Need monitor advice for this version

[Kelly McLaughlin]

Hi Folks! Happy New Year! I'm revisiting my Taig cnc, I had it bench mounted and needed the space so I'm building a stand alone enclosure on wheels. Do I want a touch screen monitor? I had a 27 inch HDMI TV that doubled as my desktop monitor and it was really nice for detail but it's too big for the portable version. I'm thinking between 15 and 20 inch leaning to 20 ish. Is the touch screen a bad idea? It will be well protected. If it's not a bad idea, does anyone have suggestions for one or some that are reasonable? I've "upgraded" to windows 7 64bit with mach 3 only because I have it, if there's better software out there please inform me, I only do 2d, it works with my brain : ) My go to software has become obsolete as the owner / programmer passed away so I have to change and I'd like to do that once. This version will be 4 axis, I've had the rotary table for years but my old software was only capable of three but my motion controller will do 4. any suggestions / advice appreciated as always.

 

[DavidR8]

Hi Folks! Happy New Year! I'm revisiting my Taig cnc, I had it bench mounted and needed the space so I'm building a stand alone enclosure on wheels. Do I want a touch screen monitor? I had a 27 inch HDMI TV that doubled as my desktop monitor and it was really nice for detail but it's too big for the portable version. I'm thinking between 15 and 20 inch leaning to 20 ish. Is the touch screen a bad idea? It will be well protected. If it's not a bad idea, does anyone have suggestions for one or some that are reasonable? I've "upgraded" to windows 7 64bit with mach 3 only because I have it, if there's better software out there please inform me, I only do 2d, it works with my brain : ) My go to software has become obsolete as the owner / programmer passed away so I have to change and I'd like to do that once. This version will be 4 axis, I've had the rotary table for years but my old software was only capable of three but my motion controller will do 4. any suggestions / advice appreciated as always

A touch screen is really handy if you can swing it.

 

[slow-poke]

I'm using a used Lenovo Yoga for CNC control of my lathe. Paid $99 on eBay. Fantastic high resolution capacitive touch screen, I'm very pleased with it. They call it a Yoga, because the screen can be at any angle 0-360 degrees. If you do go that route consider getting a docking station (also eBay $15), it gives a bunch more ports and a convenient On/Off button.
I used Mach for my first mill (now sold) it was okayish. No more Windows machines for me. Linux is not for everyone, but I really really like it and it's free. I hear good things about Acorn, I think they are about $500?

 

[Mike R]

I lived without a touch screen for years on my old mill, the Tormach came with one and I'm liking it, but its an older resistive touch type, not as clear to look at. I also find myself touching the screen with hands covered in coolant or oil, which I never did before with the non touch display.
I was going to suggest a Masso G3 Touch, but at US $1,376.00 shipped (plus whatever duties&taxes apply) it may be a bit over the top as it replaces the PC and whatever interface card you are running right now.

 

[DavidR8]

I'm using a used Lenovo Yoga for CNC control of my lathe. Paid $99 on eBay. Fantastic high resolution capacitive touch screen, I'm very pleased with it. They call it a Yoga, because the screen can be at any angle 0-360 degrees. If you do go that route consider getting a docking station (also eBay $15), it gives a bunch more ports and a convenient On/Off button.
I used Mach for my first mill (now sold) it was okayish. No more Windows machines for me. Linux is not for everyone, but I really really like it and it's free. I hear good things about Acorn, I think they are about $500?
View attachment 57137

Hmm I might have to look into that for my CNC router as I hate the setup I have now; a Lenovo mini pc, keyboard and separate monitor on a wall mount.

 

[Kelly McLaughlin]

I found and ordered one from amazon once it was deemed to be a good move. The Taig is a pretty clean environment so It will definetly be a learning curve : ) The one I got was just over 100.00 and will definetly work with my OS at least according to reviews. I have usb 3 ports so I think speed will be ok Time will tell : ) Thanks for the info! This is always a great resource!

 

[slow-poke]

FWIW, I ordered three touchscreens from Amazon and returned all three, one was resistive touch and the other two were capacitive touch. All three sucked compared to the Yoga screen. If I had to rate them, all three were < 3/10, and I would give the Yoga a 10/10. Seems many of these new displays only really work (full featured) when using a full featured multi-lane USB 3.2 port and cable. I was able to get the display aspect working, but was unable to get the touch working (for the capacitive touch ones) with the 3.0 ports on the PC I was planning to use. In the end the Lenovo route was just simply easier, cheaper and better. YMMV.

 

[Kelly McLaughlin]

Ah! Well the wonderful thing about amazon is it's return policy, I'll do some research on the Lenovo in the mean time. Would you remember the brands you returned, I ordered a Thinlerain 15.9 inch. I guess I'll see what shakes out : ) with 0 experience I may have more questions to ask : )

 

[gerritv]

The reason to use resistive touch is that it doesn't stop working when you get oil/coolant on the surface. that confuses the capacitive touch ones.

 

[slow-poke]

Ah! Well the wonderful thing about amazon is it's return policy, I'll do some research on the Lenovo in the mean time. Would you remember the brands you returned, I ordered a Thinlerain 15.9 inch. I guess I'll see what shakes out : ) with 0 experience I may have more questions to ask : )

 

[slow-poke]

I hope it's not this one...

 

[Kelly McLaughlin]

Yup looks like it! I guess it will go back : ( I'll keep looking, I don't want a computer just a screen so it may be a bit tricky, It won't hold me up as I've never had a touch before and can live without it but if I can find something usefull. It's always a journey : )