TLDR Review: Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set
Verdict
The Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set is an appealing blend of traditional writing with smart digital capture, making it a good tool for those who value instant digital backups and organization of their handwritten notes. However, this charm is somewhat overshadowed by connection glitches, app frustrations, and a pen design that won’t satisfy everyone, especially serious pen lovers. If your priority is reliable, hassle-free digitization and a smooth pen experience, you might want to keep an eye on updates or consider waiting for a more polished iteration. For now, if real-time syncing and solid app support matter most, this set performs well enough but may require patience and tolerance for imperfections.
- Top pro:
- Converts handwritten notes and drawings into digital format effectively and in real time, making note-taking feel seamless and enjoyable.
- Top con:
- The smart pen sometimes loses connection or stops working properly after about a month, affecting reliability.
Pros
- •Converts handwritten notes and drawings into digital format effectively and in real time, making note-taking feel seamless and enjoyable.
- •Transcription and document creation from notes is fast and generally accurate (above 85%), saving users significant time.
- •The smart pen and notebook system supports organizing, tagging, and managing multiple notebooks within the app for efficient digital note management.
- •Battery life lasts long enough to support extended use without frequent recharging.
- •The pen size is comfortable for most users and accepts normal pen refills; the flexible notebook spine works well, even for left-handed users.
- •Notes retain the original handwriting in digital form, which is useful for legal or professional credibility.
- •The app syncs automatically with Google Drive and supports exporting notes in multiple formats including PDF, helping with easy sharing and backup.
- •Includes helpful accessories like a strap to keep pen and notebook together, plus a practice book to familiarize users with the system.
- •Can record audio while writing, adding a multimedia dimension to note-taking.
- •Raises productivity by providing instant digital backups of handwritten notes, which appeals to users working on long-term projects like books or complex journaling.
Cons
- •The smart pen sometimes loses connection or stops working properly after about a month, affecting reliability.
- •Users report frequent app issues, including the need for constant reinstalling and pen re-pairing, which disrupts workflow and wastes time.
- •Notes occasionally get lost due to connectivity problems between the pen and app, causing frustration and data loss.
- •Pen design receives criticism for being too thick and having a rectangular shape, making it uncomfortable for pen enthusiasts or those with smaller hands.
- •Pen tip is described as chunky and doesn’t write as smoothly as desired, detracting from a natural writing experience.
- •The pen does not automatically recognize which notebook is in use, requiring manual activation and deactivation of notebooks in the app, which can be a hassle.
- •Managing multiple notebooks and features in the app requires a learning curve and attention, posing an obstacle for casual users.
- •Transcription is good but not perfect, so some manual editing is needed after digitization—it’s not fully hands-off.
- •Overall product execution is considered patchy, with promising concept but frustrating practical limitations that make it less suitable for everyday, smooth use.
- •Users looking for a flawless, pen-enthusiast-grade writing feel may be disappointed.
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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