When it comes to detail work, however, the NomadBrush lacks, as its large surface area makes it difficult to draw or polish fine lines, even when your drawing app is zoomed in. Different brush sizes--which are , according to NomadBrush creator Don Lee--might help with this problem, but on the whole, you're probably better off with a rubber-nib stylus for fine details.

The NomadBrush is a beautifully constructed stylus, resembling a fine watercolor brush, and it makes painting on the iPad a delight. It does leave something to be desired when attempting detailed linework, however.

Coming in at barely an inch and a half, the ( Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ; $20) resembles part of a pinky finger more than a full-fledged stylus, though its rubber nib has the same diameter as those of the larger-nib styluses covered here. The Canadian company bills the stylus primarily as a navigation and game tool--which I'd agree with--and even includes a clip for attaching the stylus to your headphone cable.

As a navigation tool, the stylus is adequate enough--it does its job without getting in the way--and I could see this being extremely useful for cold-weather situations where you'd be wearing gloves. The Stylus Pro Jr particularly shines on the iPhone--I found myself able to see the screen and flick through information at the same time, tasks I couldn't accomplish nearly as well using one of the larger styluses.