Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet for Home and Office
by Genius
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List Price: Our Price: $59.95 You Save: $40.04 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $50.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet for Home and Office
Customer Review: Not worth the little problems and headaches.
Summary: 2 Stars
I received this model as a gift from friends in 2008. Out of the box, I didn't like the texture of the pen on the tablet, after using my friends Wacom, so I decided to read up on the reviews to see if I should return it and pay the difference for a Wacom, or keep it. After reading the reviews, I decided to keep it instead. I wish now that I didn't.
It worked well, at first. I had issues with the pen and the battery, but I just took the battery from the mouse. The stylus has worked well since then. My main issues started a few months after using the tablet. Using Windows XP, it would be connected to my PC, the green LED would show that the tablet had power, but it wouldn't work on my PC. I figured out that having the software window open, with the pressure tab open, solved this problem with the drivers (which have always been a pain to install). It was annoying to have the window up in the background, but I could deal with it. I also had problems with it freezing up, requiring a restart while in the middle of work.
Recently, as in 2010, I installed Windows 7 on my PC. The tablet wouldn't work at all at this point, so I went to the Genuis site and updated the drivers. I had to do this several times - updating and deleting and restarting, before I could get them to run properly. I installed GIMP, but the drivers for the tablet and GIMP are not compatible, so I went back to my regular editing software.
I was still having problems with my drivers not starting up with my PC at this point, so I found the file in System32 that had to run for it, tabcfg, that could be started. But the window would flash and they wouldn't run. I assumed that this was a problem with the drivers, and searching the genius site and the internet for troubleshooting options, but didn't find any. I set my tablet aside when I heard the "equipment connected" sound from my pc. I ran the tabcfg, and it started up. Shifting the tablet slightly turned them off and the software closed. All this time, the green LED is either on (to indicate that the device is working) flashing, to indicate a problem, or dead, meaning no power.
I tried switching USB ports with the one had I knew for sure worked (it had my keyboard connected to it) and restarting my PC, but it didn't help. I tried wiggling the USB end of the tablet and it "sounded on" then off again. I realized that it was a hardware error, not an error with the drivers. Basically, in the middle of an important project, I learn that the cord on the tablet is shot. I'm left feeling really frustrated - even since I got this tablet I've had doubts about it. From issues with the software freezing up, to the drivers not installing right or being incapable with software I'm trying to use, or to the hardware failing. I haven't been rough with this equipment, and store it in the box in came in when not in use for an extended period of time.
Basically, if you're trying to decide between this tablet and a more expensive one, please, save up some money and get a different one. 2 years of use while dealing with terrible software isn't worth the money saved, even if this was a gift, and a sturdier product would be cheaper in the long one. Please, get a different tablet. I really wish that I had.
Customer Review: How to use the tablet/ Different features
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my friends has a drawing tablet and I wanted one because I was thinking about going into graphic designing. I spent a while looking for different drawing tablets, and when I found this one, I didn't think it would be very good quality, because it was about $50 cheaper then most of the other pen tablets. I looked at it more, and realized that it might not be so bad after all, and for the time being, I would not be doing anything professional with it. I looked at the most recent one star reviews and the most recent five star reviews, which all proved their point well, but I decided to buy it. The tablet came in the mail a day earlier then it was supposed to and I was so excited that I installed it right away. I installed all the drivers first, and then I plugged in the pen tablet. Both the mouse and the pen need a AAA battery to work, which are included in the package. It was easy to put the battery in the mouse, but it took me a while to figure out how to put a battery in the pen. There is a small gray notch on the back of the pen which you have to press with a closed mechanical pencil, or something else small enough to press it. At the same time, you gently pull on the bottom of the pen and slide it so that the part is above the gray line that separates the two halves.
I was a little annoyed at first because I could not get the mouse to work. I then discovered that the mouse will only work on the tablet itself, which is bigger than I thought it would be and provides plenty of space to work with.
I have used the pen tablet with Adobe Photoshop (which is included-trial version), Coral Painter (Also included- trial version), MS paint and Gimpshop. Some of the reviews warned me that the pressure sensitivity wouldn't work, but that is only if you use the brush tool. If you use the pencil tool, the pressure sensitivity determines the opacity of the brush, the airbrush tool also determines the opacity, but never gets completely opaque, and the pen tool changes the size of the brush.
The computer knows whether you are using the mouse or the pen, and each remembers the FG and BG colors, the tool and the type of brush. For example, if when using the pen you have the pencil tool with a 9 px brush , a FG color of green and a BG color of blue, and you switch to the mouse you can change to a brush tool with a 20 px brush, with a red FG color and a pink BG color, and then switch back to the pen, you will have the 9 px pencil brush with blue and green FG and BG colors again.
When you use the pen, touching the pen to the tablet is like clicking. If you hold the button on the side and touch, it is like a right click. To move the courser around without clicking, hover the pen above the tablet, but do not actually touch the pen to the tablet. The sensor is strong enough to pick up where the pen is.
Where ever you put the pen on the tablet is where it will appear on the screen. For example, if you put the pen in the leftmost bottom corner of the tablet, the courser will appear in the leftmost bottom corner of the computer screen. The same is not true with the mouse, the mouse acts like a regular mouse.
I hope this review was helpful.
Customer Review: My first tablet: it's good and it does work with Mac
Summary: 4 Stars
Wow. This is my first review on Amazon ever. I'll try to make it good.
I recently started a big project. I needed a tablet because I wanted to be able to write directly into a paint program and use the resulting image. A mouse would make this exceedingly difficult. I did a lot of research and since this isn't a major part of my project, I just wanted something simple and cost effective. I debated between this and the Wacom Fun Tablet and the Wacom Small Tablet.
This one was cheaper and seemed to be able to do the job, so I got it. I was worried as to whether it would be compatible with my MacBook Pro though. It was. It states its Mac compatibility on the box that you receive, but here in the Amazon reviews it's confusing (at least I wasn't sure if it would be). It works. Just follow the instructions as another reviewer said: download the driver first; restart the computer; then, plug in the MousePen; if it doesn't work, take it out and plug it in again (that's what I had to do; no big deal).
What I found is that this is great for me and probably others who want to do something similar; it's a basic tool that will let you write or draw and do it well for the price. I just got it but wanted to write a review because I didn't feel other reviews made it clear whether or not it really worked for a Mac and that it is a good product. Some points worth noting:
-You can adjust the pressure. It can become pretty sensitive, so you shouldn't have any trouble making fine lines at all (just make sure that [as the previous reviewer stated] you set the brush for a big setting on your paint program so touching the pen lightly to the pad will bring out a clean line).
-You can change the "Hot-Cells" around easily to open different programs; this is really nice and convenient.
-You can adjust the size that corresponds to the screen, so moving the pen across the tablet can either move your mouse across the whole screen or move your mouse across about half of the screen.
-But, it's not an awesome replacement for a mouse or a touchpad. I wouldn't use it to navigate around, just write and draw.
I know, I know; basic stuff, but this is my first tablet and I would have liked to have known this (and maybe you might want to know it as well).
The only negative point that might be worth mentioning is that it doesn't have a "touchpad" function as some of the Wacoms do, so you can't use your fingers to move around also. I would have never guessed this, but as you're working with the pad, it's something you want to have. Even though reviewers berated the touch function of the Wacom and other tablets, it's probably worth it if you're a more serious user and don't mind the extra bucks. That's why I gave this product a 4 and not a 5: for the price, ease of use, functionality, but missing touchpad function (that would have made this incredible).
Now, my final comment is that I'm pretty happy with my purchase and if you're in a similar situation (need to draw or write easily), I'm pretty confident you will be too.
Just my opinion and experience. I hope it helps :) Again, recommended.
Customer Review: Best thing ever?
Summary: 5 Stars
This was my first tablet. I thought this was a good choice because of its cost, it made sense to me to first try and see what using a tablet feels like and if I liked it, I could always upgrade to a better one if I saw the need for it.
So I had no basis obviously to say whether this tablet is better or worse than other tablets, for all I knew other tablets are even better.
That said I was beyond pleased with this tablet, it was better then I could have imagined.
I expected a learning curve in using it, but I didn't expect to get the hang of it in literally moments.
I highly recommend this tablet.
What made me decide to write this review is this:
Long since then I decided to get a tablet laptop with wacom functionality built in.
But I believe I have discovered that the laptop's tablet functionality is not as good as the Genius tablet.
To the point where I even considered hooking up this Genius to it.
IF I remember correctly, I think one user review on here criticized the tablet for requiring that you press really hard on the pen to get the highest end of the pressure sensitivity.
But this is NOT a flaw, this is a great benefit.
The Genius allows you to get a much higher range of line thickness without having to change pen/brush size settings.
And it gives you much greater control of the thickness of your lines.
The only reasons it should come off as a flaw is because you had your pen/brush size settings tailored to your other tablet, instead of changing them to better take advantage of the Genius. Just because you used settings that were way off for the Genius, is NOT the Genius's fault.
Because the Genius was my first tablet, I did not have this "problem" since my brush size settings were not predefined. I decided on settings around the genius.
I enjoy my tablet laptop but I was disappointed how relatively "narrow" the range of pressure sensitivity is on it compared to the Genius. Even a delicate touch will result in maximum line thickness whereas with the Genius gives you brilliant control.
The only problem is I don't know if all tablets are like my laptop, or if the sensitivity varies from tablet to tablet.
For all I know, wacom tablets (actual tablets) are superior to a tablet laptop.
But I had to write a positive review for this thing, just of the fact that something so inexpensive is possibly better than a tablet laptop.
And because of the possibility that someone might have written off the Genius's greatest strength as a flaw. (ugh!)
Technical information:
We have Geniuses hooked up to Windows 2000 and Windows Vista. The Genius works out of the box but requires the included installation CD to activate pressure sensitivity and the ability to alter tablet settings such as adjusting the working area of the tablet. The tablet caused errors in Windows Vista when the tablet was plugged in while the PC was on, but the errors were resolved when Vista was updated using Windows Update.
Customer Review: I am really happy with this.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a cheapo graphic tablet.
I ended up here. I bought this product for less than 50 bucks, new. (The Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet for Home and Office)
I was a little worried because there were a lot of negative reviews......
Now that I have put hands on it, I am glad I ignored the nay-sayers.
I have a Wacom Intuos 3 at work. I actually PREFER this genius product.
I had no trouble installing at all, however I did have to get my drivers from a 3rd party site....... No worries tho because they worked perfectly and easily with no hassle.
It works fantastically well in Photoshop. I am thinking that some of those who were having issues with pressure in photoshop may not realize that in Cs3 and Cs4 there is no longer a selection box that says "use pressure" and that hey have to enter the brush control box and adjust it under dynamics. For instance if you want to control stroke width or color jitter with pressure you open the Shape Dynamics Menu and define your preferences. You can then lock the brush prefernce to "always on" if you wanted too...... tho I can't imagine why you would want to........
The shortcuts on the tablet itself were super easy to program and they make integrating this tablet into my workflow a breeze.
The pen is perfectly senstitive , and it is very easy to change the pen's sensitivity level if you desire to do so; it is also very ergonomic and comfortable.
The tablet is slimmer than I would have guessed from the picture (thats a good thing!), and it looks really nice on my desktop.
I am no stranger to graphics tablets and this is a darn good one. I actually like it better than the Intuos. If you are used to an intuos and use the eraser a lot you may miss it, as it is not present with the "Genius MousePen 8 x 6-Inch Graphic Tablet for Home and Office". Personally I prefer hotkeys in just about every venue.
For a 1024 sensitivity tablet this is a phenomenal price. I like the pressure curves BETTER from this than the Intuos.
I have only 2 minor gripes:
- The mouse that is included is pretty much worthless. It doesn't really matter to me as I rarely use one and prefer a trackball style when I do anyways.
- 2 The cradle for the pen could have been done a little better. I woulda rather had a little molded plastic pen stand than the crummy mouse lol. Very minor gripes indeed.
If you are looking for a good graphics tablet, regardless of your budget, you could do a lot worse than this excellent product.
5 stars, I am really happy.