Dear Sci-arters:

Thank you all for your responses on the drawing tablets.  So far it appears
that most of you prefer smaller tablets.  Is there anyone out there who has
a 12 x18 and likes it?  Also, has anyone had experience with factory
refurbished Wacom pads?  They only carry a one year guarantee and are not
available in all sizes.  The regular pads are guaranteed to within one year
of when they stop making the particular model.

Darci, you said you like your pad, but not what size you use.  Elena you
said your pad is large, but not how large.

Mari, please tell us more about the Artec Viewstation A6000C Plus.  What do
you call high-res and will it do color?  What is really needed?  How large
an image can it handle?  I looked at scanners and the really nice ones blow
too big a hole in my budget.  I was a little scared of the off brands
because I didn't know them.  Yesterday our professor scanned an old pencil
drawing of mine into an Apple flatbed scanner at 150 and I was amazed at the
detail.  Even the faintest areas came through.  In the past someone scanned
in an ink drawing of mine and some of the finest lines didn't come through.
I have no idea what resolution it was, but I think it was considered high at
the time.  This was several years ago.  Most of the affordable ones can't be
rigged for slides either.

Here is the tally on tablet size preference so far, it's a little like
matching apples to oranges but not too bad:


6 x 8                           12 x 12

Polly - likes                   Mari- likes (Calcomp)
Allison- likes                  Wendy- likes
Chris G.- likes                 Chris G.- didn't like
                                Clara- didn't like


Additional comments and questions:

M.J. Spring - reconfigured 12 x 8 to 5 x 3, is that for everything, or do
you still use it at 12 x 8 to draw?

Elena - large tablet good but heavy.  Someone, either a vendor or at Wacom
told me the 12 x 18's now weigh about 2 lbs.  Is this what you consider
heavy, or do you have a heavier pad?

John N. - uses trackball for drawing.  Clara likes trackball also, but not
clear if for drawing.

By the way, can you put one of those ergonomic pencil grips over the pen, or
even a rubber band?
If they're really as slim as a pen or pencil the grips should fit.  You can
buy them at any teacher's store.

                                                        Thank you all,
                                                        Miriam