Mart72 Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 Hi, I currently work in a school and need a bit of advice on which Interactive Touch Panel to purchase please. My Head Teacher seems to be struck on CleverTouch as she has seen them at other schools but I want to be a bit more pragmatic as we have no proper experience of these at all. I have heard a few nightmare stories of poor support from Sahara and I was aware some time ago about a bit of incompatibility with Smart Software, but I'm not sure whether this has been fixed. I also need to look at boards that have built-in PC's (Windows if poss) to see if we can eliminate the need for a Teacher PC in the classroom. All advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
mukz Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 Are you a smart software school? That is the first question? Secondly does the staff actually use them or do they use them as glorified clickers to press next on a powerpoint presentation? 1
robyholmes Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 Try to break the software & hardware link. We're using Prowise Presenter which is a web based IWB software package, and thus isn't licenced per board (We have a site licence). This means we can purchase the cheapest good quality boards at the time we're looking. As many will point out, not many staff use IWB software any more, most use online tools and Office. 1
just_david Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 I've used clevertouch with both smart, activ inspire and its own Lynx - which is now compatable with smart notebook files. Also used smart - expensive but good quality, and avocor - cheep but nothing special. I was never a fan of the built in PC's, they just seemed expensive, if you really want something small and out the way use some intel NUC's and tie wraps. Money no object I'd take either the Promethian or the smart boards, but being more sensible with money I'd definitly recomend the clevertouch and lynx (the teachers seem to love it, far moreso than smart of activ inspire). 2
Mart72 Posted March 15, 2018 Author Posted March 15, 2018 Hi, thanks for reply. We are a Primary school and have had Smart suite software for many years. I don't think teachers use our current Whiteboards much in an interactive way as many have stopped working altogether or have orientation issues. We are looking to improve our Classroom tech and we are looking to replace the old Smart Boards with "ANother" but I want to make sure we make the right choice. Smart Software is used but it would not be the end of the world if we had to move away from Smart altogether.
TwistedHelixis Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 The last versions of Smarts own interactive TVs are really really good. Great build quality, lots of features such as smartphone hookup, built in Android etc also very good price-wise and obviously comes with smart notebook license. 1
mavhc Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 1080p or 4k touchscreen, ask them if you can throw a chair at it to test it. Ask the teachers what they want, do they want multiple pens, detection between finger and pen? How large? What software do they use on it? And then: do they want x/y of screen A, or x/z of screen B, x = budget, y and z = prices 1
Rob_D Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 It's worth baring in mind that you may need to purchase additional licencing to use Smart Notebook on a Non-Smart touch screen. See this thread: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/193983-interactive-touch-screens-smart-learning-suite.html 1
Mart72 Posted March 15, 2018 Author Posted March 15, 2018 Thank you guys for your considered opinions. I have asked Teachers what they want but they don't actually know until they get hands on. I guess most Interactive Screens have similar characteristics and functionality. The question really is, Cheap and Cheerful but potentially problematic with after sales support or pay a bit more for Smart, Prometheon or C Touch but get a decent brand with good warranty support etc. In fairness here, it sounds like Sahara have ironed out some of the old Clevertouch issues and their offering a good priced product. I had a recent quote for a CTouch Laser Air+ 65" IP (Oktopus Software) with 7 years on-site Warranty + Training. All Brackets, AV Plate and installation for £2'224 Anyone got any comments about this product or price? Many thanks again guys.
mavhc Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 Some company kept bugging me to do a multi product demo, from lots of different suppliers, they'd come in, set them up, let the teachers play. 2
Rob_D Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 i second mavhc, get some demo units in. Most companies will offer it in some capacity. You can definitely get CTouch to come in with a test unit. 1
nicholab Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 (edited) Should you be hanging £3.5k on the wall? Bear in mind a benq panel are the cheapest available and if you can move teachers on open source software or ms Inking/OneNote the panel does not matter. Edited March 15, 2018 by nicholab 2
Smokebomb Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 We bought around 15 75” Clevertouch boards last year. Very good, but expensive and the staff weren’t using the Android features. Quotes for a new one we’re coming in around £4500 fitted with floor to wall stand. Instead we have just bought a Benq RP653K 65” board which came in around £2500. Seems to do everything we need it to at a more palatable price. 2
Mart72 Posted March 16, 2018 Author Posted March 16, 2018 Thank you guys for all your input ... I think I'm going to get C Touch and Clevertouch in on trial to see what teachers prefer more. I have to say I am leaning more towards the C Touch at the price for a fully installed unit coming in under £2'500 with 7 years on-site Warranty sounds like a great product at a good price!
Andycat Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 I've got a Viewsonic coming in for demo next week. Currently have some CTouch and Promethean Screens. Teachers would still prefer an IWB though! 1
XiJ Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 We generally use llyama. 5 year de Install re install warranty but I’ve only seen 1 faulty panel in 7 years of supplying. Not a fan of clever touch screens tbh 1
mavhc Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 I've got a Viewsonic coming in for demo next week. Currently have some CTouch and Promethean Screens. Teachers would still prefer an IWB though! Prefer it why?
Andycat Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Better to use in their opinion, and we use ActivInspire and the Promethean TV's we have have been poor.
nicholab Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) I would not get a non main stream product. My view is that IWB are a complete waste of money all you really need is a large format display linked to a touch screen device. This does mean that you can afford to get all teachers a device. This main benefits are you can setup the board to be seen by all and the writing surface is all ways at the users height. Edited March 16, 2018 by nicholab
mavhc Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Better to use in their opinion, and we use ActivInspire and the Promethean TV's we have have been poor. Do you mean a board+projector?
Andycat Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Do you mean a board+projector? Yes, they prefer a Promethean board and projector to a Promethean panel, for use with ActivInspire.
mavhc Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Wonder why? Do they write on it without a projector?
Andycat Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Wonder why? Do they write on it without a projector? Sometimes, yes. Don't like the feel of the screen against finger or pen. Like the old ActivPens. Panel gets hot to touch and be near.
Andycat Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 What's the panel tech, plasma, lcd, led? https://www1.prometheanworld.com/en-gb/products/interactive-flat-panels/activpanel Those. Only ones you can "legally" use ActivInspire on.
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