Review: Boxwave Styra Stylus Replacement

2006-10-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever found yourself somewhere and needed a pen? If you are like me, that has happened quite often. I try to always keep my Pocket PC with me wherever I go, so a stylus with a built in ballpoint pen is a perfect solution. When I got my new Axim, I decided to look around at what options were available for stylus replacements. After doing a little research, I discovered the Boxwave Styra and ordered one.

Impressions:
Boxwave designs a different Styra for each device they support. My Styra was specifically designed for the Dell Axim X51v. I received the Styra in a small simple package. The packaging was more than adequate enough to protect it. My first impression was how similar the Styra looked and felt compared to my device's original stylus. The overall shape and colors were identical to the stylus shipped with my device. Even the texture felt the same. The weight and balance were not too noticeably different either.

Features:
The main features of the Boxwave Styra are a built-in ballpoint pen and reset tool. The ballpoint pen is accessible by removing a small cap from the end of the stylus. The cap is held in place by friction. It is tight enough to not fall off by accident, but not too tight to make it hard to remove. I was hoping that the pen cap would fit onto the other end of the stylus like most regular pens, but unfortunately it doesn't. Not a deal breaker, but it could make the cap easy to lose. I once dropped it on the floor and I had to bend down close to the dark carpet in order to find it. I was initially concerned that the pen might not write as well as a normal pen, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well the pen worked. The pen wrote smooth, consistent lines from the first stroke. I haven't experience any problems with the ink flow, even after not using the pen for a while. One of the nice features of the Boxwave Styra is that the ink is replaceable. The ink container is accessible by removing the reset tool. Additional refills are available to order on Boxwave's website.

The reset tool is located at the front of the stylus. It is removed by unscrewing the tip. The reset tool is quite small when removed, about 2 cm long. This makes it somewhat difficult to hold while inserting it into the reset hole on the back of my device. My device was designed to allow the normal stylus tip to fit into the reset hole, so I rarely use the reset tool.

Wear and Tear:
I have now used the Boxwave Stylus for a whole year. It has held up very well. The silver paint has started to wear-off in a very small area near where the reset tool screws in, most likely due to a friction point inside the Axim's stylus shaft. The silver paint has also worn off of the rings that the pen cap rests against. Everywhere the paint has worn off, there is a copper-looking metal beneath. The Styra has shown a good resistance to scratches. My previous Axim's factory stylus did not hold up as well after a year's use.

Conclusion:
Having a pen with me at all times has come in quite handy! The Boxwave Styra is an excellent stylus replacement. It is very durable and functional. It has earned a permanent place as my everyday stylus. At the time of this review, the Axim X51v's Styra is listed on the company's website for $11.95 for a single pack or $19.95 for a pack of two. Additional pen refills cost $9.95 for a 3-pack. That makes them a little costly, but not much more than other stylus replacements on the market. The Boxwave Styra is available for sale at the company's website: www.boxwave.com.

Pros:

Very good refillable ballpoint pen
Durable
Almost identical in shape and weight as factory stylus

Cons:

Cost
Pen cap easy to lose
Reset tool is too small to be very useful

Vista Today Themes

2006-10-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

The following are several VGA Today themes I've created based on the upcoming release of Windows Vista. All themes were made using Benoît Thonnart's excellent program: ThemeGenCE. Another good Vista VGA theme is available here.

Mountain Colors

Turtle

Vista Bliss

Vista Calm

LDS Temple Themes

2006-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend is General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have created these Today themes for Pocket PC that feature different temples of the Church. They are all VGA and each one has been designed to support both Portrait and Landscape mode. Enjoy!

Manti Temple

Mount Timpanogos Temple

Salt Lake Temple

St George Temple

My PDA

2006-10-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

My current device is a Dell Axim X51v. You can see a screenshot of my Today screen and a list of all the software I use on my device at MyPDA, under the LINKS section of this page.

I use my device daily for many different purposes including a day planner, appointment reminder, address book, calculator, note taking, document viewing/editing, email, surfing the internet, listening to music, watching videos, playing games, and much more.

My Pocket PC has become more than a useful tool to me. It has become a hobby and passion. I look forward to sharing what I have learned and created for my PPC.

Welcome to Pocket PC Discussion!

2006-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

My name is Robert Biggs (aka rbg08). I have started this blog to provide a place to share my hobby of anything Pocket PC related. I will also discuss other technologies and subjects I have interests in. I will provide resources, reviews, and links to software, hardware, and accessories I use or find interesting. I hope you find something useful here and encourage you to post your comments, requests, and suggestions.