Have you ever found yourself in a pinch needing a new stylus for your trusty iPad? We’ve all been there. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to your Apple Pencil, look no further. This post will guide you through the options available, especially if you’re using an older iPad model like the 2017 iPad Pro. Let’s dive into finding the perfect replacement for your drawing and annotating needs.
Equipment and Apps
I use my Apple Pencil when drawing and annotating, but found myself needing to replace my stylus quickly. At this point, I didn’t want to replace my Apple Pencil with another one, since they are on the pricier side. The problem is that even though there are options, the iPad I use is an older model, an iPad Pro 10’5” from 2017. This limits the options available more than I thought it would when looking for a stylus to use with my iPad.
The apps I mostly use with my stylus are Procreate, OneNote, and ZoomNotes, but I’ve also tried using it a bit in Apple Notes, and Apple Freeform.
Meet the Moko Ty ShuX Stylus
After doing some research, I placed an order on Amazon for a Moko TY ShuX Stylus Pen. Being a non-Apple product, I didn’t know how well it would work with the apps I use but I looked forward to this experiment.
Pros and Cons So Far
Of course, there are both pros and cons to a product, here is what I’ve noticed (so far):
Pros:
- Works out of the box
- Has a physical on/off switch
- Has a battery indicator – wish Apple would have one on their pens!
- Two protectors for the charge port
- 4 spare nibs included
- A fraction of the price for an Apple Pencil Generation 1
- Got it faster than expected (Amazon bonus?)
- Esthetics – people will notice the design is similar to the Apple Pencil Gen 2. It has the same hexagonic design which stops the pencil from rolling away.
- Has a nice weight to it
- Shuts off automatically after a while
Cons:
- Need some tweaking for individual apps
- Has no palm recognition. Being a left-handed person this caused quite a few problems and was something I remember from my first experience using a stylus (not an Apple pencil) at a previous job. I know I erased parts of my writing when I moved my hand along the display – quite annoying!
- Has no pressure sensitivity, good to know if this is something you need (later versions of this pen, supported on iPads from 2018 and later have this feature)
- Doesn’t work with native Apple apps (notes/freeform) and can be used to scroll but not to write.
Was the Moko TY ShuX Stylus Worth Buying?
So, was this a pen worth buying as a replacement stylus for my iPad?
Honestly, I’m not quite sure. It can be for some users. For me, it didn’t work out. Maybe I didn’t do enough research before my purchase, but it didn’t work with the apps I’m using. It works as a stylus for an iPad, you can point at things and do some writing. It works out of the box but, as I mentioned, I couldn’t use it to write with the apps I use. I’m using ZoomNotes, and even though I got the pen to work, there is no real support for it inside the app, at least not right now. The app has some calibration options for other pens, but this one stylus was not included.
Another thing was, I like drawing in Procreate, and this did not work for me. I kept interrupting my drawing. I tried to compensate for the pen not having palm rejection by buying a drawing glove, but this didn’t make any difference.
You can’t use this pen or stylus with old apps. You can’t use the Notes app since it’s not supported, for obvious reasons. I mean, it’s an Apple product, and of course, Apple wants you to use their products with their apps.
In Conclusion
As technology advances, it’s fascinating to see the variety of alternatives available for our beloved devices. The Moko TY ShuX Stylus Pen is a testament to the ingenuity of third-party manufacturers aiming to provide budget-friendly solutions without compromising on functionality.
While it might not completely replace the Apple Pencil for every user, it offers a viable option for those looking to explore different possibilities. Remember, the key to finding the perfect stylus is understanding your own needs and preferences.
So, if you’re in the market for a stylus that combines affordability with essential features, the Moko TY ShuX Stylus Pen could be worth a try. However, if seamless integration and advanced functionalities are your top priorities, investing in an Apple Pencil might be the way to go.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on how you use your iPad and what you value most in a stylus. Have any experiences with non-Apple styluses? I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
Thank you for reading, and happy sketching!