Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't think these reviews deserve any EXTRA special warning or criticisms. All review are subject to biases and experiences of the author.

I have to disagree with you there. Aside from the reviews being subjective, they're more likely to be done by people with little frame of reference. Perhaps more importantly though, the media saturation means it's harder to find alternative products. I'm sure there will be people buying the Pencil for the sole reason they heard about it, not even knowing what the alternatives are
 
The verge has a review of this stylus.

With all due respect, what they have is merely a brief presentation of the pencil. As seems fit in these early stages after release, they can't even offer a real opinion or advice on buying this stylus - or not. Evidently, the possibilities resp. limitations are still to be explored.

So I'll wait for a real world user to come tell his experiences after having used the pencil in a real life working environment for a substantial period of time. IMHO, it's only then one can write a real useful review.

Besides, it's not yet for sale over here anyway ;)
 
I'm actually considering ordering the Pencil. I have an Ifaraday stylus that I use for writing with Notes Plus with a tip similar to the tip on the lynktec. I do a lot of drawing as preparation for other work and as an end in itself. I already own Sketchbook Pro, with more features than Paper, but since I'm not doing anything serious on my iPad it's more than I need right now. According to the website when you use Paper with this stylus you get all the additional tools for free.

According to the 53 website there's a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and they pay return shipping so if I'm really unhappy I can return it and just be out the original shipping (under $3). I figure that protects me from ordering before the serious reviews are out. I would prefer to be happy with it and keep it.

I'll post a review in about a month, since that's when I should receive the Pencil.
 
I love the way Pencil looks. I bought Paper a while back. Not being an artist, I would love feedback from others. Is Pencil's lack of pressure sensitivity a potential drawback?

I know it's all speculation right now, because no one has a chance to try it.
 
I thought about it, but didn't like the fact that the tip was soo big. I use my stylus a lot for note taking and don't think it would be good for that due to the size. I purchased the LYNKtec TruGlide Pro Stylus & Artist Paintbrush Tip yesterday on Black Friday. They had a 50% off sale (I think it is still going on) so it was only 20. This will give me the opportunity to write and draw/paint. They also have very good reviews.

http://www.lynktec.com/Shop-TruGlide-Microfiber-Tip-Styluses-s/1833.htm


I agree about the large tip and most are large. I am waiting for one from the same company that should be out next month.

http://www.lynktec.com/TruGlide-Apex-p/lttg-0011.htm
 
About the large tip

There is a reason for it, otherwise many company would have come out with smaller tip because physically it's a no brainer to make smaller tips.

The reason for large tips of styluses for iPad is that the touch screen is designed to recognize contact of certain size, and smaller tips don't give you the same precision as a small tip of a pen would.
 
https://adonit.net/jot/script/ already out, and smaller tip

awesome, thanks.

I thought the Apex was a little expensive and this one is $15 more. Though it looks a little bit smaller.

Now I am on the fence of which one I want.


EDIT: Looks like Jot Script ships in 4 to 6 weeks as well.

EDIT 2: looks like Jot Script also turns off a feature so it won't recognize your hand, that's awesome.
 
Last edited:
awesome, thanks.

EDIT: Looks like Jot Script ships in 4 to 6 weeks as well.

It ships in 4-6 weeks due to pre-order fulfilment. The actual stylus has shipped (I have one). That's important because SDK integration for it is already being implemented, and Adonit has SDK partners already, whereas Apex has to start from scratch. You should read the threads about it on here though so you know what you're buying.

EDIT: Nvm, Apex doesn't have Bluetooth. So basically this is the two styluses in a nutshell:

A = Apex, S = Script:

Base technology:
A: Small rubber nib made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power
S: Smaller resin tip made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power. Bluetooth for SDK integration for button and palm rejection.

Compatibility:
A: All capacitive devices.
S: All capacitive devices for main functionality. Bluetooth connectivity and SDK features limited to supported iOS apps.

Accuracy:
A (estimate): Still a rubber nib, so very likely to be lower than the Script
S: Relatively close to Galaxy Note. There's an offset "issue" caused by how touch screens work, device and orientation-dependent. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/

Will it scratch the screen?:
A: Rubber nibs don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between nib and screen, but this is less of a problem the smaller the nib.
S: Resin tips don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between tip and screen, but this is extremely unlikely to happen with a 1.9mm tip.

Palm rejection?
A: No
S: In supported apps. Stylus tells app over BT when it is being used, allowing the app to filter out touches that don't correspond with pen data.

Subjective bottom line: Understand the offset issue with the Script before buying. If you have a device where this isn't a problem or use apps that compensate, the Script has more features and should be considerably more accurate.
 
Last edited:
With all due respect, what they have is merely a brief presentation of the pencil. As seems fit in these early stages after release, they can't even offer a real opinion or advice on buying this stylus - or not. Evidently, the possibilities resp. limitations are still to be explored.

So I'll wait for a real world user to come tell his experiences after having used the pencil in a real life working environment for a substantial period of time. IMHO, it's only then one can write a real useful review.

Emphasis mine.

To put it bluntly, this isn't even released yet. US and Canadian buyers have been able to order one, but it hasn't started shipping. FiftyThree has said those who ordered on day one should be seeing theirs in the next week, they did say there would be a 3-4 week wait when they announced 2 weeks ago.

The lack of reviews is simply due to nobody actually having one in hand, be it a purchased one or a review sample. Not even the Verge has one, despite the attention-grabbing headline. That said, I'd expect some first impressions next week. I'm following both the Pencil and the Apex with interest myself, and do have one of each on the way.

It ships in 4-6 weeks due to pre-order fulfilment. The actual stylus has shipped (I have one). That's important because SDK integration for it is already being implemented, and Adonit has SDK partners already, whereas Apex has to start from scratch. You should read the threads about it on here though so you know what you're buying.

Apex isn't a Bluetooth stylus, so there is no SDK. It's just powered to make the nib smaller.
 
Last edited:
the larger tip doesn't bother me...what interests me the most is the tactical feedback and pressure sensitivity I get back from the tip as I'm sketching. I think you get a good combination of feedback AND sensor recognition with this size of tip and elastomer material used.

I say, if you're concentrating on the size of tip on the stylus/pencil, then you're not focusing on communicating your ideas on "paper"...stop sketching & designing..it's not what you were put on this world to do.

IMHO, other stylus out there are just mushy foam tipped pieces of plastic..they offer no pressure sensitivity, no feedback...just can't compare to Pencil. I'm glad someone has actually took the next step beyond the traditional stylus.

Although it's a really interesting product (and app)...I want to try a Samsung Galaxy Note w/ Sketchbook Pro..heard it's generations beyond iPad & Sketchbook Pro.
 
APEX isn't a Bluetooth stylus, so there is no SDK. It's just powered to make the nib smaller.

Yeah I saw this and edited my thread, but since there were replies in the meantime I'm adding it here too:

Nvm, Apex doesn't have Bluetooth. So basically this is the two styluses in a nutshell:

A = Apex, S = Script:

Base technology:
A: Small rubber nib made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power
S: Smaller resin tip made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power. Bluetooth for SDK integration for button and palm rejection.

Compatibility:
A: All capacitive devices.
S: All capacitive devices for main functionality. Bluetooth connectivity and SDK features limited to supported iOS apps.

Accuracy:
A (estimate): Still a rubber nib, so very likely to be lower than the Script
S: Relatively close to Galaxy Note. There's an offset "issue" caused by how touch screens work, device and orientation-dependent. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/

Will it scratch the screen?:
A: Rubber nibs don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between nib and screen, but this is less of a problem the smaller the nib.
S: Resin tips don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between tip and screen, but this is extremely unlikely to happen with a 1.9mm tip.

Palm rejection?
A: No
S: In supported apps. Stylus tells app over BT when it is being used, allowing the app to filter out touches that don't correspond with pen data.

Subjective bottom line: Understand the offset issue with the Script before buying. If you have a device where this isn't a problem or use apps that compensate, the Script has more features and should be considerably more accurate.

----------

IMHO, other stylus out there are just mushy foam tipped pieces of plastic..they offer no pressure sensitivity, no feedback...just can't compare to Pencil. I'm glad someone has actually took the next step beyond the traditional stylus.

Not quite sure what you've been reading but the Pencil doesn't have pressure sensitivity. There are a ton of styluses out there that do, but the Pencil does not.
 
Thank you, I am sold, it's well worth the extra $15 IMO as I read more about it. Definately not cheap, but I imagine that I will have my iPad for a while and this stylus as well.


It ships in 4-6 weeks due to pre-order fulfilment. The actual stylus has shipped (I have one). That's important because SDK integration for it is already being implemented, and Adonit has SDK partners already, whereas Apex has to start from scratch. You should read the threads about it on here though so you know what you're buying.

EDIT: Nvm, Apex doesn't have Bluetooth. So basically this is the two styluses in a nutshell:

A = Apex, S = Script:

Base technology:
A: Small rubber nib made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power
S: Smaller resin tip made possible with capacitive field generated with battery power. Bluetooth for SDK integration for button and palm rejection.

Compatibility:
A: All capacitive devices.
S: All capacitive devices for main functionality. Bluetooth connectivity and SDK features limited to supported iOS apps.

Accuracy:
A (estimate): Still a rubber nib, so very likely to be lower than the Script
S: Relatively close to Galaxy Note. There's an offset "issue" caused by how touch screens work, device and orientation-dependent. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/

Will it scratch the screen?:
A: Rubber nibs don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between nib and screen, but this is less of a problem the smaller the nib.
S: Resin tips don't scratch glass. Particles that do can be trapped between tip and screen, but this is extremely unlikely to happen with a 1.9mm tip.

Palm rejection?
A: No
S: In supported apps. Stylus tells app over BT when it is being used, allowing the app to filter out touches that don't correspond with pen data.

Subjective bottom line: Understand the offset issue with the Script before buying. If you have a device where this isn't a problem or use apps that compensate, the Script has more features and should be considerably more accurate.
 
Accuracy:
A (estimate): Still a rubber nib, so very likely to be lower than the Script
S: Relatively close to Galaxy Note. There's an offset "issue" caused by how touch screens work, device and orientation-dependent. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/

Doesn't the accuracy for the Jot Script depend on if the app uses the SDK or not? Otherwise it can't pass along the additional sensor data. In apps that don't use the Jot SDK, I expect that the Script and the Apex will be fairly close in accuracy.
 
Doesn't the accuracy for the Jot Script depend on if the app uses the SDK or not? Otherwise it can't pass along the additional sensor data. In apps that don't use the Jot SDK, I expect that the Script and the Apex will be fairly close in accuracy.

No-ish. The SDK does three things:
*Compensate for the offset on devices/orientation where that is necessary. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/
*Enable the single on/off button to be mapped to e.g. "undo"
*Enable palm rejection

Here's a video showing the Script on an iPad mini 2 and Goodnotes, using the current release version which does not (unlike the beta) feature SDK integration:

 
I've ordered mine but am still awaiting it. I'll post back my impressions. Since I ordered it I've really fallen in love with the Procreate app even more than Paper.
 
No-ish. The SDK does three things:
*Compensate for the offset on devices/orientation where that is necessary. More info: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1678549/
*Enable the single on/off button to be mapped to e.g. "undo"
*Enable palm rejection

Which is why I wonder a bit on your comparison there. The technique they are using for creating a capacitive "touch" response is the same. With that in mind, I'd expect that the accuracy is similar without the ability to compensate for the offset (which is part of accuracy in my mind).

Although yeah, at 15$, the extra functionality is worth it. Although in my case, backing the Apex meant I was getting it closer to 50% off the Jot Script's price, with low risk as they were ready to enter manufacturing… that and Jot hadn't quite worked out the issues with the Air at that point.
 
Here's a video showing the Script on an iPad mini 2 and Goodnotes, using the current release version which does not (unlike the beta) feature SDK integration:

YouTube: video

This stylus is so extremely noisy, I couldn't even stand my own ticking and clacking - let alone my neighbours.
 
Which is why I wonder a bit on your comparison there. The technique they are using for creating a capacitive "touch" response is the same. With that in mind, I'd expect that the accuracy is similar without the ability to compensate for the offset (which is part of accuracy in my mind).

Remember that the Apex has a rubber nib. You can see it drag all over everything in the company's own demonstration videos, and it's likely also why they don't show any real accuracy tests - just examples of using it that you could do with every single stylus out there.

The Apex is Bluetooth-less, SDK-less, and as such, it would be a really bad idea to release a stylus where the accuracy is device and orientation dependent in some cases. The Script is marketed as working better on iOS devices, which is a simply way of saying that "this thing might be very accurate on your device, or it might not, but it's only on iOS we can work with developers to make sure it is".

I hated the Script when I first got it because I tried to use it in portrait on my mini. There wasn't really any proper information about the offset issue, and that's a problem when it only occurs on some devices, because that can make people think it's the stylus that's broken. Now that I know the lay of the land I quite like it, and currently use it in landscape until Goodnotes is updated to support it.
 
Which is why I wonder a bit on your comparison there. The technique they are using for creating a capacitive "touch" response is the same. With that in mind, I'd expect that the accuracy is similar without the ability to compensate for the offset (which is part of accuracy in my mind).

Although yeah, at 15$, the extra functionality is worth it. Although in my case, backing the Apex meant I was getting it closer to 50% off the Jot Script's price, with low risk as they were ready to enter manufacturing… that and Jot hadn't quite worked out the issues with the Air at that point.

If you were a backer, I think it was $49? I think you got a good deal on the Apex. Have you gotten it yet?
 
If you were a backer, I think it was $49? I think you got a good deal on the Apex. Have you gotten it yet?

Early backers were able to grab them for 40$ on top of that. The TruGlide folks are a little behind schedule right now trying to address the differences with the Air's touch layer before shipping out, but they are looking at late Dec or early Jan at this point.
 
So apparently FiftyThree recently updated the Paper app for the use of Pencil. This probably means we should start seeing reviews because people should be receiving their orders soon. Here's to hopes of a review soon!
 
Doesn't the accuracy for the Jot Script depend on if the app uses the SDK or not?
Absolutely! There's even a big difference between apps that support the SDK and apps that don't. You can have no offset with the Script when the SDK is carefully set.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.