huion gt-220 v2

We test this HD pen display to see what it offers

T he biggest impact to a working day is the way we interact with our environment and this includes our working tools, most obviously our computers.

There are a number of different options, from pen displays and tablets to the traditional mouse and keyboard route and the option you choose will be dictated by cost, workflow and ergonomics.

With the GT-220, Huion has produced a pen display at a lower cost than you might find elsewhere, but does it offer value? In short, yes.

The device itself is based around a full HD monitor, which has crisp, clean lines, with a subtle bezel that is just big enough to keep you away from the edge of the display as you work, without being cumbersome. The silver frame looks good and helps avoid what could have been an oldfashioned black box, although the display control buttons and on-screen menu are definitely a little tired, but function perfectly well.

Running along the bottom of the device is a thick rubber foot, that both cushions the screen as you lean on it and stops it from moving over your desk as you work. The stand at the rear is adjustable with one hand and also avoids blocking the IO ports, which include DVI and HDMI.

In use the drawbacks you might see as a 2D artist, like shortcut buttons missing from the unit, are less of an issue, as most 3D workflows include a host of shortcuts, so having one hand on the keyboard is very common.

The screen is glossy, which aids in brightness, contrast and clarity, but can be sticky. Huion counters this by offering a palm and pinky glove.

The stylus itself is light but doesn’t feel too cheap, with its soft touch finish, although the usual eraser tool has been replaced by the charging port. A charge can last a fortnight of solid use. The distance between nib and pixels is minimal, as is lag, with all but the most intense brushes. For 3D work you won’t notice any lag at all and the precision is excellent. Pressure sensitivity is adjustable and has a large range of over 8,000 levels; this is easily tweaked according to individual preference.

The GT-220 v2 may not be quite as refined as some of the competition, but it’s a great machine – comfortable, solid and precise. Owning a mouse could be a thing of the past.