Review of LAMY AL-star black EMR
An EMR stylus that feels like a real Lamy pen
Lamy’s AL-star black EMR comes in two versions: the first has a pointier PC/EL nib suitable for smooth/glossy surfaces, and the second has a rounder POM nib suitable for matte paper-like surfaces.
In this article, I am reviewing the pointier PC/EL nib version. The AL-star EMR’s PC/EL nib is similar to Staedtler’s Noris digital jumbo (Lamy’s pen has a slightly softer nib). Both have a pointier nib that has a softer feel when writing.
I’ve used the PC/EL nib on the smooth screen of Onyx Boox’s Note 3. The softer PC/EL nib produces more friction as it drags on the smooth screen when writing (you can feel the softer nib moving when contact is made).
In comparison, Note 3’s bundled stylus has a stiff plastic nib suitable for matte surfaces (the discrepancy between the rounder stiff nib and a smooth screen is a reason that the newer Note Air 2 and Note 5 have pre-applied paper-like textured screen protectors). The bundled stylus with its harder tip produces a scratchy feel and less drag than Lamy’s EMR pen.
Lamy’s EMR pen also has a button that acts as an eraser when pressed (the button’s location is close to the ergonomic plastic grip). The button works well, but I prefer Staedtler’s Noris digital jumbo eraser at the top of the stylus that mimics the friction of a pencil’s rubber.
The pen’s build is near identical to the Lamy AL-star and Safari rollerball pens (see picture below). Hence, it is made mainly from ABS plastic and feels like an actual pen (the clip is metallic). If you like the writing experience of Lamy AL-star and Safari pens, then Lamy’s EMR pen’s build should be a definite pro.
As the look and feel of the pen are similar to Lamy pens, it feels weightier compared to other EMR styluses. A negative, considering the thickness of the pen, is that it doesn’t fit the pen loop of Boox’s official cases.
Overall, the PCL/EL version of the LAMY AL-star black EMR is more suitable for smooth surfaces, and the build is close to a regular Lamy pen (including a pen cap). On the negative side, the position of the eraser is a drawback, and the weight and thickness of the Pen might be a con if the feel of a Lamy pen is not seen to add value.