Logitech recently unveiled its first mixed reality stylus, and it’s exclusive to the Meta Quest series. Known as the MX Ink, it is designed to give people a more precise way to create and draw when wearing a Meta headset. While you can use the native controllers for content creation, they simply don’t provide the same level of accuracy as a stylus.
One of the first things you notice when you walk into the MX ink is that it is quite large and looks more like a marker than a pen. It measures 6.46 x 0.72 inches (64mm x 18.2mm) and weighs just over an ounce (28 grams).
For comparison, the Apple Pencil Pro measures 166 mm x 8.9 mm (6.53 x 0.35 inches) and weighs 19.15 grams (0.68 ounces). Logitech’s MX Ink has a total of four buttons: three on the front and one on the back.
Say hello to MX Ink, the first mixed reality stylus for the @MetaQuestVR platform. MX Ink brings familiarity and precision to MR, helping you unleash your creativity and increase productivity. Read more at https://t.co/htWgfJZmjA pic.twitter.com/vh3buiuYFWJune 17, 2024
The front button lets you grab objects in the mixed reality space and drag them around, while the middle option lets users change the pen’s pressure sensitivity. Behind it is an Options button for configuring the stylus. Finally, the button at the very end gives access to the headset’s Meta menu.
Logitech claims that they developed the MX ink to be “optimized for precision,” as it reportedly “has low latency comparable to Meta Quest controllers.” Thanks to its haptic feedback, the stylus provides an immersive experience that’s meant to mimic what it’s like to use a real pen on paper.
Mode of operation
The MX Ink works in two ways. The first is 2D Tableau, which allows Meta Quest owners to use the stylus on a flat surface while drawing. It is unknown if the mode works on a flat surface or if you need the mode MX mat accessory.
Logitech’s demo shows someone illustrating on a wooden table, but the sheet of paper is on the mat – not on the natural surface. The mat seems crucial, but in the same video a woman can be seen drawing on a canvas.
Or maybe she uses the other operating mode: 3D Sculpting. This allows you to create freely, simply by drawing in the air. The same demo shows multiple use cases, from building a house in a 3D environment to tracing the outline of what looks like a snowboard boot.
Other notable features include interchangeable tips and a seven-hour battery life. You can charge it by connecting it with a USB-C cable or by purchasing the USB-C cable MX Inkwell combination to get a stylus charging station.
Supporting apps
The company states that you can use the MX Ink and the paired Quest controllers at the same time, and you won’t be forced to disconnect them. It is important to note that the stylus is only compatible with the Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets. Logitech told RoadtoVR it doesn’t work on the Quest Pro and we’ve reached out to the company for comment as they haven’t explained why that support is missing.
Additionally, the pen doesn’t work across the entire Quest library; just a handful of art apps. This includes Gravity Sketch, ShapesXR, and Arkio for now, but it’s possible more will be added to the list. Logitech allows third-party developers to integrate MX Ink into their apps by requesting a developer kit.
The MX Ink will be launched at the end of September 2024 $129.99 or $169.99 for the Inkwell combo. You can sign up to receive notifications letting you know when it’s available for purchase.
In the meantime, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best VR headsets for 2024.