Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review: Cross Matrix Multi-Pen
by Judie Clark
Last date revised: 07/22/2002

Product Requirements:
Device:
Any touch-screen device

Do you remember the Transformers cartoons? How these robots could change from one form to another when needed - just in time to do the job at hand. Well I want to tell you that there is a way that you can carry two ballpoint pens, a highlighter, a stylus, a fountain pen and/or a roller-ball around with you, by using a multi-pen that seems to have a little bit of Transformer blood running through its veins. I am talking about the Cross Matrix multi-pen. You won't even need a pocket-protector to carry all this gear!

When you first see the Matrix, it simply looks like a cool, fat, silver pen with black rubber accents. You might be tempted to dismiss it as such, but if you did you would be missing out on something interesting.

The large black end of this pen is actually a stylus, while the other end of the pen twists to reveal a red or blue ball-point pen.

The stylus tip is fatter than most I have used, but I like using it. It writes smoothly on my PDAs' screens, both with and without protection.

While this in itself might be enough for some - there is even more to discover about this multi-pen.
As this diagram shows, things aren't always as they appear. The Matrix hides a multitude of writing implements...
The Matrix uses cartridges that can be removed and reinserted depending on your writing needs.

Here you can see the black ink roller-ball installed in the cartridge, which is backed with a stylus end. Depending on which end of the cartridge you insert first in the multi-pen, you will have your choice of writing tools.

By unscrewing the roller-ball and replacing it with the highlighter, you can totally change the personality of this particular cartridge.

You can keep the highlighter or the roller-ball stored in the body of the Matrix, which is good for protecting their tips and keeping them from drying out. Of course that means that the stylus tip will be exposed the majority of the time. Depending on where you store this multi-pen, that could be hazardous to the tip - although it is so thick and rounded that I think it would be difficult to really "hurt" it.
Here is the fountain pen cartridge, which is also backed with a stylus end. As you can see, the top of the Matrix has been twisted, exposing one of the two ball-point tips.

You can also store the fountain pen portion of the cartridge inside the barrel of the Matrix, which will protect it and keep it from drying out.
There are so many choices when using the Matrix that I almost feel embarrassed wishing for one more writing tip: a mechanical pencil.

I honestly don't know where a mechanical pencil would even fit - it would just be nice to have one in the midst of all these tips...
Here you can see the fountain pen removed from the barrel of the pen. The stylus tip is now exposed.
The Matrix is a thick pen, yet it is not heavy. In my hand it was surprisingly comfortable, and the rubbery surface of the black plastic bottom felt good while writing.

This pen measures 6" (15.2cm) long x 0.6" (1.5cm) thick. It weighs 0.8 ounces (23g).

The pocket-clip is nice and fat, which is great for storing it in your pocket - but can create a problem when you have the pen flipped upside down to write with the two ball-point tips located in the top. I certainly don't recommend using wither of those tips for extended periods of time, but I also don't feel that they were designed to be.

 

The Matrix is expensive - there is no way to get around that. But it is also a very high quality writing implement from a very respected company. I like using it, and I have to tell you that although I am no expert on fountain pens, this one is so easy to use that I have discovered that I quite like the experience.

The Cross Matrix is available at Stylus Central and other retailers.

Price: $70.00

Pros:
 Amazing selection of writing tips in a single pen
Only multi-pen I know of that includes a fountain pen
Comfortable for extended use

Cons:
 Stylus tip is almost always exposed
Expensive

Let me know your comments on the Cross Matrix Multi-Pen, and read what others have to say.
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