MY KEYCHAIN SETUP FOR TRAVEL

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been traveling around the USA for the past 4 weeks.  On my way, I picked up a few interesting keychain items which I plan to post about in the next few updates.

Out of interest, here's the keyring setup I was carrying for my travels:

-true utility telepen
-photon freedom
-'mini' dogtag with name and email address (I've blanked my personal details out).  These were bought from http://www.mydogtag.com
-swisstech utili-key
-tritium vial
-size 0 nite-ize s-biner

I brought along the swisstech utili-key because it's light and unobtrusive.  It came in handy cutting some clothing tags, and some other odd jobs.  I put the keychain away in my backpack during security checks, and the utili-key  managed to pass through without any problems. 

The empty s-biner was used for attaching and detaching things to the keyring.

Keychain Pen Review; Picopen vs Telepen

KEYCHAIN PENS:

Tec Accessories Pico Pen vs True Utility Telepen

I've had the tec accessories picopen for a little while now and I've been meaning to compare it to my other keychain pen; the true utility telepen (reviewed here).  Here are some of the differences, that I note.

Above: True utility telepen, Below: Tec accessories picopen

PACKAGING

The tec accessories pico pen comes nicely packaged in a metal box.  Included in the box is a bunch of accessories including: a gate clip, small split ring, wire cable keychain, stylus/pda insert and instruction manual/information card.

Pico pen with included accessories, packaged in a rectangular metal tin

The true utility telepen comes in a clamshell packaging.  Between the two, I feel the pico pen looks better when giving it as a gift.  The added accessories and better packaging makes it look classier.


SIZE AND SPECIFICATIONS

Both pens are comparable in size.  The tec accessories pico pen is slightly longer, but is also slightly slimmer than the telepen.

 
COST

True Utility Telepen: GB £4.99
Tec Accessories Picopen: US $19.95

Using the current coversion rates, the telepen is less than half the price of the picopen.


BUILD QUALITY

The tec accessories picopen feels solid and well made, I haven't noticed any issues in build quality during my time with this pen.  With the telepen, I do note there is some wobble and play in the telescoping segments.  Also, as mentioned in the telepen review, I had some issues taking out the refill catridge.  Neither are huge issues, but something to point out.

It may be that their range is smaller and simpler design, but in general I find the build quality of items from tec accessories to be pretty good (e.g. the p7 suspension clip and glow fob).  I find some of the stuff from true utility can sometimes be a mixed bag.  The Firestash I have, has since come apart and I can not get the wick back in.

Having said that, true utility's offerings usually come at a fairly affordable price. And, if anything does go wrong, I have read on some forums, they have pretty good customer service.

USAGE

When actually using these pens, I prefer the feel of the true utility telepen.  The telescoping ability of the telepen makes it more versatile, allowing you to adjust the length.  The width of the telepen is also controllable, to a certain degree.  I find the the pico pen a little too small and thin to grasp comfortably.  For me, the picopen would be a last resort writing utensil.

OTHER

Both these keychain pens can use normal pen refills.  You can also buy official pico pen refills, which are stainless steel (instead of the usual plastic refills).

The pico pen comes with a stylus/pda insert, which can be used instead of the pen cartridge.  I don't have any pda's to test it on, but it doesn't work with my current smart phone.

One downside I find with the tec accessories pico pen, is the magnet in the keyring attachment.  This magnet does the job of holding the pico pen firmly in place.  However, I find the magnet also attracts other metal components on my keyring.  These components (such as split rings, clips and snap gates), annoyingly, get stuck to the keyring attachment.  I'd also be concerned about keeping the magnet near magnetically sensitive objects like credit cards.

There is a magnet in the keyring attachment of the pico pen

CONCLUSIONS

Given a choice between the two, I would prefer the carry the true utility telepen on my keyring.  I find the tec accessories picopen more difficult to use, and I am not a fan of magnetic attachment.  The picopen does make good gift, presentation-wise.

In future I hope to try the valiant concepts keychain pen.  Once again, the smaller size may make it more difficult to use than a telepen, but I would like to test out a keychain pen that uses a Fisher ink cartridge.  These ink cartridges are meant to write on more surfaces, as well as upside down.


LINKS

http://www.trueutility.com/pocket-tools-store/telepen.html
http://www.tecaccessories.com/products/product.php?II=13

True Utility TelePen Review

"As I swipe my credit card to pay for my groceries, the obviously sick cashier coughs and splutters into her hand.  With her germ ridden hands, she kindly proffers her pen to me so I can sign the credit card receipt.  Having no pen of my own, I have to accept the pathogen-covered utensil, sign the receipt and finish my transaction."

I know this makes me sound like a germo-phobe (I'm not), but the situation above, has made me consider adding a pen to my keychain.  Pens always seem to go missing, sometimes they can't be found when you really need one.  Having a back-up pen on your keychain, can certainly be useful at times.

In the past few weeks, I have added the True Utility TelePen to my keychain.  I originally bought this pen with my keytool order; it was not overly expensively and I was open to giving it a try.

While I have been very critical of the keytool, I feel that True Utility Telepen has hit the right notes with me.

When closed the telepen is relatively inconspicuous measuring only 50mm x 5mm (~60mm with keyring attachment).  It can be extended like a telescope, up to 115mm in length.  You can choose not to have the telepen fully extended and use it with some of the segments pushed back in.  As you push in the telescopic segments, you get more width to hold the pen.  Personally, I prefer to use the telepen with one segment pushed in.  I find this provides a good balance in term of length and width, for holding the pen (in my hands). 

 The True Utility Telepen needs firm pressure to take it in and out from it's key ring attachment.  While this means it is slightly more difficult to take out for use, it is also unlikely to accidentally fall out from the key ring attachment.

Keyring attachment, refill cartridges, telepen

With the packaging, the True Utility Telepen, comes with three black ink refills.  When these run out, you can replace them with a standard ballpoint pen refill (cut down in length).  This is great, in that you do not have to worry about sourcing specialised cartridge refills, or worry about refills if the manufacturer stops making the item.

It may have just been my sample, but I had a lot trouble removing the original ink cartridge.  In the end I had to pry it out with a small screwdriver, and ended up ruining the ink cartridge.  I have since put in one of the replacements... however, the replacement also feels like it will be difficult to take out.  I guess if I use up all the ink in the cartridge, it will not be an issue if I ruin the cartridge when removing it.

At GB £4.99, the telepen is affordable and less expensive than some other alternatives which are out there.

I have to say the True Utility Telepen was a surprise for me, I did not have high expectations for it.  I would not recommended it for extended use, but it is perfect for signing receipts, jotting down phone numbers or scribbling a few notes.  Great as a back-up pen.

I have only had the telepen on my keychain for a few weeks, but I have a feeling this may stay on my keychain permanently.

Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel
Colour: Silver
Size: L50 (closed) L115(open) x W5mm
Weight: 14 grams
Included:  3 Refills (black ink), Split Ring, Key-ring Attachment
Cost: GB £4.99

Manufacturer's Website: 
http://www.trueutility.com/pocket-tools-store/telepen.html

Some alternatives to consider:
Valiant concepts keychain pen - comes in stainless steel or titanium.  Uses special pressurised cartridges.  These cartridges can write on various angles and on more surfaces.  May have issues if maker stops manufacturing the cartridges.  Significantly more expensive than the telepen.
TEC accessories pico-pen -  more expensive.  Longer in length
Inka pen -  uses pressurised cartridges.  Significantly larger.

Additional Photos: