Logos 9 — A Six Month Re-Review

Approximately six months ago, I reviewed the new Logos 9 following its release.

I’ve been asked again by Logos to give a follow-up review, now that I’ve had a chance to use the product for some time.

In this review, I’ll survey Logos 9’s new features again, but now from the vantage point of having used Logos 9 for approximately 6 months.

Dark Mode

As you may remember in my original review, I was a bit uncertain about dark mode and whether or not I’d ultimately like it and utilize it. “Jury’s out,” I said. Well, the jury has finished deliberating, and I like it.

I have my Logos set to follow my computer system which follows the sunrise/sunset. So, once sundown hits, I’m all dark mode with Logos. I have found my eyes able to adjust (something I was originally skeptical of). The dark mode can be easier on the eyes, not to mention the fact that just switching between dark and light modes keeps the aesthetics fresh.

Dark mode = a small advantage of Logos 9; but an advantage nonetheless.

One note: You can’t simply toggle between dark and light mode. If you want to switch mode, you have to restart Logos. That’s a bummer. But hopefully that’s something they are able to adjust in the future. 🤞🏻

Factbook

I’ve replaced my use of the Topic Guide with the new and improved Factbook. In other words, the Factbook is now my go to when wanting to get some quick resources on a topic.

However, I’m definitely more of a Passage Guide user (specifically, my own custom Passage Guide). So the new Factbook is a nice advantage for me in Logos 9, but not a major advantage, since I don’t use it all too often.

However, you may use Logos differently than me, in which case the Factbook could be more of a game-changer. (See especially the visual filter to add links to the Factbook straight from your Bible.)

Commentaries in Passage Guide

As I mentioned in my initial review, I really like the new way commentaries are organized in Logos 9. It may seems like a small thing, and I suppose it is. But it makes finding your commentary that much easier. The addition of the author to the right of each volume is super convenient.

Commentaries can now be organized in a variety of ways (e.g., Priority, Series, Author, Type, Denomination, Era). I generally keep mine on “Priority” so I can have them in the exact order I’ve prioritized them.

Sermon Building & Manager

I still have not been won over to the Sermon Builder and its new accompanying Manager. I find it all a bit too clunky. Nor does my church use Faithlife’s Proclaim slide program, which might otherwise make it worth it to me. However, if you use slides as you preach, and especially if your church might use Proclaim, Logos 9’s sermon resources are something to look into.

Counseling Guide

I really like the idea of this new guide. To explain it again, it’s like the old Passage or Topic Guides. Except here Logos has made a guide specifically to gather together counseling materials at your finger tips.

I have not found myself using it too frequently. But depending on the nature of your ministerial duties, I could see this proving very valuable as a go-to resource for some.

Charts

In Logos 9, you can now easily convert your various search results into nicely visualized charts.

I personally have not yet used this. The times when I need a chart to show search results are admittedly rare. But I could see it coming in handy occasionally.

Bible Books Explorer

I have found the new Bible Books Explorer an interesting tool to poke around in, especially when getting ready to preach a new book of the Bible. When preaching 1 John, I utilized it. And when I did some introductory work on Revelation for an upcoming series, I made a point to pull it up.

Should I upgrade?

You will have to determine if these new features (and more not even covered here) are worth it to you to drop the cash to upgrade.

Regardless of features though, I’m still of the opinion that upgrading your Logos is almost always a good move just given the benefit of adding loads of new resources to your library for pennies on the dollar! In other words, it’s far better to purchase new books via program upgrades (e.g., upgrading to Logos 9) than to buy your volumes all individually. So that alone, in my opinion, makes it worth considering upgrading.

If you are thinking of upgrading, use my special link here to receive a discount plus some free books.