Summary
Gadget Review
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Review at a glance
Manufacturer: Fisher Space Pen Price: $22.00 Pros:
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Fisher Bullet Pen-Stylus
December 14, 2000
Product Requirements:
Device:
Any touch screen device
I like gadgets just as much as the next guy, but I only buy one if it really helps me. I thought I had found the nicest pen/stylus combo when I bought a Retro 51 Tornado Data Pen; that is until a few weeks ago. The Fisher Bullet Space Pen (Model #400CL-S) with the clip and stylus point can be purchased from StylusCentral. I've always been curious about those little silver bullet-shaped pens that go up in space with the astronauts but had never actually used one or owned one. The Bullet has that nice hefty, smooth slick feel that makes you want to flip it around in your fingers straight away. In case you were wondering, the quality of a Fisher pen is right up there with the best of pen manufacturers.
Currently they only offer the Bullet stylus pen in chrome and black; both with and without the pocket clip. I'm sure once demand starts to climb for these wonderfully utilitarian pens they will begin to offer the model in their black or gold Titanium Nitride versions...the ultimate in high-tech looks.
As far as a stylus is concerned, it is nicely balanced and easy to use. It's
comparable to the stock Palm styli on how it feels on the Palm's writing surface.
If you use Scotch Magic "Removable" tape on the Graffiti area, it
feels really nice. As a pen, it is second to none. It writes remarkably smooth.
The pen can be heated to 400 degrees, frozen to -50 degrees and it will still
write. The space pen will write over grease, oil, water, upside down and on
most surfaces due to the pressurized ink cartridge and the "viscoelastic
thixotropic" ink.
Many of you may say, I don't need a pen that does all of that. Well, how many of you would like a pen that you can carry in your pocket or in a briefcase in a hot car and have 100% confidence that it will not leak...and will write every time? Have you ever tried to write a phone number in an awkward position in an airport while on the phone, only to get frustrated because, well, the darn pen won't write sideways? Fisher has solved that problem with the nitrogen-pressurized special ink cartridge ($4.00 for a refill).
One nice "Bonus" is that it clips verrrry nicely onto the side of
a Vaja Fliptop Case. Once the case lid is closed, the pen won't fall out; and
the whole ensemble can be carried with confidence in your back pocket. The pen
will probably clip to any number of Palm cases as well. Handy, eh?
As I said before, I don't buy gadgetry just to "Have it". I only buy
something if it makes my life easier or more convenient. At $22.00 the Fisher
Bullet Space Pen is a real bargain for what it delivers. I already bought a
second bullet to keep in my car. The inside temperature of my car soars to over
130 degrees in the summer time here in the South. Unless the temperature goes
up "significantly", the Bullet will always write and never leak.
Price: $22.00
Pros:
High quality and great design at a very reasonable price
Pen will write upside down, on wet and/or greasy surfaces
Stylus tip has nice feel on Palm
Will clip to a Vaja Fliptop case very nicely
Cons:
None really except that you may need to make a call or two to
find a cartridge (IF you run one out of ink)
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Having looked at the QUE PDA you mentioned in your Journal I wouldn't recommend it. Too big and too slow.
I caved in and gave up my IPAQ 3600 which has served me quite well for the past 3 years to purchase the Toshiba e750. In a word Wow (only one cap). The screen is actually brighter than the Ipaq and it screams. I'm also glad that I can download an entire Audiobook to a CF card without the extra bulk of a sleeve. The wireless internet is neat...a bit too slow and too small but it does the job while sitting at Starbucks...and I enjoy sniffing out wireless networks as I walk to and from work using ministumbler (www.netstumbler.com).
As for the perfect PDA...you may want to look at Genio e550c which was released in Japan (http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/c_index.htm). Built in 128MB ram along with Intel's P400MHz PXA 255 chip (same as e750). The built in camera is a bit much for me though.
HP is releasing a new Ipaq (http://www.brighthand.com/article/HP_iPAQ_h2200_Series_Gets_FCC_Approval) which has all the features of the E750 (except the CF slot) AND you can keep all those neat peripherals and cases you've purchased over the years for your old Ipaq (unlike me who is giving it all away).
So in my humble opinion. If you want something now, the E750 is the way to go. If you can wait...get the Ipaq. And yes...I'm a PocketPC bigot...for the simple reason that in my previous life, I worked in IT, and I still have nightmares of people losing data on their Palm. So my rule of thumb has become...Microsoft stuff works best with Microsoft's stuff. And I'm happy to report I haven't lost any data since (although the nigthmares remain).
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Manny
For the sake of accuracy I must ammend my last post. The new HP Ipaq 2200 Series is due out this summer and does in fact have a CF slot (in addition to an SDIO)...what it does not have is 802.11 wifi ... at least that's the rumor... It has bluetooth instead. Here's the full article.
http://www.brighthand.com/article/RumorMill_HP_to_Release_iPAQ_2200
My perfect PDA would:
1) Sync like a Palm with Outlook (Zaurus doesn't)
2) Recognize handwriting like a Newton (nothing does)
3) Have the form factor and screen of a Sharp C700 (not released in the states)
4) Have 802.11b, USB, and Bluetooth built-in plus an RS-232 adaptor for serial connection (Cisco console)
5) Run both Palm and Linux
6) Take Compact Flash only
I think a US version of the C700 with more memory(RAM), battery life, 802.11, and some decent PIM software could get me to upgrade from my Vx (workpad C3). I really like the Tungsten T but the reports on battery life have kept me away. I know that the C700 and TT are vastly different form factors but I think the C700 could get me to ditch both the Vx and Franklin binder I carry.
My perfect PDA,
shove all E750 features into h1910, give it option of battery sleeve. ahh.. nirvana.
I would even go for half nirvana of dropping CF and put it as sleeve in that imaginary machine. mmm...
Here we go:
1. Form factor of the C700, or a NX70 that opens like a C700 (like a book, not a notepad)
2. Run the next generation of either Palm or Pocket PC OS with a soft/disappearing graffiti area
3. Both SD and PCMCIA slots (I'm dreaming, right?)
4. Built in 2MP camera with a rotating lens and zoom
5. Removable, swappable, and upgradable battery starting with a base model of at least 1800 mAh
6. Light but strong metal or alloy case
That's just off the top of my head...there are so many more features I would like to have. I do know that I really like the clamshell form-factor, though. No case needed!
Judie :0)
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