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Any recommendations for an iPad stylus pen?

H

HXGuy

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 25, 2010
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I use a Pogo Sketch that I bought from ThinkGeek

The quality of the pen is solid. Built from Aluminum. The tip is squishy and does a great job. The only problem I had was the plastic clip. It broke off the first time I tried to clip it onto something. Super glue to the rescue.

I ordered it at Think Geek for $14.99 +$5 S+H.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/b8dd/
 
With pogo sketch on penultimate can you guys write with finer grain than you can with your fingers? I remember reading somewhere that it has a fat tip.
 
Gilly, the problem with all iPad and iPhone stylii is that the Apple screens themselves only track an input of a certain size. The surface area required to activate a 'touch' is ultimately too large to really capture the fine gestures of handwriting. For example, you might draw a small 'y', but it will end looking like an upside down 'L'. As such, you'll basically be required to write largely regardless of the software or stylus you're using.

That said, a stylus will still make writing much easier, simply since your hand isn't in the way obstructing your view of the screen. I recommend the Pogo Sketch stylus. However, don't expect to be able to write small notes. What you see in the Penultimate screenshots is about the best you'll get.
 
One more recommendation for Pogo Sketch/Stylus (you can use either on the Ipad, the Sketch is longer, Stylus is shorter and cheaper.) I have been using it to draw in Sketchbook Pro and find it indespensible. Sketchbook Pro works fine with a finger, but I can see much better with the thin Sketch. The only issue I find with it is that I don't quite know exactly *where* the "point" is, but that's also an issue when using a fingertip. Since the Pogo Sketch's tip is squishy foam and therefore flexible, it tends to move a bit and that changes where I think it's registering. It's probably just going to take some getting used to, and possibly someone will come out with an improvement on this idea at some point. For now, it works okay for what I want to do. It's really too bad that the Ipad requires a certain input size, or else we could get smaller tips to register on the screen.
 
Why can't I seem to find one person who has used the HTC Capacitive Stylus on the iPad yet? I'm ordering one of these to see how well it works with the iPads large surface contact requirement.

http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=193951

I think because the iPad won't pickup touch from thin tipped styli, this HTC design is the best bet for fine detailed work (since you can actually see the exact point centerpoint of contact.

EDIT: heres a good comparison video of the HTC stylus (made by Dagi) vs. the Pogo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNlnguERZ4g&feature=related
 
ZZ Bottom said:
Why can't I seem to find one person who has used the HTC Capacitive Stylus on the iPad yet? I'm ordering one of these to see how well it works with the iPads large surface contact requirement.

http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=193951

I think because the iPad won't pickup touch from thin tipped styli, this HTC design is the best bet for fine detailed work (since you can actually see the exact point centerpoint of contact.

EDIT: heres a good comparison video of the HTC stylus (made by Dagi) vs. the Pogo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNlnguERZ4g&feature=related
Click to expand...

I've used one, love it. Personally withe the options (lack of) which currently exist as far as styli are concerned right now, a combination of the Pogo and the Dagi is my recommendation for artistic purposes with the iPad and such devices.

The Dagi is far more precise and works much better than the Pogo for line work, pencil brushes and inking. The pogo tho, feels much more like a brush or marker, due to its tip. For painting and coloring in/shading, the Pogo is probably better.

Here's a review and a few pictures:

http://doodl.es/blog/?p=139

doodl.es
http://doodl.es
 
I can't find them in stores any more. Apple had them a month back, but now nothing.

Anyway, I discovered you can make your own by rolling up lots of crumpled aluminum foil into a stylus shape. Or use a stick of celery! Or there's always the Korean sausage thing!

Any port in a storm, I guess :)
 
Anyone know where to get 1 dagi stylus? I only found em on eBay and they come in packs of 3 for $30...
 
Found one!

Hey,
I've been looking for iPad pens for ages! And I recently brought one, and I love it. It's called the jot pro by adonit. A bit pricey but by far out does any other stylus, strong, good weight, and also is a ball point, heaps more accurate then all those rubber tip things that they have made, it's very smoothe and the site has good customer service and even a warranty.

http://adonit.net/product/jot-pro/
 
jadecas said:
Hey,
I've been looking for iPad pens for ages! And I recently brought one, and I love it. It's called the jot pro by adonit. A bit pricey but by far out does any other stylus, strong, good weight, and also is a ball point, heaps more accurate then all those rubber tip things that they have made, it's very smoothe and the site has good customer service and even a warranty.

http://adonit.net/product/jot-pro/
Click to expand...

There is at least one other extensive thread on the Jot styluses. I, too, have one and it's a well built product. Very comfortable to use and the magnet feature of the premium version (Jot Pro) is nice.

Unfortunately, some users have reported problems with quality control (not a problem for me) in the quality of the unique "disc" that is used to register strokes. And others (me in this case) have had problems with the Jot failing to register some strokes if the stylus is not near perpendicular to the iPad screen. This leads to a very annoying problem similar to using a ball point pen that is running out of ink.

There are other pluses and minuses with the Jot design (as there are will all designs). It does enable a user to see the precise contact point the stylus is registering more easily than other styluses. But some people assume it will draw a "thinner" more precise line than other styluses. That's not true; the width of a stroke is dependent on the app being used, not the stylus.

All in all, the Jot is an innovative and interesting design. Not without faults but it works well for some people in some circumstances.

Another innovative design that I find works well is the iFaraday styluses. I'd prefer a bit more "heft" (they're very light) but otherwise, at least for me, it's far superior to the styluses that use a rubber or felt tip. (www.iFaraday.com)
 
I love the alupen in terms of size, grip and weight, but the tip is a bit too thick to be ideal for writing. However, it's still good for writing, just not perfect.
 
Found a pen i like

After trying a few of above mentioned stylus pens, I heard about the adonis jot pro. This pen has a tip that is entirely different from the rubber tip or brush tip pens, in that it has a clear plastic disk with the point inside of it. It is great for writing and drawing and is well designed. It is well balanced, looks great and has a rubber grip section that is very comfortable. I have the original ipad but the ipad 2 will hold the pen with its magnetic capabilities. I recommend it to anyone who has tried other pens and not been satisfied with the heaviness of the line. This pen can write in fine line as well as marker line. It works especially well with the app Note Taker HD.
 
Krumpet said:
After trying a few of above mentioned stylus pens, I heard about the adonis jot pro. This pen has a tip that is entirely different from the rubber tip or brush tip pens, in that it has a clear plastic disk with the point inside of it. It is great for writing and drawing and is well designed. It is well balanced, looks great and has a rubber grip section that is very comfortable. I have the original ipad but the ipad 2 will hold the pen with its magnetic capabilities. I recommend it to anyone who has tried other pens and not been satisfied with the heaviness of the line. This pen can write in fine line as well as marker line. It works especially well with the app Note Taker HD.
Click to expand...

I have an Adonis Jot Pro, as well. Very well constructed barrel and a nice hefty "feel" very much like a fountain pen. Unfortunately, I (and others) have found that the design leads occasionally (and sometimes more than occasionally) to "missed strokes," especially if the strokes are short. If you write "cursively," the problem is not as severe. But if you "print" letters, especially when trying to write small letters, it can be a deal breaker.

Furthermore, while the Jot gives the illusion of making a finer line than other styluses, that is actually not the case. The width of a line is determined by the handwriting app, not the design of the stylus. The advantage of the Jot, especially when you first use it, is that you can identify the contact point of the stylus (in the center of the transparent disc) more easily than is possible with other styluses. However, once you become accustomed to using another stylus, you tend to learn where the contact point will register. Thus, the initial advantage tends to decrease over time.

All in all, it's a very nice stylus (though somewhat fragile as a result of the plastic disc that can break if the stylus is dropped.) Feels better in my hand than any other stylus I've tried. Unfortunately, the missed stroke problem means I don't use it often.
 
I just ordered the iFaraday stylus pen for the iPad. I heard it works even if you have a screen protector and the durability seems top notch.
 
+1 for the iFaraday stylus, but if your into artwork I HIGHLY recommend supporting this KickStarter project! the Sensu paintbrush/stylus. It doubles as a paintbrush, and a stylus in one. Definitely worth checking out!

Be quick, only 24 Hours to act for the Sensu!!!
 
BoxWave Capacitive Stylus Pen

Has great reviews on Amazon, and costs only $10. Here's the link if you'd like.

Stylus for iPad
 
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