The Logitech Crayon – An Apple Pencil Alternative

The Logitech Crayon is an Apple Pencil alternative for your 2018+ iPads. Featuring almost exactly the same technology but at an improved price.

We were so glad to see the Apple Pencil come out, it is such a great tool, especially for budding and full-fledged artists.  But it’s more than that.

It is also a fantastic tool for keeping notes, whiteboarding, and more.  But at $99, it’s a little steep to buy in addition to the appropriate iPad.  But what choice do you have?

Nowthere’s a choice.

An Apple Pencil Alternative

Now, thanks to Logitech (with Apple’s permission of course), there is an Apple Pencil alternative. 

It’s called the Crayon.  It’s a digital pencil for the 6th generation + iPads that gives you nearly the same technology for less money.

Yes, you heard it right. 

The Logitech Crayon is an Apple Pencil alternative that features the same Apple Pencil technology (other than pressure sensitivity) along with some other innovative design features and a lower price point.

You can use the Crayon on any apps available to the Apple Pencil.  In fact, there are 100’s of them and many in the educational arena as well.

Compatible With:

Crayon Uses:

• Drawing
• Coloring
• Mark up PDF’s with highlights, comments, and drawings
• Take handwritten notes
• Make comments on screenshots
• Sign documents
• Create handwritten lists
• Brainstorm and mindmap ideas
• For dissecting frogs! (see apps below)

There are Many Apps Crayon Works With

• OneNote
• EverNote
• Froggipedia (time to dissect that frog!)
• Nearpod – for the classroom
• Adobe Illustrator Draw
• Adobe Photo Sketch
• Explain EDU – for whiteboarding
• Writing Wizard – learn how to write
• Autodesk Sketchbook
• DocuSign
• MyScript Calculator – write out numbers to compute and app will solve the problem
• Notability
• PDF Expert
• Procreate 
• CardFlow
• Pigment – coloring books
• Felt – card maker
• UMake
• & More!

The Logitech Crayon works great – just like the Apple Pencil. 

Rather than using pressure sensitivity, you can just tilt the Crayon to obtain a thicker line, just as you would with a Sharpie or pencil. 

Your line thickness depends on the angle you place your pen on, giving you a wide spectrum of line thicknesses.

True to using an actual pen or pencil, the Logitech Crayon is instantaneous, giving you pigment right where you need it. 

And there is no paring needed to connect it to your iPad.  Just press the on button.

Features:

• Uses Apple Pencil technology
• Works with hundreds of apps, including many educational apps that support Apple Pencil
• Works with a wide variety of educational apps that support Apple Pencil^® input
• Compatible with all iPads (2018+)
• Made from Aluminum
• Comes with a secure rubber tethered cap
• Up to  4 ft. drop protection
• Has a rechargeable Lithium battery
• Gives up to 7.5 hours of active writing time
• Will turn off automatically after 30 minutes of idle time
• Battery life indicator
• Charges through the iPad lightning cable
• Includes palm rejection technology so if your palm rests on the iPad while using the Crayon, it doesn’t register
• Tilt the Crayon for a thicker or thinner line
• Finite detail, right down to the pixel on the screen

Pros:

• Shape prevents it from rolling off desks and tables
• Takes only 2 minutes of charging to get 30 minutes of use
• No lag time from touch to expected outcome
• The cap is tethered, so no stress of possibly losing it (great for kids)
• Parents can have less worry about their kids possibly losing the pen or cap due to its shape and lower cost
• No need to pair, just turn it on, it works right out of the box!
• It’s a lot easier to charge than the Apple Pencil
• Fits in little fingers really well
• Already works with hundred of popular and educational apps 

Cons:

• Does not support pressure sensitivity, which means you can’t draw a heavier line or lighter line just by how much pressure you put on the Crayon.  However, you can make a line thicker or thinner by the angle you use with your Crayon

The Logitech Crayon is available in Orange and Grey through Logitech for $69.99 with free shipping.

A Mom’s Perspective

We LOVE that there is now an Apple Pencil alternative you’re ready to use a “pen” with your Apple Pencil ready iPad. 

A $100 price tag on the Apple Pencil is tough enough for an adult to swallow to use for themselves. 

But most of us would really like our kids to use the Apple pencil technology too. 

Our fear is that our child would lose it.

The Logitech Crayon is a safer bet because it costs $30 less, has a rectangular shape so it won’t roll off and away, and it offers the orange color to make it easier to find if it does get hidden or left behind.

With more and more schools giving students an iPad to use, the Logitech Crayon can enhance their learning and open up new possibilities to them.

Oh and if you or your student doesn’t have the best handwriting?  Apps with transcription services, like OneNote, can turn your scribbles into typed text!

*I was given a Logitech Crayon for purposes of review.  All opinions are my own.