Sunday, April 24, 2005
Product Comparison: Space Pen vs Cross Ion Pen
There's a lot of hype on the web, mostly emanating from 43 Folders about the joy of the Fisher Space Pen. I've personally been using a Cross Ion Pen at work. I had fond memories of trying to write underwater with the Space Pen, but couldn't think of a particular benefit in using it as an every day writing tool. Here's my entirely scientific comparison:
Design Cross Ion 8, Space Pen 9
The Ion looks awesome, if a little phallic. It comes with a lanyard, which is essential to me in not losing it. The Space Pen is a design classic too. It's shiny as anything, and despite debuting in 1969 still cuts a dash.
Opening Cross Ion 10, Space Pen 3
The Cross has a fantastic mechanism. You apply traction between the grip and the butt, and the nib pops out. It's reliable and smooth, and stops you getting ink in your shirt pockets. The Space Pen mechanism sucks. The shiny cap slides off in a most unsatisfactory fashion, held in place by multiple small ridges.
Grip Cross Ion 5, Space Pen 4
Once the Cross is open, there's an annoying gap in the middle that's uncomfortable on your first web space (that skin flap between your thumb and index finger). The width is perfect, and the weight is good too. The Space Pen suffers from the aforementioned little ridges. They're also slightly uncomfortable. The real fault though is the Space Pen is too short and too narrow for my Size 7.5 hands. I want something with more tactile presence.
Ink Cross Ion 4, Space Pen 9
The Cross has fairly regular liquid ink, not so different to a Pilot V5. The line width is slightly uneven, and the nib is occasionally a tad scratchy. The Space Pen certainly writes evenly. I'm not sure that on a dry land "Pepsi Challenge" you'd notice a difference from a regular Biro. In the wet, or writing up against a wall, then it rules.
Price Cross Ion 2, Space Pen 3
These pens are both outrageously overpriced, and refills aren't exactly a steal either. The Space Pen is much more easily losable; no lanyard, very slippery, quite tiny. I think that makes it even less good value for money.
Overall Scores Cross Ion 29, Space Pen 28
I'm sticking with my Cross for work, though I'll be giving the Space Pen a more in-depth testing at home, where it can't go missing. Frankly though, I'm surprised how poorly these pens both stack up when really closely scrutinised. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and invest in a Mont Blanc, which is too intimidating for any pesky nurse to steal.
There's a lot of hype on the web, mostly emanating from 43 Folders about the joy of the Fisher Space Pen. I've personally been using a Cross Ion Pen at work. I had fond memories of trying to write underwater with the Space Pen, but couldn't think of a particular benefit in using it as an every day writing tool. Here's my entirely scientific comparison:
Design Cross Ion 8, Space Pen 9
The Ion looks awesome, if a little phallic. It comes with a lanyard, which is essential to me in not losing it. The Space Pen is a design classic too. It's shiny as anything, and despite debuting in 1969 still cuts a dash.
Opening Cross Ion 10, Space Pen 3
The Cross has a fantastic mechanism. You apply traction between the grip and the butt, and the nib pops out. It's reliable and smooth, and stops you getting ink in your shirt pockets. The Space Pen mechanism sucks. The shiny cap slides off in a most unsatisfactory fashion, held in place by multiple small ridges.
Grip Cross Ion 5, Space Pen 4
Once the Cross is open, there's an annoying gap in the middle that's uncomfortable on your first web space (that skin flap between your thumb and index finger). The width is perfect, and the weight is good too. The Space Pen suffers from the aforementioned little ridges. They're also slightly uncomfortable. The real fault though is the Space Pen is too short and too narrow for my Size 7.5 hands. I want something with more tactile presence.
Ink Cross Ion 4, Space Pen 9
The Cross has fairly regular liquid ink, not so different to a Pilot V5. The line width is slightly uneven, and the nib is occasionally a tad scratchy. The Space Pen certainly writes evenly. I'm not sure that on a dry land "Pepsi Challenge" you'd notice a difference from a regular Biro. In the wet, or writing up against a wall, then it rules.
Price Cross Ion 2, Space Pen 3
These pens are both outrageously overpriced, and refills aren't exactly a steal either. The Space Pen is much more easily losable; no lanyard, very slippery, quite tiny. I think that makes it even less good value for money.
Overall Scores Cross Ion 29, Space Pen 28
I'm sticking with my Cross for work, though I'll be giving the Space Pen a more in-depth testing at home, where it can't go missing. Frankly though, I'm surprised how poorly these pens both stack up when really closely scrutinised. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and invest in a Mont Blanc, which is too intimidating for any pesky nurse to steal.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]