Noob Question About Vanishing Point Or Capless Converters

[zubzub]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a Vanishing Point (FC-15SR) from eBay, but the seller listed them as only using a Con-20 and Con-40. However, the sellers in America say you can use a Con-50. Just wondering who is right or if they are two completely different models of pens.

[Erik Dalton]

All current vp's and Decino's take the same cartridges and converters. I prefer the con 50 converter. I think it holds the most ink and is simple and easy use and maintain. The con 40 is their new converter, which they are trying to promote. It has two steel balls inside to break up surface tension. Some like it, some say it's hard to get a complete fill. The con 20 is a squeeze type converter.

The method that gives you the most ink is the pilot cartridge.

[zubzub]

Thank you, kind sir.

[Morphling27]

And to add more, all Pilot pens (modern at least) take the full line of carts and converters.

 

You have the Con-20 which is the squeeze and isn't bad - I use it on my VP. The Con 50 was your regular screw type piston converter. You had the old one that was just 'empty' and a newer one with a metal goober inside to break up the surface tension. As posted above, there is a new con 40 that is very close to the 50. Per some of the retailers, the ink amount is in the one drop range but your own personal use of them may vary.

 

They also have the con-70 which is I personally find the best converter I've used or know about. It's actually a pump mechanism and holds a large amount of ink and is very easy to use. It's a bit more of a hassle to clean I think, but it's worth the trade off. The only downside is because of its size and mechanism, it doesn't fit in many of their regular pens. It won't work in a Metro, VP, the resin Falcons, and others.

[Driften]

For the VP the Con-20 is not a bad idea. You can't see the ink in the con-50 when installed in a VP anyways. Some people, myself included have found flow issues with the con-50 when used in a VP. The best really is refilling cartridges. You can easily see how much ink is left, they hold the most, and flow the best. The con-20 holds almost as much.

[FPFan]

There is one Pilot converter that is made for one specific pen model that does NOT fit the VP . . . that is the con-70. All the others will work in the VP/Fermo pens. Personally, I prefer the con-50. That little agitator help the ink to flow better.

[Water Ouzel]

There is one Pilot converter that is made for one specific pen model that does NOT fit the VP . . . that is the con-70.

 

The Con-70 fits a few more than just one Pilot; Custom 743 and 742, Custom 912, Justus 95, Custom 74, metal Falcon, and some Nakaya pens. And some more.

Edited June 25, 2017 by Water Ouzel