A Compact Touchscreen for Raspberry Pi Projects
For those looking to bring a touch interface to their Raspberry Pi projects, the new Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 offers a compact and affordable solution. Priced at $40, this 5-inch touchscreen provides a smaller alternative to the existing 7-inch model, making it ideal for unique or space-constrained applications.
The display features a multi-touch capacitive panel that supports five-finger input. It has an active area of 2.4 x 4.3 inches (62 x 110 mm) with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. The viewing angle is slightly narrower than its 7-inch counterpart, measuring 80 degrees compared to the 85-degree angle of the larger model. The unit itself measures 3.6 x 5.6 inches (91 x 143 mm), which makes it more portable and easier to integrate into various setups.
In comparison, the 7-inch version has an active area of 3.4 x 6.1 inches (87 x 156 mm) and measures 4.7 x 7.4 inches (120 x 189 mm) in total. Both displays share similar specifications, including a backlight brightness of 500 cd/m² and a typical touch response time of 35 ms.
Setup and Initial Impressions
During testing, the setup process was straightforward. Attaching the Raspberry Pi to the back of the screen was simple, with all necessary components such as screws and ribbon cables included. Power is supplied through the Pi’s GPIO pins, and an illustration guides users on where to connect the cables. However, the standoffs on the back are designed to accommodate full-size Pi models, which may be an issue for users planning to use a Pi Zero or Pi 3A.
It's important to note that the Touch Display 2 is not sold as an enclosure or stand. Instead, it functions as a component that can be integrated into custom cases or enclosures. While there are many third-party options available, the device itself is focused on providing a functional touch interface rather than a ready-to-use product.
Touch Support and User Experience
One potential drawback is the initial touch support. The Raspberry Pi OS includes basic touch functionality, such as popping up a keyboard when needed. However, gestures or swipes do not work out of the box, which may be confusing for users expecting a smartphone-like experience.
According to the Raspberry Pi team, gesture support is not handled by the operating system but rather by the UI toolkit or individual applications. For example, GTK-based interfaces or Chromium browsers may have built-in gesture recognition. Additionally, the screen does not automatically detect its orientation, requiring users to manually adjust settings via the Screen Configuration tool in Raspberry Pi OS.
While these limitations might be frustrating for some, they highlight the intended purpose of the display: to serve as a versatile component for specific projects rather than a consumer-grade device.
Hardware Considerations
Another point to consider is the power source. The display draws power from the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, which is convenient but could pose challenges for users working with HATs (Hardware Attached on Top). The absence of a USB-powered option is another minor inconvenience, though the power consumption is typically around 1.5 W depending on brightness levels.
The bezel design is also worth mentioning. Some users may find it a bit thick, but the Raspberry Pi team emphasized that this was a deliberate choice. The goal was to make the display easy to incorporate into personal projects, allowing makers to fit it into boxes or other structures with minimal effort. This design choice makes it simple to embed the device into walls or other surfaces.
Conclusion
Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 offers a reliable and quick way to add a touch interface to any project. Its ease of setup, compatibility, and affordability make it a strong contender for developers and hobbyists alike. While it may not be perfect for every use case, it is well-suited for applications such as industrial control panels, museum displays, or any other creative project that requires a high-resolution, touch-enabled screen.
If your project involves interactive elements that require finger input, the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 is definitely worth considering.
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