Can anybody recommend a good Parker Rollerball Pen for daily use at the office and note taking? I would like a smooth writer and something under $40. I currently have a Parker Latitude in Stainless Steel and several Jotters but would like to try something different. I bid on a Parker 45 rollerball on ebay and lost. Is a 45 rollerball a good pen for what I am looking for or should I look for something different?

If possible, I would like the rollerball ink to be compatible with my Latitude's ink. Thanks for the recommendations.

I use a Parker IM in school. Its only $15 and writes just as smoothly as any other parker. Its a really great pen. i love how smooth it is. My only complaint is that its pretty heavy as far as pens go.

Uniball Vision Elite in 0.8 ("bold")

Not a parker, not a "fancy" pen. Just about $2 each in packs of 5.

Don't they all take the same refills, and therefore use the same ink/ball mechanism? The only difference would be the pen, which acts as nothing more than a holder for the refill.

exactly, thats why I reccommend the Parker IM because its cheap ($15), looks like a nice pen, and uses the same refill.

Parker makes both a rollerball refill and a gelball refill. They're both nice writers for daily use. The gelball refill should fit any Parker ballpoint. I know the gelball refill fits the Jotter ballpoint as well as the Parker IM Ballpoint.

The Parker IM is a thicker and heavier pen than the Jotter, and very sharp looking. The IM comes in a variety of finishes. I have two IM ballpoints (one stainless steel and one glossy black) fitted with the gelball refill, and I like them a lot. They're not easy to find in the U.S. I bought mine from http://www.kingpen.net.

There is also a Parker IM rollerball. Unlike the ballpoint, the rollerball has a cap which you remove to expose the point. I prefer the IM ballpoint, because the point is button retractable, like a Parker Jotter ballpoint. I like being able to pull the pen out of my pocket and into action with one hand, without having to mess with a cap.

There is a Parker Jotter specifically designed for the rollerball refill. I have one, and enjoy using it. It is a light thin pen, like the Jotter ballpoint. Like the Parker IM Rollerball, it has a removable cap.

Yeah, I would recommend buying a Parker ballpoint and installing a gel refill rather than buying a Parker rollerball of any type. The gel refills write better in my opinion, and probably last longer too. I've always found the Parker rollerball refills to be a bit skippy, especially when writing quickly. As regards your new pen, it doesn't really matter which model you buy as far as the writing performance is concerned... all the rollerballs use the same rollerball refill and similarly all of the ballpoints use the same gel or ballpoint refill, if you know what I mean. Basically, the more money you spend will just buy you a nicer holder for that refill, whether it is a rollerball or a ballpoint... nothing wrong with that though! Just buy the pen that feels best in your hand, and looks best in your opinion. You can't really go wrong here! The Parker gel refills are pretty good... not as good as a proper fountain pen, but certainly better than a ballpoint!

I should also mention that a lot of ballpoint pens from other makers will also accept the Parker gel refills, so you are not strictly limited to buying a Parker pen to use those particular gel refills. For example, Rotring ballpoint pens will take those refills, as will several other makers' pens.... I'm sure people on here can fill you in on which ones will! The Parker type refills have become a bit of an international standard amongst pen refills.

Hope this helps,

Bernie.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went ahead and bid on a Parker IM (stainless w/ gold trim on ebay). I didn't know the Gel refill would work with a Parker ballpoint. Again, thanks for the info.

I really like my Parker IM. It's a nice pen and it writes so super smooth.

Yep, this is my preferred pen for work use. Never had a skip yet. Only problem is that they don't write well (though they do write) on very waxy surfaces, like price labels. Probably the most similar experience to writing with a fountain pen that I've found, and very cheap too.

The only ballpoint I've owned that I really liked was a Sensa Cloud 9 with the squishy grip.

I have a Parker IM (Parker Profile in the UK) and use gel refills in it. They last a LOT less time than a ballpoint though so find yourself a cheap bulk supplier. They are a dream to write with though so worth the price you have to pay.

I bought a Parker IM at Staples this past week. I adore the gel refills and I am very pleased with this pen.

(I will carry it with me until my new FP arrives, then I fear it will be replaced in my affections.)

-Kushana
P.S. The Staples brand "Delta Elite" ballpoint pen also takes Parker gel refills.

I find the new Parker RB refills go through ink pretty quick as they put down a thick line. I have an IM Rollerball and it seems like every couple weeks I have to put out 3-4 bucks for a new refill. For the same price I can get a two pack of Gel refills that last for quite a bit longer. I also use the IM BP and they have been available here in Canada for the past couple years. Got about 9 of those BP's. I've picked mine up at the Vancouver Pen Shop, Office Depot and our local London Drugs here in Calgary. I've noticed that Walmart here has started carrying the silver finish IM BP for about 11 bucks Cdn.

I find the black laque IM's tend to have the finish wear on them. 2 of my laque BP's have small scratches down to the brass and noticed the same under the clip where the arrow tip touches the barrel. Haven't noticed anything on my silver or gunmetal finish IM's yet. I only use the two laque pens.

For my money I would go with a Parker BP with gel refills. Even the Jotter is pretty cheap and works good with a gel refill. You can also get the Jotter in new fashion colours which are retro and cool. I've also seen them at the local Walmart. People have commented on my pastel green Jotter. The Jotter - simplistic and iconic.

I find Parker gels even better than Pilot G2's which can be frustrating to use at times. For those that wonder why I have 9 IM BP's I found a bunch of the black laque for a really crazy price - 6 bucks so picked up one or three. Along with 2 gunmetal and 2 silver. You never know when Parker is going to discontinue things.

Hope that helps. Aside from this long winded reply I'd recommend the gel.

Rowdy

I like the lines of the Jotter, and the newer colors are very cool. I particularly like the yellow version. I use mine with a gel refill. The only aspect that disappoints me is that the Jotter looks and feels rather puny in comparison to my other pens. I wish that Parker would produce a somewhat heftier version.

Rowdy, I agree that the black laque on the pens tends to be rather flimsy. This is why I am still hesitant to buy an IM. At the same time, the IM's most seem to be discussing on this forum are the ones Made in the UK, not the Made in China IM's sold at Wal-Mart. I also like the gel refills, but to be perfectly honest, prefer the rollerball refills because the gel refills tend to be rather inconsistent. One day, you get a package that works great and the next day, you get a package with one good one and one bad one. Also, some seem to last more than others. The lines are rather thin for my taste on the gel refills as well and they are getting more difficult to find at your local office supply store. Don't get me wrong, I used the gel refills all throughout my university years writing with a stainless steel Parker Jotter;however, ever since I picked up a Parker Latitude Rollerball on sale at Office Depot last November, I have been quite impressed by the Parker rollerballs and their smoothness of writing.

I see they're on sale this week, FWIW. (In a bin well away from the pen aisle. Odd.)

-Kushana