Offers better precision controls than the native controllers<\/b>
\nLogitech has recently unveiled its first mixed reality stylus, and it’s exclusive to the Meta Quest series. Known as the MX Ink, it’s designed to give people a more precise way to create and draw when wearing a Meta headset. While you can utilize the native controllers for content creation, they simply don\u2019t offer the same level of accuracy as a stylus.
One of the first things you\u2019ll notice looking at the MX Ink is it\u2019s quite large, resembling a marker more than a pen. It measures 6.46 x 0.72 inches (64 mm x 18.2 mm) and weighs a little over an ounce (28 grams).
By comparison, the Apple Pencil Pro measures 6.53 x 0.35 inches (166 mm x 8.9 mm) and weighs 0.68 ounces (19.15 grams). Logitech\u2019s MX Ink has four buttons in total: three near the front and one in the back.
The frontmost button lets you grab objects in the mixed reality space to drag around, while the middle option allows users to alter the pen\u2019s pressure sensitivity. Behind that is an Options button for configuring the stylus. Lastly, the button all the way at the end gives access to the headset\u2019s Meta menu.
Logitech claims they developed the MX Ink to be \u201coptimized for precision\u201d as it reportedly has \u201clow-latency on par with Meta Quest controllers.\u201d Thanks to the haptic feedback, the stylus offers an immersive experience meant to mimic what it is to use an actual pen on paper.Mode of operation
The MX Ink works under two modes of operation. First is 2D Tableau, which allows Meta Quest owners to use the stylus on a flat surface when drawing. It\u2019s unknown if the mode works on any flat surface or if you need the MX Mat accessory.
Logitech\u2019s demo shows someone illustrating on a wooden table, but the sheet of paper is sitting on the mat \u2013 not the natural surface. The mat appears crucial, but the same video shows a woman drawing on a canvas.
Or perhaps she\u2019s using the other operation mode \u2013 3D Sculpting. This allows you to freely create just by drawing in the air. The same demo displays multiple use cases, from building a house in a 3D environment to tracing the outline of what appears to be a snowboarding boot.
Other notable features include swappable tips and a seven-hour battery life. You can recharge it by plugging it in using a USB-C cable or purchasing the MX Inkwell combo to get a charging dock for the stylus. Supporting apps
The company states you can use the MX Ink and the paired Quest controllers simultaneously, and you won\u2019t be forced to disconnect them. It\u2019s important to note that the stylus is only compatible with the Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets. Logitech told RoadtoVR it won\u2019t work on the Quest Pro, and we’ve reached out to the company for comment, as they didn\u2019t explain why that support is missing.
Additionally, the pen doesn\u2019t work across all of the Quest library; just a handful of art apps. This includes Gravity Sketch, ShapesXR, and Arkio for now, but it\u2019s possible we could see more added to the list. Logitech is offering third-party developers the opportunity to integrate MX Ink into their apps by applying for a developer kit.
The MX Ink launches in late September 2024 for $129.99 or $169.99 for the Inkwell combo. You can sign up to receive notifications letting you know when it\u2019s available for purchase.
In the meantime, check out TechRadar’s list of the best VR headsets for 2024.<\/p>\n