Almost everything is perfect on this reader.
It reads well. The light is perfect and if you keep it low, you can read in virtually any lighting conditions. Over the original with no backlight, this alone makes the reader 100x more useful. I also think the glare of the screen is a lot less even when turned off - Just don't get any kind of glare unless you really try. The size seems to be an ideal page size. I find the text to be a lot crisper than some other readers and even using a top tablet isn't any better. In fact, I tend to get more eye fatigue using a tablet than with this reader, so the combination of light and font must be easier on the eyes.
Waterproof. Not having to worry about rain, dew, kids, etc when using outdoors is really nice. I was caught in a brief rainshower while camping and forgot I'd put this down. No damage, and no issues. This peace of mind is huge. I used to worry about bringing a reader camping even though I enjoy an afternoon in a hammock reading. Now I don't need to worry.
Downside. There is something off. It's not heavy. It is not unwieldy. But it is not easy to hold. Perhaps the finish is too smooth. Perhaps I just need a more solid grip. I don't want a big case. Adding bulk and size isn't necessary. All I really need is like a strap on the back to slip my fingers behind and maybe some kind of tack added to the back of the reader to make it less slick. But, I found a couple hand positions that work well enough. Just does not seem secure.
Controls. I use both the buttons and the touch screen. Depends on how I'm holding the device. I like having the option of either. I also like the fact that you can flip the reader over and have the buttons on either side and the up/down flips too so the top is always "next page" no matter what side it is on - very intuitive.
Balance. Most of the tablet is a very thin and light construction. Think about 3 credit cards thick. Then, on the side that the buttons are on it is a bit thicker and heavier. (not that it is heavy, but just more mass than the rest of the featherlight reader) The idea is that is where you hold it. Overall this seems to work. If there was just a better way to grip it (as mentioned above) it would be perfect.
Books. Wow. I can load up books. Many books. An entire summer reading library barely reaches 25%. No worries about running out of books even out in the middle of nowhere. Just be sure to load up. In more civilized locals, the cellular download works as easily as the Wi-Fi. Seamless. Well, as long as you have a signal. For the most part if my phone had a signal, the reader had one too. Camping was really the only place I had nothing, but I expected that and loaded up before the trip.
Battery life. Maybe not months. But certainly weeks. Fully charged before vacation? You won't need to worry unless you are headed on a long expedition or intend to read all the time for weeks straight. I can easily go more than two weeks with a couple hours of reading each evening. When you put it down, the unit pretty much shuts down. It puts an image on the display, but it takes no power to maintain that. A simple tap of the power button wakes it and in seconds you are back where you left off. It is a feature that works well. In my old reader I used to make sure to power off completely. I don't feed that need with this one. Best of all, the device recharges really fast. Give it a good couple hours and you can go from nearly empty to nearly full. I was able to completely recharge it in the woods by leaving it attached to a small solar panel for 3 hours. I didn't track the sun or anything, just set it up pointing a little west of where the sun was and left it alone. It works so well, I just stick the same panel in a west facing window at home when I need to charge. The device is always at 100% by evening. How's that for being truly "green" with your reading? No paper, no fossil fuels to recharge, nothing beyond the manufacturing.
Audiobooks. I have not tried this feature. I prefer to read. I've seen other reviews complain about not having the ability to read while they listen along. This kind of feature would be extremely difficult as the device would need to listen to the reader and translate their words to follow along. Right now that kind of processing is done in large server farms and you need a good internet connection to support it. I could also see this much use of the radios really draining the battery. Maybe a text to speech processor would get you partly there, but you'd have none of the drama that a good reader puts into the performance. I really can't say as the entire idea intrigues me on a technical level, but isn't what I want when I wish to enjoy a book. Also, the reader limits you to the use of bluetooth headphones, so you have even more battery limitations. It's a nice feature to have I guess, but I don't know how important it is. To me, not at all.
I gave 5 stars because I don't have any real issues with this reader. It's not nearly as cumbersome as holding a large paperback, is a lot more environmentally sound, and it never causes me eyestrain in any light. If they could just solve the little issue with holding it securely, it would be absolutely perfect.
There is a newer version of this item:
Kindle Oasis – With 7” display and page turn buttons
$119.99
(19,419)
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
$119.99
(19,419)
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
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Customer Review: Sharp edges show a rushed design process.
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The Best Kindle Yet!
I am in love with this Kindle! I am an avid reader that does most of my reading on my Kindle. I have been using different Kindle devices since 2010 or so. I have a Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Basic, Paperwhite, Voyage, and a Fire that I use at different times. Each device has features that I like and over the years, I have had several things that I knew I would like to see in a device. The first Oasis didn't have any real appeal for me but the moment I saw the specs for this version, I knew that I would have to add it to my collection.There are two features on this Oasis that came straight from my personal wish list. The first is the larger screen size. I have probably told my husband at least once per week that I would like a bigger Kindle. Every single new release has had the same 6" screen with the expection of the DX which has not been made for some time and the Fires which I do like to use for reading. The 7" screen is wonderful. It is bigger without being cumbersome to handle. The actual device is not much larger than my Voyage or Paperwhite. It is a bit wider but the height is fairly equal. The difference is that there is less of a frame around the screen.I was also very pleased to find page turn buttons on this device. My Kindle Keyboard and Kindle Basic had this feature but the more recent trend has been a touchscreen such as with the Paperwhite. I thought that I would like the page press on the Voyage but I found that it was the same as a physical button. I have already read a novel on my new Oasis and loved being able to press a button to turn the page. You can still turn pages with the touchscreen if you prefer but I am happy to have the buttons. You do have to use the touchscreen for other commands and to access the menu features.I like that this Kindle has an aluminum back. I think it feels like a much more solid e-reader and it feels nice in my hands. I have not purchased a case for this device yet and have held it in one hand while reading. It has felt very comfortable and natural. I am also intrigued by the ability to invert the black and white on the device so the the print is white on a black background. I did try this feature out just a bit and am not sure how much I will end up using it. I am still happy to know that it is an option.I have not used the Audible feature on the device. I do wish that the device had a headphone jack since I have a pair corded headphones that I love. I am not going to purchase bluetooth headphones just to listen to my audiobooks on this device. I listen to a lot of Audible audiobooks and have no issue doing so with my cell phone. I think that the size of this device would make it somewhat awkward to carry around in order to listen to my books. I will be sticking to my cell phone for audiobooks for right now. If I change my mind, it is nice to know that the device has the capabilities.I can easily say that the Oasis is my favorite Kindle that I have owned. I like just about everything about it. The clear and crisp screen is a very nice size, the page turn buttons are perfectly positioned, and the aluminum backing looks and feels nice. I bought the 32 GB device with cell connectivity and am looking forward to spending many quality reading hours with my new Oasis.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2018
Oasis finally lives up to it's name by learning how to swim - THE best e-reader in the world to date
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018