Did Astropad Make the Ultimate iPad Screen Protector and Pencil Tip?
This is my review of Astropad's exciting new iPad screen protector and Apple Pencil tip combo, called, "Rock, Paper, Pencil." Astropad promises an unmatched pen-on-paper experience for your iPad, and they've combined a custom metal Apple Pencil tip with a precision-engineered, removable screen protector to make it happen.
🛒 Rock Paper Pencil product page: tinyurl.com/rockpaperpencil
If you’re new to this channel, I’ve been a professional illustrator for the past 15 years (clients include: Nickelodeon, Adidas, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, Etc.). I’ve been working almost exclusively on an iPad for the past 5 years and I’ve used a ton of different screen protectors to try and achieve that Pencil on paper feeling, in fact I’ve reviewed several in the past (I’ll link those below). With all this experience I was excited to see if this new “game-changing” iPad accessory, Rock, Paper, Pencil from Astropad would live up to the hype!
Here's a closer look at the specs for Astropad’s “Rock, Paper, Pencil”
🧲 Magnetic Application: They claim it's a breeze to apply and remove thanks to integrated magnetic edges. I’ve tried a removable screen protector by Bellemond in the past and wasn’t crazy about it.
📜 Matte Finish: Astropad says they've used nano-texture technology to mimic the feel of paper while minimizing glare - I don’t know what nano-texture is, but I know it’s what’s on the famous Paperlike Screen protector.
📜+ 🔮 Removable & Reusable: The ability to easily switch between a matte finish and a crystal-clear display - too good to be true?
🖊️ Fine-Point Precision: They're boasting fine ballpoint Apple Pencil tips for precise control - to be honest, I was a bit skeptical about a metal tip…
💪Wear Resistant: No more worries about Pencil tip wear or screen protector durability - seems pretty amazing!
🪄 Unmatched Realism: The promise of an incredible pen-on-paper feel- will it really be better than the rest?
🚀🎨Join me to find out if Rock, Paper, Pencil really does provide the best pen and paper feeling for the iPad. If you're considering adding this innovative accessory to your creative toolkit, you won't want to miss this review. Is it worth the investment, or is it all just hype? Watch the full video to discover the truth about Astropad's #RockPaperPencil.
Check out more iPad Drawing Accessory reviews here, including Amazon Apple Pencil Tips, Paperlike screen protector, Bellemond Screen Protector and more: • Illustration Product R...
Find the brushes I used in the video here (Adobe Fresco uses Photoshop brushes):
🖌 Photoshop/Procreate/Fresco Brushes: tinyurl.com/retrosupply
🔴Darkboard: shop.astropad.com/products/da...
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#Astropad #RockPaperPencil #iPadAccessory #HonestReview #ipadprodrawing #ipadartist #ipadillustration
Check out Rock, Paper, Pencil here: tinyurl.com/rockpaperpencil
Hey Chris, thank you for your in-depth and down-to-earth reviews. It's refreshing to see non-BS reviews of tools without showbiz all the flim-flam.
Glad you found it useful!
Thanks for checking this out, Chris. Does the metal tip function ok with tilting on the pencil? For shading and such? It’s not really something I do much anyway, but I’m curious about it. 👀
I don’t do that much either, but it seems to work fine!
Chris, I lost it when you said "Many Utensils" 🤣That's something I would say too💀Great product review! 😁
😁 lol thankssss
looks like its a pre-order. ships in 5 weeks according to their website. i will try it out then, sounds like it would be perfect for me. thanks for the review.
I think they sold out of the first batch, which is why it’s a pre order now. Glad this was helpful!
I've got the Astropad magnetic screen protector and have no problem with drawing on it as far as the texture and feel goes, but it doesn't play nice with iPad covers or cases. In the case of the Apple Folio Cover, the screen protector lifts off when you open the cover because of the magnets in the cover. In the case of the Zugo case, the opening is too small for it, so you can't get a good fit. I ended up going back to the PaperLike. I might try some other less expensive PaperLike alternatives in the future, but I kind of prefer it over the Astropad magnetic one.
Ah that’s good info. I’ve only had my iPad in the Darkboard since I installed this. I’ll have to try it with my ZUGU case to see if this one fits any better.
Can you use the Astropad pencil tip together with another screen protector, such as the Paper Like or the Bellemond?
@@mistymouse6840 I don't know, but I suspect not. Maybe ask the Astropad folks.
How do you think this compares to the paper like in terms of friction? I’ve been using a cheap matte one and am trying to decide between the two.
@@makingvideogamehistory3028 It's definitely rougher than PaperLike, kind of like toothy paper or paperboard whereas PaperLike is more like bristol. It's also thicker, although the effect on the display visibility is similar.
Hi Chris just discovered your channel and I’m learning a lot so thank you! Have you tried the Pentips magnetic screen protectors? They have a set which looks similar to this called ink n paper which comes with a ballpoint style pencil tip as well just wondering how they compare, cheers 🙂
I have not, though I imagine they’d be pretty similar! Glad my channel has been useful for you!
Yes, love it
thxx!
Do you like this one over Bellemond Kent and Paperfeel? Which one is your favorite?
Hi Chris, thanks for the review. Just wondering, as we're going on two months since this video - do you still use the protector and/or pencil tip and, if so, are you still pleased with it/them? Thanks!
Hi, I had been using the screen protector but I just changed it out, but only because I wanted to test out another one. The removable aspect is something that I don’t use because I use my iPad Pro for drawing 90% of the time. I go back and forth with the tip. I do like it, but sometimes prefer the regular one. The good thing about the astropad one is that I don’t have to worry a about it wearing down.
@@chris-piascik Thank you for taking the time to answer!
Do you have to use the metal tip? I find its really loud when making notes and I like how the plastic ones feel but they wear so much on my other paperlike screen protector. Do they wear with this one? I make many notes throughout the week. High use.
No you don’t have to use the metal tip. I haven’t been lately. I have no experience using a glass protector so I don’t know how the experience would be. If you had the current version of the paperlike this one will wear down the tips faster. I’d suggest just getting the cheap replacement tips on Amazon so you don’t have to worry about it. I have a video going through all the options.
Unfortunately they don't have a screen protector for an iPad Mini. I reached out to them and they said they do not recommend using their Apple Pencil tip on any other screen protector. Since I have an iPad Pro and a Mini I will stick with Paperlike and the regular Apple Pencil until these guys offer a Mini option as well. I'll give them a try as soon as that happens!
We actually just added pre-orders for iPad Mini's! We expect to have them in about 8 to 10 weeks.
Looks like it’s gonna happen!
@@chris-piascik very excited!
@@mattronge2442 that’s great news! Will you ship to Australia?
I guess the ultimate solution is to buy the latest iPad pro but might as well wait till next year when the new iPads come out
I’ve tried a magnetic protector from another company and found it made my lines wobbly and shaky, does this one do that too?
This was sits flush and tight. The magnets are thinner than the last one I used so the screen protector since flat so you don’t have that weird wiggle.
Check out more iPad drawing accessory reviews here: kzhead.info/channel/PLAufnRAvMJPCH6QtGHJyTs9vXVRmd79vI.html
Can you still use the zugu case with this?
I haven't had any trouble with it.
Your video review is insightful, offering a detailed look at the Astropad Rock Paper Pencil screen protector and metal pencil tip. Will you continue using the metal pencil tip, or do you prefer your previous one? Have you found any other game-changing iPad accessories for your drawing workflow?
Glad you found it helpful. I used the metal tip for about a week and just switched back to compare. I sort of like both experiences. I think the accessory that made the biggest difference was the Darkboard/sketchboard pro. I group them together because they both serve the same purpose and both work great.
Worth watching! 👏
@@chris-piascik Great content Chris! well done keep it up!
wait, the metal tip doesn't give more precision - pinpoint tip?
It does to an extent, but most of that precision is controlled by the brush settings. And the Apple Pencil tip is so sensitive that there already is a lot of control.
@@chris-piascik are these pen tips accurate without the screen protector? not sure about those Astropad tips but the metal pen tips I tried all had the issue that they either had a small offset between where the tip touches the screen and where the actual lines appear or they start drawing before the tip touches the screen. the apple pencil is calibrated very accurately for the original pen tips dimensions so as soon as you get a different tip with a thinner point you'll get problems it seems, because it either makes the pen tip too short, or too thin so that, if you hold the pen at an angle, the pen tip still doesn't touch the glass, when the original pen tip with thicker tip would already be touching it.
A lot of people have complained that you can't paint with the screen protector on because you have to press way harder with the pencil for the paint to come out. There's no problem with sketching though, just with painting
I’m not sure about Procreate, but you can easily adjust the pressure sensitivity to account for the subtle change of the screen protector. I haven’t found it’s much of an issue for me even when I’m doing lighter textures.
@@chris-piascik thanks. I thought that wouldn't be a problem. Just adjusting the pressure sensitivity makes sense. Some people said they were having a problem with it. I think that a lot of people just don't like screen protectors. Too bad apple doesn't like put etched glass on the iPad. Then you wouldn't need a screen protector. But I don't think they're interested in that because it would cost more and artists aren't their biggest clients for the iPad. More people that aren't artists buy it and business type people.
I had huge issues with this protector (and others). I probably just don’t like them. In addition to the pressure thing, there is too much space between the protector and the screen. Doesn’t feel like I’m drawing on the screen. There was too much texture on it for my taste. It also attacted SOOO much dust both to it AND under it because it is only magnetically attached and not actually stuck to the screen. I returned mine after 1 day of use.
@@timz9862 Hi again Mr. Pumpkin, it seems like you comment under every video for this screen protector. I think you responded to one of my questions in one of the other videos
@@williammclean6594 Yes. Just want to let people know how bad it is.
Do you think they are Jetsons fans with the product named Astro with the dog logo?
Ha, I'd have to assume so!
If you go to the eye doctor, you can ask them for the glasses cleaner and wipe. Yes, I know you can buy it, but my eye doctors always gives them to me for free.
🤓
Out of curiosity and frustration why is your editing sooooooooo choppy? Every other word is cut to the next scene. I don't get it. Do you have a hard time remembering your lines? Just wondering.
Yeah… sorry, sometimes the adhd is a struggle! Im still learning and trying to figure out the balance between cutting too much and not enough.
@@chris-piascik I get it, the struggle is real. ADHD has been hard on me too. ✌🏻
I don’t suppose you want to send a fellow artist with ADHD and ASC one of your lovely desktop mats? Ordering to the UK is very expensive… love your work
If I had them “in stock” I’m sure I could figure something out, but unfortunately these are printed on demand from a separate vendor.
@@chris-piascik No problem, thanks for answering
Sadly your background music is so loud it’s impossible to hear you, especially because of some very weird reverb on your voice. There’s no need for the music at all, but if you must the volume needs to be lowered dramatically. Cool channel otherwise.
Weird, throughout most of the video the music is way lower than my voice. It’s a bit higher at the beginning but I usually go overboard making sure it doesn’t overpower my voice. Not sure about the reverb either. Are you just having this issue on this video? I’ve been using less music in newer videos regardless. Seems like I get complaints either way I do it 🤷♂️
HORRIBLE SERVICE! DONT order from them - over a month for delivery!
Did you purchase when it was a preorder? I haven’t had any issues with them and I’ve been using their stuff for many years. I’m sorry you had a bad experience though.