Which stylus should you use with Notes Plus?
I got asked this question a lot; so I thought I would put up a page to answer in detail.
First of all, it must be a “capacitive” stylus, not the plastic stick you use for your Palm Pilot. This is not only for Notes Plus but also for all apps on an iPad. iPads only work with capacitive styli.
Palm Pilot Stylus - Cannot use it with iPad
Then, which capacitive stylus should you use?
Foam-tip – A big NO-NO:
Pogo Stylus - Don't buy it
There are two reasons these foam-tip styli are not good. First, the foam material not rigid enough to have precise writing. Second, the tip feels like it might fall off. It didn’t fall off on mine but if I use it for a while more, it would.
I only know the Pogo Sketch made by TenOne Design as a foam-tip stylus but if you run into another maker’s foam-tip stylus, avoid it like the plague. The Pogo Sketch actually manages to have another big NO-NO: the stylus is too small to hold comfortably as a pen. All in one, it’s a terrible product.
Rubber-tip – very good and feels almost like pen (except for the big tip):
The BoxWave – this is what I personally use everyday. It really feels like normal pen, very responsive. I like the Styra model which has a real ball-point pen on the other end, just in case I need a pen (to write a check, for example, I hardly use paper).
You can buy this stylus on Amazon; search for “Boxwave capacitive stylus“. I like buying stuff from Amazon because they offer best price and I don’t have to waste time wonder around the store. Amazon currently sells the Styra (with pen) for $22.95 and the regular (without pen) for $15.00.
BoxWave Stylus - $15.00 and $22.95
The Griffin – similar to the BoxWave.
Griffin Stylus - $17.72
It is so similar that when I watch the review (http://appsforipads.net/educational-apps-2/apps-for-ipads-tips-stylus-revies-contest) by our friend, MaggieB at AppsForiPads.net, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two. The Griffin is also sold on Amazon for $17.72.
The Targus – very good reviews:
Many Notes Plus users show their content with the Targus rubber-tip stylus; I suppose it performs similarly to other rubber-tip styli. They usually buy it at Target but (you guessed right) Amazon sells it too: $14.99 for normal (picture) version and $22.81 for with-pen version.
Targus Stylus - $14.99 and $22.81
The AluPen – too big?
AluPen Stylus - $25.97
Notes Plus’s product videographer, Adam Weiss, uses it and he like it very much. It’s just a little too big and too expensive for me. Probably good for those with big hand. Sells on Amazon for $25.97.
There are a lot of other rubber-tip styli being sold on Amazon. Just search for “rubber-tip capacitive stylus“.
Plastic-tip styli – maybe
The DAGI stylus – here is some innovative attempt. Many users told me that the common problem of the current capacitive styli is that the tip is too big. Not only that it prevents precise positioning of the tip, it also hides the writing underneath. The DAGI stylus tried to solve the second problem with a see-through plastic tip (picture). Some users reported that it makes noise because of the plastic tip touching the iPad glass surface. With the DAGI stylus that Jeff Krueger (detail below) sent me to try, I didn’t hear a lot of noise; probably because I’m used to moving pen softer.
My personal opinion: it feels different, it’s not very natural (like pen) but it can be used comfortably after the learning curve. It’s worth a try.
Jeff Krueger, a Notes Plus user, just created a business importing these styli from Taiwan and sell it for $14.99. If you mention Notes Plus, he will give you 10% discount. Please visit his web site: http://dagi-us.com .
Dagi Stylus - $14.99
The Aponyo stylus - worth to try
The Aponyo stylus is just available on Amazon on Oct 2011. The special thing about this stylus : instead of using the rubbery tips as most styli, each stylus has a patented conductive fabric tip which makes them unique among currently available styli – the writing is smooth across the screen. It’s softer than the rubber tip which some people might like it. It slides across an iPad’s surface with less resistance. My opinion about the Aponyo is very simple: it works!
There’re three styli : the Aponyo Flip$20 with a stylus tip at one end and an old school ballpoint at the other. The Aponyo Click ($18), with a tip like a click ballpoint. The last one is the Aponyo Mini ($15) which suitable for use with your iPhone/Android phone.
Aponyo Stylus - $17.95
Our Notes Plus users can use coupon code HGLNYY4G at checkout to receive 10% off their Kosella stylus order. The offer is good through 12/31/2011. You can find out more information about this stylus here : http://kosella.com/products/
The verdict: There is nothing like pen right now but it’s getting there. For now, a rubber-tip stylus is the best.
Please comment below your experience with your iPad stylus, where you bought it, for how much and your “wisdom” regarding this stylus thing.
Thanks,
Viet
Disclaimer: I have no association nor sale commission from any other manufacturer, retailer, or Jeff Krueger.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 22:51:26
hi, is the Bamboo Stylus pen working for your application?
i am looking for a pen that lets me put my wrist down and which lets me have the tip slightly sidewards( not perpendicular).
I like your application but the handwriting is not really as smooth and easy as with other simpler applications like the bamboo application.
but I really would like to use yours more often and really make use of it!
thank you very much in advance for your help.
sylvia
Feb 22, 2012 @ 02:09:34
Hi sylvia,
The stylus should already work with Notes Plus. We admit the inking is not so good, especially on iPad 1 and we’ll fix this problem. Try writing in closeup mode and you’ll have better inking and an automatica palm pad (on which you can rest your wrist). To enter closeup mode, just switch to Pen mode and long-press anywhere on the page.
Feb 18, 2012 @ 14:39:17
Will you be supporting the ipen again?
Feb 18, 2012 @ 15:01:11
Hi Shane,
Yes, we will. It won’t happen anytime soon, but you’ll have it sooner or later.
Feb 17, 2012 @ 13:18:04
Good Day
Would it be possible to support the Jot pen? So it would be listed as a jot ready app?
http://adonit.net/product/jot-ready-apps/
As i ordered one of them, and i really would like to use it with N+
Feb 18, 2012 @ 02:09:26
Hi Roger,
Adonit has contacted us recently regarding the integration. We have their SDK. We’ll get started on it as soon as we’ve fixed most of the current bugs.
Feb 16, 2012 @ 19:10:42
I have the byzero Studio pen, and I have a brand new ipad, and I am very new at all of this. I also have notesplus v3, and I have not figured out how to get them to work together. The app is not responding to the pen. Have I not done something right?
Feb 17, 2012 @ 04:42:12
Hi Robin,
You’re not doing anything wrong. We have yet to support the pen. We plan to get it done in 6-7 weeks, after stabilizing the current version. We’d appreciate your patience.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 16:52:32
I couldn’t find another place to express my plea, so here goes
I just wanted to really really support the integration of by-zero studio pen support. Handwriting with a finger is….ehh…inconvenient, as are the various pogo-sticks that are currently supported like writing with a paintbrush.
Here’s a vote for high priority to supporting this.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 02:02:54
Well noted, T. We’ll try our best.
Feb 13, 2012 @ 02:56:42
I just don’t understand why they can’t make a small tip pen so we could really do some serious handwriting on the iPads!
So Viet….invent one!
Feb 13, 2012 @ 04:19:46
Hi Caroline,
Did you try the Jot Pro (http://adonit.net/product/jot-pro/)? It has the smallest tip I’ve seen.
Feb 19, 2012 @ 00:21:07
Does the Jot Pro currently work with Notes Plus?
Feb 19, 2012 @ 10:50:47
Hi Leschwa,
No it doesn’t. But it will in a future update. We don’t really have a timeframe yet but we hope to implement it in 6-8 weeks. We’ll keep you updated on our site.
Feb 13, 2012 @ 16:17:29
Feb 10, 2012 @ 21:57:11
Saying that impressed with the software. Early days, getting used to it. Hope it pans out. Will be a life saver if it does.
Feb 09, 2012 @ 08:49:10
Hi Toan,
yes I did already several purchases @ tmart.com with any kind of problem! I purchased the
Pencil-shape Capacitance Stylus Pen for iPhone/iPod/iPad Silver (http://www.tmart.com/Capacitance-Screen-Stylus-Pencil-Silver_p121814.html)
which is similar to the AluPen Stylus BUT at 4.45 USD/pce only, shipping included! (gap > USD 21.00!!!) The better price allowed me to buy several pens, as I’m used to loose them quickly… Other stylus are available as well… If you want be able to track the shippment you’ve to pay less than 2 USD on top and that’s it… Delivery time, depending on the country may take a few weeks, but if needed a faster delivery is possible with supplement. On http://www.tmart.com you’ll find as well other iPad accessories at extremely convenient prices!!! Enjoy it…
Feb 08, 2012 @ 23:45:54
Hello, I heard rumors that there will be support for the by-zero pen stylus. Is this true?
Feb 09, 2012 @ 04:51:24
Hi Cristian,
We plan to support the pen in 6-8 weeks in v3.1. We’ll see if we can get it done by then.
Feb 08, 2012 @ 22:30:10
Hi, a complete range of stylus for iPad can be purchased with worldwide free shipping for a few USD at http://www.tmart.com !!! Why should you spend more when you can get several pens for less??? Take a look…
Beo
Feb 09, 2012 @ 04:50:19
Hi Beo,
Wow! Thanks for the link. Did you ever do any shopping there? It seems too good to be true. I’ll definitely have a look.
Feb 08, 2012 @ 03:11:05
Love the app….. Using JotPro stylus…. Will you be integrating their SDK?
Please do!
http://adonit.net/jot-ready-sdk/
Feb 08, 2012 @ 04:52:08
Hi George,
We’ll try our best. We already had their SDK.
Feb 11, 2012 @ 04:54:41
Another vote for this! =) The Jot is a great stylus–but a little funky with Notes Plus right now.
Feb 08, 2012 @ 01:13:20
I understand Notes Plus will support the Cregle iPen (at least according to Cregle’s marketing it will). Are there any plans to support other “touch pens”? I’m particularly interested in the Jaja pen device which will support pressure sensitivity and Wacom-like buttons on the pen.
Feb 08, 2012 @ 02:09:45
Hi Dan,
Initially, we’ll support the Studio One Pen and possibly the iPen too. We’ll see if we can support other touch pens. We’re interested in pressure-sensitive pens so we might give them a try.
Feb 07, 2012 @ 23:59:44
Will you be supporting Cregle’s iPen? If so, when?
Feb 08, 2012 @ 02:06:54
Hi Steve,
Knowing iPen uses the same technology as the Studio One pen (which we’ll be supporting in v3.1), we’re pretty sure the two SDKs are very similar. If so, support for it is very likely. Please allow us time to fix some bugs first.
Feb 05, 2012 @ 11:25:38
Hi there! First of all, congratulations for this great app. And then…my question…I have a slight problem with the handwriting, I’m using a rubber tip stylus (Trust), which works well in other apps, and, according to the text above, it should work for your app as well, however, I can’t use it, well, I can, but it doesn’t write properly, it takes quite long to transmit de movement of my hand to the ink on the screen, which makes very difficult taking notes quickly when you’re in class.
I don’t know if the problem is due to my ipad, the stylus, or the app, I just wanted to let you know, and of course, if you have an answer, it’ll be wellcome. I consider this app a really good tool for a student, but, if I could use the handwriting properly, that would be fantastic! Thank very much!
Feb 06, 2012 @ 03:26:43
Hi Raul,
It might not be due to your stylus; it’s the app. We’ll optimize performance, especially on iPad 1, in subsequent updates. It’s not easy as this app has become more complex than version 2. Meanwhile, to help with performance, avoid putting too much text on one page (create a new page and continue with your work). Recording while writing is also known to slow things down, so avoid it too if possible. Sorry about the lagginess. It’ll get better.
Feb 03, 2012 @ 10:54:27
I used last version and Washington perfect. I am wrestling in italian, right non i am lost !!!! could you hellp me? Thanks
Feb 06, 2012 @ 02:52:07
Hi Daniele,
What specific problems are you having? Are you trying to use Italian as a recognition language? If so, just tap “EN” next to “Convert to Text” in the dropdown menu and choose Italian or tap “More” and download it.
Feb 03, 2012 @ 08:49:11
The pogo sketch plus is the best.
It just came out about 2 weeks ago
You might want to look at it.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 06:29:23
EDIT: forget the pogo sketch plus. It is perhap the best stylus, but only while it lasts.
this is my third week using it and the rubber ripped.
it’s made of a very think rubber with wholes in it which I guess makes it better to write with but it doesn’t last even half as much as any other cheap stylus.
my 2 dollar stylus has lasted a month already while the pogo I doubt will even make it to a month.
DO NOT BUY.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 19:21:02
Oscar,,acabo de comprar el ‘ New trent limir stylus fiber tip ‘ por $11.31 en Amazon,y es excelente vs. bamboo con ‘rubber tip’ ..corre mas suave en la pantalla que cuando es de goma y es mas durable….Es igual que Aponyo pero mas económico. …Tengo el Jot pro ,,muy bueno pero la punta raspa y hace ruido.
Feb 02, 2012 @ 06:30:32
Can you please integrate Dragon dictation into your next update, otherwise I love your app.
Feb 02, 2012 @ 08:22:31
Hi Ben,
I’ve noted down your suggestion. We’ll see what we can do. Thanks.
Feb 01, 2012 @ 15:26:42
Im using the Cosmonaut by studio neat.
It feels great.
http://www.studioneat.com/
$25
Feb 02, 2012 @ 08:21:19
Hi Seena,
Thanks for the recommendation. It’ll be helpful for other users.