Thursday, July 4, 2013

Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.5mm Gel Ink Pens

After having reviewed the micro tip Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3mm gel ink pens and the 0.4mm, of course I must now do the 0.5mm!

When I first ventured into Hi-Tec-Cs, I thought my favorite tip size would be the 0.5mm.  I've always like 0.5mm tips for most of my pens and pencils, and it is the biggest size of Hi-Tec-C. So I picked up mostly 0.5s. As it turns out, I do love them, but I also really like the 0.4s! Possibly even more than the 0.5s...
Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.5mm Gel Ink 
Pens
The 0.5mm is a comfortable size for most people. It's not so little that it has that slightly scratchy feel (common with the 0.3mm), nor does it give the impression that the tip might bend with a heavy hand. Though all my 0.3s have been solid, it did cross my mind that if I was too heavy-handed, I could wreck the tip. I never have though! But the 0.5mm is certainly more solid. 

The bodies of all the Hi-Tec-Cs are the same - pretty unspectacular but they do the job. You can always buy prettier bodies for them and just use refills if you'd like. I kind of enjoy seeing the rainbow of colors through the clear plastic barrels though. 

I can't get as precise and crisp lines as with the smaller tips, but it's still great. They never blob ink, and the ink dries very quickly so it's never smeared. It also doesn't bleed through pages - even thin paper like that of Filofax (curse you Filofax!). It's not archival quality ink though, which is a bummer. That's the only thing these pens are missing. 
Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.5mm Gel Ink Pens
I have been lucky to have no issues with hard starting or dried out Hi-Tec-Cs. Especially with the 0.5s though, they always flow well.
Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.5mm Gel Ink Pens Writing Sample
They are getting a little pricy, but they're worth a shot. I think they last a pretty long time, despite being gel ink, which usually runs out fairly quickly. It must be the wee little tips!
Keep Reading!
Papericide

Price
JetPens - $3.30

Overall
Yes, yes, yes. If you haven't tried Hi-Tec-Cs yet, you owe it to yourself to give them a shot. Get one of each tip size even. Or one of each tip size AND color. Boy, that would be fun!

14 comments:

Jackie Parkins said...

I love the Hi-Tec-C pens!

Mary C said...

Rainbow of pen goodness!

Heather said...

I haven't tried the 0.5mm Hi-Tec-C's yet, but I suspect that even if I did the 0.4mm would remain my favourite. I did bend the tip of my first Hi-Tec-C, because I do press down harder with my pens than I need to, but since then I've trained myself to be more careful. And even with the bent tip I was still able to use the pen! I usually do have trouble with my Hi-Tec-C's being slow to start writing, but I think that is at least partly because I tend to let mine sit around quite a while between uses. If I used them more regularly, I think that would be less of a problem :)

Ken said...

Hi-Tec-C's have a bedazzling range of fantastic colours including a set of five (?) special Japanese ones like Bengara.

Azizah Asgarali said...

Yep yep, I have two of them - very lovely.

Bob McConnell said...

Thanks
Azizah for the always complete review. I'm a big fan of the .3's for detailed work but don't care for their scratchiness on longer writing. Just ordered me up a few blacks and blues on my Jet Pens order this week. I love when I can hit $25.25 to get the free shipping ha! Have a great weekend

kp said...

This is a pen that I hear a lot about, but still haven't had the chance to try. I need to get on this stat! Really like your doodle in the last photo, too.

dothgrin said...

Hi-Tec-C's are fantastic. If one wants variety, get the Maica's (just got an order of them from Jet Pens...again, awesome), or get the multi-pen Coleto Hi-Tec-C (I have three so I have nine colors in three pens in immediate proximity instead of "lugging" nine to meetings.

Jacqueline said...

Azizah - this may seem a silly question, but when doing your lovely circle-patterns [like squid tentacles but prettier], do you start in the middle with the biggest circle and work outwards, or do you start with a teeny one and get bigger? Or do you quite literally go with the tentacle-flow? Know that across the Pond, in London, someone is now copying your dot tentacles and LOVING the discovery of a new doodle. I am very grateful!

Azizah Asgarali said...

I bent one of mine too - still writes, fortunately! Yes, you must scribble with them regularly :)

Azizah Asgarali said...

Lovely pens if you don't mind a wee bit of feedback. The 0.5mm are your best bet if you want to avoid it. The colour range... OH MAN.

Azizah Asgarali said...

Thank you Bob! Have you tried the Uni-ball Signos in 0.28 or 0.38? They might be a touch less scratchy.

Azizah Asgarali said...

I must get a Maica or two - they look pretty! I have two Coletos as well hehe but I wish they had MORE colour refill options!

Azizah Asgarali said...

Not a silly question at all - I start with the smallest dot and work to the largest because I'm never sure how big I want them to get :) I'm so glad you like them. It's the only form of "art" I'm capable of :D

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