I am now complete!
For christmas I received an X50v from my parents, and from my sister and her bf, I received a 1GB Sandisk SD, the BELKIN EXECUTIVE leather case, and finally the Belkin QUADRA 4-in-1 stylus.
I have been looking forward for the BELKIN QUADRA a lot, since I've always liked bugging people with a laser... and I always carry a pen in my pocket... so I figured... WHY NOT CARRYING ONE THAT DOES EVERYTHING I NEED???
So here are my thoughts about the QUADRA pen.
FUNCTIONALITY and USAGE.
I was partly impressed with the QUADRA functionality. Some reviews I read before said the laser isn't good enough, the LED isn't good enough and blah blah...
THE LASER.
...IMO, the laser is GREAT. I tried it outside, and I could still see it, although not very clearly in the range of about 100m (one soccer field), so, unless you're a professional SNIPER with a pretty tough job to do, the laser is really going to satisfy your presentation needs.
The laser operates by pressing the top button, and stops working when you release.
THE LED.
The LED is IMO very bright to be in such a small pen. It's perfect for reading in the DARK (not that you'd need it for your PDA of course).
Let's not get it wrong. THE PEN DOES WHAT IT'S MEANT TO DO. The LED isn't as bright as it would be in a device designed ESPECIALLY to be a led.
This is a MULTIFUNCTION stylus... so I wasn't expecting to light up a whole room to start with.
The LED operates in the same way as the LASER, PUSH the button underneath the LASER button to switch on, and switches off when you release. LED and LASER can be used simultaneously.
THE PEN.
There isn't much to say about the PEN. It's a normal black BALL PEN.
Obviously it isn't the BEST writing pen, it feels a little bit thin on the paper, and not too smooth, but I think the aim of it is to be able to take the occasional note.
THE STYLUS.
The STYLUS has a BLACK tip, which I like, and the tip is also quite thin, which is good to do things on my X50v, whilst in TRUE VGA.
The disappointing part of it, is that whilst in my BELKIN EXECUTIVE leather case, the tip won't go into the back hole (don't think naughty) to perform a SOFT RESET. However, whilst not in the CASE, it'll do it fine.
The tip of the stylus also feels HARDER (e.g. more solid and harsher) than the stylus that comes with the X50v, so if you are considering it, might wanna watch out not to DROP it on the screen since the pen is also quite heavy.
The weight however is also a plus because it gives quite a nice balance.
Off course because the QUADRA is thicker than any standard stylus, it also covers more of the screen than other pens, so when you're playing JAWBRAKER you'll find it will obscure about 1 row and a half worth of balls!
(Also in TRUE VGA mode it's sometimes hard to write and tap on the right things)
MISC
The batteries are obviously those very tiny round batteris that are used for watches as well. Unfortunately I can't remember their code, but as soon as I find out I'll edit this post.
Replacement cartridges for the PEN are available in BLACK and RED from Belkin, for $5.99 which is a great rip off, as I got the pen for about $17.
DESIGN.
Here is something you will find me nagging about. I am very fuzzed with design and power ALL IN ONE, and that is why I bought the X50v in first place.
I wanted a stylus that would match my PDA, and frankly I find the stylus that comes with X50v a bit too light.
The Belkin QUADRA is all SILVER. This means there is room for improvement in there, as it doesn't actually LOOK like a pen, but looks like a MULTIFUNCTION stylus (I know that's what it is).
The laser and led are right at the top, just above the PEN CLIP.
Towards the top of the PEN CLIP are the two buttons, TOP one for the LASER and LOWER one for the LED.
Right below these two buttons, it says BELKIN in black, and right below that there is the screw mechanism to open the pen in order to replace the batteries (for the laser and led).
At the bottom of the pen, above the tips, there is is a kind of round DENT to make it more comfortable to WRITE with the PEN (when using the STYLUS I never hold it from there). On this dents are small embossed tiny holes, which I suppose would be anti-slippery... although it doesn't work too well.
Finally, an anti-clockwise movement applied to this dent will eject the stylus, whilst a clock-wise movement will eject the pen. The mechanism isn't the smoothest.
CONCLUSION.
It is nice to see that Belkin has thought about the gadget geeks like me, and made a pen that does what most geeks would want it to do (no offence to any geek out there of course).
The laser and led are great, however, I do think, more effort could be put on design and "smoothness" of this pen (e.g. the rotary movement, the harsh stylus tip) and the design of it. (BTW. there is a pen from PALM which is EXACTLY the same, but in BLUE and SILVER finishes, which is a lot more stylish).
DESIGN: 4.5 out of 10
FEATURES. (total 6 out of 10)
PEN: 4.5 out of 10
LED: 6.5 out of 10
LASER: 7 out of 10
STYLUS: 6 out of 10
TOTAL: 5.25 out of 10
PROS.- Great LASER
- Nice LED
- Great to have ALL in ONE
- Nice weight
CONS.- Could have better design
- CLIP too tight
- Movement not the smoothest
- Replacement cartridges very expansive
