Adding the Smardi S Pen Plus (2nd Edition) to this review...
Based on what I saw here, and in another thread on pens where the Smardi pen was mentioned, I decided to give the Smardi pen a try. It's a bit unusual, and the description on Amazon isn't super clear on how it works, but one of the reviews said it was compatible with the A5X, so I went for it.
This pen is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D36PTCH
Basically, this is an EMR pen (the Samsung S Pen) embedded inside a larger pen barrel, with an ink tip on the other end. After unscrewing the two ends (reverse threaded!), and reading some of the discussion on Amazon, it's quite interesting! It actually is a stock S Pen glued or somehow fastened inside the barrel at just the right length. You can even push the little clicker top of the pen if you need a fidget toy. :) The other end of the pen is a short (about 1") black ink pen. The body of the pen is pretty fat; without the cap, it will fit in the folio pen loop, but when you put the cap on, it's too big to fit the loop. Which makes it kind of unusable with the loop honestly, since without the cap, it slides out too easy, and with the cap on, it won't hold, or it will be at the wrong place. So yeah, that's a negative.
In terms of the actual pen nib, it seems to work just fine. It's pretty soft. Slides fine on the surface of the tablet, but it feels kind of soft and squishy. Not bad, just not firm like the ceramic nibs. I had no problem writing sentences. The pen also includes a button for the erase feature, and that worked great. Unlike the Samsung pen I mentioned in my prior review, this button is easy to feel out and is in a good position.
The ink side of the pen is, well, a pen. :) Just what you'd expect. Replacement ink pen barrels are available for about $2 each. The cap itself will only cover one end of the pen, so your choice of either protecting the ink side or the nib side. The cap does not "click" onto the barrel -- it just fits by pressure from the large middle section of the pen barrel. Snug, and I didn't feel like it would drop off, but I'm sure it will at some point.
Cons: pen cap doesn't stay on tight, and when it is on, it makes the pen too big to fit the folio loop.
Pros: works great with the A5X/A6X, writes smooth, has an erase button, and it's the only option I've seen with both nib and ink in the same barrel.
Overall, I'd recommend it. I give it a solid 7 on my previous scale.
$25 Also has a real pen on the other end which is super handy
https://www.amazon.com/Smardi-Plus-Samsung-Galaxy-Note/dp/B07D36PTCH
Made from the note 7 spen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D36PTCH/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_ebKPEb2F0KJDH
I have a Smardi S Pen $25 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D36PTCH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Good backup to my HOM. the pen is good but I still like the ceramic nib better
The ceramic nib is the best I've found but here is a good "backup" pen I found. It's pretty durable and has an ink pen on the opposite side.
https://www.amazon.com/Smardi-Plus-Samsung-Galaxy-Note/dp/B07D36PTCH
I've got this one and it works great, has an erase button and an actual ink pen on the other end. The only downside is it is slightly too big for the loop on the cloth folio. I expected it to feel cheap because it was only $25 but it feels similar to the HOM in the structure but the writing is more like the Lamy from what I understand since it has a soft nib and not the ceramic one.
https://www.amazon.com/Smardi-Plus-Samsung-Galaxy-Note/dp/B07D36PTCH
Smardi S-Pen Plus. https://www.amazon.com/Smardi-Plus-Samsung-Galaxy-Note/dp/B07D36PTCH
Smardi S Pen Plus $25. Body and structure feels similar to HOM but unfortunately not a ceramic nib, but good backup and comes with an ink pen on the other side.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D36PTCH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details