I’m posting this review because information on the Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit for the Intuos5 tablet has been surprisingly hard to come by online.
Most of the reviews that I’ve read have done a good job covering the many features of the tablet, but gloss over the usability and overall value of the wireless component. Hopefully this review will set the record straight about whether or not the Wireless Accessory Kit is worth the $39.95 retail price.
So, What Is It?
Simply put, the Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit allows you to use your Intuos5 tablet without the need of being tethered to a USB cable.
I ordered mine directly from Wacom and received it within a week via US post.
In the box, you’ll find a USB receiver, a wireless transmitter, a small instructional pamphlet, and a battery. As with Wacom’s other products, packaging was excellent.
The receiver plugs into the USB port on your computer, while the transmitter and battery are tucked inside a hidden compartment on the back of the tablet itself. Installation was straightforward.
How Does It Work?
I wanted to make sure that I spent at least 3 or so weeks using the Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit to see how it performs over time, before writing this review.
I’m pleased to report that it works really, really well. Responsiveness via the wireless transmitter / receiver combo is excellent, with no lag whatsoever. Battery life is about 6 hours with constant usage. To conserve battery, the tablet powers down when not being used. There is also an on/off switch on the side of the tablet for users to toggle the power. Activating the tablet can be performed via two methods:
1) via the aforementioned button or
2) clicking on the scroll wheel on the front of the tablet
There’s about a second or two of delay before the tablet powers up, which isn’t a big deal.
You can easily monitor the charge on your tablet through Wacom’s menubar utility, supplied as part of Wacom’s driver install.
Charging the battery is performed by plugging your tablet up to a USB port on your computer. It takes about 4 hours to charge to full capacity.
Is it Worth Buying?
That depends entirely on how much the USB cord bugs you. For me, yes – it was worth it. With the Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit, I don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking / stretching / tripping over the USB cord any more. I can draw comfortably with the tablet on my lap without getting tangled up with cables. I haven’t tested the outer limits of the transmitter’s wireless range, but it works splendidly at about a 2 feet range. For what it’s worth, I tend to hover close to my (wired) keyboard.
Working wirelessly is liberating, but it’s not cheap either. In the end, I’m glad I took the plunge.
Pros:
- Lasts up to 6 continuous hours on a charge
- Easy to install
- Responsive
- The ability to draw untethered
Cons:
- At $40, it’s not cheap
- Can’t completely get away from chucking the USB cord
The Wacom Wireless Accessory earns 4.5 out of 5 Bob’s.
