Customer Reviews

Amazon Kindle DX Black Leather Cover (Fits 9.7" Display, Latest and 2nd Generation Kindles)

5 star:		(186)
4 star:		(78)
3 star:		(42)
2 star:		(32)
1 star:		(93)

 

 

This is the same cover design that is currently used for the Kindle 2. Since I also own the Kindle 2, I did not hesitate to order this cover again for the Kindle DX. (For the record, I own both which and the cover arrived this morning along with my new Kindle DX)

The thing that made me go for this cover over the M-Edge series is that it has discreet clips that fasten directly into the kindle and are very secure. It is similar to the mechanism that Sony uses for the PRS-505 and I find it very unobtrusive without having to deface the Kindle with velcro etc.

HOWEVER it should be cautioned that this hinge mechanism has the potential to crack your the front faceplate kindle if you do not open the cover from the front (don't try to open it from the back as the hinge only allows the cover to open fully one way). However, the people that had this problem with the Kindle 2 were reported the problem to Amazon and they replaced the Kindle. I personally have not had this problem, though but it is something to be aware of.

The thing I really like about this cover is the feel of the inside which is what you wind up holding the most while you are reading. It is a very soft luxurious feeling grey flannel. The front cover folds back on itself (like a paperback) so you wind up just holding something that is just as wide as the kindle itself (i.e. not "double-width" like an open binder). The flannel lining sounds like a little thing. However, reading is often about the "curling up with a good book in a cozy chair" experience and the flannel reminds you of your most comfy flannel PJs and the lining adds to that perception.

The leather of the cover, itself is not of great quality but it looks decent. There are also firm foam inserts inside the front and back cover to keep the screen protected.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the cover.

[NCJAR]

I wouldn't call the leather on the cover high quality by any means. To my eyes it looks like cheap leather. However, the cover does what it's supposed to do well. And there are no cheaper alternatives. There are a couple of sleeves that are cheaper but these leave the DX unprotected when you are reading.

The DX cover has a strong magnet that keeps it shut (no need of straps etc). Also unlike the competing M-edge cover that sells for the same price this locks along the hinge instead of using straps at the four corners which I think lead to a much cleaner and nicer looking interior. The hinge system is very easy to use and I recommend that you don't buy other covers that don't have this technology. The DX has a relatively big footprint so I like the minimalist nature of the cover, it doesn't really increase the footprint of the device any more than it has to and fits nice and tight.

The cover can be folded back completely if you want to read one handed (although the DX is quite heavy and not easy to hold with one hand unless you lean it on your arm).

The interior is a nice soft suede material and feels nice on the hands. This is great when you've folded the cover on itself, something that I like to do.

I give it four stars rather than 5 because the look and feel of the leather is not that good, it looks a little plasticky. But this is still, in my mind the best available option as a cover.

I preordered this cover with my Kindle DX and liked it very much at first. After about one week the front cover of the Kindle began to bulge up and after 2 weeks it began cracking. Amazon refuses to repair the Kindle DX under warranty. The Kindle is not a cheap plastic throw away product. It is an expensive item that provides a revenue stream for Amazon and should be treated in a more responsible manor.
Do not buy this product! It will damage your new Kindle and Amazon will not honor their warranty.

This is a nice simple leather cover that I would recommend. The leather has an attractive texture and the construction and stitching is neat. It does not smell noxiously like the Kindle 2 cover (does have a faint plastic chemical smell, but not that noticeable unless you hold it to your nose).

The biggest improvement comes from the magnets that 1) hold the Kindle to the back cover and 2) keeps cover shut. It doesn't take a lot of force to open, but holds it shut securely enough in normal situations.

I read the other reviews about the weight of the cover, but disagree. The cover itself is actually fairly light weight. I have a hard time imagine it being any lighter unless it's made out of a different material or made smaller. It's basically just leather, thin padding, and a felt-like inner surface plus the magnets and the clasps. While the DX is much heavier than the Kindle 2, most of that weight is from the DX itself and not from the cover.

I like this cover for its simple and understated design. The padding is thin, but thick enough to protect the DX. The felt-like inner surface is soft and won't scratch the screen or backing.

I received my kindle cover today and immediately put it on. I was horrified that this $500 product had been damaged at the level of the upper clasp immediately after I had snapped the Kindle in place. Apparently this has happened to others, but for some reason Amazon did not feel it necessary to include better instructions so that customers could avoid the development of this problem. I was told it was my fault that this occurred, bc I must have "forced the cover open from the back flap." I did not force anything. I opened the cover and the weight of the Kindle made it flop over to the front cover. I supposed this is when the damage may have occurred. I cannot understand why this cover is still produced, or why it has not been modified. I now have a very expensive item, and I fear it will have a shorter than expected life due to the damage sustained. I would not recommend this cover unless it undergoes some serious modifications.

THIS ITEM SHOULD BE SOLD WITH THE FOLLOWING PROVISO: This cover can at the least buckle your kindle surface and at the worst cause it to cease working. Soon after receiving the kindle DX, I noticed a buckle and crack on the surface of the kindle. Soon after, the kindle stopped working completely. The prongs in the cover had damaged the kindle.
As both form and function were compromised, Amazon quickly replaced the unit and cover. Ten days after new kindle had arrived, I noticed a slight crack and bulge on the surface. I immediately purchased a cover without prongs.

I have had my Kindle DX for almost a month, and thought the cover was very well designed. But yesterday, I found a slight bulge in the case of the Kindle above the upper clasp, and a small crack. Unlike the experience of others who have commented on the same issue, I got the same excellent customer service I've always gotten from Amazon. They said it was a known problem and that they would overnight me a new Kindle. They said the cover is being redesigned. So I'm waiting to see if they come up with something new.

3 weeks into my kindle DX ownership the cover created a crack on the front white frame where the upper hinge inserts into the kindle. I am now trying to get amazon to replace this damaged Kindle.

Carl Shields

Thee case is lovely but I woke up this morning with one of the clasps causing a huge bulge in the Kindle front casing. I must have tried to open it from the back last night. This is more than a design flaw; it is dangerous. (see other reviewers critisms) I had to break the clasp itself to remove my Kindle from the case. %50 down the drain.

At these prices, this is unacceptable.

Kindle DX is a heavier unit. Adding a cover to the DX will only increase its weight. I doubt very much you can get away using the DX without a cover. I wouldn't since you must protect the DX's screen.

Can you make a cover that weighs less than this one? I mean, the cover is pretty simple. Amazon could remove the magnets securing the unit but I like these magnets. May be there is a way to strip it down to a lighter weight. I don't know of one. I think the improvement in weight must be come from a lighter DX and not so much so the cover. On the other hand, I am pretty positive an innovative Kindle user will recommend something that improves the experience. I will be paying attention to the Forum.

The front section folds back behind the unit which allows easy access to the Next/Prev/Home Page buttons with the right thumb. In that position, the cover stays put with the help of the magnets. This is very important, especially when reading a PDF document in landscape mode.

The cover's padding protects the screen and unit well. The magnets keep the unit shut when the cover is closed. That is a plus over the K2 cover in my opinion. The snap-in mechanism secures the unit appropriately. I haven't had any issue with the hinges.

I prefer holding the device within its cover. I feel more comfortable that way. I am very satisfied with this cover. That being said, I understand the frustration some might have with the overall weight of the package.

Update 7/7/2009: I have had this cover for almost a month now. Some people have reported that their DX unit got damaged by the hinges. I have opened the cover from the back a few times. You can open the back side of the cover by about 3 inches and then there is quite some strong resistance. It has been pretty obvious to me to stop pulling further and refocus on the front section of the cover which has the Amazonkindle tag. So far, none of this has been an issue to me because I handle my DX with reasonable strength. All in all, better than the K2 cover, which I rated 5 stars, because this cover has these magnets that keeps the cover shut. I just can't make a case to rate it lower.

Update 10/5/2009: My kindle DX is going strong in its cover. No cracks, no damage.

Update 10/31/2009: I posted a picture of my cover in the image section of this page. As you can see, all is good with my cover. Still going strong.

Update 12/5/2009: Someone pointed in the comment section of my review that the issue is with the upper hinge. I posted another picture of both hinges. Stll going strong.