Townsend

Bit simplistic - but largely true! - A screen can be said to be a screen! They are all searching for something to differentiate and often it comes down to the software. Do you stick or twist?

They were part of Steljes - that is not in dispute - and Avocor has indeed stated that they will pick up warranties. However, the point is still valid. Had Avocor not formed out of the ashes of Steljes - the screens would not have had support from Vivid touch. Avocor only launched AFTER the demise of Steljes - with mainly ex steljes staff.

With regard to software - I agree wholeheartedly about the cost of the Promethean. Smart is again available for any screen - but on a subscription basis which is also a high cost. There are other options - the Oktopus is OK - for primary schools I really think the Eaziteach is a n1ce package and very well priced. Then of course you have the free stuff like Open Sankore. If you are not restricted to a specific software package - you have options on the screens.

There seems to be a buzz around the ecotouch unit at present and that does concern me. I have been in the industry for a very long time now and never come across this unit until recently. One thing I always make very clear to clients is be aware of what you are buying and the question is - with eco touch what ARTE you buying? We have no idea as to who manufactures the screen. From my research this is one small reseller bring in screens and badging them. I have been onto the website and there is no company information whatsoever. I have never heard of BVStouchscreens - where are they based? How many trained support staff are there in the UK? Even at £ 1850.00 delivered and installed (complete with full strip out of old equipment) - if the screen is a problem - then it needs to be resolved and quickly - who will be responsible for that? The resellers? BVSeccoscreen? - We just do not know. I think that - whichever screen you buy - you need to KNOW the provenance - you need to know that the screen you buy is supported and supported here in the UK. I get offered different screens from manufacturers on almost a daily basis some good - some not so good - but my initial stress test is who makes it and where are they based - how do they deal with issues and do they have uk based service staff. £ 1850 delivered and installed - is possible - with a low end low quality screen. Adding the strip out of the old equipment is good but - when a deal looks to be too good to be true - it often is! It looks to me, from the information available that the ecotouch is being brought into the uk by a single reseller and shipped out as an educational solution - on a wing and a prayer. Unless a great deal of money has been invested in a back office infrastructure to ensure continuity of supply and support - beware as £1850 looks to be a great deal - until it goes wrong and there is no one to put it right. I would suggest a unit from a RECOGNISED manufacturer - one that actually has a base here in the UK and has a proven track record of support for a product. Iiyama or BENQ offer better featured screens. The eco touch has no inbuilt android as yet. The BENQ is coming out with the same Oktopus software but also eaziwrite preloaded onto the Android drive - its 20 point touch and has a five year warranty that actually MEANS something - i.e. it HAS nationwide support available. from one of the largest companies in the world. The ecotouch looks a reasonable product - the current range is a little under featured in comparison to what is out there currently - but better quality product from recognisable sources is available at a very similar price. Companies become successful because they produce good quality product and support it. When making a significant purchase of this size - it is worth knowing that you HAVE that on going support. You were saying the VIVIDtouch units looked good to you - and that was not a bad unit - a bit low end and a little flimsy perhaps - but not bad. What about all the schools that bought VIVIDtouch now? It was a Steljes company and has now gone! - Steljes were picking up the warranty on the VIVIDtouch - but they no longer exist! Run a check on BVSecotouch as a company - it does not come back with anything! - There is no physical address on their website. At this stage we can see a nice shiny new touchscreen that undercuts virtually everyone else in the market. That may be absolutely fine and they may be the next big thing in the market place - but at this stage - with the information we have - can we make that assumption? I work independently and could register as a reseller of this kit - and I will probably take a look to form an opinion - but at this stage - based upon the information I have - this is one gift horse where I would certainly be having a VERY good look at the teeth before committing to anything.

I don't think there will be any issues with it not working - and you can do a LOT better than 3 grand!

When you say "won" the tender - you do not have to accept the lowest price offered. Lets be honest - if the price is too low - the likelihood is that some element is probably missing. Most tenders weigh the pros and cons and have a scoring schedule - so much for the price - so many points for the service etc - and this will be a subjective decision made by the school - but most do stipulate that they do not have to take the lowest bid. Might be worth going to CPC and tendering through them

Really? All that filter cleaning, lamp changing and only a 3 year warranty? For on site technicians the touchscreen is a godsend. No calibration or general maintenance - they mostly have a 5 year warranty and have a 50,000 hour life expectancy - at least 5 times that of a top flight projector.

In most cases, the software would be loaded on the supporting PC or laptop. There is limited software installed on Android drives - a few basic apps - but these are updated, in the case of BENQ, by there over the air system. If the screen has internet access - the updates are automatic. I agree that buying screens with an internal PC is not my immediate first choice, - the slot PC's tend to be expensive for what they are but the android addition does not really replace connection to a PC - it just means that you can perform basic presentations without having to have a pc there.

Hi there, I work as an independent AV consultant and do a great deal of work with Touchscreens. The screens themselves do not vary a huge amount - they are all developing similar functionality nowadays - most of which the class teacher will probably not use. I would suggest that the software is the major determinant. It depends what you currently use and as to whether you are prepared to change. Unlike others in this thread - I have never had an issue with a benq screen and I have installed hundreds now. The new model out this summer looks to be the best featured screen but - like I said - its mainly dependent upon how you want to progress with the software. I have worked with SMART, Promethean, BENQ, Iiyama, Sharp, Samsung, Hitachi, Genee to name a few. I would be delighted to help you in any way I can - please let me know if I can be of assistance.

I can get this done for you - I have install teams in Birmingham

I don't think you will have a site licence on the SMART - I don't think they actually exist anymore. I may be a bit late with this but I would suggest that - if you want the SMART software on something of that size then you need to look at the BENQ RP790. That will be by far the best value option for you if you want to use the SMART software

Check the ViewSonic WPG-300 device!

I understand the e70 is about to be discontinued. new 6065 has poor connectivity currently. Good new 70" unit from iboard and the iboard software opens both SMART & Promethean files.

I am currently working with several manufacturers of touchscreens - SMART have the e70, the new VIVIDtouch and the Benq, Promethean have deals on their ACTIVpanel. Clevertouch have their new range with in built ANDROID options - as do iboard and Genee. Nice offering from Hitachi - but limited range of sizes. New product due from Iiyama shortly - but limited software option. Personally, I do not find a huge amount of difference in the actual screens themselves - some look better than other - screens vary a little - touch is what it is. Software seems a major determining factor. This is something I have done a lot of work on - so if I can help - PM me.

The lampless stuff, in my opinion, does not give the same vibrant bright image - and costs significantly more! The Epson currently has a 5 year warranty available