Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Here's a fine example of taking a first-rate product and making subtle improvements to make it truly excellent. This amPen New hybrid stylus is an example of product evolution at its best, and the key to this new stylus is in its tip, as can be seen in the photos on this page. The engineers have taken an already very good soft rubber tip and replaced it with a conductive fiber/rubber hybrid tip, and the result is a stylus that offers a smoother action as you access the screen on a tablet, along with an increased level of sensitivity. But please note: now there is a newer version, the amPen (TM) New Hybrid Stylus (Black), and this one is available in more colors, yet this newest version is marked as having a 'Replaceable Hybrid Tip' in the product description. So what makes this amPen New Hybrid Stylus a good choice for tablet users? + Conductive fiber/rubber hybrid tip offers smoother responsiveness on the screen + Lightweight compact design; has a metal (not plastic) pen clip + Newest version has user-replaceable hybrid tips (more on this later) + Corded attachment piece plugs into the headphone jack; no lost stylus + Packaged in a simple box; there's no clamshell to have to cut open + Excellent pricing for a superb product ◆ In Use: Skeptic that I am, had to put it through its paces, and thoroughly, trying it with many different scenarios on my Kindle Fire, trying it with many installed apps, using it to highlight passages in books, and during access to the Internet. The increased sensitivity was apparent, as was the smoothness during actions like highlighting text. Putting it simply I ended up being pleasantly surprised. It's really hard to compare this with other stylus products, as it's slightly different in feel due to the conductive fiber/rubber hybrid tip vs. the soft rubber tips on the others that have become my standards. When I first bought my Kindle Fire, I tried to use it without a stylus, and after going through screen smudges and clumsy moves on my part, did some local looking at various stores and here on Amazon to see what was available, in a wide range of prices. After going through a number of different products, I had ended up with two that I found to be better than most: the highly rated amCase (TM) amPen Ultra-sensitive Capacitive Stylus and the AmazonBasics Stylus, both of which I found to be a 5-star products that have not had tip failures over time like some of the others... and it happens. But the bottom line is that this amPen New hybrid stylus sets a new standard in smoothness and overall functionality, and this stylus also has a metal pen clip. While many of us won't be putting it in a shirt pocket, it was easy to clip to the elastic band on my Marware Vibe Case Cover. This makes for a very convenient combination when mobile... and this combined with the attachment piece plug on the cord keeps the stylus from being misplaced. It might be suggested that the hybrid tip of this or just about any other rubber tipped stylus will pick up skin oils or perspiration if you run your fingers on it. This might come from accidental touching it after rubbing your skin, but it can have an effect on performance, and will also streak your tablet screen. Should this happen, just lightly wipe the tip with a microfiber cloth like you might use for cleaning eyeglasses or the screen of your tablet device. I use the Nikon MicroKlear Microfiber Cleaning Cloth on the tip of this stylus to remove skin oils, but do it gently. This stylus is excellent choice for users of the Kindle Fire, Kindle Touch or the iPad series based on personal use. The way that it slide it across the screen when highlighting text makes it the smoothest that I've experienced, so there must be something good to this conductive fiber/rubber hybrid tip technology. Looking at performance, feel, and real functionality and performance, this new stylus highly recommended, and thinking of the friends that I have who have had issues with various types of stylus products, I already know what they're getting as birthday gifts and such. Considering the excellent price in comparison with the better grade stylus products that I've used makes it an outstanding buy. [UPDATE: 1/20/2013] Since I posted this review, I've ordered a few of these as gift for friends, and last fall ordered another for use with my new Kindle Fire HD 8.9" device. My search for the "perfect stylus" has been put on hold, as this product has met all of my needs. Keep in mind, as in many things, my findings are subjective and based on the performance that I've had with these. [UPDATE: 9/24/2013] This review has been updated to note the newest version of this stylus, the amPen New Hybrid Stylus (Black) for iPad Air, iPad 2, iPad Mini, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5/5s/5c, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Galaxy S4, HTC One (Interchangeable Hybrid Tip Feature). This updated version is the one that I would recommend over the older models, as the tips are user replaceable as noted in the product specs. And note that the amPen New Hybrid Stylus Replacement Tip (5-Pack) is available as well, filling a need for which many have asked. [UPDATE: 1/22/2014] For those who prefer an longer stylus with a gel pen included, TechMatte recently released the new amPen Hybrid 3-in-1 Stylus in either black or silver. This new stylus is longer, at 5½-inches overall length, and also uses the interchangeable hybrid tip. But the best part of this new one is that it uses the the readily-available Pilot G2 gel ink refills, so that you can customize it to your own style. My new favorite, it's well worth a look. ◆ Summary: Whether you pick the updated amPen New Hybrid Stylus in black or another color, or the newest model noted above, it will not disappoint. Just be sure that it's marked as having the 'Replaceable Hybrid Tip' before you click on the order button. These are excellent choices for users of tablets and smartphones alike, and the way that they slide across the screen makes them the smoothest that I've experienced, so there must be something good to this conductive fiber/rubber hybrid tip technology. Looking at performance, feel, and real functionality, these stylus products are highly recommended. Considering the excellent price in comparison with the better grade stylus products that I've used, these are an outstanding buy. 7/29/2012, updated 1/20/2013, 9/24/2013, 1/22/2014