Pen-Pencil-Stylus Combo Opinions?

[Paul Martin]

It's time to get a new pen/pencil/stylus and I'm not sure what to get. I wanted something a little more substantial than I've had in the past (Autopoint and Avery TripleClick), i.e. something metal with a little heft to it. Just wanted to get some feedback on what you use. I've considered the Rotring 600 Trio, Rotring Quatro Datapen, and the Lamy Trio. Any thoughts? TIA.

Paul

[TravisWhayne]

If you have a FranklinCovey store nearby, you might consider looking at the different selections of quad-point pens they have. I know in Colorado we are currently carrying several different quad-points in the Bullet style, that are clearance out at $14.99, and you can purchase a stylus tip refill to replace one of the three pens for about two dollars. That would be my best suggestion, if not try the FC website.

[madbart]

Is there a decent stylus that replaces the crappy plastic one that comes with the 5450?

[Anthony Caruana]

I've been using a Rotring 4 in 1 (blue pen, red pen, mechanical pencil, stylus) for the last couple of years. It's no thicker thatn a normal pen and always works (except for when the refills run out)

Only downside was that it was the most expensive stylus/pen combo in the places I looked (in Melbourne, Australia)

The stylus writes really well on the PDAs I have used it on (Compaq Aero, ipAQ and HP Jornada 548) and is cofortable in the hand (far nicer to use than the styli provided by the vendors.

Also gets a lot of jealous looks from other PDA users

Highly recommended

Regards

[Paul Martin]

If you have a FranklinCovey store nearby...

Not sure if we do or not. Are they stand-alone stores? I may have to check the website. Thanks!

[Paul Martin]

I've been using a Rotring 4 in 1 (blue pen, red pen, mechanical pencil, stylus) for the last couple of years. ....Highly recommended

Thanks, Anthony. I have been considering that one, but wasn't sure if the Rotring 600 would be worth the extra $$$ over and above the Quattro. Thanks!

[madbart]

Anthony where about in Melbourne did you purchase your pen?

[Anthony Caruana]

It was a while ago but I am pretty sure it was the PDA shop in MElbourne Central. It used to be called Successories. I am pretty sure that I have seen the same/similar at Tafts in Melbourne.

Regards

[Dave Beauvais]

Is there a decent stylus that replaces the crappy plastic one that comes with the 5450?
Yep! PDA Panache has this one (http://www.pdapanache.com/products.asp?PID=IPQ38) which even includes a pen. I have the chrome one now and it's great!

--Dave

[msprague]

Before you buy a 600 Trio make sure you look at the Quattro Executive.

[Paul Martin]

Before you buy a 600 Trio make sure you look at the Quattro Executive.

I have considered it, but it's a little too shiny for me. And, more importantly than the gloss is the cost...styluscentral has the Executive for about $55 and the 600 is at $49, which is really about max for me, perhaps even too much...perhaps it's that psychological $50 mark? :?

[davidspalding]

I got one of these ("Trio Panache") free from Casio with a "value pack" they offered in February/March.

http://www.pdapanache.com/products/TRIOT2.JPEG

I'm not sure it is worth $15, but it is very sleek and functional. Feels lightweight, though, like you'd take it on a space trip. I think I'd probably get a "real pen" which will take a stylus tip. PDA Panache offers such tips for Fisher space pens and classic Cross pens (both available most anywhere). Things like Cross and Montblanc pens are well balanced writing instruments already. Personally, I like the Cross twist-type Century(?) pens, and have several.

http://www.pdapanache.com/products/INSCR.jpg
http://www.pdapanache.com/products/INSMB.jpg
http://www.pdapanache.com/products/INSFS.jpg

[Paul Martin]

davidspalding,

Thanks for the feedback. I have used Cross pens over the years and really like them. However, I also like having a pen, pencil, & stylus all at once without having to carry 3 pens! 8O I may be a geek, but I'm not about to pick up a pocket protector...yet.

I have used a couple of stylus combo pens which are both light and want, as you say, a "real pen". :wink:

[felixdd]

I have a belkin 4-in-1 aluminum finished. It's hard to find a picture of it, but it's like those 4-in-1 pens but instead of the black/blue rubber grip, you have a cross-hashed grip made into the pen itself. Looks really, really good

[Paul Martin]

I've looked at the Belkin and really, it's a nice looking stylus...just looking for something with a little more weight to it. Overall, Belkin seems to put out some good products for reasonable prices, IMHO.

[Jerry Raia]

One thing I dont like about these things is when you go at your screen with the PEN because you forgot :!:

[Paul Martin]

One thing I dont like about these things is when you go at your screen with the PEN because you forgot :!:

I've only done it once or twice...I still "look" before I touch the screen. My stylus tip is green which kind of stands out. :mrgreen:

[Paul Martin]

Well, I settled on the Rotring 600 and placed an order with StylusCentral (http://www.styluscentral.com) last night. Hopefully, I made the right choice!

[madbart]

I placed my order today as in Australia they still want $120USD for these pens :cry:

[Paul Martin]

I placed my order today as in Australia they still want $120USD for these pens :cry:

Maybe I could get a referral bonus, perhaps free engraving? Wait, they already offer that. :D

p.s. which one did you go for? I picked the silver one.

[madbart]

I picked the silver one as well.

[madbart]

just picked up my rotring 600 from the pen people in melbourne australia for the same price as stylus central in the usa.......gotta be happy with that! :lol:

[Paul Martin]

Cool! So, what do you think of it? Do you also have the StylusCentral one on order? Mine is backordered for a short bit.

Paul

[madbart]

So far so good. It seems heavy on the screen causing me to go into capitals quite a bit but it will take some getting used to. :lol:

[nosmohtac]

Has anyone seen a pen/stylus combo that has a gel pen with it?
I have a cheap pen/pencil/stylus pen, and it has room for the thicker gel pen refills, but all of the gel refills are thick all the way up and won't fit into the spring slot on the pen.

I have become partial to the smooth flow of the gel pens, and always have one on me. So, I thought it would be a good combo to put with a stylus, since I also have my PPC with me at all times.

[Paul Martin]

nosmohtac,

The one one that I'm aware of, though there might be more, is the Cross Matrix (http://www.cross.com/matrixpromo.asp). Though it's not cheap, it does allow lots of options. It wasn't my choice because, among other things, it doesn't offer a pencil and the exposed tip is the stylus. However, it does offer the gel rollerball. Styluscentral has a pretty good price on theirs (http://www.styluscentral.com/crossmatrix.html).

[nosmohtac]

Thanks for the links PMRadio.
That looks like a nice Combo, but I agree with you that the stylus tip shouldn't be exposed all of the time, and the price is.... ouch.