[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot G-Tec-C 0.4mm Purple
It’s a super busy time (I know, I know, when is it NOT super busy). Between birthday week (and yes, it’s a week), ConDFW, and working with two different classes at the Day Job… yeah. I’m a little behind. Shocker. This one is a slight variation on a them. I’ve done a couple of reviews on versions of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. This is the “international versionâ€, according to Jetpens, the G-Tec-C. This is the 0.4mm purple/violet one – because February colors.
It’s chance to revisit this pen again. I’ve wrote about the Hi-Tec-C and the G-Tec-C is pretty similar. I really do like the Pilot G-Tec-C line – in any color because they do points like 0.4mm (and smaller). It runs just over 6″ with the cap posted, and 5.4″ capped. This pen has been comfortable in my had in other incarnations and remains so now. The cap is plastic but posts securely. The cap and barrel are transparent but with color matching cap top, spot on the clip and barrel plug.
The purple ink is rich for a fine line. It’s a gel ink, so there’s a bit of smearing on slick paper but it dries quickly. The G-Tec-C needle points and rollerballs have little to no skipping or bleeding. The point isn’t all that scratchy either. You can see the amount of ink left through the barrel, which I like. There’s some ribbing on the grip but not a lot in terms of ergonomics.
I don’t remember when I actually bought this pen. I’ve had it around for quite a while, and the ink still flows like new. There seems to be no change in color or flow. It’s definitely got legs.
Now to the numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 This pen works well. The ink flows well and it’s moderately comfortable.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The grip is actually textured into the plastic. It’s ribbed. For the kind of pen it is, it’s okay.
3. Material – 0.5 This is an inexpensive, plastic pen. It is what it is. It’s a serviceable specialty color gel ink.
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a good pen for everyday use. It’s a go-to pen. Pilot makes a good pen
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a possibly disposable pen (though it does have refills) and the fact that you can only order it from JetPens, it’s not the least expensive pen on the market. It’s $2.10 a piece. That’s not horrible, but the refills are $2.50 – which is more than the original pen.
I give it a 3.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
