Autopoint Stylus+ 4-way

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Don Damiani

April 19, 2000

PRODUCT UPDATE: We recently did a review on the STYLUS+ 4-way from STYLUSplus.com...the model we did a review on contained a pencil as part of the pen (pencil, stylus tip, ink, ink)...the pen is now available withOUT a pencil (stylus tip, ink, ink, ink).

The Stylus+ 4-way from STYLUSplus.com is a pen/pencil/stylus that has 4 tips instead of the usual 3. It has the basic .005 lead pencil, and an orange PDA stylus. (The original models had a gray stylus tip). But it also comes with 2 other colored ink cartridges that you can put in the third and fourth slots. To get the tip you want, you simply rotate the pen until the tip "icon" on the end of the pen is pointing up and push the plunger.

The styling of the Stylus+ 4-way is quite handsome. I like the contrasting gold colored bands around the black gripper. This pen has a light but solid feel to it and it felt good in my hand. It has a smooth, soft, stylus for the PDA screen. There is also a handy pencil eraser under the plunger.

Generally, the tips come out and retract smoothly. As I state in other multi pen reviews, sometimes the pencil tips stick and do not retract properly. The first Stylus+ 4-way pen I tested stuck, but STYLUSplus sent me a replacement and it hasn't stuck once. (Chalk that up to their excellent customer service.) The only thing that you need to be aware of is that you need to make sure that the icon for the tip you want is properly "up" in the right position, or you may not get the pen tip you were expecting.

The Stylus+ 4-way has the same annoying rattle to it, (I call it the "rattle factor"), as some other multi pen/pencil/stylus devices. This may or may not bother you.  I personally don't like pens that rattle, and my Platinum Double 3 Exec pen doesn't rattle at all. But it only has 3 tips and you eject the tips by rotating the pen rather than pushing a plunger. It also cost around $15 more than the Stylus+ 4-way and requires you to use 2 hands, which is even more annoying! After using the Stylus+ 4-way for a few weeks, I have retired the Platinum Double Exec.

Regarding the ink cartridges, the pen is available with "your choice" of 2 colored ink cartridges. You chose from black, blue, red, orange highlighter, or pink highlighter. The cartridges are simple to install, and you can swap them in and out easily. The highlighter colors are ink, but still highlight adequately. Their tips are not as fine as the black or red tips, which is better for highlighting. All of the ink cartridges that I reviewed were smooth.

I can highly recommend the Stylus+ 4-way.  For the price, it's an attractive pen/pencil/stylus, and you have your choice of the 2 colored ink cartridges. If you get one that has a sticky pencil, send it back. As I stated above, STYLUSplus has excellent customer service, and they replaced the first pen they sent me.

Price: $19.99

Pros:
Lower priced than other similar pens/pencil/stylus.
4 pen tips.
Customer's color choice of 2 ink cartridges.
Smooth stylus tip.
Pencil eraser on the plunger end.

Cons:
Pen tip selected didn't always come out on first attempt.(User error?)
Rattle's a lot.