ErgoSoft Pen-Again

At first glance, you may not be able to tell exactly what the Pen-Again is supposed to be. The unit is made of plastic, with a very soft outer coating that feels very good to the touch. One end is pointed, while the other end is shaped like a wishbone or the handle of a pair of pliers. One side has a long groove in the middle, while the other side has a clip with the Pen-Again name embossed on the side. Push down on the end of the pen and the pen will pop out, and that will give you your first inkling of how this thing is supposed to work. You don’t hold the Pen-Again like any ordinary pen; instead you place your first finger in the crook of the wishbone and lay it across the top of the pen, with your finger resting in the groove and the clip on the bottom. There are slightly flattened areas for your second finger and thumb, so that they can comfortably hold the sides of the Pen-Again.

Writing does take some getting used to, because it feels very different from how you would use a normal pen. For starters, there’s no reason to grip the shaft of the pen, which means that it is more comfortable to use for longer periods of time. As a student, I used to dread final exam time–not because I didn’t know the material, but because of the cramps and fatigue associated with writing for two or three hours straight (I took notes using my Palm/keyboard combo throughout the semester). I wish I had had the Pen-Again when I was in college, because it certainly would have made a difference. I also appreciate the clever design, as pulling on the clip retracts the point of the pen for safe storage. There’s no cap to lose, or worse, come off in your bag. And the Ergo-Soft coating simply must be felt to be believed. It’s so soft that it invites you to keep writing just a bit longer than you have to.

One of the coolest features is that the Pen-Again comes with two ink refills and a stylus tip replacement, in case you want to use this accessory as a stylus instead of as a pen. The stylus is bright yellow, so it contrasts very nicely with the screen of your handheld. To install it, just pull the clip slightly forward and pull the top of the pen right off. Pull out the pen refill and insert the stylus, then replace the top of the pen. The operation is very easy to do, and it takes only a few seconds. It took me a bit longer to get used to the Pen-Again as a stylus instead of as a pen, mainly because I have the habit of gripping whatever stylus I’m using right at the extreme tip, as close to the screen as I can get my fingers. It was a little tricky to use the Pen-Again from the other end, with my fingers farther from the screen. I eventually got used to it, though I still sometimes have problems hitting the Home icon at the bottom left of the screen. The Pen-Again is somewhat thicker at the end than a traditional pen, so it was a little hard to maneuver in tight quarters, right at the edge of the screen.

If you’re looking for an unusual gift that is also inexpensive, the Pen-Again is a nice choice, especially since it can be used as either a pen or a stylus. You can get it in assorted colors for $9.99 at the StylusCentral online store.

Platinum Pen Ergo Max Dual Pen Stylus

This accessory is more traditional than the Pen-Again, but it still has the style and functionality necessary to stand just a bit above the rest. There are quite a few combo pen/stylus options out there, and I’ve reviewed a lot of them for this site. This particular one has a soft black grip for comfort and a twist mechanism that allows you quickly and easily switch between the stylus tip and a black ink pen. The stylus tip is deep red and nicely visible, which is very important. I’ve made mistakes before where I thought I was using the stylus but had accidentally chose the pen instead, resulting in an awful mess on my screen protector. You shouldn’t have that sort of problem with this pen, so long as you remember to twist right for ink and twist left for the stylus. I do like not having to turn the pen around and visually identify an icon for the pen tip I want before pressing down the top. Twisting the bottom is easier and more foolproof, though of course you only have two options instead of three or four.

Another thing that sets this accessory apart is the quality and attention to detail. The body of the pen is metal, but it is very light. The clip is very sturdy and doesn’t flex easily; while it may be a little more difficult to attach to a pocket than a pen with a plastic clip, it’s also less likely to be lost because it slipped off your pocket. Shake the pen and you can only hear a very slight rattle, if you’re in a quiet environment. Most multipens are quite noisy and rattle loudly when shaken. The grip isn’t overly soft and squishy, but it is very comfortable. I’ve been using this pen for a couple of weeks now, and haven’t found any scratches or other cosmetic damage at all. The matte finish on the barrel of the pen resists fingerprints and smudges quite well, though I do find myself wiping off the smooth clip fairly often. I hate to see fingerprints on such a nice looking pen.

The Platinum Pen Ergo Max Dual Pen Stylus is very classy looking and a bargain at only $17.99; it also comes boxed for gift giving. You can also get ink refills for only 99 cents in your choice of black, blue, red, or green. Check it out at the StylusCentral online store.

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