WACOM graphire4 tablet pen

temba

Hello,
Quite often my Dad asks me to get stuff for him on the internet because it saves him the hassle, I'm quite good at finding discounts etc (thanks to this site :T ) and I go through quidco and he lets me keep the cashback:beer:

My Dad bought this pen (WAC 570 Graphire 4 tablet pen), thinking it was the whole outfit and not realising that it didn't come with the pad. Now he has asked if I can get him the pad to go with it. I don't really know what it is or what I'm looking for. I have found these two

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3477733/Wacom-Bamboo-One-Tablet/Product.html?cm_mmc=Froogle-_-PC-_-Accessories-_-Wacom%2BBamboo%2BOne%2BTablet&source=5066&engine=froogle_pc&keyword=Wacom+Bamboo+One+Tablet

and

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0537308059.1221520603@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccckadefefkefdkcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=470055&category_oid=

Which one of these do I need? Or is it neither? He already has the pen, so he only needs the pad, but it needs to be compatible.

Thanks!!!

geekgirl

Yes those are both graphics pads but I doubt the pen your Dad has would be compatible. I don't know that for certain though but you can contact wacom and ask them.

Here is the link to the wacom website so that you can have a look.

Lacrimosa

Temba, I'm a professional graphic artist, so have a couple of Wacoms.

The tablet and pen are usually sold together, as a pack. One won't work without the other. The pen that your Dad bought individually will be a replacement pen, as they tend to go missing or get broken quite easily, whereas the tablet doesn't. I'm pretty sure that only a Graphire4 model of tablet, and no other, will compatible with the pen - not least because he'll also need a Graphire4 driver uploaded to his PC/Mac before it'll work. This will come on a CD with the tablet, but it's best to download the latest version off their website.

Unfortunately I think it unlikely that you'll be able to buy the tablet on its own, without a pen, so he'll end up with two pens.

Hope this helps.

bingo_bango

Not really an answer to this problem, but I bought a Trust TB-5300 (see it here) in Asda about 3 weeks ago. It was £21 on the SEL but scanning at £26. Got them to check SEL and got it for £21.
If he needs one in a hurry, might be worth looking at? Could always flog the spare pen on eBay?

Lacrimosa

Oh noooo, I've got more bad news. I didn't have time to check earlier, but it looks like Wacom has discontinued the Graphire4 range (see here ). Your best bet may be to buy one secondhand, perhaps on eBay or Amazon Marketplace? You might even be able to find one without a pen, if you're lucky.

If you want to buy new though, and want to stick with Wacom, the Bamboo range that you've already spotted seems to have replaced the Graphire. You probably won't need anything bigger than an A6 size. This website, tablet4u, seems to be cheaper than the ones you've looked at though.

(By the way, I've got a Graphire3 and an Intuos3, and they both need different pens.)

temba

Thanks everyone for the useful replies. I'm going to speak to my Dad and see what he wants to do. For those with experience of Wacom, which of the new range would be a good one to go for? He doesn't want it for anything too hitech. Any suggestions most welcome.

Again, thanks for your time and the info.

T

Lacrimosa

Temba, why does your Dad want a Wacom? This'll help us reply to your question.

I've not yet used any of the new Bamboo range, but here at home I'm currently using a small, A6, bottom-of-the-range Graphire3. This is fine for general office use. I imagine any of the smaller, cheaper Bamboos will be comparable.

However if your Dad is getting a Wacom because he has RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) then he should get as big a Wacom as possible. The larger size, allowing increased arm movement and easier detail control, is apparently better for RSI. I've yet to put this to the test, but plan to buy a planet-sized Wacom in due course!

Personally, I don't rate my (much more expensive) Intuos3 much higher than my (cheapo) Graphire3 - for a start, I've found the fancy pens fall to bits much more easily - but I do need a bigger one for my detailed graphics work, ideally. Hope this gives you some pointers.