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Amazon Kindle Leather Cover, Saddle Tan Reviews
Price: $39.99
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Availability: Usually shipped in 24 hours if sold by Amazon.com***Product Details
| Binding: | Accessory |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Amazon |
| Color: | Brown |
| Model: | 515-1057-02 |
| Release Date: | 2011-10-01 |
| Features: |
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| ItemDimensions: | 6.71 x 4.74 x 0.55 inches |
| Package: | 6.77 x 5.35 x 0.47 inches (0.18 pounds) |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon's Kindle Leather Cover
Protect Your Kindle
| Our sleek, form-fitted leather cover is perfect for protecting Kindle wherever you go. The premium, all-natural leather exterior looks and feels great, while the soft microfiber interior protects the screen from scratches. The cover is designed to fold back, so you can read comfortably with just one hand. Secure Your KindleOur innovative cover is designed specifically for the latest generation Kindle and secures your device without any hinges or straps. Simply place your Kindle on the form-fitted interior of the cover and then gently press the device into place. Read Comfortably with One HandReading with the cover on, you can easily access Kindle's buttons and power switch, while the rounded edges offer a perfect fit in your hands. The cover is designed to fold back, so you can read comfortably with just one hand. On the GoThin, lightweight, and durable, this cover is perfect for taking Kindle wherever you go. The stylish, genuine leather exterior and form-fitted interior provide ultimate fit and protection without adding bulk. Amazon's official Kindle leather cover features a genuine leather exterior and microfiber interior, and comes in four different colors.
| Read comfortably and easily with Amazon's protective Kindle leather cover. The innovative, form-fitted interior design secures your Kindle without hinges or straps. Protect your Kindle and read easily with one hand while you're on the go. |
Customer Reviews
DESIGN:
This is Amazon's best designed cover to date. The kindle easily and securely snaps in place - there are no hinges or annoying elastic corner bands and all buttons and the power port are fully accessible. In addition, they removed all types of straps and cords. These were a problem on previous models for a number of reasons: they broke or snapped after regular use, they made the cover uncomfortable to hold, they added extra weight/bulk, and they were very unattractive. The front cover is weighted to stay closed when the kindle lies flat (it won't pop up). To be clear, there is no strap, clasp or magnet to secure it in place (just like the front flap of a hardcover book). Kindle users like myself were looking for two things: sleekness/thin fit and a case that was aesthetically pleasing that didn't scream "kindle nerd," and they delivered. This case is slim, tight, and ultra sleek. After all, the main attribute of this new kindle is its small size and weight. No one wants a cover that will negate that.
QUALITY:
The cover is made of good quality leather and has a nice feel. The inside of the front cover (the part that touches the screen when closed) is a microfiber material designed to protect the screen and avoid scratches. The section that holds the kindle in place around the perimeter is hard rubber and grips it very well. This is not "cheap" or poorly made at all. I feel like I got my money's worth.
COMFORT:
It's extremely comfortable to hold, whether with one hand (the cover easily flips back and was designed to do so) or with two hands like a physical book. It easily fits in a coat pocket, briefcase, or purse. Again, people were fed up with all the straps and such so the fact that they got rid of them adds to the comfort factor. As for protection, it's good enough to prevent scratches and dings, but if it takes a big fall it probably won't help. Don't buy this case if you're looking for hardcore protection.
VALUE:
Just a brief comment that's not affecting the # of stars: Yes, this costs 50% of the device itself, but until Amazon decides to price the accessories as aggresively as the kindle, we're going to have to deal with it. Besides, if you're going to use it regularly you'll get your money's worth. I will say that at $59.99, the lighted cover is quite costly and you need to weigh the cost against how much you'll use it. I can't read in bed as I'll fall asleep in 5 minutes, so it's not an issue for me.
SUMMARY:
An excellent, extremely thin and form-fitting case that addresses all the problems with previous versions. Highly recommended.
But I do wish it had some sort of closure. I sewed some 1/8" elastic that I will use when I need it to positively stay shut. One star off for no closure (I'd remove only half a star if that were an option).
Now we come to the colors... Was some designer in the middle of a depression when the colors were chosen? Color taste is subjective, I know, but black, dead maroon, or jarring yellowish olive green? Not a cheerful tone in the bunch! How about a deep royal blue, forest green, or teal? Or even a rosy red? C'mon, Amazon!
I've ordered the 'lighted' version for myself but my wife wanted this model and she's happy with it. Both my wife and I are happy with our purchases. The two are identical, except for this version (hers) lacking the lamp.
Now, for features and my evaluation:
- Good (not cheap) looking leather. You won't be ashamed to carry it around.
- Quite durable. I've been carrying my Kindle 3 with a similar cover for more than a year now and it looks as good as new.
- Kindle is well protected, especially when the cover is closed.
- Allows access to the USB port at the bottom even when closed. You can charge the Kindle without having to open the cover.
- Costs less.
This is what you get in addition to the above if you order the 'lighted' model:
- 2 gold-plated attachments power the lamp off the Kindle's battery. Never need to worry about charging the lamp. Only the Kindle. Based on my experience, the power drain is negligible.
- Lamp and its arm cradle inside the cover and is invisible when not in use. To use it, you simply pull it out and light turns itself own. The Lighted model does appear to be just a little heavier.
- White, Three-LED light, of course.
I am pleased with my cover and my wife loves hers. The five stars are well deserved if you don't mind the price.
As for the actual case, it's pretty amazing compared to the others I've tried. It's PERFECT. Very light, form fitting and when you fold the cover back it is complete flush with the back of the device. I wish it didn't cost $40 - A case that costs half the price of the device is ridiculous. But hey, I fell into the trap and bought it because everything else offered from other companies suck.
Just be aware that the case may not be the color that you want. Possibly thinking of sending this back and just getting the brown because this color is so odd.
It does add a bit more weight than I expected but I expect that was due to my becoming used to holding the featherweight 'naked' Kindle. Since adding the case I think the weight actually is beneficial inasmuch as it seems to add substance the K4.
Unlike others I perceive the leather to be just as Amazon says... 'premium' and as the cover is essentially one piece front to back means the hinge is also leather. I cannot see it wearing out over time. Mine hasn't scratched yet but I'm not throwing it in the bottom of a purse, etc. either. And if/when it does get scratched up/stained I just think it adds character. I cannot comment on the other colors. I opted for a safe 'saddle tan' color and it looks just like I expected.
I also do not miss having an elastic strap to keep it closed as some others have noted. Personally I prefer it NOT to have any closure as I think it would just get in the way when opening fully, folding the cover all the way back and holding it in one hand. I guess for those times I need to ensure the cover remains closed I could simply use a rubber band or something.
Finally, for those complaining they cannot get the Kindle out of the cover there were instructions included with the cover of how to do so. Simply 'bend' the bottom right corner slightly away from the Kindle, insert a finger under the Kindle and snap it out. Easy.
While I do like the case, the fit absolutely perfect and get a feel of quality I also think at $40 it is overpriced. Otherwise I would give it a solid 5 stars
Ask yourself the following. Do you prefer straps to keep the cover closed? Do you want a light? Do you want a plush leather case? Do you want extra rugged, durable protection? If so, then this cover is probably not for you.
This is the ideal cover for those that prefer simplicity, who find straps obnoxious, and want the feeling of an invisible cover (although impossible, probably the best option for this).
Don't get upset with the product. Instead, figure out what you want and understand the features you are purchasing.
The cover also scratches easily. It feels more like cheap plastic than leather. I immediately sent it back. Amazon should be ashamed at this product and how poor the quality is, let alone the fact that they charge an arm and a leg for it. I feel even worse for those that shoveled out an extra $20 for the lighted cover.
Thanks for your continued ewcellence,
Mickey SarverKindle Leather Cover, Brown
I paid $29 bucks for the one at Target, took it back and for an extra $10 I got more than my money's worth. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
There's my two-cents.
The Kindle fits perfectly in the hard-rubber base of the case so that you don't have any annoying straps to hold it in. All of the buttons are still easily accessible and the cover folds around to the back neatly for one-handed reading.
The case really doesn't interfere with my reading at all and only adds minimal weight (it all still weighs less than your average paperback).
My only complaint, like others, and the reason it doesn't get 5 stars is the price. I didn't NEED leather, but I wanted a slim case that fit perfectly so this was my best option. The fact that it costs half the cost of the Kindle itself is just silly. Make the same thing without leather and knock the price in half.
That aside, I'm very happy with this case.
On to my review of the case:
Like others have stated, it does not even seem like real leather, it is hard and plastic like. It is very slippery instead of a soft leather that would be nice to hold. I guess this is probably a design choice they made to create a cover that would be more durable. The stiffness prevents you from easily folding the cover around to the back. Perhaps it would have broken in like a new baseball glove, but I can't say for sure. The color to me, also, is a little off. I would have preferred a slightly darker brown, rather than the mustardy brown. But the most irksome part of it all was the cost. I mean really, when you get this thing in your hands your first thought is, I paid $40 for this thing?
So I looked around on Amazon and found the Marware covers. Ordered a black one that arrived yesterday. $30 (still a little steep) but much nice feel and look. A strap to keep it closed, a strap to slide your hand into, and a nice soft leather.
All that said, I am buying a reader for my wife, and popping for the Amazon cover that includes the night light. She does a lot of reading in bed and I can't find anything that compares to that cover with the led light. Decided to get the burgundy color though.
Hope this helps someone.
Only things I would change:
more durable, scratch/wear less easy
have some sort of magnetic closure to keep it closed and secure enough to toss in my bag.. instead I still carry it in my hand everywhere I go
less expensive
That said, the quality of the "leather" (or whatever it is) is just sub-par for something I am paying this much for. It scratches VERY easily. So far the case has only been on my nightstand and desk and already has two visible scratches on it. Since it's not real leather, it does not look like leather getting broken in. It actually makes it look even more cheap.
If Amazon had sprung for a little higher quality leather for the outer part of the case, or just gone with something that was not supposed to look like leather but was more durable, I would give this thing 5 stars. I can already tell it's going to get torn up and look like crap in a few weeks.
I won't be returning it, because it is serving its job protecting my Kindle, but I feel like I got a little screwed on the price for the quality.
Unfortunately, my impression of the new cover is very disappointing. Although it is indeed light weight, and that is important, the materials feel like stiff cardboard or plastic. I miss the leather smell and solid feel of the Gen 3 cover. Seriously, this cover is absolutely not worth $40 but what can you do? The Amazon branded covers remain the best solution because of their custom fit. But ugg, this thing feels very cheaply made and the spine issue is driving me crazy!
This is a great case, provides excellent protection and is very easy to pop on and off.
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