Stylus Pen Combos

People are always focusing on the obvious.  For example, there has been a huge up-tick in the rollout of smart phones.  Ever since the iPhone hit the market, cell phone makers have been trying to knock it off the top rung of the smart phone ladder.  Blackberry, Palm, HTC, LG, the list goes on and on.  Everyone is on the SmartPhone upgrade bandwagon.

But just under the surface lies another list.  This list does not get the publicity the smart phone gets, but it should.  It should because this item is vitally important to the correct functioning of the smart phone.  This item has multi functionalism just as the smart phone has, plus it shares one vital aspect with its smart phone cousin, brother, relative, whatever.  And that one thing is SEX APPEAL.  Now I have your interest, don't I? Well, that item is the pen stylus combo.  Yeah, I figured you knew it was something like that, what with this being PDAStylus.com and all.  But the fact of the matter is that pen/stylus combos are the members of the "stylus family", and actually have a certain amount of cache.  Let's look at them carefully, shall we?

Overview

To begin with, pen stylus combos come in all shapes and sizes, so everyone is likely to find something they like.  What's more, these pens have a variety of functions.  Some have pens and stylus tips.  Others have pens, pencils and stylus tips.  Why there is even a stylus pen with a flashlight.  That's right; the Streamlight 65073 Stylus LED Pen Light has it all.  Talk about sex appeal.  Well, maybe not so much, but it is definitely James Bond cool, and that's just the beginning.

The shape of the pen stylus combo also differs.  Some are short, some tall, some are slim while others have ergonomically correct shapes that fit nicely in the hand.

Stylus-pen combos also are made from several different kinds of materials as we will learn later in this missive.  Metal, plastic, even wood are all materials used in the making of these interesting versions of the basic writing instrument.

Pen-stylus combos have a variety of methods for delivering the point needed.  Some have slide tabs on the side of the barrel.  These tabs are either labeled or color coded to tell you which point it is.  Another method is the twist.  The barrel is twisted one way or the other and a different point comes down.  Both methods work well and it is up to the individual user to decide what he or she is most comfortable using.

To say that pen-stylus combos are "styli on steroids" might be a bit of a reach.  On the other hand, to say that they are the "swiss army knife" of pens might be spot on.  Especially since there really is (or was) a Swiss Army Knife that is a stylus.

Just as there are many different smart phone manufacturers, there are quite a few pen-stylus combo makers (although some have gotten out of the business in recent years).  AT Cross, Lamy, Fisher, Pilot, Retro 1951 are just a few of the major players in this growing category.  Make no mistake; as the field of smart phones grows larger and more sophisticated, so too will the pen-stylus combo category.  After all, who really wants to use the flimsy little stylus nub that comes with their phone? It's hard enough manipulating one's thoughts and ideas onto such a small screen.  The least you can do is to use a stylish instrument to make the job easier and more fun.

Styles

First off, there is the extremely popular Dr.  Grip 1+1 Combo, sold by StyliSource.com which has all sorts of features including a pen and a stylus together.  It also has a special rubberized gel grip on the barrel which makes it comfortable to hold and use (which is why the Dr.  Grip has always been a favorite with the Arthritis Foundation).  It doesn't hurt that it also priced right.

But say price is not the sole determining factor.  Remember I was talking about sex appeal.  Well, wait until you see the Lamy Accent 4-in-1 Stylus Pen Combo.  Now this writing instrument reeks of sleek, sexy, German engineering.  It is the Porsche of pen stylus combos.  It has four different writing instruments in one.  A pen, pencil, marker as well as a stylus.  Think of it!  This is the only writing tool you will ever have to carry.  And don't forget the stylus tip is especially made to keep those smart phone screens free from scratches unlike those cheap versions.

I bet you had no idea there were this many options to choose from in the world of the stylus pen now did you? Come on, admit it.  You spent all of your precious time focusing on which smart phone to buy and then didn't bother to go online to your favorite stylus store, or for that matter Amazon.com and search for that perfect compliment to your new toy!  I mean "vital business purchase"!

Oh, I'm not done yet...  ow, some of you out there are more into space age technology than others..  ou see yourself as an adventurer type and you want something that will give you options no matter what environment you find yourself in..  ell, now there is a stylus pen combo for you too..  he Fisher Q4 Quad Action Space Pen is the most versatile stylus pen available..  t has a pencil, a stylus, and, get this, a pen with a pressurized ink system..  hat means it will write in any environment..  ow cool is that? This is the pen stylus combo that MacGyver would have on him at all times..  hink of what he could turn this into..  ut you don't have to worry about that..  hee Q4 Quad Action Space Pennalready does almost anything anyone could need in a stylus pen..  t even has a rubber finger grip to make it comfortable to use..

Fisher also makes a stylus pen combo that is truly a work of art.t.  The Fisher Bullet Space Pen Stylus looks like it was sculpted.  This is one gorgeous stylus pen.  Originally, the "bullet pen" as it is called, was hailed as one of the most beautiful writing instruments ever produced In fact, it is exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern Art.  Now this is available as a pen on one end and a stylus on the other.  A truly classic design for the discriminating taste.

So far, I have shown you a variety of stylus pen combos that are at the pinnacle of the stylus world.  These pens are functional as well as beautiful.  They are all worth the price of admission.  But sometimes, we need function over form.  Sometimes we need to take the utilitarian approach to our stylus pen usage.  We want something that is basic yet reliable.  A pen stylus combo that will get the job done without any fuss.  For those times there is the Pilot Pentopia 2+1 (many people think of this single stylus pen combo as "the Pentopia", however Pentopia was an entire product line of Pilot's). 

This stylus pen has everything you need to go through the day.  A pen, a polymer stylus that won't scratch your screen, and a .005 pencil.  All of this at a very affordable price.  The Pilot Pentopia has been around for awhile and it is still going strong.  The reason? A complete package at a great price.

For those that want some style to go along with that basic yet effective functionality, there is the Foursome Comfort-Grip This unusual stylus pen has soft rubber nubs around the lower portion that give the user some added grip.  It has a stylus and three different color ink tips.  Just hold the barrel horizontally, twist a quarter turn, press the top button and out comes desired point.  Again, well priced for this solid stylus pen. 

All of the stylus pens we have looked at so far can fulfill almost every need or desire you might have for the "do everything" writing instrument.  Some are super sleek; others are verifiable works of art, while some fulfill the retro 1950's side of your personality.  But there is a category that has yet remained untouched by this discussion.  This category of individuals is the "green" category.  These people want to feel close to nature.  They love to be outdoors or at least they enjoy thinking about being outdoors.  Hiking, mountain biking, or camping, these men and women cannot wait for the weekend when they can take off for their favorite kayaking spot or trout stream to unwind and relax.  Don't worry.  We have you covered.

The "Just Meet" from Pilot is the perfect stylus pen for you. It has an ergonomic grip so it is comfortable to use.  Plus, the barrel is made out of all natural wood.  This barrel will actually change color the more it is used, acquiring a nice patina that will make every Just Meet unique to you. It comes in either light or dark wood, and has a special stylus that will not scratch screens and a pen and pencil as well.  This is truly a pen that expresses the natural side of your personality.

Wrap It Up

Well, there it is.  More information than you ever thought possible about the pen-stylus combo.  Yet, there is still more to be found.  Go online and search out sites that have a selection of these and other versions of the Swiss Army Knife of styli.  No matter what type of combo you need or, more importantly want, the selection is out there waiting to be discovered.  Remember, you don't have to be a geek  to get a kick out of these interesting and beautiful pens. 

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