Graphic Tablets

[speckytecky]

Anyone got information they would care to share on graphic tablets. I recently tried a Hyper Pen 6000 from Aiptek supplied via Serif and the darned thing connected via the mouse port plus a RS232 port and ended up crashing the PC - it's going back for a refund!

I then purchased a Trust TB-4200. It's described as wireless but connects via USB. The instructions that came with it are abysmal. It has a clear overlay that's meant to aid image tracing but with anything placed between the overlay the pen fails to make a mark and goes off into file opening sort of mode (its got a mouse equivalent button on the side plus the point acts as a single click in some circumstances). It does have a wireless mouse that seems to just about passably work.

I think a lot of the problem with it rests with the absence of clear instructions - like the overlay wasn’t obviously an overlay. I reckon the problem with the pen rests in settings. Had there been a half decent user guide then I have a feeling it could straight away be a pretty useful bit of kit but having to dabble makes it a huge frustration.

[contink]

In all honesty I've never worked with anything other than Wacom graphic tablets and never really had any problems with them..

They cost more but are usually pretty good but please note I'm basing this on 2 tablets, last one being purchased 2+ years ago..

[mark]

Wacom tablets are excellent. I think you only need a small tablet - A5/6 at most as that's all you work on. Prices are cheap nowadays.

[Joedetic]

My flatmate has just bought a Wacom tablet from amazon (if i remember correctly). He's not had to use it properly for his course (Games Design BSc) but he said that he's found it top notch so far!

As far as I've heard in the past, Wacom have been the industry standard and were mentioned in several trips to universities during my A2 Product Design course.

[Ric_]

We have a load of GTCO Calcomp Interwrite Schoolpads. These are basically a bluetooth graphics tablet that comes with the same software as their Schoolboards (Interwrite). We have found these to be quite successful with staff since they can be used from anywhere in the room and can be shared between classes. Multiple Schoolpads can be used for collaboration too with the teacher having control over which one is usable at any time. They also cost a fraction of the price of a whiteboard.

I know that this may be a bit off topic but there's no reason you couldn't use one of these as a normal tablet and also have the benefit of its interactive whiteboard software for use in the classroom. IIRC thay are under £300 each including a bluetooth dongle.

[Joedetic]

A Wacom is cheaper than £300 for the A4/A5/A6 model (cant remember which).

[Ric_]

@Joedetic: An A5 bluetooth Wacom tablet is approx. £180 and I think we paid £240 for our tablets (but I'm not sure). The Schoolpads are A4 too.

I'm not saying it's what you want... just an option that I can recommend and teachers like too.

[Joedetic]

Ah right, that's a better deal then LOL

[Ric_]

It depends what you want it for... for 'normal' graphics tablet use there is little point having a bluetooth one sinceyou have to be sat in front of the computer anyway. I think that companies will sometimes add this technology because it's there rather than actually adding useful features.

[Joedetic]

I've noticed that with a lot of things. Like those razors you have to feed batteries to...that's just a stupid idea!

(I mean the gillette wet shave ones...not actual electric razors...i'm not advocating hand crank or even petrol razors here!)

[beeswax]

it's off the subject a little but - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZNTgglPbUA

[Ric_]

it's off the subject a little but - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZNTgglPbUA

It is a little off topic but that software is amazing!

[beeswax]

isn't it