Cross Tech 3 Stylus Pen Combo

Back in the day, I had several friends. Now, that is not to say that I don’t have several friends today. Although, let’s face a few facts here…how many friends would a guy who enjoys writing stylus reviews have? I mean, what would we talk about?

Anyway, these friends of mine would have Bar-Mitzvahs. I would get an invitation that would be three envelopes deep. You’d open the envelope, and there would be a tease. Then there would be another envelope. Inside that would be another envelope, and finally the envelope that would have the invitation in it. Oh, I forgot. Each envelope would have shiny foil liner paper inside. It was amazing. What a letdown when I would finally get to the last envelope and it would contain an invitation and not a prize. Major disappointment.

So, once I got over that scarring experience, I always knew what gift to get. The only gift that kids who were becoming men would want. That’s right, a Cross pen and pencil set. And, what’s more, if the friend was an especially good friend, I would even get it engraved with his initials. Yes, it’s true. I was one impressive young person.

The Cross pen and pencil set was a no-brainer. It was a symbol. A symbol of someone entering the world of adult-hood. How stupid we all were. We actually looked forward to becoming an adult. Foolish. We didn’t realize that shortly after entering that world, we would spend the next twenty years trying to leave it and go back to being kids.

But you know what they say about wisdom…..it’s wasted on the old or something like that.

So about the Cross pen and pencil set. It was a great gift because if you were really careful, that set would take you right through college. And every time you looked at the pen or the pencil, it would trigger some far off memory of your youth and your reckless ways……although how reckless could you be if you were carrying around your pen and pencil set everywhere you went?  Gee. Now I’m kind of sad.

So that brings me to today. I’m still going to Bar-Mitzvahs, only now they are for the children of friends. I still give them Cross Pen and pencil sets. Only now I am about to change. Why? Because I found something that is “way cooler”. And it’s still a Cross pen.

In fact it’s a pen, pencil and a stylus all in one.

It’s called the Cross Tech 3 and it is a really great product. On the outside it looks just like the classic Cross pen. You know, with the black top and the sleek chrome lines. It is slightly wider then a standard Cross pen, but that is just because it has some neat things going on inside.

Pick up the Tech 3 and it feels very comfortable in your hand, which is always important. This is light but not flimsy. All you have to do to get a point is to twist the barrel. One twist brings out a pen tip, black, or blue. Twist again and out comes a red pen. Keep twisting and a fine point pencil comes out. Don’t use two colored pens much? Well then, a quick easy change and the red pen becomes a stylus. Very hand y for your PDA, cell phone or even your laptop, if it has a touch screen.

Now you have all the writing instruments you will ever use in one nice looking classic Cross pen. And, unlike the Cross pens of the old days that just came in chrome or gold filled, which were really expensive, the Tech 3 comes in classic chrome, blue, or black. So you can get the color that suits the person you are getting it for. Me? I like the chrome or the blue.

As for the price? The Cross Tech 3 goes for around $40.00. I have seen it at www.stylisource.com for that price. That might seem like a lot for a pen, but remember, this is three pens in one….black or red pen points, a pencil, and a stylus, all in one. So given that information, $40.00 doesn’t seem expensive at all.   Several site, including StylusCentral.com and StyliSource.com sell the Tech 3 with a special stylus refill that can be used to replace one of the ink refills, adding another dimension of functionality.

Besides, once you buy one, you can be sure that the person you are buying it for will have it a long, long time. Cross pens are quality instruments that will last for years. Believe me; I know this to be true. In fact, as soon as I’m done writing this review, I am going upstairs and rummage through my desk. I know I still have that pen and pencil set my Dad gave me for graduating junior high. He also wanted to welcome me into the world of adulthood………Last I checked, I believe he is still waiting for that day to arrive.

Er, actually, I don’t have to check. He calls me twice a week and asks me when that is going to happen.

Daniel R.  Berenthall is a writer and techno-geek who sometimes does reviews for cool stuff.  Oh, and he writes too.  Pick up his latest book, “Video Killed The Digital Star” at amazon.com.