Quill Slant-Top Stylus and Pen Combo

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

May 01, 2001

Product Requirements: 
Any touch-screen PDA

Upon first glance, the Quill Slant-Top Stylus, available from Stylus Central, looks like a simple twist-action stylus. As I found out, looks can be deceiving.

I was presented  with the blue model for this review, it is also available in Black.

This Quill model, also called the 250S, is actually a dual end stylus and pen combination. There is a cap that can be placed on either end, depending on which you are using at any given time. The downside to this method is that this means that at any given time, there is always one tip that will be left exposed. Normally, it will most likely be the stylus tip.

Comprised of a combination of what appears to be a baked on enamel and chrome accents, the Quill Stylus certainly looks professional enough to carry into any meeting. 

As its name implies, there is a slant at the top of the stylus that can be personalized with your initial.

The Quill is 5.32" (135.04mm) long, and .39" (9.79mm) thick. This pen is a little thinner than I like for extended writing - my hands have a tendency to cramp, but for shorter periods of use it should be just fine for everyone. The Quill's weight is comparable to other higher-end ball-points. My Mont Blanc is only slightly heavier.

The Quill's stylus tip was a pleasant surprise. It is red in color, and has a slight point to it. The surprise came when I began to write with it: I found that it is spring loaded. Since I have not used a "floating tip" stylus before, this was a new experience, and I like it! 

For those of you unfamiliar with this type of tip. it is hard to describe, but it seems to keep you from pushing too hard on your PDA's screen. The tip of the stylus will actually move in and out as you write,  adding a balanced feel to your writing.

The ball-point end of this combo is exposed by pulling off the cap. There is a chrome end with slight ribbing for your grip.

I found the pen to write smoothly, and the ink did not skip. Refills are available in Fine and medium, so there is something for everyone.

One of the more attractive features of this pen is that due to its design, it is equally comfortable to use - whatever tip you are utilizing at the time. Since the cap can be placed on either end, it seems equally balanced at all times.

The Quill is a good choice for someone that wants both a pen and a stylus in a single unit. The price is reasonable for such an attractive combo. As it is not a traditional multi-pen, you'll be pleased that there is no rattle.

The only reservation I have is that as the stylus tip will be exposed most of the time, there is a greater chance of it becoming damaged.

Price: $25.00 MSRP
Pen is available in Black or Blue

Pros:
Spring loaded tip
Smooth ball-point action
Professional appearance
Can be personalized on "slant"
Equally comfortable to use as stylus or pen
Comes with a lifetime guarantee against mechanical failure

Cons:
Exposed stylus tip