Need e-reader recommendation for Logos

I've been using a tablet of some kind since the Logos mobile apps were first released.

Many years ago I had a Kindle Fire. It was okay, but as you said, the way Amazon customizes the OS can create problems. I have also used Android tablets in the past. Again, they were okay. A number of years ago I switched to an iPad. I love the UI, OS, dependability, and feel. For my money, the iPad is the go to tablet.

I use my use my iPad and the Logos app for reading and preaching. 

You'll want to check out this thread :https://community.logos.com/forums/t/131546.aspx

That thread is quite out-of-date.  Almost all of it is from 2016.

Icarus e-readers are recommended in that thread. But Icarus went out of business in 2018!

The iPads are not e-ink devices, so not a contender for me.

Looks like Kobo, Onyx, and Nook are the major non-Kindle players right now. Can also include Sony, although they seem more focused on writing/sketchpad functionality rather than reading.

If it runs Android 6.x or higher, it'll run Logos. After that it's just specs analysis, budget, and what you yourself care about in an ereader.

Interesting.  The Kobo Forma uses a Linux operating system instead of Android, so it sounds like that might not work.

If all you are doing is reading Logos content, then an iPad or Android tablet with modern specs will be fine. Since you want an e-ink device, you are pretty much stuck with those that run Android, but many of them have lesser specs and they may run older versions of Android that will not be supported for as long by Faithlife. But you should be aware of a limitation of both an iPad and Android tablet. Neither will not allow you to read the personal books you have created in Logos. To do that, you'll need a Windows tablet like a Surface Go or Pro. That will essentially give you the full Logos desktop experience on a smaller form factor.

Well, I think my options are getting narrowed down considerably, the more I talk through this with everyone here.

The Onyx Boox Nova Pro is supposedly be upgradable to Android 9 so I think that is the leading contender for me.  Not purchasing until next week so I have a little more time to think about it and consider other alternatives.

It seems there used to be a button to export from logos to kindle. It's a pity it isn't there anymore. If at least books could be exported to epub, it would be great.

If at least books could be exported to epub, it would be great.

but since you can export to Word format, converting that to ePub shouldn't be an issue at all - or to mobi format which I expect you can read on kindle. There are online converters for various formats, but the Calibre software will do most of such conversions very easily and keep your books organized. 

I wonder how involved it would be for Logos to partner with some no name eink device maker that runs android and lock it to only run a Logos app and nothing else. 

something like a kindle voyage that allows you to read you books and simple highlights would be a dream come true. 

I wonder how involved it would be for Logos to partner with some no name eink device maker that runs android and lock it to only run a Logos app and nothing else. 

something like a kindle voyage that allows you to read you books and simple highlights would be a dream come true. 

I agree, but take into account that batteries capacity is increasingly higher. So chances are that e-ink devices turn obsolete in the near future. They are comfortable to read, but they are not as responsive as any plain android device.

I used to have an Onyx device running Android 2.3 in the past. Logos stopped working for good when the TLS patch was introduced a year ago. It's a myth that Logos stopps working once the underlying Android version is no longer supported. It starts degrading, but that's a slow process.

It basically means, any resources that require app features introduced after the end of support date won't be able to be opened. Resource updates are usually few though, and if there are updates, many of them focus on fixing typos, and not so much on new features. The situation with new resources is different though. Toward the end of the life span of my old device, virtually none of them worked any longer.

The first manufacturer to introduce an Android 6 reader at affordable cost (my self set minimum standard for upgraing, so that I can use an SD card as internal memory extension), was Likebook in late 2018. I purchased the Likebook Mars pretty much instantly back then, which is still available, but they since introduced newer models with better specs.

Likebook has announced to upgrade all models to Android 8 next month (March 2020). Onyx announced upgrades to Android 9, however, for release in November 2019 (!!). Let's wait and see if Likebook is any better at keeping promises. Since Android 6 is now the minimum supported version, it would be prudent to wait for one of the manufacturers to release their upgrade before buying anything. Onyx has a track record of breaking upgrade promises, and Likebook is still a very new company.

If FL keeps raising the minimum Android versions like before, Android 8 (Likebook) would provide two more years of reading joy, and Android 9 (Onyx) three years, plus an undetermined degrading time afterward until some day TLS gets replaced by something better.

Here's my review of the Mars, including a short demonstration of the Logos app: https://youtu.be/utv-RAWCZvw

How is it?

I've wanted an e-ink device to use Logos on for years, so am very interested in following this.

The Boox Note2 is 10.3" and running Android 9 but is $550.

The Boox Nova Pro 7.8 is $320 and says it will be upgraded to Android 9 soon.

Lot's of comments on it here: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/168597.aspx?PageIndex=7

If I had $500 waiting to be spent I'd order a Note2 and try it, but I don't! Has anyone here used either?

This is a good thread. The Onyx Boox Nova Pro looks great! Following!

I’d love to hear if anyone runs the Logos app on the Boox Nova Pro and how it does on it.

I reached out to Boox to find out if they could confirm that Logos works on their devices. They provided the following demo videos of the app. It appears to have the type of lag one would expect with an e-reader but otherwise seems function. This was with the Boox Max 3 and they said it "should" work on the Pro.

Video of Scrolling/Library

Video of Highlight Tool

Is there a reason you can’t just use the Logos mobile app? I’ve used it for years. Just turn page scrolling off and it works like a superior e-reader.

typical appearance of a page on my iPad mini 4:

I think the goal isn't an E reader like experience, but more of an E-Ink reading experience. 

Fair enough. I’ve never used one, so I have no idea what I might be missing.

I used Logos starting in 2014. I think I got my first Kindle in 2016 or so (e-ink e-reader, a paper white). Since then, I understood what the hype was. If Faithlife ever made their own brand ereader that simply allowed you to read your library and make simple highlights (and no other feature) I'd be the first to sign up.

Thanks John for reaching out! I’m impressed they did that for you!

The scrolling seems a bit sluggish, and honestly gives me some pause about it. However maybe if turning page turns on instead of scrolling it would be just fine.

It’s been a while, but I’m probably gonna go with the onyx boox poke 2. Does anyone know if there’s a reputable distributor for the US? I can find several foreign ones, but I’m concerned about shipping troubles and even whether I’d actually get the product. I did find that www.stacksocial.com has it And is based in the US. But does anyone know if it’s a reputable site? I’ve never heard of it. Or has anyone received had good dealings with onyx from different sellers?

thanks all!

I believe you can find a handful of vendors who sell the Poke2 on eBay. I ordered mine directly from the Onyx store but still waiting for DHL to ship it. I believe delays are due to COVID shipping priorities taking precedence, but definitely a delay.

Other Onyx products can be purchased on their Amazon store. I tried the Nova Pro. Loved it but I don't need the pen function so decided to go with the Poke2. I'll do a review when I get it!

Ended up shelling out more money and got the nova 2, which I was able to purchase on amazon instead. Received it yesterday and I’m absolutely loving it! Now I’m wishing they made phones and computers that have e-ink screens!

Also enjoying my Poke 2. I found it helps to turn off things like swipe to highlight and the automatic word lookup features, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with it for reading purposes.

I installed Nova Launcher from the play store and use that as my home screen. Since I really just use Logos and Kindle on there it cleans up the interface a lot. I can still get to the Onyx Launcher if I need to update firmware (appears you have to do it from there) but I really appreciate the simplified interface.

If Faithlife ever made their own brand ereader that simply allowed you to read your library and make simple highlights (and no other feature) I'd be the first to sign up.

This seems like a fire idea to me. A Logos-ready paperwhite that allows full note-taking. SOLD!!! Bob should be all over this.

If Faithlife ever made their own brand ereader that simply allowed you to read your library and make simple highlights (and no other feature) I'd be the first to sign up.

This seems like a fire idea to me. A Logos-ready paperwhite that allows full note-taking. SOLD!!! Bob should be all over this.

Onyx does make custom branded e-readers for 3rd parties. Their devices are solid, affordable, and already compatible with Logos.  It could be a win-win-win product (for customers, Logos and Onyx.)

I am using Likebook Mars, it is a bit dated but still works well. After the recent firmware update, the tablet is more responsive. Good for reading but not as responsive for bible study.

Mac

still hoping... I love my kindle, but I use it little compared to Logos. would be so glad if this ever happened.

I have been looking at the Galaxy S7 and it says it can serve as an extra screen for a PC. Does that mean I could use Bluetooth (which I assume is the means of communication) to, for instance, sit on my recliner with my pad and read off my PC app? Also, it's a little pricey, so is this a feature common to less expensive tablets?

Hi David, what device did you end up using? I am curious to know :-) 

Hi Haraan - and welcome to the forums

Hi David, what device did you end up using? I am curious to know :-) 

David posted about the device he got at https://community.logos.com/forums/t/200056.aspx 

Graham

Probably too late for your, but for anyone else who is looking BOOX Nova3 looks like a good option.

https://www.amazon.com/BOOX-Nova3-Android-Digital-Notepad/dp/B08KY4BWQX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=BOOX+Nova3&qid=1633719033&sr=8-1

Hello, Grace to you
Is there compatibility with the logos app?