which graphics tablet?

Evening all,

I want to get (another) graphics tablet - I had a USB Acecat A6 tablet, but the pen has blown up and it doesn't work. Also, A6 is a bit small. I recently bought an Easypen G5 tablet from Dabs, but it stopped working after only 1 hour, so that's now been returned to Dabs and I've been refunded.

So, I'd quite like a sensibly priced (preferably A5) tablet that'll last well - anyone have any suggestions? Dabs' range is pretty short and gets very expensive.

I know Wacom are good but would one of these - http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3P95&CategorySelectedId=11120&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11120 - work as a normal pressure sensitive device? It seems to be listed as just a way to input text and not as a graphical drawing device.

Don't know how good that particular tablet is, but I don't know any professionals that would use anything but a Wacom.

I still have my trusty 6x8 artzpad II which must be nearly 10 years old now, and uses a serial port. So I really can't complain about the longevity of the older tablets.

I still have the original pen, which has a slight crack on the eraser end from where I trod on it. reinforcet that part with some selotape about 5 years ago. Appart from that and the matt coating on the clear transparent overlay wearing off, the tablet still works like new :)

I'm currently sort of saving up for a a 17" LCD one.

Wacoms are far superior to anything else I've ever used. In particular, the pens are better; no cord, and no bulky battery.

If however you were fine with another brand of tablet before, you probably don't want my advice now.

Take my advice, and don't buy any cheap stuff. Wacom has the best tablets I've ever tried, but I once bought a cheaper version.
Big mistake :) it was nowhere near as precise and didn't have many pressure steps at all.

You can't go wrong with a Wacom Tablet.

I use Wacom here, the cadilac of tablets!
Start with the Graphire if you're on a budget, well worth it.

I use Graphire - it's really neat and I absolutely love it!

Yup Wacom here too, I have tried others and they proved to be a false economy.

I am still using my Penpartner with its serial connection, so I too cannot complain about longevity :)

Cheers
Garion

Wacom Intuos2 9x12".

Only tablet I've ever used, so I cant really say much from past experiances, although the Intuos2 is excellent.

Wacom intuos2

Wacom Graphire 3 is fine. Most professionals get along fine with them. I do too.

Wacom Graphire here. Never go anywhere else (its not a matter of pride or loyalty, its a matter of quality and results).

Hmm, seems to be a general concensus of a Wacom, possibly the Graphire.

However it's about £80 at Dabs, which is a bit too much to justify.

Has anyone ever used or heard anything about these cheaper and smaller Wacom Volito tablets? -
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3P95&CategorySelectedId=11120&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11120

If it's not your first tablet, I'd pick up either one of the larger-model Graphires (6x8 or so I believe -- I'm pondering buying one of those for when I'm working on my laptop, since I can't lug around my 9x12 and a 5x4 is uncomfortable) or an Intuos 3 9x12.

Currently I use an Intuos 2 9x12. Some people won't like the large area it provides, but I like it because I can perform large sweeping strokes while painting.

Anyhow, just my $.02.

I would go for Wacom. I've used ArtPad II (which still works fine after many years), Intuos1,2 and 3 (a little bit). All of them A5. Currently my preference is for the Intuos2, as the pen feels a bit better to me. Though I wouldn't mind having the buttons that are on the Intuos3.

A Wacom will last ages if treated with care, so I don't mind spending a little money on it. It will outlast your computer by many years. Just don't have Coke or other acidic stuff near it as it will eat away at the surface (though the tablet will actually keep working, even though the drawing surface is a mess).

Ragnar

My Aiptek 12000U A4 tablet is working quite nicely.. it was very affordable, about 72euros. Pen feels bit cheap but hey, it works!!

I bought mine from dabs for around that price. I didn't use it much at first but now I cannot touch photoshop without it.

I tried a cheaper model from aldi - you know, one of these generic 'genus' ones you get on websites and like what are reccomended above. I took it back after playing around with it cos I broke the pen (don't ask) :)

Then I decided to get a wacom graphire. Now if you've never used a wacom then you have no idea how much more precise it really is. You only *think* the one you have is precise.

I would definately have view to getting the opportunity to try a wacom before you buy it. Definately worth trying.

The problem is that I am torn between spending £80 on a tablet, or a bit more to upgrade my aging video card instead and just settling for a cheap tablet.....

Ideally I'd buy the Graphire and a 6600GT or similar, but the cost starts to get a bit too high....but if I just buy the Graphire then when I'm playing HL2 or GTLegends I'll spend the whole time wishing I'd bought the videocard, and if I buy the 6600GT then I'll be cursing the crappy mouse when I try and drawn stuff.

Argh, such choices!

Thanks for your advice though, seems I am certainly best to ignore the cheaper tablets.

Hi,

I would definatally use a WACOM - and nothing else. I recently bought a new Wacom tablet with tablet and mouse for around £70 - and its performance is outstanding.

I command you to get both the wacom and the 6600GT. I have spoken.

You simply have to make it happen somehow.

Well geez, if we're going to ignore his financial reality we may as well recommend a pony too. Maybe a unicorn.

Personally I would choose a Wacom over a new video card, but then I put a higher priority on my Photoshop work than game playing.

funny.. i like it

I picked up a Wacom Graphire 3 for about $79 Canadian the other day. It's extremely good quality in spite of the low price - I had used other brand more expensive tablets before and found them somewhat difficult to use/uncomfortable, but the Wacom is probably the closest I've ever got to the ease of working with real paper.

Oh, and they work perfectly with Linux too :P

What about a light pen?
http://www.ftgdata.com/pricing/lightpensprices.html#fx422

Or turn your monitor into a touch-screen :
http://www.3m.com/US/electronics_mfg/touch_systems/Products/Capacitive/ClearTekII.jhtml

Anybody used anything like this recently? How does it compare? I've thought about getting a standard graphics tablet like a Wacom, but you've still got the old problem of 'I can't actually see what I'm drawing where I'm drawing it. The ultimate solution is obviously Wacoms convergence of the 2 :
http://www.wacom4u.co.uk/product.html?ItemID=620
but that's WAAAY out of my price range ATM

EDIT : Here's some more :
http://www.touchscreens.com/products-addon.html

http://www.magictouch.com/addon.html

http://www.screendirect.com/page/ICPE/CTGY/PCLP

Well, this "problem" is not really a problem...
You get used to it once you coordinate your hand motion with a pointer on the screen. It's actually is quite easy...