Aura ONE The time has come to replace my Aura One

[beespeckled]

8/30/24 update: decided to use the birthday gift cards. Ordered the Libra Colour White and clear case from Amazon. It arrived Wednesday. The background is definitely grey w/no light compared to Kindle Oasis 3.

The grey background in bright outdoor light isn't bothering me like I thought it might, it seems easy on the eye the short time glance just to see what the experience would be. I'm in the throes of an action thriller on the Oasis 3 so haven't given the LC a full go yet.

Easy setup with Overdrive, downloaded a library book & the few books I purchased transferred easily. It also downloaded the stats thru April on the books I had borrowed from OD. My collections that I had created on the Aura One were transferred as well. Glad to have my page number progress and familiar interface and simple bookmarking option.

Decision based on newest processor, owner experiences, size, Kobo ecosystem, Overdrive integration, familiarity, cost after factoring in gift cards & future repairability.

***original post below****

It will no longer charge with any of the USB cords I have.
I initially thought that maybe a new charging cord/cable would maybe solve, but I have the Kindle Oasis 3 that charges fine with the same USB's that the beloved One will not, so it must be the One's port that is the problem.

In doing a search, several threads popped up with the same or similar prob.

I've had it since Sept 2016 sigh.

I've been reading on the Kindle Oasis 3 (purchased because I had Amazon gift cards during shutdown and the ease of using for ARC's) Also used it for getting books from another library system so I wouldn't have to sign in and out of the ONE between library systems. Amazon has made many improvements on the initial software on the 3 since my initial purchase, but there are still things that irritate me.

I exclusively use OD/Libby from library. I only purchase books when I need them for book discussion group when no copies from the library will be available to read in time for book discussion or if it is an author I really enjoy and am not patient enough to wait in the library holds queue.

The conundrum is that nothing seems to really compare to what I have had with the Aura One.

Briefly intrigued with the new Colour models, the Libra Colour form factor would be pretty much the same as the Oasis 3 but the advantage would be the wonderful OD/library integration that I enjoy with the One. Then I read about the battery life and higher percentage of light usage. (the Oasis 3 light set to 6-12% in darker rooms during daylight compared to only 2-4% on the One in same conditions, so One battery life was better than the Oasis)

I like reading on the 7.8"One so I've been leaning towards the 8" Sage, but OUCH! on that price & then to read battery life isn't so great.

Sorry if this has turned into a "woe is me" posting.

[Aleron Ives]

You are correct that there are no direct replacements for the Aura One. You could try to get a Libra 2, but prices are going up now that it's been discontinued. You might consider just buying a replacement Aura One on eBay if you're happy with that particular model, or you could try to replace the charging port.

[Cootey]

I loved my Aura One. My daughter loved hers, too, but that dang USB port issue got both of us after a few years. You got a nice run out of yours!

As a former Aura One LE owner, I can tell you that the Libra Colour is a nice device and mostly fills the gap left by the Aura One LE . I love having the color aspect for the book covers.

The stats are not exactly match for match, but the LC is a close approximation. The Aura One had a 7.8” screen and the LC has a 7” screen. The LC has 32GB of storage just like the Aura One LE. The Aura One had 1,872×1,404 resolution and a 300-pixels per inch display. NGL, the LC only has 1264x1680 resolution, with 300 PPI for black-and-white content and 150 PPI for color content. That is the main stat you’ll feel compares poorly. But the faster CPU and modern specs will please you. Also, I don’t mind the reduced DPI for color content. It hasn’t bothered me when reading. Many people in these forums agree.

I also own an iPad, so one might wonder why I would need a colored eReader. That’s a simple question to answer: I like to read late at night and Kobo eReaders get nice and dark. My iPad on the other hand, even with reducing the white balance, is still too bright for bedtime reading. With late night reading, ample room for manga, colored covers, and a fast CPU, the LC has become my most favorite Kobo since I last used an Aura One LE.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

You are correct that there are no direct replacements for the Aura One. You could try to get a Libra 2, but prices are going up now that it's been discontinued. You might consider just buying a replacement Aura One on eBay if you're happy with that particular model, or you could try to replace the charging port.

The Libra 2 is pretty much gone. So I think that idea is out. Basically, there is no Kobo I can actually recommend as a replacement for the Aura One.

I know this may not be what the OP wants, but I'm suggesting going for a Pocketbook InkPad 4 as it's the same size as the Aura One and it's not color.

Picketbook InkPad 4 at Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2QM93N5
Cover for Pocketbook InkPad 4 at Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0C2VFT552

[Quoth]

Kobo Sage is fine, but 8″ screen.

[petercreasey]

I loved my Aura One (which still works) but have switched happily to the Kobo Forma.

[Aleron Ives]

Why did you switch?

[beespeckled]

No other E-ink readers offer Overdrive integration. I don't even have ADE on the laptop since getting the Aura One 2016.
It may be worth it to see if there is a sale during Labor Day weekend.

P.S. i'll take a look at the pocket book Inkpad - if it allows the Libby app and is Eink, it might work.

[beespeckled]

Cootey, Thanks for your perspective.
If there happens to be a Kobo Labor Day sale it will spur me to purchase.
I noticed they are also offered on Amazon by a company called Bluproton? looks like they ship quickly/shipped by A. Kind of mixed reviews on experience though, some said they got obviously used e-readers, others reported no problems.

Bday Amazon gift cards might make this a good option.
I'll report back if I make a decision.

[graycyn]

Aura One (still working, but sometimes does some janky things), Forma, and Sage owner here.

I love the Sage! It has been the best of all reader devices I've owned and I've owned quite a few, from various brands.

It does go on sale (usually $30 off) from time to time, perhaps that would make it more inline with OP's budget. If it were me, I'd use the Kindle meanwhile (I have an Oasis 2) and watch for a sale on Sage. Yes, the battery life is a bit shorter, but it's not been a problem.

EDIT: FWIW, my Sage was purchased in 2021 from Amazon via Blue Proton, and no issues. I recently bought a spare sleepcover for it, as the original cover is showing some wear, again from Amazon/Blue Proton, no problem.

[ixtis]

I own a Kobo Aura One, Clara HD, Libre 2... but the pleasure that Aura One gave me, is immeasurable.
Too bad Kobo didn't release a successor...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Kobo Sage is fine, but 8″ screen.

It's not fine. The battery life is trash.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by beespeckled

No other E-ink readers offer Overdrive integration. I don't even have ADE on the laptop since getting the Aura One 2016.
It may be worth it to see if there is a sale during Labor Day weekend.

P.S. i'll take a look at the pocket book Inkpad - if it allows the Libby app and is Eink, it might work.

Pocketbook does allow you to download the .scsm file and it will then download the eBook. I suggest you ask about this in the Pocketbook forum.

[beespeckled]

TBD- as a last ditch effort, removed the One from the generic sleep cover and plugged it in per troubleshooting suggestions on Kobo's website.

It didn't act like it was charging so after about an hour just glanced and noticed that it had powered up. I was able to turn on the wifi and get the latest update.

If a miracle happens and the life of the One has been extended, will keep it in a different protective cover from now on. (non sleep)

I'm getting excited because the telltale charging indicator is now showing it is in charging mode! Squeeeee!

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's not fine. The battery life is trash.

Jon, stop stating your opinions as facts. The Sage's battery life could be better, yes, but overnight charging it every few days isn't *that* much of a hassle, is it now?

I also consider my Sage the best E-ink reader I have ever owned. And I have owned lots of them, from the Bookeen Gen3 onwards.