after using both, i have found i like fan jets but only when the varistream is turnt up to higher pressure so it sprays out in a strong mist, otherwise it just piddles out and takes longer, with pencil jets - i didnt like the idea at first but they work really well, my 45ft alluminium pole has them, and it really works well for rinsing down at height you can see where the water is going, and it spreads all over the window on contact so i prefer pencil jets now, unless you use high pressure fan jet nozzles, so they use less water and sprays out finer.