Gel pens: Parker vs Pilot <survey>
Jeff
of gel inks. I was instantly impressed with the ease of writing the gel ink
affords me. In an effort to find a relatively cheap but good quality pen, I
purchased a "chromium" Pilot Q7 (http://www.pilotpen.com/detail.asp?PenID=1)
and a Parker Jotter - quickly replacing the Jotter's standard ballpoint with
Parker's new gel refill. I really like the look of the Q7 pen - having a
more "high-tech" appearance as opposed to the Jotter's more corporate,
stainless steel casing.
I've tested both pens on various paper types and find that although the
Pilot's fine point requires a more perpendicular positioning (to avoid
skipping), it's line is far more attractive than the Parker's medium point.
Additionally, the Pilot refills are clear - allowing me to easily determine
how much ink I have left.
Aside from the information I've gleaned from one person's published tests (I
highly recommend http://www.canit.se/~griffon/writing/ for anyone doing
research on this subject!), does anyone here have anything to add regarding
quality (yet inexpensive) pens? I've looked at the Zebra (and other) lines
but haven't found a pen (casing) as attractive as the Pilot Q7 series yet.
Keep in mind, refills need to be easily had at a local store and I found the
Q7 with ample refills (also takes the G2 refills) in Target and Wal-Mart.
Nancy Handy
> After loosing a favorite ballpoint pen, I "stumbled" across the "new" world
> of gel inks. I was instantly impressed with the ease of writing the gel ink
Uniball Vision Elite is a comfortable writer, and it looks good too.
You might want to give it a test drive. I tried one at the register at
Staples and when I bought it, the cashier said that everyone who tries
'em buys 'em.
I've think I've seen them with black, blue/black, purple, green, and
red ink. I don't even like blue/black ink, but I like theirs.
However I am most fond of their dark purple ink.
Outer casing comes in white or black. It is refillable, but I haven't
run across the purple refills.
Nancy
Jeff
retractable pen as I prefer using only one hand to ready the pen.
"Nancy Handy" <nha...@optonline.net> wrote in message
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Matthew
and retractable.
Matthew
"Jeff" <n...@spam.com> wrote in message
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marika
> retractable pen as I prefer using only one hand to ready the pen.
I would like to find one that is a combination pen, swiss army knife,
golf club and cigarette lighter
mk5000
"Yes...Mickey's world next door and I live on the beach...I'm truly in
paradise!
But, it would be nice to see snow on occasion.."--Carla Kelly
Curtis L. Russell
want to light a golf club? Then, again, I haven't seen you play golf...
--
Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, Maryland (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...
"marika" <marik...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
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marika
> I can understand why one might want to light a cigarette, but why would you
> want to light a golf club? Then, again, I haven't seen you play golf...
this has to be the funniest line I have heard in centuries
Also I love y9ur name
mk5000
"Even the longest of journeys start with a single step."--Larry 081
Jeff
To all the rest, okay - okay <grin>.
Thanks for your input... like I said, this is my first departure from the
ballpoint - whose only 2 advantages (over gel) happen to be the ability to
write on almost any surface and the fact that it can outlast a gel refill 8
times over!
I figured I'd ask this newsgroup considering the posts I've read here on
this subject. Nice to know I'm not alone in my obsession. It would seem that
the current market trend is pushing the traditional ballpoint off the
shelves in favor of the newer gels. My visits to the pen aisles of local
office and department stores confirms this.
Jeff
"marika" <marik...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
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Jeff
here's what I received from the customer service reps of both Pilot and
Parker on this issue:
From Pilot:
G2-5 Extra Fine Point write out distance: 2,953 feet.
G2-7 Fine Point write out distance: 2,297 feet.
Retractable Fine Point Ballpoint write out distance: 2,625 feet.
Retractable Medium Point Ballpoint write out distance: 1,969 feet.
From Parker:
"...no idea" is the direct quote I received from their customer service rep
on the phone today! The best she could do was to offer a guess as to the
ballpoint refill's life span (3 to 6 months, depending on use) and to say
that she herself was aware of many complaints regarding their new gel
refills. Apparently, people are complaining of the gel refills running out
in under a week or being bone dry right out of packaging. If this sounds
like you, write to Parker (sending them the bad refill) and they will send
you a free replacement.
Conclusion:
Pilot refills are easy to find, offer the "clear" advantage of a see-through
refill cartridge, are readily available in various line widths and their
fine point gel actually lasts longer than their (or, one could assume,
Parker's - since they share nearly identical dimensions) medium point
refills. Although Parker may have the edge on style (I have a tough time
accepting that I've just retired my stainless steel Jotter to a drawer in
light of these discoveries), the Pilot refills are selling for about one
quarter the price of the Parker (which has questionable quality and shelf
life). Add to this the glowing testimonials I've read about the Pilot G2
refills (and the test results at http://www.pilotpen.com/detail.asp?PenID=1)
and I have a hands-down winner with Pilot.
Thanks for your replies. Now, if we can just do something about
penmanship... <grin>
Jeff
"Jeff" <n...@spam.com> wrote in message
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