Review: Functional, no-frills, Kindle protection; assists reading angle
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 24, 2013
I've been using a handsomeAmazon Kindle Zip Sleeveto protect my Paperwhite for the past year. I love it. I didn't think I'd ever want or need anything better. Recently, as an Amazon Top Reviewer, I was offered this MarBlue Vassen for Kindle case free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I was very reluctant to take them up on the offer, even if it was free! I couldn't imagine wanting to enclose my Kindle in a book-like case! After all, that's one of the joys of owning a Kindle. It's an eBook; it can be easily held and read in one hand. Why would I want to read it like I would a physical book? That didn't make sense to me.After a year of using my Kindle, I was used to reading it "naked," i.e., holding it directly in one or two hands, usually propped up on top of a pillow to get it closer to my eyes and to help take some of the weight off my hands. Doing it this way, I often needed another tiny pillow behind the Kindle so that the reading surface was at the best angle for reading. I also have an eBook reading pillow that holds the kindle at the proper angle...but I don't always have it or use it. I thought I had it all figured out and was happy with the arrangements I'd made.When the MarBlue Vassen Kindle case arrived, I was surprised with how much heavier it was than the Zip Sleeve I've been using. I groaned thinking that I'd certainly not appreciate that extra weight in my purse. I weighed both cases. The Zip Sleeve was only 2 ounces. The Vassen Case weighed 4 ounces. It was twice the weight! That may not seem like much, but it is a significant difference.The cover has a leather-like texture, but is actually some much thinner synthetic fabric glued and stitched over stiff cardboard; the inside fabric is soft with a suede-like finish. If I put my nose inside the two covers, there is a very slight chemical odor which I suspect comes from the glue used to adhere the fabrics to the cardboard. If so, it will probably dissipate with time. When the case is at reading length from my nose, I cannot detect the odor.What I like best about the new case is that I've discovered that the front cover actually helps assist with holding the book at a proper reading angle. I don't need that other tiny pillow to prop the Kindle up at the right reading angle, nor do I need my special eBook reading pillow. If I'm resting the bottom of the case on a normal throw pillow on my lap, then my right hand easily holds the book balanced at the perfect angle with virtually little effort and weight. Honestly, I was flabbergasted! I'd have never guessed that it would actually be easier to read a Kindle if it were forced into a case that made it feel and look like a paper-based book.So, now I have two Kindle cases. Which do I prefer? Which am I using? I definitely prefer the look, feel, and weight of the Zip Sleeve, but I like reading my Kindle with the new Vassen case...so I'm sticking with it. Yes, I'm putting up with the extra weight, the slight odor, and the funky blue fake-leather look....but my reading hands are happy, and that makes me happy, too. The Zip Sleeve is now in a catchall box in the spare bedroom.Now that I know what style of Kindle case I prefer, if I ever decide to purchase another eBook case in the future, it will be a book-like cover, like this MarBlue Vassen case. I'll make sure that it is ultra lightweight. I will also look for something that has a pleasant patterned cover so it will look better after a year or so bumping around inside my purse together with a lot of other stuff that has the potential to mar the surface of the case. I'm afraid this solid faux-leather cover is going to look a bit sad and worn after a few months of use in my purse. If that's the case, I'll update this review later and let you know.