With its large panel, the CrowVision HD easily outsmarts the competition at a reasonable price.
The product is shipped with all accessories to hook to the most popular SBCs.
A thin plastic film prevents accidental scratches but should be removed once the unit is installed.
The black glossy screen measures 29.1 x 15.5 x 2.4 cm with a 1.5 cm edge.
At the back, a 3M double-sided tape fixes the display in an appropriate enclosure without screws.
The screen weighs 590g and requires a 12V adapter to work.
Connectors at the back of the screen are well-labeled, making the supplied paper user manual redundant.
Five push buttons serve as a control for the on-screen display menu and for turning the screen on.
The only display input is a mini HDMI 1.4 that supports the native 720p resolution of the LCD.
Also present is a 12V DC socket and a 2.5mm audio port.
Three screws are positioned on standoffs and move in two rails, arranged horizontally and vertically on the left.
Since there is some loose where the standoffs meet the metal frame, mounted boards can move a bit.
CrowVision: In use
The screen requires only two connectors plugged into an SBC to turn on.
Popular OS such as Linux and Windows support the five-point touchscreen.
options like color temperature and brightness can be adjusted by the user and saved to non-volatile memory.
Volume level, as well as power, are also controlled from both sites.
The quality of the LCD is suitable for the price paid.
The IPS technology results in large viewing angles and vibrant colors.
The screen has a refresh rate of 60Hz at 250nits of brightness.
The panel shows some white bleeding at the bottom, which is noticeable on a black background.
Power consumption is a meager 1W, a reasonable amount if the display is always on.
ElecCrow provides 3D printing files on their GitHub website if owners want to print their enclosure.
Any small display that can provide an HDMI input will do.
What makes the CrowVision different is its mounting system and accessories; it just works out of the box.
The official Raspberry Pi 7 display is a contender priced under $60.
A multi-touch display panel similar to what is available on the CrowVision makes it an interactive platform.
The resolution of the Pi display is lower, offering 800 x 480 pixels.
It also lacks an audio output, being based on the DSI interface.
CrowVision: Final verdict
The CrowVision HD display is an accessory that makes using single-board computers straightforward.
The package has everything to start working out of the box.
It is relatively simple to assemble and has that professional look that will make any product stand out.
At under $100, the price is just right for an 11.6-inch panel.
The main issue with the CrowVision was the resolution, which could have been better.
At 1366x768 pixels, using it as a plain old monitor feels a bit overcrowded.
A pair of speakers could also have been a great addon.
Finally, having more inputs to drive the display would have made it versatile.
Dont buy it if you expect a finished product with an enclosure.
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