8-Bit is the latest Tactile Turn Seasonal pen release, and has caused quite the wave of nostalgia among the cross-section of analog users and video game fans.
If you aren’t familiar with their Seasonal program, Tactile Turn releases a themed pen that is available to purchase for a three month window of time, and then that design gets shelved in lieu of the next one. So, these pens are limited by their three month order time frame, not quantity, which is a nice way to handle special or limited releases.
Each of the 10 pens released so far use Tactile Turn’s popular Side Click retractable mechanism, with the exception of Stealth, which used their traditional bolt mechanism. The knock on the end of the barrel engages the refill, and the side button retracts it. It’s a fun and functional mechanism. On top of that, you can order this model in three different barrel sizes:
— Standard, for Pilot G2 and compatible refills.
— Short, for Parker-style (International G2) refills.
— Mini, for the Pilot G2 Mini 0.7 mm refill.
With the launch of the 8-Bit, they also added a pencil model.
Size comparison, from top: Standard, Standard Slim, Short, Mini Slim.
Over time, I’ve tried to use each of their barrel sizes to see what was the best option for me, and to help answer questions for others. I went with the Standard size first, in the aforementioned Stealth model, for use with some of my favorite gel ink refills. It’s a big pen, but I thought it was a good starting point. After that, I went with the Short model for the GT, which I adore, and followed that with a Mini in the Trailhead model to round out the sizes.
Trailhead also marked the addition of the Slim barrel to the lineup, with only that barrel diameter available during its season. Two editions later, with Winter 2023’s Deep Space, both the Standard and Slim models were available to order.
Since I love the refill options for the Standard barrel, asking Tactile Turn for the Standard Slim was the easy choice when they inquired if I was interested in reviewing this release. Not knowing what other sizes and shapes they will release in the future, it’s difficult to say it is my all-time favorite size, but of the six currently available I think it is the best for me.
For starters, the barrel diameter (0.43" vs 0.365”) makes a real difference in the way the pen feels in your hand. It is lighter, too, dropping the weight from 1.2oz to 0.83oz. Those are significant numbers when discussing writing instruments. I think the Standard Slim size gives the pen a better “grab and go” feel, as opposed to the bulk of the Standard. This is the size I want to use every day.
Broader refill compatibility doesn’t hurt, either. In my Stealth model, I swapped in an 0.38 mm Blue Black Pilot Juice refill, but I’ve kept the standard 0.7 mm Pilot G2 loaded in the 8-Bit so far. The wider tip works well with the longer pen, although I won’t hesitate to swap it out when I want something finer. Do note there are some exceptions and modifications that some refills may require. Tactile Turn keeps a full compatibility list here.
While the majority of this post has focused on the various pen sizes available, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the design theme for this release. Hit me right in the retro feels, why don’t you? I grew up with the original Nintendo system that some of these design elements are inspired by, and couldn’t be happier with the execution. The clip is a real standout, and is area which Tactile Turn does tend to focus on. And the red “Reset” button? Perfect.
Is this version perfect for you? Maybe, maybe not. That’s the beauty of seasonal releases. There is no need to rush into buying one, especially since these are expensive pens. 8-Bit runs $149, which is is on the high end, but I find them worth the price for the quality and design, especially when you find one that suits your style as perfectly as this one might.
(Tactile Turn provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
