Short review: This is the best Kindle reading experience I've had. Yes, this is pricey, but if you're going to use it daily, it's so worth it!
Long review:
I have had all of the Kindle e-reader models except for the first one. My husband bought me the K2 because he got tired of lugging an extra suitcase for books. (How do I know what I want to read? I need a selection!) So I've been in love with Kindles since 2009. I have the 2016 Oasis (named Robinson) and it's beautiful and light. It took me about 5 seconds to decide to buy the 2017 model, and it was delivered Halloween, as we were setting up decorations.
I have had Sanctuary (my 2017 Kindle's name) for two days now, and I am IN LOVE! The screen is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I thought the lighting was even on the 2016 Oasis, but it's even more clear and bright on the 2017 model. I didn't like the auto-light thing on the 2016 Oasis, but because there are more lights around Sanctuary's edges, it seems to work better.
As always, when you first set up an e-reader and load it with books, it slows down as the processor is busy indexing. It also burns through the battery pretty quickly. But after that, it settles down. I think the processor is actually a little quicker than my older one.
While this is extremely light compared to the older models, it is a smidge heavier than the 2016 model without the cover. If you include the 2016 battery cover, the 2017 model is lighter.
The larger screen is wonderful. My eyes are getting a little old, and with the larger size and clearer screen, the reading experience is even better than the older Oasis. Yes, I know you can enlarge the font, and I do, but the words just look better when they're in the proper proportion on the page. The only thing that I don't absolutely love about my new toy is that it's too big for me to comfortably pick it up by the sides one handed. The screen is perfect, and the real page turning buttons make me happy, so I can't figure out how to make it fit my hand without making it smaller.
I was used to the odd shape in back (super thin on one side, a little thicker on the button side) and it works even better here since this is a little heavier. You hold it by the thick end so the weight rests on your palm, even though you're holding it mostly upright. The page flips over when you change hands. I prefer holding my books with my left hand. You can switch the page forward/back buttons. I prefer the lower one to page forward, but the default is the other way.
I bought the 32gb version because I listen to audiobooks a lot, but I actually haven't set that up yet. When you first turn the Oasis on, it will walk you through setting up your wifi and bluetooth. You can skip anything you want and then go into settings later to update whatever you want.
I don't have a cover yet. I think I'll need one because it drives me nuts to pick this up and touch the screen while I'm taking it around the house. Fingerprints aren't a problem - I never notice them while I'm reading, but it's just weird.
The operating system upgrade where you can change the boldness of the font is great - it makes reading a lot easier for me. I think this upgrade is coming to the other models too.
I am so not intentionally submerging this in water to see how waterproof it is. Other online reviewers tried it with no ill effects, but I'm not going to chance it. If I accidentally dump this in the pool or bathtub, I'll edit this review with the results.
I will update this review once I play with the audio. I love that idea. I've got bluetooth noise cancelling headphones coming. (Can you use bluetooth on a plane?)
Is BIGGER BETTER?
For the 2017 Kindle Oasis the answer seems to be yes-Here’s why-One of the first things you notice, after the size increase, is the total look and feel of quality:Refined aluminum outer shell that will resist scratches.Page turn buttons-similar to the last Oasis version.Well balanced when in the hand.The lighting seems to be the best that the Kindle team has put forward yet- It seems they have taken prior criticism to heart and made a focus on making the lighting as flawless as possible.Overall fit and finish-this thing looks and feels refined. You get the same sense of quality you get when you pick up an Ipad (whether you like Apple or not).Faster page turns.Lighting/ Screen quality:Amazon must have taken poor reviews on some other models to heart and focused on eliminating these issues. Now with 12 LED bulbs, the lighting is more uniform than any prior unit. Far better than the Paperwhite (while decent for the money- the Oasis is far better). I would rank the Voyage as having a more even screen than my 2016 Oasis-The 2017 OASIS HAS THE BEST SCREEN YET).The screen has a warmer hue than the Paperwhite, Voyage or Oasis 1.No visible light cones.7” screen displays more text for less page flips.Graphics look better-small print displayed better.Inverted White/ Black option is nice change that displays less light...good for some that read in bed with partners.The Kindle team set the reading plane lower in the device(the glass is thicker) the eliminate light cones. The addition of 2 more LED units makes for the most even lighting possible. A one inch screen size really makes a difference in the reading experience-I stopped reading on my Old Oasis and Voyage after getting this unit...ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS! While the other Kindles are fine, when you put them side by side with the Oasis...NO COMPARISON...OASIS WINS!Font boldness control, size options and Black /White color conversionKindle added more font sizes and boldness control-great for all readers-available on software update on other readers.Black /White inversion is a neat new reading option-exclusive on the Oasis.For the visually challenged:THIS IS THE DEVICE FOR YOU. Large fonts look more normal on this larger screen.Less page flips-really noticeable on larger fonts.Bold font options….about time!White /Black color inversion option. Great for nighttime readers with a partner.Magazines:This is an area that many will overlook...Magazines look better on a 7” screen than 6”WeightAt 194 grams it is slightly lighter than the Paperwhite at 205grams and slightly heavier than the Voyage...In reality you can hardly feel the difference. It is however, significantly heavier than the prior Oasis model without the cove that only weighed 131 grams.Page turn buttons:Similar to last year’s modelMuch better than the Voyage- you can easily feel these, even in the dark.A slight click when the buttons are pushed leaves no doubt that the page will turn. These buttons really make it easy to stay focused on reading-no need to swipe the page, just klick the button. Once you get used to the buttons it is hard to go back to a Paperwhite.Asymmetrical Design:Very similar to last year’s model; they expanded the gripping area on the bezel to allow for wider thumbs that don’t overlap the screen while in use. One the Voyage, my thumb is half on, half off the device when in use.The screen and button function auto flip when you change hands.Well balanced and secure in the hand while holding.Storage:8 gigs is plenty for most ebook readers, however if you plan to use Audible or have a large library consider paying $30 more for the 32gig model(about 27 gigs in actual use)Graphic and image heavy books can exceed 200 mg in size Examples are Manga, Comics, Cookbooks, Magazines and How to books.My library has a little over 2000 items and does not totally fit on any other Kindle device-no problem on a 32 gig Oasis!Audible:Seamless switching from reading to Audible if you own the e-book and the Audible version. They offer a 32 gig option for 30 dollars more if you plan on storing a lot of Audible books.This device does not have speakers. You need to pair it with blue tooth speakers or headphones.PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO TEXT TO SPEECH...No e-reader on the market has this.Amazon E-book/Audible ecosystem:Simply the most extensive e-book store on the planet.Almost always the lowest price.Audible offers membership specials that can save you money.Kindle Unlimited -a exclusive option that seems to be best for inexpensive fiction books.Waterproofing:I tried this just to make sure it works – good addition.Battery:Seems to last about the same as the Voyage and charges in under 2 hours.Optional cover:Solid protection for the device. The Origami style stand is OK-not great. Consider getting a small tablet stand(Amazon carries a multitude of these).Portability:Definitely not a pocket device.Quality:10 out of 10! SIMPLY THE BESTCost:Amazon does not need to apologize for cost on this one-Sure it is twice the price of the Paperwhite (and that is a fine choice in it’s price range) but simply put THIS IS THE BEST KINDLE UNIT AMAZON HAS MADE TO DATE.For $50 dollars more than the Voyage you get a bigger screen, more storage, Audible, page turn buttons, brighter screen and better display of graphics and magazines.$40 less than 2016’s unit.Upgrade options:$20 to remove adds...I did to stop seeing adds and having to swipe the device to unlock it. I read a lot and would rather see the regular screen savers. I included a photo.$30 for 32 gig storage – I opted for this because I have a huge e-book and Audible library.44.99 or 59.99 -Honestly I can’t recommend this-the magnets are not super secure-they hold ok...6/10 from me.4G- In this day and age many of us have wi-fi available-just store all of your books on the device. I passed on this expense.Pros:Best displayGreat for large font usersNo compromises-high qualityVast storage optionsAudiblePage turn buttonsWhite /Black inversion optionLike all Kindles you get Amazon’s vast ebook ecosystem-titles you will not find elsewhereCons:Portability-This device does not fit most shirt or pants pocketsCost-still $40 less than last year’s OasisIn short – The OASIS IS BETTER-NOT JUST BIGGERUpdate:After spending more time with the unit, I would give this device 10 out of 10 for the right user. I have owned every unit since the Kindle Keyboard and the Oasis 2 is by far the best. I stopped using my other devices after getting the Oasis-It is that much more enjoyable to read on. Let’s take a look at who this device is for:Don’t buy if:You want an e-reader that easily fits in your pocket-get the Paperwhite or Voyage.You are looking for text to speech. None of the current e-readers offer this. I see poor reviews for the device because it does not have this...no current e-reader does.Budget is a priority. The Paperwhite is a fine budget friendly option.Do buy if:You want the finest e-reader available. This Kindle has the reading plane set below thicker glass to eliminate most of the light cones previous models occasionally had. The lighting is phenomenal. Page turn buttons make a difference.You want a larger reading screen that feels more like a book. E-reading immersion at it’s best.A visually challenged reader that uses larger fonts.You need more storage.If you can swing it -BUY IT-IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS
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