GAOMON PD1561 V2: Affordable 16-Inch Pen Display for Beginners

GAOMON positions its PD1561 V2 pen display as an affordable option suitable for beginners. I am, unfortunately, no great artist, but that makes me exactly the right person for the device, and in this review, I'll share my experience with the display so you can decide whether you'd like to get it.

Key stats:

Panel Size: 15.6 inch
Active Area: 344.16 × 193.59mm
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Full Lamination: Yes
Color Accuracy: ΔE<1.5
Surface Finish: Pre-installed Anti-glare protective film
Gamut Volume: 99% sRGB, 99% Rec.709, 88% NTSC
Display Color: 16.7M (8-bit)

The PD1561 V2 is "the wisest way to start," according to GAOMON, but if you're really just beginning your art journey, these numbers might mean little to you, so I'll try to show you what's important hands-on.

The package comes with the display itself, a G Pen stylus, an SH01 pen holder (with 8 replacement nibs and 1 nib extractor), an ST100 stand, an HDMI to Mini HDMI cable, a USB-A + USB-A to Type-C cable, a drawing glove, a protective case, 4 screws, an Allen key, a quick start guide, a driver download card, and a warranty card. 

Display

The PD1561 V2 is pretty compact for a pen display, so you can take it with you relatively easily. However, it's not a tablet, you'll still need a computer to use it, so this is hardly the main attraction.

The display is connected with 2 (well, 3) cables, which is not the most convenient solution, especially nowadays, when PCs are already stuffed with cords from all kinds of devices. A double-ended Type-C connection is possible, but the cable isn't included. Moreover, the mini-HDMI port is "drowned" in the case, making it harder to replace cords – you'll have to purchase them from GAOMON or do something creative with what's on the market.

For some reason, the company didn't put bumpers on the screen itself, so when it's horizontal on the stand, the lower edges wobble if you press too hard. 

The developer promises anti-glare protection that minimizes reflections and eye strain. While the latter is individual, I can't say the reflections are minimal. You'll have to make sure the light is not directed at the screen; otherwise, the creation process will turn into a fight with your lamp. You can adjust the angle with the stand, but it can be a hassle if you're used to a specific position.

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Apologies for the orange hue – night mode is on.

The anti-glare effect is achieved via a slightly matte film. It is soft, and even though the display is said to be scratch-resistant, the pen can leave marks on the material. I can't say I was extremely active or harsh with it, but I noticed a couple of tiny, barely there lines. You won't see them if you don't look for them with a flashlight in hand, but I used the device for about a month, so there could be more after a while. Well, you can't have it all in an affordable display.

The screen is responsive, and strokes can be very subtle when you barely touch it. V2 offers 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity for delicate line work, but I don't think beginner artists will see the difference compared to the previous version's 8,192 levels. It's sensitive enough for any kind of entry-level work.

GAOMON promises a high report rate of over 300 PPS, and to my eye, the lag is infinitesimal; the output follows the input seamlessly, and it makes painting, sculpting, and working with animation easy and natural.

I have to say I found the colors a little dim with the default parameters. But you can change brightness, contrast, sharpness, RGB, color temperature, and other settings in the OSD. From my experience, Native color mode provides the most vibrant picture.

Pen

The G Pen stylus feels nice and sturdy; it sits right in my hand, and I was sure the line would go where I wanted: the "zero-wobble" nib with "0.3mm retraction distance" barely moves in the casing.

The nib is sensitive at any angle, so you don't have to hold it at a 90-degree angle, which makes digital work feel more like traditional craft. The 10mm sensing height at which the screen "sees" the pen is enough to work without interruptions, but it would be nice to be able to adjust the distance in the software.

You don't need to charge the pen, so it won't die on you in the middle of work, although it means you can't use it with other devices, like your phone. Thanks to the tech, the pen is light and won't make your hand tired any more than a traditional pen.

As usual, there are 2 buttons that you can program in GAOMON's software, along with the buttons on the display itself.

Software

The program is pretty simple and allows you to program the buttons to keys or functions, choose active area, and adjust the pen's pressure sensitivity.

I'd say the best use of the buttons is changing between your monitor and the display, undo/redo, and zoom, everything else is optional. Thankfully, the default calibration already provides some of the most useful actions, so beginner artists don't need to think too hard about settings.

So many buttons could potentially replace a keyboard in 3D software like Blender, but I'm not sure it would be too comfortable. Still, it's nice that there's a possibility.

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Price & Compatibility

The PD1561 V2 is available for Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.12 or later, Linux, and Android (USB3.0 DP1.2 or later). However, the manufacturer warns that a separately purchased docking station is required for proper Android functionality.

The display comes with a 1-year warranty and sells for $319 or €299 on Amazon or GAOMON's website.

Conclusion

The PD1561 V2 is an easy-to-use pen display that can compete with other options in the same price segment. Naturally, some things had to be sacrificed in order to make it affordable, but overall, I think it's a good option for beginners and those who want to upgrade from traditional graphics tablets, suitable for 2D, 3D, and animation.