Bad Design In The Wizard Stylus Silo?

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=6298030&amp;postcount=27">http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=6298030&amp;postcount=27</a><br /><br />A user at HowardForums has taken his HTC Wizard - an iMate K-Jam in this case - apart to find out why his stylus isn't secure.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2005/20051207-wizardbrokenstylus.jpg" /><br /><br />This hasn't happened with my K-Jam, but I don't doubt that it will. Actually, I really <a href="http://kjamming.blogspot.com/2005/12/downside.html">hate the stylus in the K-Jam</a>. It is the one downside in the hardware that really irritates me. As a result, I don't use it much, preferring to either grab a pen-sized stylus, use the keyboard, or occasionally, just not use the device. :( HTC makes great hardware overall in my opinion, but the stylus silo seems to be a weak spot for them. The stylus in my PDA2K will no stay in. I can turn the device upside down and shake it slightly and it falls right out.

[OSUKid7]

Sounds like deja vu. Compaq iPAQ H3600 anyone? :|

[Darius Wey]

Sounds like HTC needs to rework their stylus holders. My M600's stylus feels like it fits firmly within the holder - of course, I'll report back in a year's time and let you know if that is still the case.

If you ask me, the solution to all this is to go back to the conventional designs and store the stylus at the top, not the bottom. :roll:

[jngold_me]

Yep, I have have gotten to a point (no pun intended) where I will only use the K-JAM stylus in an extreme situation (practically never). I can navigate my entire today screen (with Pocket Plus, Contact/Pocket Breeze) with the d-pad. During the times I need a stylus I either use my finger or the 2 in 1 Comfort Grip Shorty from Stylus Central.

http://styluscentral.com/2in1comgrips.html

[wirelessbeachbum]

My XV6600 stylus is the same way, I actually don't think it's the slot that is the problem, but the stylus itself, when I get a new one, it fits tightly but after a couple of weeks they start to fall out again.

HTC is using it for residual income, they know on average you are going to lose your stylus every couple of weeks, and have to buy another.

[kiwi]

Sounds like deja vu. Compaq iPAQ H3600 anyone? :|

oh yes, fond memories of that one! ;-)

[Raphael Salgado]

What's most concerning about this poor design is that it occurs approximately one month after normal usage. My suggestion: never use it, unless in absolute emergencies. Resort to a secondary stylus.

Piel Frama has designed a case that includes it's own leather sheath for a stylus.

http://www.pielframa.com/imagespda/ani_qtek9100_pen.gif

http://www.pielframa.com/i-mate_k-jam.htm

[pocketpcadmirer]

Same story goes here :cry:

Stylus of my O2 mini doesnt fit nicely..some part of it cant go inside now the way it used too. I conjure, HTC needs to pay more attention to this ie silo area.

Sunny

[Jason Lee]

So is this a problem with all wizards or just all 200 modes or just some?
Do the 100 modes have this problem as well?

It isn't so much the loose stylus that bothers me as the fact that it physically breaks. I was going to get a wizard but now I'm not so sure.

[jngold_me]

So is this a problem with all wizards or just all 200 modes or just some?
Do the 100 modes have this problem as well?

It isn't so much the loose stylus that bothers me as the fact that it physically breaks. I was going to get a wizard but now I'm not so sure.

Just because of the stylus? Really, it's not THAT bad. :)

[Jason Lee]

Just because of the stylus? Really, it's not THAT bad. :)

It's not the loose stylus, my pda2k is crazy loose but i really don't like the fact that the plastic breaks. If it just got loose over time it wouldn't bother me as much as physically breaking after a month. if i pay $700+ for a device, expect it not to crack perminetly after a month.

plus how are we gonna know if/when this is fixed?

[jngold_me]

I don't know how other people treat their stylus, but I can't see how the KJ stylus would break unless you really abuse it. I wouldn't worry about breaking the stylus.

[Paragon]

I don't know how other people treat their stylus, but I can't see how the KJ stylus would break unless you really abuse it. I wouldn't worry about breaking the stylus.

It's so damn small there isn't enough leverage to break it. ;)

[Jason Lee]

hehe guess i should have been more clear. I wouldn't mind the stylus breaking. That is replaceable. That little piece of plastic inside the device that holds the stylus and you have to void your warrenty to get to... That breaking really bothers me. :) It cannot be replaced.

Hey, ya gotta have a stubby stylus to go with the stubby device. ;)

[twincam]

I was very disappointed in the location of the stylus (I'm left handed).

[Brad Adrian]

I was very disappointed in the location of the stylus (I'm left handed).
I'm a bit ambidextrous, and it's still hard for me to reach for the correct corner of my JASJAR for the stylus. All that screen-flipping keeps me confused, I guess.

[Ed Hansberry]

I'm a bit ambidextrous...
Brad, 'round here it is "don't ask, don't tell."




:devilboy:

[MitchellO]

One of the reasons I love WM5 so much is because of the softkeys. They just make using the device so much better, even when using two hands. It means less stylus use is necessary.

I haven't had my stylus fall out of my KJAM yet, but I believe it could get to that point. it is fairly loose. my main program with the stylus is that it rarely extends itself when I pull it from the slot. I always have to use my teeth to put it open before I can use it.

Lucky imate include a spare. I think i'll need it.

I would like to say for the record that the stylus on my XDA Mini (HTC Magician) never had a problem. it was great.

Posted from my KJAM!

[ctmagnus]

Sounds like deja vu. Compaq iPAQ H3600 anyone? :|

I found that switching to a new stylus fixed that issue. It seems that the notch on the stylus was wearing down, not anything in the iPaq itself.

[Janak Parekh]

I found that switching to a new stylus fixed that issue. It seems that the notch on the stylus was wearing down, not anything in the iPaq itself.
No, the spring retention holder would also sometimes wear out. Trust me, my 3600 gradually degraded over time and I had tried several styli. ;)

That holder was a disaster -- anyone remember what would happen if you put in the stylus backwards? 8O

--janak

[leploep]

Mine diddnt fall out yet, but i read about an easy fix somewhere that did wonders for the people experiencing the problem.

one time around the stylus with some tape seems to hold it again for a couple of months. I guess they taped it right above the stylustip.

[ctmagnus]

The JAMin is the total opposite end of the spectrum. I very much dislike having to remove the stylus from it, to the point that I'm looking for a stylus/pen combo to replace the PPCTechs stylus I bought to replace the stock stylus, which I found to be too flexy.