New drawing tablet options?

[noisyturtle]

So my Wacom Intuos 3 6x8 is now scarred beyond any reasonable resurrection, and I don't really like the 4 (they got 'em at school and I am not a fan.) My budget is <= $500. Any recommendations for a replacement before I just get another Intous 3?

[tp4tissue]

So my Wacom Intuos 3 6x8 is now scarred beyond any reasonable resurrection, and I don't really like the 4 (they got 'em at school and I am not a fan.) My budget is <= $500. Any recommendations for a replacement before I just get another Intous 3?

If you're going pro, consider a cintiq, because you'll only ever need to buy one.  budget-wise, a few weeks of top-ramen goes bypretty quickly

[clickclack]

Long time tablet and Cintiq user here, ~20yrs tablets, ~8yrs Cintiqs.

From what little I can tell of your situation I would recommend just getting a replacement of the intuos 3 that you have. Since you don't like the intuos4 I would imagine that you would not be fond of the intuos5. If you are having surface scratch issues with your current one I would try taping a thick but smooth piece of paper over the top to revive the surface. You could similarly get a thin sheet of plastic. But if you go that route I would recommend getting the compressed felt replacement tips for the pen. Or, just get the surface sheet replacement, it's relatively cheap.

Intuos2's are still quite good (hardly different than the 3's) and they are much smaller and lighter, great for portability.

Aside from being out of your budget I wouldn't suggest getting a Cintiq. Tablets are perfect for students, wallet, portability, and many professionals (including myself) still use them and need to use them. If one day your career, workflow, preference is for a Cintiq I would wholeheartedly recommend it, it's a wonderful piece of kit.

Don't by the way get hung up on pressure levels, especially for a tablet. The lowest you are likely to get is 1,024 levels and very few ever had a problem with that. Same with start pressure at <10g, I sketch extreeeeeemly lightly and I have been able to get by with 10g on a Cintiq and can easily get by with 10g on a tablet (even though I prefer lighter).

[Hyde]

Based from what I heard Cintique is kind of love and hate, just because it cost more doesn't necessarily mean it's better.  Some people prefer Cintique some people prefer tablet.  Might have to try one to find out.

Though for you I'd agree with what clickclack suggests maybe just get a replacement sheet, it shouldn't cost you too much.  If not, I'd suggest you get a 6x11 Intuos 3.  Fits the screen ratio better also it shouldn't cost too much at this point.  It's what I use at the moment actually.  Though ever since I switch from 2D to 3D I haven't touch my tablet ever since 

[tp4tissue]

Based from what I heard Cintique is kind of love and hate, just because it cost more doesn't necessarily mean it's better.  Some people prefer Cintique some people prefer tablet.  Might have to try one to find out.

Though for you I'd agree with what clickclack suggests maybe just get a replacement sheet, it shouldn't cost you too much.  If not, I'd suggest you get a 6x11 Intuos 3.  Fits the screen ratio better also it shouldn't cost too much at this point.  It's what I use at the moment actually.  Though ever since I switch from 2D to 3D I haven't touch my tablet ever since 

Ah, no, anyone who doesn't love the cintiq either can't afford them, or arn't using them correctly.

They need to be positioned carefully, and there's a learning curve.

[eyejay]

I know I'm a little late, but if you are still looking and want to try something different, Monoprice has some tablets for incredibly cheap prices. They can be found here: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10841 and I've actually read almost entirely positive reviews about them. Now I don't know if they are positive because people expected awful and got decent, or if they are actually good. I plan on ordering one pretty soon just to try it out and to compare it to my girlfriend's Intuos, but I can always fall back on hers if it ends up being a waste of money. Either way, if you try it out let me know how it goes, and if not I'll eventually be able to let everyone know how they compare to an Intuos.

[vun]

Honestly getting another Intuos3 seems like the best idea.
Personally I've been drooling over the newer models ever since they announced the Iuntos4, but so far haven't been able to justify upgrading.

[tufty]

If you're into cheap, option No 1 is, as suggested above, to replace the overlay (either with an official Wacom one, if you can find one, or with a piece of slightly textured plastic - I've used document slipcases, they're fantastic and super-cheap).  Other parts (pens, pucks, etc) crop up on ebay with great regularity (especially for the later wacoms, less so for mine).  A quick google for intuos 3 overlay sheets turned up these guys, no idea if they're any good, though - http://www.tablet4u.co.uk/products/en/parts-for-intuos3-ptz-tablets.html

Do /not/ be tempted to get a supermarket cheapy.

I'll say that again.

Do /not/ be tempted to get a supermarket cheapy.  They're horrible, imprecise, require batteries in the pointing devices (and thus extra weight in the hand) and generally don't work very well.  I know this because I bought one when Wacom "Steved" (long-time mac users will know what I mean) my ADB tablets.  which reminds me, I really do need to get back to tearing apart the Intuos ADB protocol.

NOS or lightly used Intuos 3s appear fairly regularly on eBay, although Wacom stuff does tend to keep its value, so it's not gonna be that much cheaper than a 4.  I'd try replacing the overlay first.

Simon

[Binge]

For one of similar size you could do a bamboo create or capture

http://www.wacom.com/en/creative/products/pen-tablets/bamboo/bamboo-create

^love the option for bluetooth wireless on mine.  The only caveat is that the supplied pen does not have an eraser function built in.  I've never used it because I use hotkeys to swap brushes and tools.

[quadibloc2]

I just managed to snag an Intuos 4 medium at the price of a Bamboo; I haven't yet had the chance to use it, but I know that a Cintiq would be beyond my current budget. I'm hoping it will be much better than a mouse for drawing.

[clickclack]

quadibloc(2)? What happened to your 1500+ posts?

Any who, congrats on getting a tablet. It will be much, Much, MUCH better than a mouse, no comparison! There is however going to be a learning curve, but I suspect you will be quite pleased. Attack it with a lot of practice and get that little learning curve outta the way and you will be left wondering why didn't you get one earlier. As odd as this may sound it works for some, try taping a piece of paper to the tablet to get a bit more familiarity back and speed up the learning curve. Some say the same about the felt nibs (including me).
Enjoy your new tablet.  =)

[quadibloc2]

quadibloc(2)? What happened to your 1500+ posts?

Unfortunately, my old password didn't seem to work on my old account once Geekhack was back. My old E-mail address disappeared suddenly, and so I couldn't get into Deskthority for much of the interim.

It really is me, as might be evident from the "Secrets of the Universe" thread in the off topic section - with one of my familiar keyboard diagrams.

[quadibloc]

I don't know what was wrong, but in any event, I see it's working now. It's nice to be back.

[clickclack]

Congrats on it being sorted.  =)