Aura HD Alternative Cases for the Aura HD?

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by guitarizt

Just got the Frieq Bubble Case. I ordered it Thurs night and got it today (Sat). It's a nice chance of pace from Kobo's snail pace.

-The case has more padding than I expected.
-The Aura HD fits with room to spare.
-I love the pink. It's not too much that I feel girly, and the shade of it reminds me of candy.
-It'll work awesome as a stand while I'm reading at night.

I agree -- it's a great case (got it in blue) and knew you would like it.

[DannyY]

DON'T buy a case on ebay described as "Extra Strong Purple Case For KOBO Aura HD eReader w/ Inner Storage & Hold Strap" (other colours too). It has "Dura Gadget" stamped on the front.

This does not fit the Aura HD, it is too narrow and too tall. It fits a generic 7" tablet and has just been advertised as fitting the Aura HD because of the lack of alternative cases.

I received mine today and am in negotiation for a refund.

[pidgeon92]

This is a pic where the Aura is pushed all the way into the FRIEQ case:

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Here you can see the Aura propped up with the tabs in the case. The Aura is kinda chunky at the top, and isn't really secure.

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Here you can see how the top tab lays almost flat across the top, instead of hooking over like the botton tab does. I've fiddled with it, and it's about as good as it is going to get. It's secure enough right now, but I think with use the upper tab will no longer hold the unit at all. Not a big deal, as the most important thing for me about the case was protecting the screen.


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[Skydog]

Actually, I think the tabs will function well over time. I have also been testing it with a (heavier) Nexus 7 and it seems plenty secure with repeated use. I use it for reading on hard surfaces but it seems to be stable enough for reading in bed.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Actually, I think the tabs will function well over time.

You may be right. I just looked at the pic on the Amazon product page, and I see that the top tab is in exactly the same position as it is in my pic. From Amazon:

[Skydog]

Time will tell but I find it to be much better than similar cases I've tried.

[Pierre Menard]

Originally Posted by johnsnow

I have not seen the new sleepcover for the Aura hands on, but I probably will not buy one and save the 50 dollars plus tax. I think with the extra width of the unit and the shaped back I just prefer to hold it without a cover. I found that the neoprene case that came with my Blackberry Playbook fits perfectly. I never used it for the Playbook so it is brand new. Sliding it in sideways does not pull on the power switch either, but the only drawback is the blackberry logo on the front.

Originally Posted by johnsnow

Thanks. I just picked this one up at Staples for 6.97 on clearout which I like better. I looked online and found some for 6.99 on Amazon. I think the original retail was something ridiculous like 49.95.

I ordered this one (the zip-up), and it turned out to be bigger than I was hoping for. Comparing the specs on the devices I was expecting a snug fit width-wise and a bit extra length. But it's bigger both ways than I'd hoped.

It's fine for tossing in a bag, but I'm having a hard time jamming it in my jacket pocket, which is what I need. Can't really complain for the price, but just FYI. Unfortunately I'd passed on one I found in a store that was a really snug fit, because it cost more and was even a bit too tight. Now I'm thinking that might have worked better.

[93terp]

I received my Case Logic Universal 6-7" eReader Folio and thought I would pass along some early observations. I'm using it for my Kobo Aura HD. YMMV.

1. It's a snug fit! The top of the Aura comes to the very top of the case. As a result the 2 adjustable corner loops have to be pulled all the way up to attach the reader, which could be cumbersome if you have big hands/fingers. The Kobo takes up all the width of the case as well. The pull loops do not cover the power/sleep button! However, the left side stabilizing clamp that holds the bottom of the reader does cover the micro USB input connection (but not the micro SD card slot). Therefore you won't be able to connect via USB with the case attached. Finally, the case closes nicely with the elastic band.

2. It's not a sleep cover case, and it's not advertised as such.

3. The inside of the case (right side) has a "grippy", almost non-skid type surface. However, and some folks will no doubt not like this, the design of the case does add bulk to the overall package. Doesn't bother me.

4. The kick-stand seems very stable as long as the surface you have it resting on is also stable. This is a great feature I see myself enjoying.

Even though it's bulkier than the Kobo Sleep Cover, I do like the Case Logic folio slightly better due to the build quality and additional features included.

[johnsnow]

Sorry it didn't work out for you Pierre. The zip up case is definitely a bit roomier than the sleeve but to tell the truth I never even noticed it until I read your post. I would say the fit is similar to the picture of the pink frieq case posted earlier. I find it snug enough for my needs with a bit of room top to bottom.

I do however wish Kobo would release a sleepcover for the Aura similar to the Glo case which is my all time favorite.

[RZetlin]

Wow, the Aura Sleepcover is sold out at Chapters and Kobo!

Now I have really have to rely on a alternative case.

[guitarizt]

I'm using the Frieq Bubble case as a stand for when I'm reading in bed which is perfect. I wouldn't trust it on a table where it is likely to be bumped because the stand isn't very sturdy and it could easily slip out of that top tab like what pidgeon said.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Here's a skin and screen protector for the Aura. I wonder whether the latter is glossy or matte:

http://www.skinomi.com/sk12524-kobo-...protector.html

Originally Posted by RZetlin

Wow, the Aura Sleepcover is sold out at Chapters and Kobo!

Yes, and it happened while I was waiting for a Kobo rep to confirm whether or not Espresso cases would be available ever again. Perhaps I shouldn't have waited.

[taming]

A skin and a case are not equivalent in terms of protection. The skin protector gives no protection to the screen and only scratch protection to the rest of the device.

[RZetlin]

Does anybody know if the Aura will fit in these Griffin Cases?

http://store.griffintechnology.com/k...-fire-ereaders

The concern is the width of the case measures 12.3 cm (4.8"), while the Kobo Aura measures 128.3 cm (5.05") so it would a tight fit.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by taming

A skin and a case are not equivalent in terms of protection. The skin protector gives no protection to the screen and only scratch protection to the rest of the device.

Yes, I'm aware of that, and when I started this thread, I actually thought about starting a second one for skins and screen protectors. But that seemed excessive to me when neither was available back then and the Aura seemed unlikely to be supported by the usual suspects (Zagg, Decal Girl, etc.).

However, many of the alternative cases we're using don't offer the same level of protection as the official SleepCovers. An example of this is the M-Edge leather sleeve which I've been using.

For some of us, tracking possible skins and screen protectors is necessary to balance the drawbacks of the case selection we've been offered.

Since I'm using a sleeve, I'd definitely benefit from a skin and SP -- if I knew that both were good quality and fit well, and that the company which made them was reliable.

Currently, I don't know any of those things -- the product information doesn't even make it clear that the protectors are or are not anti-glare.

I can't be the only Aura owner who owns an alternative case and is interested in knowing about skins and SPs.