Cross Solo Digital Writer

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

December 10, 2001

Product Requirements:
Device:
Any PDA with a touch-screen


Are you looking for a last minute gift for an office mate that has almost everything? Or perhaps you drew a co-worker's name for a "secret-Santa" gift, and you haven't got a clue about what they might like - and the gift is supposed to be $10 or less...ACK! What do you do?

As long as the person you have in mind carries a PDA and isn't bothered by a bright cheerful splash of color in the dead of winter, then they should be quite happy with the Cross Solo Digital Writer. This stylus is available in transparent red, green, blue, and orange.

Bright see-through iMac colored plastic showcases the inner mechanisms of this one-tip stylus. Chrome accents on the tip, band, and pocket-clip dress the pen up slightly, and keep it from being too casual.

Like other Cross pens, the logo is discreetly etched on the end of the pocket-clip.

The Solo is not overly heavy, weighing in at 0.6oz (18g), but it definitely has a comfortable feel to it when being held. Measuring 5.5" (14cm) long, and 0.42" (1.1cm) around the grip, this is a stylus that you can take copious notes with, before feeling signs of "writer's cramp."

The stylus tip itself is made to simulate the feeling you get when writing on paper. This is not my favorite sensation when using a stylus, but that is totally a matter of preference. I did find that either with or without a screen protector, the black, slightly pointy stylus tip wrote equally well - smoothly and without skipping.

Granted, only having one tip is a limitation, but the good thing is that should you give it to someone who would prefer to use it as a pen, they can simply substitute the stylus cartridge with the Cross ball-point ink refill of their choice.

One thing that should make all of you office Santas happy is the fact that after you remove the plastic bubble-pack that surrounds this stylus, there is actually a rather nice Cross presentation box inside - just waiting to be wrapped up and given.

The Cross Solo Digital Writer is available from Stylus Central, and other fine retailers.

Price: $9.99
Available in red, green, blue, and orange

Pros:
Fun, bright iMac colors
Inexpensive
Can switch stylus out for ink refill, if you would rather carry as a pen

Cons:
Only one tip available