Tried most styles and brands, and...
I use Notability and neu.Notes as well as other writing/drawing apps on iPad. Use them a lot. I like writing in digital ink for work and personal use... for me, just like using paper, and when it auto-syncs as pdfs to Dropbox, we have a winner method. So, the stylus is important to me and one or more are always with me.
My first stylus was Bamboo Wacom, liked it, but the rubber tip tore within 10 days, and low and behold, Wacom hasn't had any replacement tips available for a long time and only stall you when you call and ask. Fail. For $30 you expect more, and replacement tips.
So, tried several other rubber tipped styli (hollow bulb types, 8mm and 6mm), and they tore in short order -- all price ranges. Ok, so if you put your rubber tipped stylus in your pants pocket, it will tear. Fact. Also a fact, few brands provide a real cap to cover up the rubber tip for such situations. They must think people just sit at desks with their styli. Fail.
BTW, one thing I learned about the hollow rubber tipped styli -- with few exceptions they are the same whether you pay $30 or $3 for them... yes you can get *excellent* rubber tipped styli for about $3 each (or less!) on Amazon and other online suppliers. I now have a significant supply of them.
The brush-style tips won't work for regular writing... I take written notes, and don't do digital painting much. But one day I'll try one just for grins.
Finally, I decided to try the counter-intuitive (in my mind) Adonit Jot Pro and the Dagi styluses --- the ones with the little clear plastic disc on the tips instead of a rubber tip or brush. Tried the Dagi first, it's tip is spring-loaded... LOVED IT... such smooth and precise action. But, their so-called "protective cap" sucks hugely and doesn't seat firmly on the back-end of the too-short stylus while using it, so the cap is easily lost or dropped while writing. And now that I've been through 2 of the Dagi's I've discovered they include in the packaging the *wrong* replacement tip... too big and doesn't work. And, after about 2 weeks of use the spring breaks due to wear. To boot, Dagi is based in Taiwan and don't have a U.S. presence to help w/ problems. Fail. Still, I have found Dagi has the best feel of all styli, in terms of smooth action... despite its other shortcomings.
Frustrated with Dagi's so-close yet so-far solution, I turned to Adonit and their Jot Pro which uses the same clear plastic disc tip concept as Dagi, but doesn't have the spring loaded feature. Low and behold -- a winner, mostly! It has the same smooth gliding action as the Dagi -- though you do notice the lack of the spring shock absorber at first, but adjust to. And the stylus is the proper length... like a regular pen would be... fits in the hand much better than all the shorties that everyone else produces. And the protective cap screws onto the tip area and to the back area... won't get lost or fall off.
I am happy now. At last. After dozens of brands and models of styli. My only gripe is that the Jot Pro needs a pocket clip, not so much for clipping to your pocket, but to give you some additional support for the rather slick and slippery smooth metal casing AND to keep it from rolling off your desk, which it will, guaranteed. What I've learned is that if you drop a Jot Pro with the tip exposed, you'll likely crack the little clear disc and have to replace it.
I'm sure other styli will come out, eventually one that nails it every department. Until then, and only for this brief moment, I am convinced that the Adonit Jot Pro is the best for me.
