

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I rather think that the absence of colour in e-readers is due to a technological limitation and that they will continue to evolve in the direction of colour.

You are correct. The problem is not the addition of colour but that doing so compromises the monochromatic performance, which is how 99% of novels are formatted. If it were possible to get colour covers without sacrificing BW performance, I'd be on board with that.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

You are correct. The problem is not the addition of colour but that doing so compromises the monochromatic performance, which is how 99% of novels are formatted. If it were possible to get colour covers without sacrificing BW performance, I'd be on board with that.

Yes. No one would have any objections then, whether they personally need color or not.

[sydmalicious]

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

Honestly not much; it’s fun to see your book covers in color, and perhaps the odd illustration or map which happens to be in color in your book, but you won’t notice it for 95%+ of the time. Yet when I go back to my non-color readers, I miss the colors in that 5%.

It’s basically an unnecessary luxury you get used to having and somewhat miss when you don’t.

Yeah I was watching a video review of the color and the covers did look nice. The guy was kind of surprised at how washed out the colors are. He was coming from OLED screens so of course the colors aren't as vivid. He does like it though.

[sydmalicious]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

From what's been said by some owners, the Libra Colour needs about 20-30% light to match the Libra 2 with no light on. And because of the high % the light needs, the battery is not as good as that of the Libra 2. Overall, the Libra Colour has a worse battery (based on usage) and poor contrast because it's too dark.

Yep; most of the reviews I've seen have said the same thing.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I only wanted to point out that we are children of the way things are done in our time. We have always read in black and white because that is how the books we know have been distributed (with the odd anecdotal exception). This is what I mean when I say that we have not been able to choose. We cannot go to a bookshop and ask for a book with chapter headings in blue, quotations in red and notes in green. Just as we cannot go to a newsagent and ask for a black and white version of a magazine that has been printed in colour. We have no choice. And we are used to it because that is how we have lived it, not because we have stagnated. This is not a complaint, nor is it a criticism of the way we read.

I guess I'm not the one to talk to about this as 1) I don't highlight my text, and 2) unless I have no choice, I don't have footers or headers on my pages (not even page numbers) and 3) as for quotations, a different color font would be distracting to me — I just like to see them inset. Besides, I mostly read fiction on an eReader and there's usually no quotations. I like black text on a white screen when reading. That, to me, is a "clean" page.

Originally Posted by cellaris

But this has not always been the case. We sometimes forget that there was a time when printed books were not considered "real" books. Federico da Montefelto abhorred them because he was a child of the age of the marvellous illuminated manuscripts (where the presence of colour did not confuse anyone, but differentiated and clarified the text). For the exquisite readers of the 15th century, a book printed in black and white was little short of an abomination.

This is like comparing apples to orangutans. You're not going to come close to replicating these illustrated manuscripts on a color eReader (especially not on one using Kaleido screens). I appreciate these beautifully illustrated manuscripts, but I sure wouldn't want to read a 1,000 page novel in this format. These were usually missals or other spiritual works, where short passages were read to group — definitely not something like a novel.

Originally Posted by cellaris

I have nothing against monochrome e-readers, on which I have read for many years and where I still occasionally read. But I don't see them as the finished product of a deliberate and thoughtful design that has decided to exclude colour because it makes for better reading. "That's it, we've done it. This is what we wanted to offer and what readers want". I rather think that the absence of colour in e-readers is due to a technological limitation and that they will continue to evolve in the direction of colour. But maybe I'm completely wrong.

Whether it was a result of a deliberate design or not, I prefer simple, black on white "pages" (screens) when reading on an eReader. But I can definitely see where others would prefer color, especially those who do a lot of highlighting. I think (hope at least) that we will continue to be able to choose either a monochrome eReader or a color one. And, hopefully, Kobo will release an updated Libra monochrome eReader in the near future so that ability to choose is preserved.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by sydmalicious

Yep; most of the reviews I've seen have said the same thing.

A Libra BW with the same specs as the Libra Colour minis the color layer would be really good. It would have the Carta 1300 screen, faster processor and heftier battery withut the need for such a high % of front light. I think it would not have the battery issues the Libra Colour has.

Come on Kobo, get your finger out of your rear and get the Libra BW made.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

From what's been said by some owners, the Libra Colour needs about 20-30% light to match the Libra 2 with no light on. And because of the high % the light needs, the battery is not as good as that of the Libra 2. Overall, the Libra Colour has a worse battery (based on usage) and poor contrast because it's too dark.

Originally Posted by sydmalicious

Yep; most of the reviews I've seen have said the same thing.

Doesn't the Libra Colour have a larger battery? Doing a google, the Libra 2 is 1500 and the Libra Colour is 2050.

Looking at Amazon reviews, the Libra Colour reviews seem to be favourable: 4.2. The Libra 2 is 4.4. And not many mentions of the "not as good" battery or poor contrast.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Doesn't the Libra Colour have a larger battery? Doing a google, the Libra 2 is 1500 and the Libra Colour is 2050.

Looking at Amazon reviews, the Libra Colour reviews seem to be favourable: 4.2. The Libra 2 is 4.4. And not many mentions of the "not as good" battery or poor contrast.

I'd not go by Amazon reviews over posts here by owners.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'd not go by Amazon reviews over posts here by owners.

What about the larger battery?

And my impression, from reading posts on this forum by members who actually own the Libra Colour, like the Libra Colour.

[jlinear]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Come on Kobo, get your finger out of your rear and get the Libra BW made.

I purchased a Clara BW with the Carta 1300 screen. Compared with my Libra 2 blacks were no blacker. And the Libra 2 screen could get much whiter and brighter making black text decidedly easier to read. I was disappointed with the Clara BW compared with the Libra 2 and returned it. At least to my eyes, the BW Carta 1300 wasn’t an improvement on the Carta 1200.

[Liesse]

I read my Libra Colour with the light set to 4% in bed. The text isn't hard to see for me, it stands out just fine and
I like a nice glow. Not that it would disturb my husband, who is asleep and snoring as soon as his head hits his pillow. I have played about with the comfort light settings, which I haven't really done before on other devices but I like the golden light on it. I have a white Libra colour, while I had a black libra 2, if that makes a difference.

I have also only charged it twice and reckon mine is better on battery than my 2: it's a newer device I would expect that, but I've not noticed the colour eating battery. I do only use it for reading mainly daft novels with dragons and theives and wizards in, though. I think I remember my Libra 2 being worse on battery than my Forma (it's a long time ago, forgive me if I recall incorrectly) but nothing like that than the colour.

I think everyone may have different experiences and using the devices in anger, as it were, over a period of time might yield different experiences too. I like mine, but that's because I much prefer how it feels to hold and the button positioning and the lighter weight and it's faster.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

What about the larger battery?

And my impression, from reading posts on this forum by members who actually own the Libra Colour, like the Libra Colour.

Yes the LC has a larger battery, but because of the higher light %, the battery drains faster. This is from owners, not my opinion.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I think it would not have the battery issues the Libra Colour has.

Going by the battery life of my Libra Colour compared to a Libra 2, the Libra Colour has a slightly longer battery life. Not nearly as long as I was hoping for but still a slightly better battery life than a Libra 2.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Come on Kobo, get your finger out of your rear and get the Libra BW made.

Perhaps you could refrain from such comments? Do I need to make this a formal request?