Cons: Cross has stayed with its roots as a pen & paper writing instrument company by placing the pen tip at the end of the stick and the stylus tip at the top. So is the MicroPen a writing pen with added PDA stylus functionality, or is it a PDA stylus with added writing pen functionality? The verdict seems to be the former. The only problem with having the stylus tip at the top of the stick is that, unless the PDA is stored in a case, the tip tends to pick up bits of dirt which might eventually scratch your screen. You are using a screen protector over the graffiti area at least aren't you? On a side note—this is not a Cross issue—PDA designers have to understand and acknowledge in their designs that it's just as important to devote more room in the PDA chassis and case for the stylus as it is to dedicate space for audio chips, WiFi chips, storage media I/O, digital cameras, headphone jacks and so on. We urge all PDA makers to design larger diameter styli and storage silos for their devices so that more effectively useful styli can be integrated.

Pros: The comfortable Cross soft touch grip on the barrel is by itself worth the price of the stylus. Excellent twist out pen tip and refill, the usual fine Cross quality, providing smooth, clean writing and ink flow on all types of paper stock. Refills are available from Cross and many other office supply and specialty stores. One stick with three different caps to adapt to dozens of Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds. Extremely well designed stylus tip despite its location at the top of the stick. We found that letter recognition was markedly better due, we think, to the slightly greater surface area of the Cross tip making contact with the graffiti area. Fatter stylus tip provides better tactile feedback when tapping. Good tip material characteristics provide smooth action during letter strokes when writing on the screen itself or on a screen protector. Unique design that is well worth a look. Recommended.