I know this has been mentioned before, but I thought I'd give it it's own thread and review.

I just bought the Cross Executive Wacom pen from Amazon for ~$40 + shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Cross-Executive-Pen-UPCROSS2/dp/B0002FHEWA

Shipping was very quick, I ordered it on Friday, and received it on Tuesday. One of my primary tasks on the iLiad is taking notes throughout the day at work. I always thought the included wacom pen was too small, and got annoying and caused hand cramps if I wrote for any length of time.

Switching to the Cross pen has been a night and day difference. When you write with the iLiad stylus, you can feel the tip dragging on the screen. It feels a lot like writing with a pencil. I've always avoided pencils because of the feel of writing with one, and was a bit disappointed when I had that on the reason. The Cross pen, however, feels smoother and better than any pen I've used. Instead of "dragging" on the screen, it glides. I can't describe how nice it feels

I have the community version of the screen calibration and multi button patch installed on my iLiad (a version of this should be released with 2.11). Because the screen does not support tilt data, it takes a little bit to get the calibration just right. It's all about the angle you hold the pen when you're writing normally, and have to think of that when calibrating the screen. However, once it's calibrated, it's spot on when I write. The multi button patch also supports the other two buttons on the pen. Right now, no iRex apps have functionality for this built in, so they just see it as another click. But, I did test it with xournal (an app I ported). I was able to program the button on the back of the pen to erase when I flipped the pen over and used it like an eraser. I could also program functions for the click button on the pen itself. Once iRex adds this functionality to their note and/or ipdf apps, it will be very useful.

I should also note that the touch screen is not turned on when the factory pen is inside the iLiad. So you will need to pull it out slightly to use your Cross pen. It doesn't cause too many problems, but I can see it being an issue for people who move around and hold their iLiad when taking notes.

Also, the tip of the pen does look fragile (I haven't really tested it's durability yet), but it is replaceable and comes with 3 spare tips. A very nice addition.

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase, and would recommend it to anyone who takes notes with their iLiad.

Does leaving the included stylus out of iLiad increase the battery drain?

Does the internal switch actually power the digitizer on and off thus saving power when not in use, or does it merely block the logic that accepts and processes digitizer input?

I've got a Wacom tablet for my PC that I rarely use, it would be nice to borrow the pen once in a while when I want finer writing control.

Of course, this is all theoretical since I haven't bought an iLiad yet, I'm still mulling over all the device options.

Yes, leaving the included stylus out does increase battery drain. The switch will actually turn off the wacom tablet and thus provide longer battery life when the stylus is inserted.

The hardware does not support tilt data, or the software?

arrgg..i'm after one of these pens as a replacement for my tablet pc pen (which i lost)
Guess what the cheapest price in the UK is....
£50 = $100

Adam B., thanks for your review. Such a pen is on my wishlist. :cool:

I've got my eye on this also if I ever lose my Lenovo pen. :)
Thks Alex.

Thks Alex.

I've been around for how long, and you still don't know my name? ;) :p

I've been around for how long, and you still don't know my name? ;) :pSorry about that! Certain names have become so automatic that the first letter is typed, there's no turning back. You're lucky I didn't call you by my wife's name! ;) Kind of like when you are driving someone somewhere along a familiar route, and you realize at some point that you were on autopilot and were taking them home with you by accident!

I have a spare pen for my Motion tablet...
works fine.

Heh,heh,

A long time ago I had a Wacom tablet that as I recall might have
had a adb(?) bus connection for old timey macs.

I pitched the tablet a number of years ago but yesterday I found that
I had kept the 'pen' that came with the tablet.

I gave it a shot and darned if it doesn't work a charm....

Jerry

@adam (or is it alex :))

I am finding that I am using my iliad for notes much more than I ever expected, and am starting to find the standard iliad pen limiting. I think I need to get this pen. The special UK-USA technology exchange rate (1 dollar = 1 pound) is tough though (i.e. ). Now you've had it for a few months are you still impressed with it?

When ever I need to take notes on the iLiad longer than quickly jotting one down, I use this pen. I'm still as happy with it now as the day I bought it. It's definitely become useful as I've been attending a lot more meetings lately.

When ever I need to take notes on the iLiad longer than quickly jotting one down, I use this pen. I'm still as happy with it now as the day I bought it. It's definitely become useful as I've been attending a lot more meetings lately.

Great, thanks. I'm going to get one.

Hey daudi!

Did you get this pen in the end? If so, did you find a good price here in the UK?


Cheers,
Phil

Not got it yet, not found a good price in ol' Blighty. If all goes well I will have a meeting with colleagues from the United States of More Reasonably-priced Computer Gear in January and I will get one then.

yes I know what you mean. Maybe we should do some import deal with Wacom?!

I guess we'd need to show that there are many people who want this pen: two might not quite make it.

If you could put your name, kids' names, bank account details, NI number and address on a CD, unencrypted and send it to me using ordinary mail, preferably TNT (no recorded delivery please as it costs too much), then I'll let wacom know that there are two of us who would like a pen. :)

Hello,

I've just gotten this pen and it's so sensitive that just holding it near the iLiad screen activates the buttons and writing. I'm scribbling all over the page! The only way I can control it is to hold the button in while writing. Are you familiar with this problem and if so do you have a way around it?
Help appreciated.
Thank you,
Michele C

Hello,

I've just gotten this pen and it's so sensitive that just holding it near the iLiad screen activates the buttons and writing. I'm scribbling all over the page! The only way I can control it is to hold the button in while writing. Are you familiar with this problem and if so do you have a way around it?
Help appreciated.
Thank you,
Michele C

That very odd. Mine doesn't start to write until it actually touches the screen. Have you tried to calibrate it yet?

Just got mine and it seems to work fine.

I've tried calibration twice. Both times I was able to do the four corners but got no reaction after selecting the center cross. Forced an exit by hitting the manager button. I did see this issue on the IRex boards but there was no resolution.

Thanks again.

Can you calibrate with your normal stylus? If so I would guess it's a problem with the Wacom pen.

I restarted the iLiad and was able to calibrate properly. Since I liked writing with the pen I "fixed" it by using black electrical tape to hold a bit of paper wrapped plastic over the button.

There is probably something "wrong" with it but with no way to guarantee that I'd get anything different in return and since I'm using it on what is likely unapproved equipment, I'll just live with it.

I restarted the iLiad and was able to calibrate properly. Since I liked writing with the pen I "fixed" it by using black electrical tape to hold a bit of paper wrapped plastic over the button.

There is probably something "wrong" with it but with no way to guarantee that I'd get anything different in return and since I'm using it on what is likely unapproved equipment, I'll just live with it.


I just received the same pen and have the same issues as MicheleC ... pen writing without touching, calibration screen randomly locking up on the middle crosshair. I've found that if I push the bottom button, the pen becomes less sesitive, so I'll probably do the tape McGyver that MicheleC used.

Rico

I just ordered one! I'll tell you next week how it works.... *hoping it will work well*

@pen owners

I was thinking about getting one of these, but could one of you helpful people let me know: Do pens like the Cross Executive improve the writing "gap"?

If not, and replacement nibs are available for little money, would it be worth the risk to file a nib down to the sensor?

Thanks

I don't think it improves the gap issue (which I am increasing convinced has a lot to do with the angle at which the pen is held) but it is certainly a lot more comfortable for writing more than the odd note.

I have no idea what effect customising the nib in the way you suggest might have, but it sounds a little painful to me :)

You wont believe the worries I'm going through this gadget.

First amazon takes 3 weeks to send it, then my &!#!'# post office messes up the package, mismatches dates and immediately sends it back after receiving as "not picked up" and when I gone to them to pick it they told me they can do nothing about it, and I have to reorder it (are all post offices worldwide evenly retarted?), in the meantime amazon doubled (!) the prize of the pen! At least their customer support offered me to send me another pen at the original price, since it was the post offices fault not mine. Now they announce expected (second) arrival time, in 6 weeks.

*SIGH*

This is another strange story: the prices in the offical Wacom shop.
USA (http://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Cross_Executive_Pen_P1045C72.cfm): 49.95$
EU (http://www.wacom-shop.net/cgi-bin/wacom.storefront/47d2a4cc009583a6273f50f3361906d2/Product/View/CP510CS&2D02W): 92,23€

@yokos, very interesting, isn't it?

IMHO WACOM is getting redicolous. I heared that a big chunk of the the costs of the iLiad (beside the eInk display) is in fact the WACOM "tablet" in it. I mean really, is it that expensive to produce? Comparable WACOM tablets cost 200$... I guess main part of it is, because WACOM have a patent on it, and nobody else is allowed to use the same technology... I can only hope the patent will run out in the next years, which will likely also mean a price cut on the tabletPCs and iLiads...

But maybe instead people should focus on alternative technologies. We had a pressure sensitive screen 20 years ago, that located finger pressure position exactly. I bought a cheap "electronic notepad" for 80$ some months ago... which had no gap issues I noticed (okay, this pen *had* a battery in it, but what about it, as long it works...) (in comparison to the iliad, this device required "real" paper to scribble on, but an electronic stored the data to be stored on the computer, the problem with this device was to keep in sync with the paper you have upon it, and the paper it thinks you are scribbling on...)

yay I got a resend verification already today!

:angry: @WACOM for redicolous price politics and high (patented) prices
:angry: @my post office for beeing incompetent.
:) @Amazon for handling this issue in a cool and extremely uncomplicated way. IMHO they deserve their market position with this kind of service!

I just got it! The same thing of Adam from Amazon. (Altough instead of 40$ I paid 66€ for it, but after the post office quirks managed to get it a 2nd time to be sent for the 66€ instead of the 106€ it costs now. This time the competent delivery guy got back from holidays :).

To the practical: After some panic seconds where I thought, "No, the crap doesn't work with the iLiad", my brain turned on to remove the stylus out of its shelter :) Now, the pen works *wonderful*! In normal writing position there is *no* gap. And of course it lies nice and comforting in the hand, very different to the "toothpick feeling" of the stylus. When underlining I still hold my hand in a different way, and there is a gap.. *but* the Pen has the "eraser thumb" on the other side, it doesn't erase on the iLiad, and this is good that way, because interesting enough, this thumb end is spot on no matter how I hold the pen. This is *ideal* for underlining text.

So for everybody who uses the Stylus on the iLiad for more than selecting the books from the content browser, I can only advice this pen... as long as you manage to get it for a fair price. I'm very happy to have taken the chance to buy one altough the different reports here...

I asked a friend to bring this pen to Hong Kong for me. Though it is a bit expensive:(, I like it very much!

Highly recommended! :2thumbsup

Quote:
I've just gotten this pen and it's so sensitive that just holding it near the iLiad screen activates the buttons and writing. I'm scribbling all over the page! The only way I can control it is to hold the button in while writing. Are you familiar with this problem and if so do you have a way around it?
Help appreciated.
Thank you,
Michele C

I had the same issue when I first bought this very nice stylus. I did not use a tape, rather what I did, I pressed and held very strongly for 30 seconds or so the button located at the front end of the stylus and this made the trick. My stylus is now fully "controllable" and i do not need to hold the button while writing anymore..:)
Hope this helps!!

Dabon.

the biggest problem seems to be where to get it, though.. amazon.com and .co.uk both seem to be fresh out.. do they incur an import tax surcharge?

looks like the pen is being EOL'ed?

Any Wacom pen should work.

Looks like the Intuos would be a good replacement.

Any Wacom pen should work.

Looks like the Intuos would be a good replacement.

Graphire, intuous and other newer pens will not work, however the ArtPad and ArtPad II pens work a treat.

are you quite sure, adam? the reports on which will and won't work are sketchy at best, and while i'm inclined to believe you more than pitchfork, i wouldn't really enjoy buying a 40-50€ that turns out not to work with the thing.

From the WACOM website (sorry don't have link) they said different pen/pad systems work with different frequencies. So it does matter, and I would check the compability list... As far as I recall there is one at irex forums....

BTW: Usual solution when after EOL: Ebay! I found 5 pens on it right now...