Advice needed: – which Wacom tablet & stylus should I buy?

SH
Posted By
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 17, 2004
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735
Replies
12
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Closed
Hi

I urgently need to buy a new tablet to help with my RSI problems.

I currently own an old Intuos tablet,(A6?? the smallest one Wacom did at the time Model "GD-0405-R") which I am quite pleased with. I use it *as well as* my wheel mouse and it has MASSIVELY helped my Repetitive Strain Injury problems.

However I now need to buy another one for my new PC! And I dont know where to start!

I dont think I need anything any larger than my current Intuous.

I am using it as a mouse substitute for web design
(PhotoShop 6/ Dreamweaver 6/ XaraX1) and
general business (ms Office2000/2002)

What I *like* about my old tablet is that I can use it just like a pen and can change the movement sensitivity by *mapping* the tablet area into about 5+ different areas.

I already have a wheel mouse which I will need to be able to readily switch between using the two without unplugging anything.

What would you recommend?

And where would you recommend that I buy from,
particularly if I can readily get a demo first as well?

I am based in London UK.
Running Windows XP

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

How to Improve Photoshop Performance

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FS
Fat Sam
Jun 17, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Hi

I urgently need to buy a new tablet to help with my RSI problems.
I currently own an old Intuos tablet,(A6?? the smallest one Wacom did at the time Model "GD-0405-R") which I am quite pleased with. I use it *as well as* my wheel mouse and it has MASSIVELY helped my Repetitive Strain Injury problems.

However I now need to buy another one for my new PC! And I dont know where to start!

I dont think I need anything any larger than my current Intuous.
I am using it as a mouse substitute for web design
(PhotoShop 6/ Dreamweaver 6/ XaraX1) and
general business (ms Office2000/2002)

What I *like* about my old tablet is that I can use it just like a pen and can change the movement sensitivity by *mapping* the tablet area into about 5+ different areas.

I already have a wheel mouse which I will need to be able to readily switch between using the two without unplugging anything.

What would you recommend?

I’ve always favoured the Logitech ones…..It’s what I use now, and I think it’s great……


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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SH
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 17, 2004
Sorry I cant any tablets on www.logitech.com
(am I blind?!)
Did you mean the Digital Pen & Paper??
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=18&languagei d=1&page=products/features/digitalwritingtopics&CRID =1546

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

"Fat Sam" wrote in message
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Hi

I urgently need to buy a new tablet to help with my RSI problems.
I currently own an old Intuos tablet,(A6?? the smallest one Wacom did at the time Model "GD-0405-R") which I am quite pleased with. I use it *as well as* my wheel mouse and it has MASSIVELY helped my Repetitive Strain Injury problems.

However I now need to buy another one for my new PC! And I dont know where to start!

I dont think I need anything any larger than my current Intuous.
I am using it as a mouse substitute for web design
(PhotoShop 6/ Dreamweaver 6/ XaraX1) and
general business (ms Office2000/2002)

What I *like* about my old tablet is that I can use it just like a pen and can change the movement sensitivity by *mapping* the tablet area into about 5+ different areas.

I already have a wheel mouse which I will need to be able to readily switch between using the two without unplugging anything.

What would you recommend?

I’ve always favoured the Logitech ones…..It’s what I use now, and I
think
it’s great……


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
FS
Fat Sam
Jun 17, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Sorry I cant any tablets on www.logitech.com
(am I blind?!)
Did you mean the Digital Pen & Paper??
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=18&languagei d=1&page=products/features/digitalwritingtopics&CRID =1546

Sorry, my mistake…..I didn’t mean Logitech…..I meant Trust……I have the damn thing sitting here in front of me, and I still wrote Logitech for some reason……

That digital pen and paper looks interesting…..


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
FS
Fat Sam
Jun 17, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Sorry I cant any tablets on www.logitech.com
(am I blind?!)
Did you mean the Digital Pen & Paper??
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=18&languagei d=1&page=products/features/digitalwritingtopics&CRID =1546

Sorry, should have said Trust…..
http://www.trust.com/products/productgrp.htm?mpp=COMP&gr p=TABLET


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
S
SpaceGirl
Jun 17, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Hi

I urgently need to buy a new tablet to help with my RSI problems.
I currently own an old Intuos tablet,(A6?? the smallest one Wacom did at the time Model "GD-0405-R") which I am quite pleased with. I use it *as well as* my wheel mouse and it has MASSIVELY helped my Repetitive Strain Injury problems.

However I now need to buy another one for my new PC! And I dont know where to start!

I dont think I need anything any larger than my current Intuous.
I am using it as a mouse substitute for web design
(PhotoShop 6/ Dreamweaver 6/ XaraX1) and
general business (ms Office2000/2002)

What I *like* about my old tablet is that I can use it just like a pen and can change the movement sensitivity by *mapping* the tablet area into about 5+ different areas.

I already have a wheel mouse which I will need to be able to readily switch between using the two without unplugging anything.

What would you recommend?

And where would you recommend that I buy from,
particularly if I can readily get a demo first as well?

I am based in London UK.
Running Windows XP

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

Stick with Wacom. We have two of them here in our studio, and I took one to my clients studio where I’m workind during the day. Also, all the designers I know have them – usually Wacom Intuos ones. They are *the best*.
SH
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 17, 2004
Interesting… It seems to be suspiciously cheap @ GBP 19.98

http://www.savastore.com/search.asp?storeS=*&keyword=tru st+tablet&imageField422.x=27&imageField422.y=7

Can you
a). Map a *number* of areas within the sensitive zone
(to map on to the full screen area?), thereby setting the sensitivity to pen/stylus movement to suit the individual?

b). use an ordinary *wheel* mouse concurrently. I.e. pick up whichever one you
chose (stylus or mouse) and have either one work?

c) scroll screen areas by clicking and dragging?
(ie a bit similar to using a wheel mouse)

d) Right click as well as left click – and does this work in most applications (Photoshop, dreamweaver, XaraX, MS Office etc)?

e) How well does the mouse work? e.g. Fine movements/ Fast movements etc

With thanks

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

"Fat Sam" wrote in message
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Sorry I cant any tablets on www.logitech.com
(am I blind?!)
Did you mean the Digital Pen & Paper??
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=18&languagei d=1&page=products/features/digitalwritingtopics&CRID =1546
Sorry, should have said Trust…..
http://www.trust.com/products/productgrp.htm?mpp=COMP&gr p=TABLET

Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
SH
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 17, 2004
Sorry I cant any tablets on www.logitech.com
(am I blind?!)
Did you mean the Digital Pen & Paper??
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=18&languagei d=1&page=products/features/digitalwritingtopics&CRID =1546
Sorry, should have said Trust…..
http://www.trust.com/products/productgrp.htm?mpp=COMP&gr p=TABLET

Has anyone else tried both Wacom *AND* Trust.
Money is not the issue here – useability/ ergonimics are!

Ship
FS
Fat Sam
Jun 17, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Interesting… It seems to be suspiciously cheap @ GBP 19.98

Incredible pricing……I use the 200 model, and I find it great…..In fact, all my imaging equipment is made by Trust……

Can you
a). Map a *number* of areas within the sensitive zone
(to map on to the full screen area?), thereby setting the sensitivity to pen/stylus movement to suit the individual?

You can increase or decrease the sensitivity of it quite easily…It has a control panel which allows you to tweak these settings…..

b). use an ordinary *wheel* mouse concurrently. I.e. pick up whichever one you
chose (stylus or mouse) and have either one work?

I have the tablet plugged in along with a USB optical mouse, and one of these little handheld *fish* mouse doohickeys…..
http://www.doohickeys.co.uk/kelk/tf1.asp
I can pick up any of the three at any time and use either without needing to touch a single setting…..

c) scroll screen areas by clicking and dragging?
(ie a bit similar to using a wheel mouse)

Never tried that…I’ll get back to you…..

d) Right click as well as left click – and does this work in most applications (Photoshop, dreamweaver, XaraX, MS Office etc)?

Yep….The button acts as a sort of rocker…..Front end is one button, back end is the other…..Also, in some circumstances, the tip of the stylus acts as a button…..

e) How well does the mouse work? e.g. Fine movements/ Fast movements etc

Pretty good…..Just like an ordinary mouse, you can adjust the tolerance with relative ease…..

As I said, I personally use the 200 model, which comes with a wireless mouse as well as a stylus, but I’ve put the wireless mouse in my drawer, never to be used again…..The stylus is fantastic, but the wireless mouse isn’t that hot…..It doesn’t matter though, as I’ve got two other mouses/mice plugged in anyway……


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
CS
Charles Sweeney
Jun 17, 2004
SpaceGirl wrote:

all the designers I know have them

You’re soooooooo trendy!


Charles Sweeney
http://CharlesSweeney.com
SH
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 18, 2004
"Fat Sam" wrote in message
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Interesting… It seems to be suspiciously cheap @ GBP 19.98

Incredible pricing……I use the 200 model, and I find it great…..In fact, all my imaging equipment is made by Trust……

Maybe a mis-print.
What do they normally cost?
The Wacom Graphire & Intuous2 tablet cost about ten times as much so I am naturally highly suspicous!

Either way I dont really care what the thing costs.
I want the very best – anything that can affect my productivity (and RSI) by even a few % in a year is worth a lot!

Can you
a). Map a *number* of areas within the sensitive zone
(to map on to the full screen area?), thereby setting the sensitivity to pen/stylus movement to suit the individual?

You can increase or decrease the sensitivity of it quite easily…It has a control panel which allows you to tweak these settings…..

Okay you can adjust the sensitivity but can you create a number of sensitive mapped areas side-by-side so that if you miss one area you hit the one beside it.

On my old Intuous I have set up about 5 such "mappings" so that I can use varying degrees of sensitivity just by moving around the tablet. EXTREMELY useful!

b). use an ordinary *wheel* mouse concurrently. I.e. pick up whichever
one
you
chose (stylus or mouse) and have either one work?

I have the tablet plugged in along with a USB optical mouse, and one of these little handheld *fish* mouse doohickeys…..
http://www.doohickeys.co.uk/kelk/tf1.asp
I can pick up any of the three at any time and use either without needing
to
touch a single setting…..

Do you work for/own that website? 😉

c) scroll screen areas by clicking and dragging?
(ie a bit similar to using a wheel mouse)

Never tried that…I’ll get back to you…..

Important usability – please do!
(Though in fairness I’ve yet to get my old Intuos to do this little trick, massively useful as I believe it would be…) Last I heard (ie about 12 months ago) it was impossible.

d) Right click as well as left click – and does this work in most applications (Photoshop, dreamweaver, XaraX, MS Office etc)?

Yep….The button acts as a sort of rocker…..Front end is one button,
back
end is the other…..Also, in some circumstances, the tip of the stylus
acts
as a button…..

Good just like my old Intuos, then.

Ship
Shiperton Henethe
FS
Fat Sam
Jun 18, 2004
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
"Fat Sam" wrote in message
"Shiperton Henethe" wrote in message
Interesting… It seems to be suspiciously cheap @ GBP 19.98

Incredible pricing……I use the 200 model, and I find it great…..In fact, all my imaging equipment is made by Trust……

Maybe a mis-print.
What do they normally cost?

Those are pretty much normal prices for the Trust tablets…..I use them because they’re low cost, but very good quality…..

Okay you can adjust the sensitivity but can you create a number of sensitive mapped areas side-by-side so that if you miss one area you hit the one beside it.

On my old Intuous I have set up about 5 such "mappings" so that I can use varying degrees of sensitivity just by moving around the tablet. EXTREMELY useful!

Aaaah, Now I see what you mean….I don’t think you can do that……At least I’ve never tried it, and I can’t find anything in the booklet about it…..

http://www.doohickeys.co.uk/kelk/tf1.asp
I can pick up any of the three at any time and use either without
needing
to
touch a single setting…..

Do you work for/own that website? 😉

The doohickeys site?…..Yes 🙂


Sam.
www.doohickeys.co.uk
For Great Euro 2004 Stuff


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.707 / Virus Database: 463 – Release Date: 15/06/2004
SH
Shiperton Henethe
Jun 19, 2004
Okay you can adjust the sensitivity but can you create a number of sensitive mapped areas side-by-side so that if you miss one area you hit the one beside it.

On my old Intuous I have set up about 5 such "mappings" so that I can use varying degrees of sensitivity just by moving around the tablet. EXTREMELY useful!

Aaaah, Now I see what you mean….I don’t think you can do that……At least I’ve never tried it, and I can’t find anything in the booklet about it…..

You see if you have a number of mappings, you can find atleast one of them more easily than just one!
And if you make them different sized mappings you get varying degrees of sensitiviy and this is extremely useful for different uses. (e.g. general windows/general business use vs. delicate graphics use…)

Do Trust ever read these newsgroups?!

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

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