When youβre in the product review biz like we are around here, you know there are going to be some lemons mixed in with the diamonds. But itβs even more disappointing when you spend your own money on something and it turns out to be a dud. Thatβs what happened to me when I recently bought the Estylo stylus from Nyon. I had high hopes, but unfortunately, it wasnβt meant to beβ¦
Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.
Iβve been looking forward to trying this stylus for more than 2yrs since one of our readers talked it up in the comment section of one of my other stylus reviews. I wrote to the company (back then they were called Plai) and asked for a review sample, but they didnβt respond. At that time, you couldnβt order one. Then they had a Kickstarter project for v1.1 of the stylus which was fully funded. Early this year, they came out with v1.9 and I finally placed an order.
Called βThe Pencil of Nowβ, the Estylo is made of wood like a pencil and is available in 8 colors. The diamond shaped handle is also magnetic, so it is designed to stick to the edge of the iPad when itβs not being used. I ordered the blue one you see here.
I received the stylusβ¦andβ¦it didnβt workβ¦at all. Nada, nothing, zero, zilch. So I emailed them a complaint and they said theyβd send me another one. They didnβt have any blue ones to send, so the 2nd one I received was black. It barely worked, so I complained again and they sent me a 3rd oneβ¦
Here are the three Estylo styluses that Iβve been sent. The bottom one (I marked it with an orange dot in the bare wood area near the tip) is the newest one. Itβs odd, but they are all slightly different lengthsβ¦
As I mentioned, the stylus is made of wood with a painted handle and a matching colored capacitive tip that is slightly spongy in the center. I seriously didnβt think any of the styluses worked, but I kept trying and trying and finally was able to get the newest one to work β sorta.
I figured out that the Estylo needs to be held at a specific angle and with some extra pressure in order for the touch to be registered. I did all my testing with my iPad mini and various sketching apps like Paper, and SketchBook Pro.
Guess what, the opposite end can also be used as a stylus tip. At least in theoryβ¦
Yet again, the stylus tip only works when itβs held a specific way, which is when itβs flat against the display like I show here. And even then, youβre lucky if you can Β draw consistant lines.
Also the magnetic handle feature is too weak to be useful. It barely sticks to the iPad and will fall off with very little jostling.
When it comes down to it, regardless as to which end/tip you try to use, the Estylo is the worst performing stylus in my collection. Of the 3 styluses that were sent to me, only one works β barely. But even when you hold it just right and press harder than normal, 25% of the lines you try to draw arenβt registered and you have to try the stroke a 2nd time. This gets really frustrating, and for that reason Iβd never recommend the Estylo. Β Save your money. Trust meβ¦ And if you want more info/opinions, just check out the comments on their Kickstarter project.
Gerber Gear Suspension 12-in-1 EDC Multi-Plier Multitool with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters and More, Gifts for Men, Camping and Survival, Grey
$54.75 (as of April 15, 2025 17:40 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)KONDOR BLUE | EDC Multi-Tool All-in-One Bit Torque Driver for Every Day Carry On Film Sets & Cinematography | Raven Black
$89.00 (as of April 15, 2025 14:52 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Product Information
Price: | $20 |
Manufacturer: | Nyon |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
|
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
Hi Julie, sorry to hear you had so many problems, its shame as its a little bit different in design than the usual stylus.
Another fab review as always.
That’s how I thought it would work. Another useless stylus.
Thanks for a real review.