Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Review

Introduction

We present a detailed review of the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet we bought last month for a side project where we had to edit thousands of images and we must say that we are impressed with its performance. Let’s dive right in without delay!

Overview

Huion, a leading global provider of digital drawing devices, made headlines on August 15th, 2022, with the launch of the Inspiroy Dial 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to the Inspiroy Dial.

This latest offering from Huion incorporates valuable user feedback, resulting in a sleek and intuitive design that takes productivity to the next level. 

Being a pen tablet, the Inspiroy Dial 2 relies on a host computer. Although it might be challenging to draw while focusing on an external monitor initially, with time and practice, it will become second nature. 

INSIDE THE BOX

Here’s what you get inside the box. 

• A quick start guide
• A pw517 stylus pen
• A donut shape pen holder 
• A 1.6m long USB-A to USB-C charging cable
• A tablet

Prior to use, it is imperative to connect the cables and install the drivers. It is advisable to allow the tablet to charge partially before using it as a connected Bluetooth device.

DESIGN

The tablet is quite lightweight and it has a nice minimal design. 

Huion has designed the Inspiroy Dial 2 pen tablet to be symmetrical for better accessibility by left-handed users, which is a good improvement from their previous model with only eight programmable keys. And I think that’s a good trade-off, especially for left-handers.

The tablet is super slim and on the side, you have your power button, Bluetooth sync button, and a USB-C connection for wired connectivity. 

Furthermore, the surface of the tablet has a paper-like texture to it. The texture provides some resistance and provides a better tactile drawing experience.

The back of the tablet is gunmetal grey colored with black anti-slip material and four anti-slip circles that slightly raise the tablet. 

FEATURES

The Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet is a versatile tool with advanced features that make it an excellent choice for image editing projects. It boasts six programmable keys and two clickable dials that can be customized to perform various functions such as adjusting brush size, zooming in and out, and more.

This tablet features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, allowing it to pair easily with any device. Its active area measures 10.5 x 6.56 inches and is only 0.3 inches thick, providing ample space for comfortable use.

With a 1300mAh battery capacity, this tablet can last up to 18 hours on a single charge and takes only 2.5 hours to reach full battery.

The dials offer satisfying haptic feedback and can be turned from either the side or top. Each dial has three customizable shortcuts, resulting in a total of six, and can be easily switched by pressing on the dial. The six shortcut keys are also customizable.

Additionally, you can customize up to three shortcuts for each dial, providing a total of six shortcuts for the two dials. To switch between shortcuts, simply press on the dial. The six shortcut keys are also fully customizable.

The tablet’s buttons are highly customizable, with numerous options available in the driver software. You can even change each dial to functions such as zoom, brush size, scroll, and rotation. Huion has also added a customizable quick menu option, expanding the use of the buttons even further.

PEN

The Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet boasts some significant improvements, not just with its dial, but also its pen. The pw517 stylus pen utilizes electric magnetic resonance (EMR) technology, which is widely regarded as the best in digital pen technology. It’s lightweight and ergonomically designed, allowing you to comfortably control it without causing any hand fatigue. With 8192 pressure levels, it provides an accurate and smooth writing experience. Furthermore, thanks to EMR technology, it is battery-free.

The report rate of the pen is 300 pps, which means it can handle fast strokes with ease. The pen also supports tilt at 60 degrees, allowing for a more natural and comfortable writing angle. The pw517 stylus pen features a pentech 3.0, which is Huion’s latest technology. It has a shorter nib, which means it’s more accurate and closer to the digitizer.

The pen has a rubberized grip to prevent slipping, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. Although the pen doesn’t have an eraser, it features two programmable buttons that can be customized through the driver. The pen holder can be used horizontally or vertically and comes with ten spare nibs (five hard plastic and five felt) and a nib-removing ring.

Replacing the nib is a breeze with the included remover, but be careful not to accidentally launch it like a torpedo!

SETTING UP

Setting up the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet is a breeze with the USB cable. Simply plug the USBC into the tablet and connect the USB A to your laptop or PC.

For Windows users, connecting via Bluetooth is also a simple process. Just click “Add a device” and the tablet will appear. If your device, like an Android phone, doesn’t show up, hold down the Bluetooth sync button to make it appear. The tablet is also compatible with Android devices.

To configure the tablet, you’ll need the driver tool. This tool is essential for setting up your workspace, rotation settings, and application-specific profiles. You can also use it to check for driver updates and backup your custom configurations, which is crucial.

Additionally, there’s a quick menu that you can use to access frequently used functions.

USER EXPERIENCE

First of all, the tablet has a decent size (11 x 6.87 inches) that provides a comfortable working area without taking too much desk space. The surface is smooth but not too slippery, which makes it easy to draw and write on.

The pen that comes with the tablet is lightweight and responsive, with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, which means that it can detect even the slightest variation in pressure and produce a corresponding line thickness. The pen also has two programmable buttons that can be customized to perform different actions, such as right-click or undo, which can speed up your workflow.

One of the unique features of this tablet is the Dial Controller, which is a circular knob located at the top of the tablet. The Dial Controller can be programmed to perform various functions, such as zooming in and out, adjusting brush size, or scrolling through layers. The Dial Controller is very intuitive to use and can save you a lot of time if you frequently use these functions.

The tablet also comes with eight customizable express keys that can be programmed to perform different actions, such as saving, copying, pasting, or switching between tools. The express keys are located on the left side of the tablet and are easy to reach without having to move your hand too much.

The tablet connects to your computer via a USB-C cable and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. I had no issues installing the drivers on my Windows 10 computer, and the tablet worked flawlessly with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

The Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet is an excellent option for anyone who needs a high-quality drawing tablet with some unique features that can improve your productivity. The tablet has a reasonable price, considering its specifications and functionalities, and is an excellent choice for hobbyists, students, or professionals who need a reliable and versatile tool for their digital art and photo editing projects.

ERGONOMICS

The importance of ergonomics cannot be overstated. With display tablets, even if they are angled correctly, you still have to look down at your desk, which can lead to neck problems. 

However, with pen tablets like the Inspiroy Dial 2, you can sketch while looking straight ahead, which is a more ergonomically sound option for your health.

COMPARISON

What sets the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Pen Tablet apart from its competitors? 

It boasts a solid build quality and a plethora of advanced features, all while maintaining an affordable price point that won’t break the bank.

If you’re curious about how it stacks up against other high-end pen tablets on the market, let me assure you that the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 is more than capable of holding its own.

While alternatives like the Wacom Intuos Pro or XP-Pen Artist Pro may be worth considering, bear in mind that they may be pricier and offer less flexibility than the Inspiroy Dial 2.

RECOMMENDATION

When selecting a drawing tablet, there are several important factors to consider. 

In our opinion, here are some of the important factors to consider. 

• The pressure sensitivity of a tablet is a crucial factor to ensure greater control over lines and shading. Experts recommend a minimum pressure sensitivity of 2,048 levels.

• Compatibility and stability are important considerations when choosing a drawing tablet. A tablet that works instantly without any downloads or security issues is essential.

• Price is another important factor to consider. It is possible to find a drawing tablet at a reasonable price without breaking the bank.

• Tablet size is an important consideration as it affects hand and arm fatigue.

• Battery-free pens are recommended as they are more convenient and cost-effective in the long run.

• Customizability is an essential feature of most drawing tablets. The ability to map favorite actions to buttons on the pen and tablet is an EXTREMELY useful feature.

• Resolution is an important factor to consider. The amount of detail that can be drawn on a tablet’s active area depends on its resolution, measured by how many lines can be drawn per inch (lpi).

It is essential to consider each of these factors carefully to select a drawing tablet that best suits your needs and budget.

Below is how well the Inspiroy Dial 2 fares;

So, do we recommend it? Yes, we do. These qualities are superb for its price.

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

It is an amazing tablet with a premium view. The shortcut buttons are very useful, the pen is sensitive and accurate. The drawing performance is fantastic and my drawing experience is positive. It’s so satisfying to draw on this tablet and this is definitely suitable for professional artists.

Currently you can buy it for $143.99 instead $159.99.