Vacumatic Vs Aerometric (P51)

[AL01]

Hello everyone...

What are the differences between the aerometric and vacumatic P51? I know about the filling system and all of that, but which one is heavier? Which one is better made? My question is more about build quality than anything...

[kirchh]

Same. Parker didn't change its quality standards when it updated the filling system.

 

--Daniel

[AL01]

But which ones feel better in the hand? Is there really a difference in the plastic between the injection molded pens and the turned ones?

[Mick70RR]

The aerometric is a few grams heavier than the vacumatic, not enough to be a deciding factor, both are light pens.

[pajaro]

These pens, aero and vac 51, feel very much the same, but the vac 51 feels longer. Not unbalanced, though. The real difference is the filler, and the extra maintenance needed by the vac model every twenty years or so. Both feel great to write with.

[kapanak]

Unless you are getting much later built aerometrics, the build quality, and even the materials are identical.

[Sasha Royale]

I can detect no difference in the function and feel of the two. Either P51 will write with ecstasy. However, I think the Aerometric fill system is far more durable than the Vacumatic system.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Sasha Royale

[kapanak]

I can detect no difference in the function and feel of the two. Either P51 will write with ecstasy. However, I think the Aerometric fill system is far more durable than the Vacumatic system.

 

I completely agree. When used properly and regularly and taken care of, I know of r few Parker 51 Aerometrics that my father has owned and my grandfather had owned that continue to work and have never needed service. In fact, I believe the "lifetime" warranty that Parker used to offer before being told they can't do that applies more aptly to the Parker 51 Aerometric than any other pen ever made.

 

Even when in need of service, it is usually not a complicated process, and other than shellac and possible replacement parts, no other tool is needed (when doing it for personal use, not as a professional service).

[kirchh]

But which ones feel better in the hand? Is there really a difference in the plastic between the injection molded pens and the turned ones?

 

Are you under the impression that Parker switched to injection-molded plastic when they introduced the Aero-metric "51"? Injection molding of barrels didn't start until a decade later.

 

--Daniel

[AL01]

I am aware that for one or two years aerometrics were made by lathe, so then are there really any differences between the first year and later aerometrics? I am aware of the somewhat weird later models...

[AL01]

I really don't like the idea of starting a new topic in this thread, but I am in a hard position here... I have emailed Lamy a week ago and I have been told that the LE 2000 will come out soon. Should I buy a 51 or should I buy a LE 2000???

[FarmBoy]

I really don't like the idea of starting a new topic in this thread, but I am in a hard position here... I have emailed Lamy a week ago and I have been told that the LE 2000 will come out soon. Should I buy a 51 or should I buy a LE 2000???

Buy a 51.

[mitto]

I really don't like the idea of starting a new topic in this thread, but I am in a hard position here... I have emailed Lamy a week ago and I have been told that the LE 2000 will come out soon. Should I buy a 51 or should I buy a LE 2000???

Buy a 51 and then buy another one whenever you have the opportunity to do so.

[ac12]

I would get the 51, it fits my hand, the L-2000 does not.

 

LEs are always a gamble. Will it go up or down in value?

Or would you be using it, rather than collecting it?

Edited June 7, 2016 by ac12

[AL01]

I am a user, not a collector, and this will be the first pen I own that is over a 100 dollars and has a gold nib.

[gryphon1911]

I would wait until you can go to a pen store or convention or find a friend that has them and use them. Nothing sucks more than spending a ton of money on something sight unseen and then hating it.

[ac12]

 

I would wait until you can go to a pen store or convention or find a friend that has them and use them. Nothing sucks more than spending a ton of money on something sight unseen and then hating it.

 

 

That is exactly what happened to me and the Lamy-2000.

I bought the L-2000 after reading all the great comments and reviews of it.

BUT...when I got it, it felt FAT and heavy in MY hand.

I 'tried' to get used to it, but after 3 months, I just gave up and put it into the collection, to just look at.

[pajaro]

If I were still interested in buying any pens, I would tell you to buy the Lamy, because every competitor for Parker 51s dissuaded would be a win. The Lamy 2000 is a good pen from my experience, but some people do not like the grip, with the bumps.

 

After over 50 years of using fountain pens, there two pens I know I can trust to write reliably and not leak and that I like, the Parker 51 and the Montblanc 144, cerca 1980s and later version. These pens I am in awe of. The Parker 51 aerometric pen is just about bulletproof in my experience. I read here of so many troubles people claim to have with them, but I treat mine with care and I have no more issues. I did get a few used 51s that other people messed up, but I rectified their damage.

 

I can say that other pens have presented me with issues. Failure to write after resting overnight, needing a fill or flush to get going. Needing sac replacement (haven't experienced this with aero 51). Pen is cheap and feels cheap (no naming names). Pen looks glitzy and gets me worked up to want it because of the cool look, but then dries out too fast, nibs are flimsy or it falls apart, etc. That's most of them.

 

I would like to dump most of my pen collection. The only ones I would not let go of are the Parker 51s. They work. They feel and look like a quality piece of equipment. A cared for 51 aerometric goes a whole long time without any repairs, especially if it's one of the later ones without the silver breather tube, although I have 48 and 49 pens that still have good breather tubes. The only reason to buy any other pen is that you like to collect stuff.

[AL01]

Good point sir. I know for sure I will buy the 51 and the 2000, but for me the question is when I should buy each pen and which pen should I buy first.

[ac12]

 

Good point sir. I know for sure I will buy the 51 and the 2000, but for me the question is when I should buy each pen and which pen should I buy first.

 

 

If funds are limited to one pen, get the harder to get pen first.