Review: A great stylus with an adequate pen-- but pricy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 9, 2014
The gimmick behind the Stanza Duo may or may not appeal to you-- personally I can't think of a scenario where I would simultaneously need a stylus and a pen-- but it does what it does well enough to be a product worth picking up. The stylus is great, much more responsive on my last-gen Kindle Fire HD 8.9 than my AmazonBasics stylus, with an easy flow when you swipe along the screen. In fact, thanks to this stylus I've switched from using my fingers all the time to using only a stylus. (Those used to a firmer stylus tip, on the other hand, may find the difference in texture distracting, and get less response, not more.) A spare stylus tip is included, but make sure you find this tiny, easy-to-miss item before you throw away the packaging, unless you feel, as I do, that replacing a small, fiddly part like this isn't worth the trouble. The pen is decent-- I'm not a pen enthusiast, so I can't comment on that aspect in great detail, but it writes well, and while there's a slight stiffness in the way the tip retracts and extends, it's not a big problem. Standard D1 replacement ink cartridges will work in the pen section; none are included with purchase. The retracting clip is a neat touch, and contributes to the sense of sleekness the metallic grey finish creates. If the Stanza Duo were a cheaper item, I could give it a stronger recommendation, but at $40 it's a tough call, especially since the soft tip seems susceptible to damage and replacing it would be a pain. If paying that much for a stylus (and a pen) doesn't appeal to you, this won't change your mind, but if you like premium-price accessories, this one deserves some consideration.