Cintiq Users: Is your display scratched?

[ceglia]

I've owned a Cintiq now for 3 months, use it every day, and lately I've noticed that my pen is scratching the display. The scratches were hard to notice at first... they're not very deep, but i've accumulated quite a few now, and all in one place, the center of the screen, so they're starting to become noticeable.

has anyone else experienced this problem? considering what these things cost, it's pretty ridiculous that they would scratch so easily and quickly, especially since i've been extra careful with it and used only the pen that came with it.

i did a little research and found this: http://www.colorforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=1333&sid=c5aa0ccb69bb73def0d029f1eb847a37

but according to Wacom, the pen can't scratch the display. see here: http://www.wacom.com/faqs/knowledge_search.cfm?id=179

anyway, i wrote in to wacom to complain... let's see what they come back with. has anyone else begun accumulating scratches?? are there any screen protectors for cintiqs?

the other super annoying thing about them is that you can't lock them down. again, considering how much they cost, they should come with a Kensignton-type locking slot so you can secure it.

in any case, i feel a bit stupid bitching about a cintiq... it works really well. but considering what i paid for it, i don't understand why the screen couldn't be t a little more durable.

EDIT: Did a little more digging and also found this... (the fifth post in is the relevant one): http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=529

[Denis]

Sorry about your problem. I don't own a Cintiq, would love to, but they also say this on the wacom page link you provided:

NOTE: Metal may scratch the surface so be cautious with watches or jewelry that may come in contact with the tablet when using your pen.

[ceglia]

thanks, denis. yes, i saw that, but i've been very careful to always remove my watch, and i don't wear any other jewelry. i even use thin gloves whenever i use it! it's definitely the pen.

[Denis]

Hey ceglia, I found this. Don't know if it can help you.

http://www.wacom-europe.com/forum/topic.asp?lang=uk&ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7717

It's pretty scary though to think the pen can actually scratch the surface like that. Makes me reconsidering buying one.

[ceglia]

thanks a lot for sending me that link! i will forward it on to wacom USA. they contacted me by e-mail yesterday, and asked me for further information and photos of the display... i hope this matter can be resolved without me shelling out more money than i already have.

[drewid88]

Felt nibs feel nicer and won't scratch the display.

Bit late for the advice now though, that sucks.
Surely they'll replace it?

[ceglia]

felt nibs? where can i get those? does wacom sell them? i received a number of different nibs with the tablet, but i was so anxious to begin using it, that i didn't bother to replace the nib that was pre-installed on the pen that came with the device.

[drewid88]

yep, Wacom do felt replacements for not very much

[ceglia]

so are the felt nibs the dark, coarse looking nibs? because if so, i have one. it came bundled with the cintiq. but it actually looks more likely to scratch the surface than the regular white plastic ones (just because it looks coarse). are you sure it won't scratch the surface?

[Denis]

This is what they look like.

[ceglia]

yes, i have one of those. thanks, denis. they look like mini charcoal sticks.

[Denis]

You could try 'em first on someone else's Cintiq.

[drewid88]

If anything you may find yourself replacing nibs regularly, depending on how hard you press. I switched to felt nibs after I started noticing scratches on my home build. they haven't got any worse since and that was a few months ago. That's despite it having a scratch-prone acrylic cover rather than glass.

[ceglia]

i'm in talks with wacom now, and they confirmed that the felt nibs are softer. looks like i'm going to switch over to the felt nibs.

[MikeFeeney]

I taped a piece of paper over my tablet surface..not a scratch in 4 years