Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto N 3 Multi Pen Review

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto N 3 (Image via JetPens)

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C has long been a favorite of mine and to this day remains the best multi pen on the market. While the refills have remained unchanged over the years, Pilot introduces new barrels to the lineup regularly. This time around it is the Coleto N 3 and N 4.

Coleto barrel designs haven't changed too much over time - a new body finish here, a rubber grip there - but the N models have a small design tweak that was needed. The flip-top cap where you refill the pen has always used a flat design with a small tab you had to get under and snap up. It worked, but a fingernail or two have been lost to the cause along the way. The N model uses a larger cone shape which allows you to use your thumb pad for an easier opening experience. Sometimes it's the little things.

Old (top) vs. New

And little things is all the Coleto needs. The rest of the N model has been done before, especially with the clear, smooth grip section. Somehow it isn't slick, so keeping your grip steady is not a problem.

What makes the Coleto so great are the Pilot Hi-Tec-C refills, which haven't changed a bit. I tend to lean towards the three cartridge barrels because I am locked in on what refills I want to load up: Blue Black, Clear Blue, and Apricot Orange, all 0.4 mm. These three colors give me the range I want while having fun at the same time. Adding in a fourth color confuses my brain. I can never settle on what combo works best so I stick with what I know.

The Coleto N 3 is one of the least expensive barrel options in the line at $2.50 from JetPens. I like it as much as the base model with grip and is more solid than the Smart model. Of the higher end barrels I prefer the Me over the twice as expensive Lumio, and it's not close.

One of the base models is all you need to get started with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen Line, and the new N model is a good one.

Do you have a favorite Coleto barrel? And what inks do you load it up with?

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock Review

(This is a guest post by Brian Draghi. You can follow Brian on Twitter @Sketchscape)

I’m a big fan of everyday carry, or EDC for short. I find it interesting to see what people carry with them on a daily basis such as wallets, keys, notebooks and the all important types of pens that they write with. While there are many options - including the extremely popular Fisher Space Pen - one of my favorite everyday carry pens falls into the gel ink category.

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C pen has been a fan favorite for a long time and is even more popular especially due to the explosion of machined pen projects using these refills on Kickstarter. The dark line quality of the refill is superb and performs flawlessly time after time. The problem is that most Hi-Tec-C’s are not necessary portable to carry in your pocket. The Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock 04 solves this problem with a shorter and slimmer version that makes it ideal for anyone’s EDC.

The Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock has a total length of 4.75 inches and the width of the barrel is narrower than a regular Hi-Tec-C. It has a comfortable rubber grip that covers nearly half of the pen. The pen also contains a sturdy metal clip that secures very well to shirts and pants pockets. This compact design is also retractable unlike the regular versions of the Hi-Tec-C.

This is the one pen that’s always with me while out running errands, at work, or traveling. It’s perfect as an EDC pen because it’s quick to use to jot down notes on the go and is very portable. It writes a clean fine line that is great for small notebooks and journals. The Slim Knock’s size and lack of weight makes it ideal to carry because you don’t even feel it in your pocket. Just make sure you remember to take it out before it goes in the washer!

One of the main drawbacks of the regular Hi-Tec-C is the constant need to prime the pen to get the ink moving through the tip. The Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock doesn’t have that problem at all. Once you extend the refill, you get the same quality dark line every time you move the tip across the page. There is no need to scribble several times on the page to wait for the ink to hit the paper.

While the Slim Knock is a great pen, it isn’t without a few drawbacks. The short length of the pen may not appeal to some people who have larger hands. Second, the refill size of the Slim Knock is on the smaller side due to the length. This wouldn’t be the type of pen you would hand to a college student to use to take lengthy notes in class. It's not built for endurance writing - it’s made for taking short, quick notes.

Another minor downside is that the Slim Knock pen and its larger counterpart are the same exact price on Jetpens at $3.30 each. The Slim Knock refills make up for it by only costing $1.35 compared to $2.20 for the regular. That is, unless you like blue black. Unfortunately, in both versions, the blue black refills are not available to purchase separately. I’m not sure why, but it would be great if you didn’t have to buy an entire new pen just to get this color.

Minor issues aside, the Slim Knock is my ideal EDC pen that meets all my requirements and more. It’s always at my side ready to write the quick notes I need at a moments notice. If anyone is looking for an EDC pen that is retractable and writes a fine quality gel ink line then I would definitely recommend the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Slim Knock.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Maica Review

The last thing I expected in JetPens latest new product push was a revamped Pilot Hi-Tec-C but that is what I got with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Maica. So, what is this new take on an old classic trying to accomplish? I'm so glad you asked!

I must admit upfront that the product description on the JetPens page scared me. The words "jewel-like," "sparkly," and "pizazz" had me wondering if I was truly the target market for this pen. I'm not a 14 year-old Japanese girl after all. But this is the price you pay to get new stationery products on this side of the Pacific, and all things considered, this is not that girly of a pen despite the description.

What it is is a solid upgrade to the standard Pilot Hi-Tec-C barrel. It is rounded and slightly heavier, and the grip area is smooth with small, raised dots. The cap loop I will call roll-away protection since I won't be stringing charms through it any time soon. When posted, it is longer than the standard barrel as well, which you can see in the pictures.

One thing I am not crazy abut is the ridge in the grip area. Since the cap seals flush with the barrel there is a slight step down in that area, and at least Pilot had the sense to round the edge unlike some other companies. I do feel it near the base of my grip when writing but it isn't a deal breaker.

The teen girl marketing aspect of the pen? I honestly don't see it. The only thing that hints of it on my Blue Black model is the tiny faceted jewel on the top of the cap. I didn't even notice it for several minutes - it blends in so well it is hardly noticeable. There is nothing about this pen design that would keep me from using it regularly, but then again I do love my pink pens. Your milage may vary.

So now my big question: Why is the Maica only $2.50, while the regular Pilot Hi-Tec-C runs $3.30 (prices as of current writing at JetPens.com)? The refills are identical in size, although I have either used a bunch of the Blue Black Maica already or it was filled a little short. I ordered a Black Maica as well and it is filled evenly with an unused standard Pilot Hi-Tec-C. The Maica barrel seems a little more complicated to make too, so I'm not sure what warrants over a 30% price difference.

If nothing else, I know how I will be ordering color refills for my Render K from now on.