The EVICIV 10.1″ Touchscreen is a portable touchscreen designed for use with the Apple iPad Air 2 or later models, and the original iPad Mini 4 in landscape orientation only.
The “eviciv 7 inch touchscreen case” is a review of the EVICIV 10.1″ Touchscreen with pictures and a brief overview of its features.
I’m constantly on the lookout for useful Raspberry Pi accessories. It’s not as simple as it seems to choose a nice screen for frequent yet occasional usage. I don’t want a big computer monitor on my desk if I’m only going to use it for a few hours a week, but I also don’t want anything so tiny that I won’t be able to use. In addition, depending on the brand, quality, and other aspects, various features and pricing ranges exist.
Anyway, in this post, I’ll look at a new contender: the EVICIV 10.1′′ Touchscreen, which costs less than $200 on Amazon. It’s an all-in-one monitor, which means you may use it as a regular monitor or place your Raspberry Pi inside the rear cover to keep your desk tidy (less cables).
If you’re already interested, the all-in-one monitor I’m reviewing today is available on Amazon.
On paper, it seems to be a decent compromise between two items that I’ve previously used and will mention many times in this article:
- The SunFounder 7′′ Touchscreen: A conventional Raspberry Pi screen that does not come with a casing and is much smaller than the screen I tried today.
- SunFounder’s RasPad 3 is a high-end product. The RasPad differs from the one in this article in that it contains a battery, making it more like a tablet than the one I’m trying today.
Anyway, let’s get started with the review. If you’re searching for a new display for your Raspberry Pi, this post will attempt to address all of your queries.
To be completely upfront, EVICIV provided me with this device for free in order for me to try it and write a review. But I’m free to give you my honest view on the subject. Just keep in mind that I didn’t pay for it, which may have influenced my opinions.
Features
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The EVICIV 10.1″ Touchscreen isn’t a budget model, therefore it’s ideal for a Raspberry Pi or other devices. The following are the most important aspects to consider:
- 60Hz refresh rate on a 10.1″ display.
- Touchscreen: 10 point capacitive touch screen (so you can do the same moves as on your smartphone: scrolle, swipe, zoom, etc.).
- There are many resolutions to choose from: 1024600, 1280800, 1366768 and 19201200.
- HDMI and USB-C inputs are available. Yes, you may connect this screen to a computer, another Raspberry Pi, or even your smartphone.
- 3.5 mm audio jack output
- Speakers built-in.
- Stand that can be adjusted (wall mount is possible too).
There’s also the casing beneath the screen, which you may use to house your Raspberry Pi. It works with the Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 models. On one side, two side panels are available to accommodate your Raspberry ports. The screen ports are on the other side (HDMI, USB-C, power and audio jack).
Pricing
Because I dislike writing about pricing because they vary so often, I’ll let you check the current price on Amazon to get a sense of what it’s like.
However, I believe the price is correct as a whole. It’s priced in the middle of the two things I mentioned in the introduction. It’s less expensive than the RasPad (but without the battery) and more costly than the Sunfounder 7′′. (but bigger and with a case, so not really comparable).
I’m not claiming it’s cheap, and I understand why some of you would find it prohibitively costly since it’s the same price as a computer screen. However, it offers features that, in my opinion, justify the price, such as a touchscreen and a casing for your Pi.
It’s your choice, but I don’t think the price of this product should be a huge problem at first. Let’s go on and see how things go following the delivery.
Unpacking and putting together
The kit includes everything you’ll need to get started (except the Raspberry Pi, of course):
- The display.
- The source of power.
- USB to USB-C, USB-C/USB-C, HDMI/HDMI are some of the cables available.
- A user’s guide.
- The two panels on the sides (for Raspberry Pi 3 or 4).
- The touchscreen is connected to the little USB cord on the upper left. You’ll connect one end of the USB cable into the Raspberry Pi and the other into the enclosure. If you like, you may solder the other cable. This is something we’ll discuss later.
- To connect the Raspberry Pi output to the display, there are a few connectors (HDMI, Micro-HDMI, USB-C and Micro-USB). It’s a clever method to make the enclosure Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 compatible. I’m going to show you some photos.
- A screwdriver, to be precise.
That is all there is to it. So you’ve got the user handbook to guide you through the first few stages. It’s in color and done quite nicely. I would have preferred something more basic, but I realize that the screen may be used in a variety of ways, so it’s understandable.
You don’t need to install anything if you only want to use it as a screen for a Raspberry Pi or similar device that you keep outdoors; just connect your device into the HDMI input and you’re done. You’ll need to follow the instructions if you wish to place a Raspberry Pi inside. In general, the stages are not as difficult as they seem at first glance:
- To get access to the case, remove the rear panel.
- Replace the plain side panel (on the left in the previous photo) with the Raspberry Pi model-specific side panel.
- Connect the adapters for display output and power input to your Raspberry Pi.
- Fix everything with the screws, and don’t forget to connect in the USB cord for the touchscreen function. To attach the adapters to the main board, gently press down on them.
- The case may then be closed, and you’re ready to depart.
The fan is controlled via the red cord in the bottom right corner. Yes, much like the RasPad 3, the casing has a loud fan to keep things cool. As we’ll see later, the major use for this case is for something that runs 24 hours a day, so keeping the fan is definitely a smart choice.
Overall, the assembly is rather decent. The key difference between the RasPad and the Raspberry Pi is that the RasPad utilizes the Raspberry Pi ports directly (the RasPad uses a motherboard that you plug everything into, and this motherboard has external ports). Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s not a huge problem.
The USB cable for the touchscreen that runs outside the casing isn’t very attractive, but once the screen is on its stand, you can’t see it. Soldering a cable to the GPIO pins is another option. I didn’t do it since I wasn’t ready to put my Raspberry Pi 3B+ inside this display indefinitely, but it is conceivable.
The astute among you will have detected a big flaw with this product (I wasn’t astute, and didn’t realize it until everything was closed):
- The SD card slot is in the centre of the case, and after the Raspberry Pi is fixed, you won’t be able to reach it.
- While the Raspberry Pi is within the enclosure, the camera port and GPIO pins cannot be utilized.
So, putting a Raspberry Pi inside this display is fairly conclusive. They won’t let you swap the SD card, and they’ll have you attach a cable to your Pi. It seems to be a terrific tool for a dashboard, digital signage in retail, or something similar, but not for someone like me who evaluates new things on a daily basis. Or, at the very least, I shouldn’t use it as a monitor with my Raspberry Pi.
Note that the Raspberry Pi’s audio connector is not linked to the screen’s jack output, but it still works. The screen, I assume, transfers sound from the HDMI connection to the jack output.
So far, we’ve seen two scenarios: using it as a regular screen with HDMI input, or utilizing it with a Raspberry Pi inside to show anything 24/24 or at the very least something that doesn’t need GPIO/camera.
We’ll now go at the specifics of these two instances.
It’s being used as a screen.
The first thing you can do with it is make a basic screen out of it. You won’t waste time putting it together; just insert your HDMI cable into the side and you’re ready to go.
The screen should convert to your Raspberry Pi operating system automatically once hooked in, however there is a menu on the screen that you may use to pick between three sources: HDMI-IN, HDMI-RPI, and USB-C.
That’s the right-hand button in this image. The up and down arrows will be used to choose the source you desire. The “M” button allows you to adjust the main settings just like any other screen (luminosity, contrast, etc.).
Two points to consider in this scenario:
- Even if you don’t have a Raspberry Pi inside, the case’s fan will operate. You can disconnect it if you wish, but it’s on by default, so when you switch on the screen, there’s some noise.
- To use it as a touchscreen, you’ll need a USB-A/USB-C connection.
It seems to operate rather well in my opinion. You have your Raspberry Pi outside, in a different casing (like the Argon Neo), and you have full access to it (GPIO, SD card, camera, etc.). I’d simply turn off the fan and be done with it. It’s a better answer for me than the SunFounder 7′′ I previously examined; 10′′ is a much better screen size.
If you don’t require the touch function, you can definitely find a cheaper choice, but overall, this screen is well priced.
Using the example,
The second case (sorry…) is to utilize it as a case. No, honestly, since it’s designed for it, that’s the natural way to utilize it. Place your Raspberry Pi on the back of the screen as instructed in the construction section, and you’re good to go:
The most important thing to remember is that reinstalling the system will be difficult since you will have to remove everything to replace the SD card. However, I can think of a few projects where it might be an excellent fit:
- Digital signage is the first thing that comes to mind, although I’m not sure whether a screen that large would be effective. Perhaps to take orders at a restaurant or conduct a customer satisfaction survey? You can accomplish this using a tool like Screenly.
- Retro-gaming: You don’t really need to upgrade the SD card after you’ve selected the ideal gaming operating system and loaded all of your games onto it.
- My iPad is mostly used for watching videos. I could install Android on a Raspberry Pi and view any of the media services on this screen (Netflix, Prime videos, etc.).
- Magic mirror: As I said in my review of the RasPad 3, you don’t really need a “mirror” to utilize the magic mirror software. A screen like this may serve as an excellent dashboard for your calendar, projects, and reminders.
- Desktop or media center use: the screen may be too tiny for this, although it may suffice for youngsters or restricted use.
I’m sure there are lots of alternatives, but it’s a pity they didn’t include an SD card port on the side; that would have been ideal. Anyway, let’s go through the benefits and drawbacks of this product.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A good-sized monitor, 10 inches is ideal. | There isn’t any direct access to the SD card. |
| External screen or “tablet” with several functions (no battery). | There is no way to access the GPIO/Camera ports. |
| The package is excellent, and the user manual and all cords are included. | Even when utilized as a screen, the fan makes a lot of noise. |
| Well-priced. | |
| It has a nice finish and is simple to use and build. |
Overall, it’s a fine product; I just believe they left out some useful features, or maybe I’m just not their target market. Anyway, I’ll keep using this screen on a regular basis since it’s the best I have. The Sunfounder 7′′ is too tiny for me, and the RasPad 3 has additional flaws that irritate me on occasion. Because I change my SD cards (or Pi model) virtually every day, I’ll simply use it as an external screen and disconnect the fan.
Is this a decent screen for you?
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To summarize, this screen is appropriate for you if you:
- You want a small solution with a monobloc case/screen since you always use the same SD card. Everything is set up using only one power wire. You don’t use it 24 hours a day and may disconnect it if the fan noise isn’t a problem.
- You just need a nice touchscreen, and you’ll use the HDMI port to connect your Raspberry Pi (or another device). For the touchscreen, you may utilize the USB-C connection.
Are you ready to make a purchase? This screen is available on Amazon.
The RasPad is a great alternative if you want a tablet with a battery, which is ideal for youngsters to watch their favorite cartoons.
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Resources for the Raspberry Pi
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This website also contains all of my tool and hardware suggestions.
The “touchscreen laptops” are a type of laptop that has been around for awhile. The EVICIV 10.1″ touchscreen is one of the newest models in this category. It has good battery life and an affordable price tag.
Related Tags
- mds-7b06
- touch screen monitor
- touch screen laptops
