Lighted eBook Reader are now standard on digital reading market, even if the device class has been available since 2012, so there’s still plenty of scope for possible improvements. The Kindle Voyage allowed here with very high quality specifications a look into the future, because with his “retina” display he will probably not stay too long alone.
Currently the Voyage is but the only eBook Reader with such a high pixel density, which makes it quite special. In addition, Amazon brings the Page press keys on the side of the screen scroll keys back – albeit in modified form
The big question mark behind the device affects the price.. The Kindle Voyage costs (189 EUR) significantly more than the still available Paperwhite (99 euros) and other interested parties are established here, of course, quite rightly, the question whether the price was worth. Can display, lighting and processing convince? We will answer these and a few other questions in the following review.
Table of Contents
- Kindle Voyage Photos
- “toc-level-2″ Unboxing
- Processing span>
- Pressure sensitive buttons as a practical added value
- E-Ink Carta 2.0: Sharper and-contrast
- “toc-level-3″ Excellent light distribution, currently with quality problems
- color temperature and brightness of the screen
- Brightness sensor, with quirks?
- Interim Conclusion
- Home Screen
- Book Options
- Bookmark and pageflip
- Dictionary
- Vocabulary
- Notes & amp; Markings
- X-Ray, reading progress and page numbers
- PDF function
- Internet Browser with Article Mode for online -Lesebetrieb
- Send-to-Kindle, Free Time and Account link
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Kindle Voyage Photos
Unboxing
A little surprise in the truest sense of the word’s equal upon receipt of the Kindle Voyage. The eBook Reader comes in a very small package, so you first really hard to believe that it houses a conventional 6-inch model. It is then but the expected eReader that fills the container tightly. In addition, you can still find the usual quick start guide, warranty card and the Micro-USB cable in it.
Kindle Paperwhite (left) and Voyage (right)
Processing
During the Kindle Paperwhite last year came with an almost unchanged housing on the market, things look quite different for the Voyage. The new model features an all-new chassis design, incl. New material choice. First, there is the new, lighter magnesium housing mention that you already know from the Amazon tablets. In the first place, the changes make it noticeable in the lower weight. With 180 grams of the Voyage is noticeably lighter than the White Paper (206 grams).
Also, the size of the new eReader has slimmed down a bit and is slightly smaller, but noticeably thinner (162 x 115 x 7.6 mm). It should also be noted positively that the back was designed very smart and with the beveled side surfaces allows a very good and comfortable grip of the fingers. This is known in this form already from Kobo Aura H2O, where this was done quite similar. However, less beautiful is the fingerprint sensitivity of the equipment back. Touches leave quite quickly corresponding marks. When Kindle Paperwhite the effect is somewhat less pronounced.
New housing design, also clearly visible on the back
Not too I am also impressed by the shiny plastic surface behind which the WLan or 3G antenna hiding. Although you can not see this while reading, but it is still susceptible to the touch than the rest of the surface. Here is a matte plastic cover in my eyes would have been prettier. But, fortunately, is only an optical flaw and a matter of taste.
Also, the front has been redesigned. One recognizes the Kindle Voyage Although further than Amazon eBook Reader, since the proportions ultimately visually differ only slightly from Paperwhite and Kindle logo of course again sits just below the screen, but the flat housing front bringing but a thoroughly welcome modernization of the design. How well knows that by Tolino Vision 2, the screen now sits behind a continuous plastic (resp. Glass) surface.
The feel also reminds very much of the Kobo Aura H2O, ie the surface is very smooth. Paperwhite and other eReader with inset screen feel here is usually slightly rough on. Both surface properties, however, are equivalent. Light reflections and reflections, there’s also the Voyage only a normal volume, as you know the date of virtually any other eBook Reader and fingerprints can be seen also hardly likely than other devices.
Pressure sensitive buttons
Both sides are the Page Press buttons as practical added value of the screen. It is music keys with a particular functionality. Due to the planar housing front is not regular push buttons, but pressure sensitive sensors that sit below the surface. So that one knows where to press, the contact points are marked. The operation is the same as usual buttons in the end. Allow the finger just at the point resting and then press gently on the housing wall. The leaves process is initiated to provide reliable and (vibrates the Voyage short) with a haptic feedback signals.
The Page Press-pressure zones are marked
The Page Press-function is in my opinion a really successful innovation, you want to use it but not, you can disable the buttons too. A unbeabsichtliche operation but you can basically rule out anyway, because you can adjust the sensitivity in three stages, so you really should not have any problems with it. Also, the haptic feedback can be adjusted in three steps (or completely disable).
At the bottom of the appliance edge is the Micro-USB port, the switch-on button is unusually wandered to the back (as in the Amazon Tablets). This is no problem for regular operation, however, likely third-party cases of the new positioning of the button have little joy. However, the original Kindle Cases have both an appropriate button and a sleep anyway Cover function so that the device will automatically go into standby mode and is woken up when closing or opening the envelope. It also remains to be noted that the original cover was designed very clever, so we will look at the functionality soon in another article separately. This is then an appropriate remark at this point.
The processing of the Voyage is impeccable. The gaps are even, nothing wobbles, creaks or squeaks. So be it.
Features
The Kindle Voyage features, as well as the White Paper (since the secret facelift), a 4 GB internal memory. Of this 3.04 GB for the user are freely available. As usual, Amazon, the space can not expand with you but with the existing offer space for several thousand books, so most users should have no problems. Apart from this, all books purchased from Amazon are already in the cloud and can be download at any time, if they have not been stored on the device.
As the Kindle Paperwhite’s also the Voyage in two versions. On one hand, you can buy the ebook reader in the WiFi version for 189 euros, plus a 3G model will continue to be offered (249 euro). This is connected via a built-in modem to a mobile network, allowing access to the integrated eBook Store. One must not be connected to a WiFi network to buy the 3G Voyage can. This is especially handy when you have no internet at home or WLAN, or you’re traveling or (often) abroad, because the network function works thanks to many international Amazon partners in more than 100 countries – at no extra cost. That you do not need your own SIM card, no mobile phone contract and there are also, apart from the higher price of the device, no additional charges for the use of. Even more convenient as it gets.
Of course, you can shop with the WiFi version of Voyage directly on the device. As the name suggests, however, you have to be but connected to a local wireless network. This is also consistent with the functionality of other eBook Reader and should be more than enough for most people therefore. In addition, you can WLan also use the built-in browser for surfing the Internet – it works in the 3G version also only via WiFi
Apart from the micro-USB connector’s – as usual – no connections or expansion options
In addition to the wireless connection’s even the micro-USB port that enables the ebook reader when connected can be filled on a PC with digital books.
As chip comes back on Freescale iMX 6 for insert, which has a 1 GHz CPU. The memory has doubled to 512 MB of RAM. The working and operating speed is extremely fast so that the bottom line – faster than in many other devices on the market. But that too was already in the White Paper
Display & amp. Lighting
is with the quality of the screen and drops an ebook reader. It is the heart of a digital reader, as this is possible, the high quality of a regular paper side can be achieved. In recent years there has been great progress in this area and particularly with the 2013 introduced the White Paper E-Ink technology Carta is one that goal as close as ever. Also, the Kindle Voyage has this screen technology.
The device with an extremely high resolution of 1440 × 1080 pixels and the screen size of 6 inches promises a particularly sharp image performance. The pixel density is thus 300 ppi and makes every other ebook readers behind. For comparison: In standard 6 inch (Paperwhite, Tolino Vision 2, PocketBook Touch Lux 2, etc …) using 212 ppi on the Kobo Aura H2O with 264 ppi (6.8 inch)
. And of course, the Kindle Voyage again has a built-in lighting, which will again be better than the already very good Paperwhite. The light is also thrown again from the bottom of the screen on the display, unlike any other eReader can see the LEDs, however, even in direct plan view does not recognize (see below).
E-Ink Carta 2.0: Sharper and-contrast
So let us continue long without talking about the bush, to the point. The Kindle Voyage offers the sharpest display the total eReader market. No other reader offers as good a text field. The high pixel density makes here in any case pay – not only in the technical specifications on paper, but in practice
This is immediately clear even at the initial operation.. The edge sharpness is excellent, the characters and all the controls look like they were printed directly onto’s display. Thus, the Voyage of a paper-like display comes as close as ever.
Kobo Aura H2O (left) and Kindle Voyage (right) compared
It is fair to also hold that there is a competitor who delivers an equally good idea. Although the Kobo Aura H2O has a slightly lower pixel density (264 ppi), but has the slightly brighter screen background (and thus without lighting a minimally better contrast). So bottom line, it keeps the scale and both opponents deliver from excellent ideas.
Also look at the Kindle Paperwhite you have to throw here, because of the much cheaper eBook Reader has the same screen technology is also an excellent readability , The pixel density is indeed significantly lower (212 ppi), but that falls really only in direct comparison. In itself sees the writing on the Paperwhite very well. So it is in any case, here is a balancing benefits (Best display) and disadvantages (high price).
But back to the Voyage. As always, we have also measured the contrast ratio of the new premium model with a practical lighting of the screen is used. As a light source, a commercially available LED comes lumen with a power of 1080 and a color temperature of 3000 K are used. Here, the contrast ratio of the display 6.3: 1, which confirms the observed very high level
contrast ratio. X: 1, without lighting (higher is better )
- Kobo Aura H2O 6.5
- Kindle Voyage 6.3
- Kindle Paperwhite 2 6.1
- Tolino Vision 2 5.8
- PocketBook Ultra 5.4
- PocketBook Touch Lux 2 4.8
- PocketBook Sense 4.8
Again, thus showing again the biggest advantage of e-ink technology Carta. The reflectivity is visibly better than conventional E-Ink Pearl technology, which is visible in unlit display in many situations and is reflected in the measurements (see above). In other words, the wallpaper is in most situations brighter
Excellent light distribution, currently with quality problems
An equally good idea. provides the Kindle Voyage in the light distribution. As usual, the screen is illuminated by LEDs on the bottom of the screen. Unlike virtually every other ebook reader on the market, but you can not see the real, ie, there is at the bottom of any halos or shade.
Even if you want to look sharp on the LEDs, so the position of the light sources can at best guess, but not exactly make out. So good it has been managed to do any other device.
It is also striking again the enormous contrast enhancement when you activate the Backlight. In a variety of other devices, the lighting is evident also the black tone of Scripture, which the contrast is hardly better. When is the Kindle Voyage (as well as in the White Paper, Kobo Aura H2O or PocketBook Touch Lux 2 & Sense) but different. Here, the font is hardly brighter, the wallpaper but all the more evident. In practice operation, is resulting in an excellent contrast ratio with an impeccable readability.
Nearly perfect contrast to both the White Paper (left) and at the Voyage (right). The light distribution on the Voyage is better, but the Farbtempertur uneven. For better visibility the saturation of the screen halves was increased by 90%.
Especially with the highest brightness setting, the new premium eReader leave all other devices behind. The measurement at a reduced setting of 40 cd / m² again shows that there are no significant differences among these models in total darkness
contrast ratio. X: 1, with full Brightness (higher is better)
- Kindle Voyage 10.5
- Kobo Aura H2O 10
- PocketBook Touch Lux 2 9.4
- Kindle Paperwhite 2 9.0
- PocketBook Sense 8.4
- Tolino Vision 2 7.4
- Tolino Vision 6.5
- PocketBook Ultra 4.9
Black Tone at 40 cd / m (lower is better)
- Kindle Voyage 2
- Kobo Aura H2O 2
- Kindle Paperwhite 2 2
- PocketBook Touch Lux 2 2
- PocketBook Sense 2
- Tolino Vision 2 3
- Tolino Vision 5
- PocketBook Ultra 6
This is how the Voyage definitely in this regard at its best. However, less well are the current quality problems that plague the device. We have been several times it reported (in the picture above, the effect is also visible) and also on the Amazon website shows up on the basis of customer reviews that it is apparently eingehäuft occurring problem. The color temperature of the illumination is not uniform on some devices
color temperature and brightness of the screen
Like the Kindle Paperwhite is the illumination color pale yellowish-white, but in principle relatively neutral. In any case, these color temperature knows how to please. However, some Voyage devices present (not to be confused with light distribution so), the transformed by a yellowish glow up to a bluish tint down with an uneven color distribution. Even our first test unit is affected.
The effect is not always visible, but can in certain brightness settings but just catches your eye and disturbing. For a 189 euro more expensive device that should for many customers is not acceptable.
As with the launch of the very first Paperwhite the problem is not with all appliances (same) available, so it obviously on a manufacturing defect or at least production fluctuations may be due. A second Kindle Voyage, who arrived shortly before the appearance of the test report, presented much better in this respect, although also not at the excellent level of Paperwhite.
Voyage vs. Voyage: Different pronounced brightness gradients. For better visibility of the effect of the saturation of the photo was increased by 90%. On the right unit of the gradient with the naked eye is only faintly visible and not very noticeable at the left device does.
The second test device makes the effect so a better impression, both in the measurements, as subjectively in Reading mode. Obviously there are so very different characteristics of the problem, or even a complete absence. If one’s Voyage be affected by this Macke, it is recommended that one (after all, uncomplicated, currently most likely associated with some waiting time though) make exchange.
As mentioned above, the maximum brightness level of the Voyage particularly high. With 122 cd / m² it is the brightest main-stream eReader since the Kobo Glo. This is particularly noticeable in bright environments positive impact where the Voyage is easier to read thanks to the integrated light. At the same time, the brightness can be but in the lowest setting, turn on the stage of the Kindle Paperwhite. (Higher is better) I would be.
Maximum Screen Brightness in cd / m²
- Kindle Voyage 122
- Kobo Glo 121
- Kobo Aura 112
- Kobo Aura H2O 99
- PocketBook Touch Lux 2 96
- Kindle Paperwhite 2 91
- PocketBook Sense 70
- Tolino Vision 2 53
- Tolino Shine 41
- PocketBook Ultra 40
Minimum screen brightness in cd / m² (lower is better)
- Kobo Glo 4
- Tolino Shine 2.4
- PocketBook Sense 2.4
- Tolino Vision 2 2.2
- PocketBook Ultra 2
- Kobo Aura H2O 1.2
- Kobo Aura 1.2
- PocketBook Touch Lux 2 1.1
- Kindle Voyage 0.2
- Kindle Paperwhite (2013) 0.2
Brightness sensor, with quirks?
The light setting can also automatically adjust the Voyage. This is made possible by a light sensor that measures the ambient light, which requires the device, the lighting is automatically regulated accordingly so this is not too bright or too dark.
What sounds very appealing and practical in theory, turns out to be in everyday life as a great innovation. As with the recently tested PocketBook Sense of sensor ensures that the light setting just always fits. One does so (usually) to worry about anything, but can fully concentrate on the hopefully good book
A disadvantage, however the thing. Apparently there is also the brightness sensor quality problems. My first test unit responds intermittently namely not on any changes of the ambient light. This brings me to judge some customers reviews after not alone
Even after lengthy tests I could see no pattern behind the reaction -. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. This is especially annoying because such behavior makes the advantage of automatic regulation basically completely destroyed. It looks better because of fortunately the second eReader. This responds flawlessly, as one would expect. Also frequent change of the ambient light is available for this device, no problem.
In the case of a not well-reacting light sensor so it is advisable to also exchange make.
Interim Conclusion
Amazon goes to the Kindle Voyage in terms of the screen, so to speak again in the forefront. The shipping giant first uses an e-ink display Carta with an enormously high pixel density of 300 ppi. Of course, since the Kobo Aura H2O with 264 ppi close to it, but in terms of sharpness of the text just yet a little worse
The screen contrast is also beyond doubt. Without illumination, the readability is very good, with activated light it is excellent. No other eReader offers, in combination with such a large spread in the brightness settings, a similarly good contrast.
The choice is yours. Pictured: Voyage 2x, 1x White Paper (bottom right)
However, one must the current quality problems have some Voyage, do not drop under the table. So excellent readability is also, in some devices, the color temperature distribution does not match the high standard of the rest of the device (or the Kindle Paperwhite!). Our first test device is particularly affected by the problem, the second model but barely visible.
As a second offense the first unit is the faulty light sensor mentioned, which provides an unobtrusive and faultless service on the second Voyage .
Chances are that Amazon currently just corrects these defects, as in the US, the UK and also in Germany, the availability was quickly closed moved to mid-December a few weeks ago. On a particularly high demand, this is probably not due in view of the Amazon sales charts, so I assume this is just a second batch with better final inspection work.
As a final evaluation of the screen can thus hold “Excellent … BUT”. If you’re not afraid of a possible exchange for a non-perfect display, then you can immediately pick up the Voyage. If you want to, however, have as little effort after purchase, then it is better to wait to order until after Christmas to see if the next batch brings the expected error corrections and reduces the number of problematic devices.
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