The Kensington Virtuoso Touch Screen Stylus and Pen (i.e., the Kensington 2nd Generation Stylus and Pen, as Amazon lists it), measures 5 1/8" from the stylus tip to the end (by my own measurements). This makes it nearly an inch longer than my BoxWave Capacitive iPad Stylus, which is 4 1/4" from stylus tip to the end (not including the part protruding from the end that allows the user to attach a short string to the BoxWave at the other end of which is a plug that can be stuck into the iPad audio out port). Please note that BoxWave now has a stylus on the market that is virtually identical in appearance and function to the Kensington Virtuoso, called the BoxWave Styra. I haven't tried one and that is not the BoxWave model I'm comparing the Virtuoso with. I have big hands (x-large size gloves, larger if available), and the extra 7/8" in length really makes a difference in stylus holding comfort. Plus, it enables me to move my fingers back further on the stylus so that my fingers are further from the iPad screen, which is especially useful when I am using the SketchPad Pro app.
This is subjective, but it seems to me that the Kensington tip glides a bit more smoothly on the iPad screen than the BoxWave, but it also seems that I have to tap the screen a bit harder with the Kensington than I do with the BoxWave in order for the screen to respond.
Both styli are equally slim, and while I prefer fat pens (e.g., Dr. Grip) for non-digital use, the slimness of the Kensington and BoxWave styli seem to make them easier to use on the iPad's smallish screen, at least for me. I've tried grips on these styli and while this felt comfortable, I did not like how it affected my visual experience of my hand over the iPad (I'm left-handed and like most lefties I have to hold my hand above whatever I'm writing or drawing on - paper or touch screen, meaning that my hand is already in a position that tends to block what I'm working on, so this is a factor that may not be an issue for right-handers).
If I could only have one stylus, I'd choose the Kensington, because of it's longer length. That it has a built-in ballpoint is nice in that it's convenient, though the cap cannot be placed over the stylus end when the ballpoint is in use.
Another plus to this type of pen (this would apply to the BoxWave Styra, which is also a stylus/ballpoint, but not to the BoxWave listed at Amazon as the "BoxWave Capacitive iPad Stylus"), is that the cap that covers the ballpoint and that has a clip on it rotates, whereas the standard BoxWave clip does not. This matters to me because I find it uncomfortable to use the stylus when the clip is resting against the part of my hand between my thumb and forefinger, and because the clip on the standard BoxWave (and I imagine on other styli that are not stylus/pen combos) does not rotate, this means that the user is always applying the same part of the stylus tip to the iPad screen. It may take a long time for the tip to begin to wear to the point that it interferes with the stylus's functionality, but having to use the tip in only one position is kind of like having to use a pencil eraser on only one edge so that it wears down unevenly. (A user on an iPad app forum reports that he literally wore a hole in the tip of his iPad stylus after heavy use over time.)
Finally, I suggest that anyone considering this stylus check out the video review of it for which you can find a link (to YouTube) Kensington's page for the Virtuoso at their US website (Amazon deleted the link from this review, so you'll have to find it via a search).
I should add that it's a very nice looking pen. I have a pen collection, mostly fountain pens, and for a cheap pen (compared to the kinds of pens collectors tend to collect), this pen is good quality and looks like it's good quality. The no-name brand ballpoint ink cartridge is the fat type, and in the video I mention above the reviewer (Josh Smith from Notebooks dot com) says that the cartridge can be replaced with "a standard Parker refill." Kensington Amazon Kindle Fire / 2nd Generation Apple iPad 1 and 2 / iPhone / iPod / Motorola Xoom Tablet / Galaxy / Blackberry Playbook Virtuoso Touch Screen Stylus and Pen (Black) Newest Model
This is the 5th type iPad stylus I have owned.
The Targus, bought at my local Best Buy was satisfactory and did the job. I bought it because that was the only product Best Buy carried. Dog chewed off the tip. $20 down my dogs gullet.
Next I bought three FOAM tip Pogo's. They were very cheap (and inexpensive). Very awkward to use. Required way too much pressure to work which ran the risk of knocking the foam tip off. Back off on the pressure to avoid knocking the foam tip off and the stylus did not write. Returned for refund.
Next I bought two styles of ACase with a rubber tip (one standard stylus and one stylus/pen combo). Same order. Liked the standard ACase, LOVED the stylus/pen combo. Both ACase models were MORE than Satisfactory. I rated the standard ACase 4 STARS and the ACASE stylus/pen combo, 5 STARS. Both excellent products. Dog chewed another rubber tip off. Thankfully not the stylus/pen combo. Chew up my stylus once, shame on you. Chew up my stylus twice, shame on me.
RECEIVED THIS KENSINGTON IN THE MAIL TODAY. AS THE TITLE READS, THERE SHOULD BE A 6 STAR RATING. THIS STYLUS IS AWESOME. HAS GOOD WEIGHT TO IT. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 LONGER THEN OTHER STYLUS' (SP) (although the extra length is only in the cap). SO I PUT IT TO THE TEST. THIS KENSINGTON ALSO HAS A RUBBER TIP BUT IT IS A BIT MORE FIRM. NOT AS "CUSHIONY" AS ANY OF THE OTHERS I HAVE OWNED. THIS GIVES IT MORE OF A 'PEN TO PAPER' FEEL WHEN IN USE. AS FOR ACCURACY, IT IS IN A CLASS BY ITSELF. I SCRIBBLED AS FAST AS I COULD SCRIBBLE ON MY IPAD JUST TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE THE IPAD TO LOSE THE TRAIL..., IT NEVER DID!!!! THIS IS ALSO A STYLUS/PEN COMBO WHICH I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THEY ALL SHOULD BE. USES PARKER PEN REFILLS WHICH I PERSONALLY LOVE. The one that comes preinstalled is cheap, just replace it with an authorized PARKER Gel Ink Refill for a smooth writing experience coming out of both ends. :)
YOU WILL PAY ABOUT $4 MORE FOR THIS STYLUS BUT THAT $4 WILL SAVE YOU A TON OF REGRET.
DO IT.
CLICK ON 'ADD TO CART"
YOU WILL THANK ME.
PS - Keep it away from your dogs.
PSS - There are two improvements Kensington should make on future models but they will have to pay me for those ideas. :) - Iphone - Ipad - Ipad Stylus - Ipad Stylus Pen'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
