Wacom Cross Executive Pen

Adam B. · 07-25-2007, 01:26 PM

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-Ex.../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.

MikeF74 · 09-12-2007, 01:55 PM

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.

Adam B. · 09-12-2007, 02:02 PM

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.

MikeF74 · 09-17-2007, 10:18 AM

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

THJahar · 09-17-2007, 11:12 AM

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

yokos · 09-24-2007, 09:39 AM

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

Bob Russell · 09-24-2007, 10:28 AM

I've got my eye on this also if I ever lose my Lenovo pen.

Thks Alex.

Adam B. · 09-24-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

Thks Alex.

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

Bob Russell · 09-24-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam B.

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

Sorry 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!

storysmith · 09-27-2007, 12:06 PM

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

grayfox · 10-28-2007, 10:44 PM

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

daudi · 11-06-2007, 03:11 PM

@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?

Adam B. · 11-08-2007, 10:05 AM

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.

daudi · 11-08-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam B.

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.

PhilT · 11-22-2007, 09:03 AM

Hey daudi!

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

Cheers,
Phil

07-25-2007, 01:26 PM	#1
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	Wacom Cross Executive Pen 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-Ex.../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.

09-12-2007, 01:55 PM	#2
MikeF74 Groupie Posts: 179 Karma: 28 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	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. Last edited by MikeF74; 09-12-2007 at 01:57 PM.

09-24-2007, 09:39 AM	#6
yokos Pac-Man caught my iLiad. Posts: 807 Karma: 3595 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany; next to Baltic Sea Device: Boox Max Lumi, iRex iLiad (RIP)	Adam B., thanks for your review. Such a pen is on my wishlist. Last edited by yokos; 09-24-2007 at 09:40 AM. Reason: you != your

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09-12-2007, 02:02 PM	#3
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	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.

09-17-2007, 10:18 AM	#4
MikeF74 Groupie Posts: 179 Karma: 28 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	The hardware does not support tilt data, or the software?

09-17-2007, 11:12 AM	#5
THJahar Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester, UK Device: Jinke V2 Prototype	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

09-24-2007, 10:28 AM	#7
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I've got my eye on this also if I ever lose my Lenovo pen. Thks Alex.

09-27-2007, 12:06 PM	#10
storysmith Well Connected Old Fart Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Device: Iliad (both) - Motion tablet - EB1150	I have a spare pen for my Motion tablet... works fine.

10-28-2007, 10:44 PM	#11
grayfox Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 203 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Razr/iLiad	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

11-06-2007, 03:11 PM	#12
daudi Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 904 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kent, UK Device: iRex iLiad, Psion 5MX, nokia n800	@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?

11-08-2007, 10:05 AM	#13
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	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.

11-22-2007, 09:03 AM	#15
PhilT Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: iRex iLiad	Hey daudi! Did you get this pen in the end? If so, did you find a good price here in the UK? Cheers, Phil

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