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Replacement Styli for the Tapwave Zodiac
April 2, 2004
Tapwave Zodiac Bolt from Metal Styli Limited
The Tapwave Zodiac Bolt (top stylus in the picture) is for the truly sophisticated handheld user. It is a work of art, just a tad longer than the stock Zodiac stylus and perfectly balanced. The tip is tapered and flat, rather than pointy. Because it is also heavier than the standard Zodiac stylus, it’s also much more comfortable to write with and has a much nicer feel in the hand. The grooves near the writing end provide a nice artistic touch and also make the Bolt easy to hold and control—my fingers naturally grip the stylus at spot where it narrows to fit into the clips on the back of the Zodiac. Alas, I am unable to perform a soft reset with the Bolt, since the tip is too large, but the developer has assured me that he will modify the design when he’s able to get a Tapwave Zodiac.
The version that I got a chance to demo is made of stainless steel, though sterling silver, gold, and even platinum styli are also available— with price tags to match! The stainless steel version is $25.50 plus the cost of a stylus tip, which is $4.95. Stylus tips come in your choice of black or white, and leather stylus cases are also available. For more information or online purchase, visit the Metal Styli Limited web site.
PocketGoddess Rating for Tapwave Zodiac Bolt from Metal Styli: 
Tapwave Zodiac Stylus Upgrade from PDA Panache
The second stylus I’ve been trying out is the Tapwave Zodiac Stylus Upgrade from PDA Panache (bottom stylus in the picture). This one isn’t quite as heavy or luxurious as the Bolt, but it is a lot more fun. It comes with an optional bungie “tether” that attaches to the wrist strap cutouts on the back of the Zodiac. While this may not be extremely practical for those who keep their Zodiac in a pocket, it’s absolutely perfect for those who can never seem to find a stylus when they’re simply desperate to capture some information. It also keeps the stylus from rolling off your desk!
The stylus itself can easily be used without the tether, and it clips to the back of the Zodiac just like the stock stylus. It’s about a quarter inch shorter than the stock stylus, but still long enough to write with comfortably. It also features a bright orange tip so that you can see exactly where you’re about to tap on your handheld screen. The grooves at the end were just a little rough on the one I received, but it’s not the sort of thing you’d ever notice unless you were running your fingers across them. It is available in either silver or black finish for the bargain price of $16.95 at the PDA Panache web site.
PocketGoddess Rating for the Tapwave Zodiac Stylus Upgrade from PDA Panache: 
