Multi-Function Pens Review

kcscout · 01-30-06, 09:44 PM

This is a very basic and subjective review of 4 multi-function pens. To qualify for multi-function in this review, the pen must include a stylus.

The four pens being considered (including price and features) are:
Papermate Extend Multi - Pen, Pencil, Stylus - about $6 at a local office supply store.
Papermate PhD - Pen, Pencil, Stylus - about $7 at a local office supply store.
Faber-Castell Duo - Pen, Stylus - about $40 at styluscentral.com.
Cyclops - Pen, Stylus, Laser Pointer - about $9 at styluscentral.com.

Construction:
Papermate Extend Multi - All plastic body and clip. Round rubber grip. Weight .5 ounces.
Papermate PhD - Plastic body with a metal clip. Oversized triangular rubber grip. Metal surrounding the tip. Weight .9 ounces.
Faber-Castell Duo - All metal construction with a light rubber grip. Weight .7 ounces.
Cyclops - All metal construction. Weight 1.2 ounces.

Size Comparison:
See photo. I've also included an image of a standard Bic pen for comparison.

Use:
Papermate Extend Multi - Like the PhD, I'd consider this a "wide body". The round rubber grip was the least comfortable. It felt like I was writing with one of the pencils I used in kindergarten. All I needed was a Big Chief pad. Continuous turning of body changes functions (pen, pencil, stylus, pen, pencil, stylus...)

Papermate PhD - This one felt the widest of them all. But, with the triangular grip, it was easy to use. For me, I tend to favor traditional pens and have never liked "wide bodies". So, this wasn't really comfortable for me. Switch functions by rotating left/right - (pen, pencil, stylus, pencil, pen...).

Faber-Castell Duo - <sigh> This, my friends, is a pen. Perhaps it's because it cost almost 5x more than the others, but it is truly a comfortable writing instrument. The size, the rubberized tapered grip and the weight make this the ideal stylus/pen (for me, for now). I'm amazed at how lightweight this pen feels and it is nicely balanced. Left/right changes functions.

Cyclops - More traditional in size, this pen has a tapered grip with dimples. This made for comfortable use. However, without any sort of textured/rubber grip it tended to slip in my hand. It is also the heaviest of the bunch. The button used to activate the laser also rattles. Left/right changes functions - push button for laser.

Pros/Cons:
Papermate Extend Multi
Pros: Price, stylus tip can extend to be easily used as a reset pin.
Cons: It's a widebody, not real comfortable, ugly, all plastic.

Papermate PhD
Pros: Price, rubberized triangular grip, stylish for a widebody,stylus tip can extend to be easily used as a reset pin.
Cons: It's a widebody, changing functions could be more precise, I often would have to jog back and forth to get the right point to stick, stylus moves up&down as I write.

Faber-Castell Duo
Pros: Comfortable to use, well balanced, tip can be used for soft reset, VERY stylish, good construction.
Cons: Price, I'll be really bummed if I lose it, design is awkward in that it looks like it has a click top.

Cyclops
Pros: Cool feature set (it's gotta a laser!), PRICE, comfortable for short periods, very distinct changing of functions, tip can be used for soft reset.
Cons: Not really an endearing writing instrument(did I say it has a laser?), laser button rattles, switching between functions sometimes unscrews the battery compartment, accidental triggering of laser while writing may leave you blind, top heavy.

I'm not going to make any recommendations. Ranking them by my preference - best to worst:
1. Faber-Castell (far and above the rest)
2. Papermate PhD (good, inexpensive)
3. Cyclops (inexpensive, laser, WOW factor)
4. Papermate Extend Multi (inexpensive, wouldn't mind if I lost it)

bnlsn · 01-30-06, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the info! I've been considering getting one of these for awhile. The Faber-Castell looks pretty good, but I'm not sure about $40 for a pen.

kcscout · 01-30-06, 09:58 PM

Forgot to add, I also have a Boxwave Styra.

It replaces the OEM stylus that came with the 50v. The pen is nice to have and the stylus is consistent with the one that came with PDA.

AKAJohnDoe · 01-30-06, 10:14 PM

How about the two from Waterford? The bigger one in particular.

cricmate · 01-31-06, 06:19 PM

thanks for this nice review.

cricmate · 01-31-06, 06:23 PM

I couldn't find Faber-Castell Duo on stylus central web site. Only Faber-Castell Trio is there.

Perceptum · 01-31-06, 06:49 PM

I have the belkin pen, stylus, and laser pointer. The nicest aspect of this all-in-one is to have the pen at one end and the stylus on the other side. $20 at most retailers.

Bagelsnbrew · 01-31-06, 09:22 PM

I've used the phD and found it a little too fat to be comfortable. My favorite is the Pilot Pentopia. It's a little cheap looking with a clear body, but it has proven durable. Not as fat, lighter than the phD with a very positive mechanism. It is also cheap @ ~$3. One thing I've noticed about all the combo pens I've tried is that the stylus points are too thick and blunt compared to the OEM points. I feel it does affect handwriting recognition and clarity of ink notes. Nothing that a little sandpaper can't fix.

frankenbike · 01-31-06, 11:28 PM

I got one like the Cyclops, but with an LED light as well. Under $4 from Spittys.com. I use the LED light a lot more than the laser. I use the laser mostly to play with cats in other people's houses ("Let's see how far that cat will run up the wall chasing the laser) or annoy people in public places when I'm bored ;)

Email 'em since the site is down if you're interested: spittys@spittys.com

Looks like they're site is down for rearrangement. Dumbasses don't seem to know how to redesign a site before disabling their old one :(

Email 'em since the site is down if you're interested: spittys@spittys.com

I don't find it hard to write with for extended periods of time, and I get much more reliable handwriting recognition than with the stock stylus. But I did have to roll a piece of tape around the stylus tip where it comes out of the barrel to get the cartridge stable. But I ain't complainin' for the price.

bhds · 02-01-06, 12:10 AM

Nice review! Is there any difference in the tip hardness of these pens? I'm looking for a larger stylus for my 51v but would also like to get a softer tip.

02-01-06, 01:40 AM

Good review, I've been a long time user of the PhD and find it a great stylus but the Faber looks very nice :approve:

Coughin Nails · 02-01-06, 08:44 AM

Another one to consider: I've got a Fisher Space Pen that has a stylus on the top. (http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg....m_1875_3130994)

I have the black one. It pulls apart, then the pen portion fits into the cap and is the size of a full-size pen.

Pros:
* The size is extemely handy. It fits nicely in pockets where a full-size pen would be too big.
* The pen is definitely one of the better ballpoint pens I've used.
* Solid construction
* The stylus, even though it's not covered, hasn't developed a point or edge that would scratch an unprotected screen.
* Nice price, usually found for $20 or less.
* It's comfortable to use the style with the pen folded together (at least for my hands)

Cons:
* Since it's a ballpoint pen, writing for long periods of time with the ballpoint pen can get tiring (vs. writing with a rollerball)
* The stylus is always exposed.

Anyone else used one of these?

CN

myfirstax · 02-01-06, 08:47 AM

:approve:
I like my PhD... larger barrel for larger hands. Very comfortable to write with,too. I havent had the loose stylus problem yet, tho...maybe thats just a "glitch"?

ThundaAx · 02-01-06, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Bagelsnbrew

My favorite is the Pilot Pentopia.

I'll 2nd the Pilot Pentopia opinion, except for the metal body one instead. I have used it for several years without a hitch. It feels very comfortable in my hand. It has a pencil and eraser as well which makes it very versatile for me. Refills are easy to find for it.

http://store.yahoo.com/styluscentral...entrippe1.html

kcscout · 02-01-06, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by bhds

Nice review! Is there any difference in the tip hardness of these pens? I'm looking for a larger stylus for my 51v but would also like to get a softer tip.

Not sure how I'd measure this. In use, the widebody tips feel softer - but I can't really quantify as to why.

The Pilot pen looks interesting.

BTW: StylusCentral did a great job with fulfilling the order. I ordered Friday AM and had the pen on Monday. :approve: