Help needed for Stylus and Screen Protection

[MunchkinG]

I have my SP and love it, but one of my gentle uses is jigsaws. I have a screen protector sheet (cheapy) and have been using the SP stylus. Two protectors later I need help. I can only use my finger for moving pieces for so long, before arthritis kicks in and holding the stylus is much easier, but dragging pieces across the screen and innumerable scrolling up and down the right hand side looking for pieces to fit has badly and quickly scratched the protective sheets.

I did try some so-called capacitive stylus but they drag badly although they do work for tapping etc.

Please can anyone advise which stylus could be softer than the SP's own one for this particular activity and/or which screen protector would be more able to cope with how I need to use the stylus rather than prolonged use of my finger. I have tried changing fingers/hands but old age is racing on and I would appreciate any advice out there.

Thanks.

 

[sdreamer]

Couple of tips to prevent damage to the protectors you're using.
1. Keep the screen as free as possible from dust and debris. The small particles getting stuck between the stylus tip and screen is what causes the damage. So keep a microfiber cloth with you and constantly wipe.
2. Matte screen protectors cause more wear due to the increased amount of friction between the nibs on the stylus and the screen. Maybe when changing, use a glossy type. The downside is it'll feel more like you're drawing/writing on glass than paper and fingerprints and oils will show much more using this. But this should reduce the wear on the nibs.
3. The type of nibs you use can vary and the stylus included with the Surface uses different size nibs than what Wacom sells. If you insist on changing the nibs, I believe (can't verify this myself) that this stylus (http://www.amazon.com/Penabled-Tabl...qid=1404054487&sr=8-1&keywords=wacom+penabled) can interchange its nibs with these nibs (http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Bamboo-...TF8&qid=1404054509&sr=8-4&keywords=wacom+nibs). Different nibs have different feels and are different materials. Softer nibs will wear faster, thus you'd have to change them. I bought a Fujitsu stylus (http://www.amazon.com/Fujitsu-Digit...qid=1404054487&sr=8-4&keywords=wacom+penabled) and it came with some spare nibs and a nibs remover. I would recommend against going this route because it involves using this smaller circular tweezers like apparatus to pull the small nibs out then almost like threading a thread in a needle to put one back in. That might actually be more challenging for yourself due to the arthritis.

I would recommend getting or at least trying a Wacom Bamboo Feel Stylus (http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Microso...qid=1404054487&sr=8-2&keywords=wacom+penabled) because they seem to have a bigger barrel than other stylists. I know for people diagnosed with RA larger barrel pens help a lot. You can always also try those pencil grips on the thinner stylists to increase their grip as well. Also go with a glossy protector to prevent further wear and keep it as clean as possible. To prevent smears and fingerprints, and also keep your clean screen, you can try using this Targus cleaning pad (http://www.amazon.com/Targus-Cleani...404054766&sr=8-1&keywords=targus+cleaning+pad). I got the idea from this user using a stylus with their iPad ([video=youtube;mrazieo6Dak]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrazieo6Dak[/video]). You can see the user using the pad under his hand to allow him to move his hand on the screen without getting it dirty.

Hope that helps.

 

[MunchkinG]

Thank you for your comprehensive reply. I shall look into your suggestions.