Aurora Ipsilon Or Ipsilon Deluxe?

[jjaberg]

I am considering the addition of an Aurora to my collection. The Ipsilon is within my budget guidelines. I am looking for advice about whether the Ipsilon or the Ipsilon Deluxe is a better choice. Is the 14k nib on the Deluxe worth the extra $$? I have several Viscontis with steel nibs that I like very much. I've only seen pictures, but I actually like the appearance and the accents of the Ipsilon better - especially in the burgundy color (if the Deluxe was offered in that color this would be a no-brainer). But I also think the blue Deluxe is a classy look with which I could be happy - and I wouldn't want to sacrifice writing function if the gold nib is clearly superior. Anyone had experience with both that can give me a first-hand comparison?

[Gobblecup]

I am considering the addition of an Aurora to my collection. The Ipsilon is within my budget guidelines. I am looking for advice about whether the Ipsilon or the Ipsilon Deluxe is a better choice. Is the 14k nib on the Deluxe worth the extra $? I have several Viscontis with steel nibs that I like very much. I've only seen pictures, but I actually like the appearance and the accents of the Ipsilon better - especially in the burgundy color (if the Deluxe was offered in that color this would be a no-brainer). But I also think the blue Deluxe is a classy look with which I could be happy - and I wouldn't want to sacrifice writing function if the gold nib is clearly superior. Anyone had experience with both that can give me a first-hand comparison?

 

I own a deLuxe, but I've never tried the regular Ipsilon. The 14K gold nib is a dream, mine wrote wonderfully out of the box, with Aurora's signature tooth and it's somewhat rigid feel. If this would bother you, than I can say the steel would probably be even less your taste. But most love the feel of an Aurora Gold nib, especially at 14K's, and I am in that crowd. The nib is nonetheless smooth writing, please don't mistake "toothy" for "scratchy", and nice to look at.

 

I recommend the Ipsilon deLuxe, unless you simply can't live without the burgundy color, and you are a doubter in the beauty of a gold nib.

[seahunter]

I just got a Talentum, and pretty sure its the same nib as the deluxe. I really like this nib. I got the italic, and it has great line variation and is very smooth.

[jlepens]

I have an blue Ipsilon Deluxe with the 14k Italic nib. It is smooth and a joy to write with. I have not written with an Aurora Steel nib.

Go for the Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frazer]

I have an Ipsilon with a steel, gold-plated fine nib that I've been using for about ten years now. It is one of my favorites of the twenty five or thirty pens that I have. It wrote smooth out of the box from FPH although I did have Mike M. increase the flow just a little for me last year so that I get a little thicker line now. It wrote more like an extra fine before adjustment, now more a true fine.

 

For the money I'm not sure you beat an Ipsilon. I tried out a Deluxe last year at a pen show. It was great too, but I actually prefer the appearance of the lesser model.

[DanDeM]

I have two Ipsilons, both F, and one Deluxe (M). All are reliable performers. Apart from the nib size, can't feel any difference between the SS and Gold nibs. All have the characteristic Aurora tooth.

 

If you can abide a downgrade in appearance and heft, you can find a comparable writing experience with a Pilot 78-G for much less money.

[Gobblecup]

I just decided to sell my Ipsilon deluxe, you might be interested: here.

[Lothianjavert]

I agree with you that the design of the Ipsilon w/ the back accents is more dramatic than the monotone of the Ipsilon deluxe. I really like the black accents- especially on the vivid yellow and orangey red, they are stunning. I just purchased a used Ipsilon deluxe in red- my choice was determined by price. :embarrassed_smile: I don't know how it'll write, but when it arrives I'll let you know. It's a fine point, and will be the first Aurora I've tried. I am majorly drooling at the Optimas... Soooo pretty... and the Delta Dolce Vitas.... Now if only my budget supported my tastes...

[keinkugel]

The Ipsilon was the second pen I bought and it remains my go-to travel pen. In my experience, the steel nib doesn't win in terms of looks (it's a bit small and has very little engraving) but it lays down a great, reliable line. I often lend it out to friends who were interested in trying a fountain pen and it always impresses them for how easy and reliable it is to use.

[USN Air TrafficController]

I can't stand this line of pens. Wait for an 88 or an Optima. And no, the nib is not the same.

[Brett O]

I have a strange history with these pens. I first bought an Ipsilon about two years ago. Returned it because it was so scratchy. I was/am still fairly new to this world, but I knew Aroura has a reputation for tooth. I've since learned that it clearly needed adjusting. About 6 months ago I saw the yellow one on a pen blog and decided to give it another shot; perhaps I had gained a tolerance! Well it was nothing like the first one. It was quite quickly one of my favorites. A few months ago I was in Avalon Pens, no affiliation, and though I was prepared to shell out for something more substantial, I left with the red deluxe.

I love them both. I have a few rather more upscale pens (Talentium by same maker, for example) but these more than hold their own. They are, in my view, lovely, comfortable and they write well, except for one issue. There is something wrong with the flow in the yellow one. I've tried all the flushing tricks but I don't feel comfortable doing surgery. The problem I have, and I didn't really take note of it at first, is that ink will get "stuck" in the converter. I have to keep advancing it manually. Sounds strange but I can't figure out what's wrong. I switched the two converters and the problem remained with the yellow one (non deluxe). I'm sending it back.

 

Re: the nibs. Though I'm fine with the steel nib on the standard model -- I bought the deluxe because i like the standard so well -- i did instantly appreciate the gold nib of of the deluxe. I also went down to a fine nib and I'm glad I did. I'm sure that after I return the nib/section to the retailer online, I'll be writing with both again.

Having both has been instructive for me. Being able to control for so many other factors (size, shape, weight, balance, etc) I've learned a good deal about the difference a nib makes. These pens have also taught me some important things about my aesthetic sense. They might be a tad smaller than I think might be optimum for me, but not by much. My Pelikan Polar Lights and Pilot Falcon are probably closer to the mark on that dimension. But the Ipsilon lines, size and color all suit my preferences. In fact, with these two I started also to notice that I have something of affection for Italian pens, though don't know enough about this to explain why that would be.

In short, having both of them has proven nice. It was a good choice for me. My appreciation of these pens led to my next choice, Delta Lucky gold and black, should arrive in a couple of days from Bryant Greer! (nope, him neither)

I hope you make the choice to go for the gold! Let us know what you decide!Cheers

[davidv7]

I have a Black Deluxe with "satimn" cap. Can`t comment on the normal model but this one is great.

Idon`t know actually why I am attracted to this pen ...but it drives to come back to it.

[Trayus]

I'm actually confused about the Ipsilon Deluxe Blue version of this pen. From internet photos, there seem to be two different pens with two different shades of blue (see links below). And yet both go by the same name and both have 14k gold nibs...I asked people at art brown international and Fountain pen hospital and both seem to assure me that the only model available is the one with the blue resin finish (the second link). I have trouble believing that the same pen could look so vastly different though. And the first one clearly has a different coloring on the grip section... Can someone please advise? Are they really the same pen?

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=aurora+ipsilon+deluxe+blue+fountain+pen&aq=f&aqi=g10&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5932529533645347616&sa=X&ei=BvXpT7nYIOS66AGSj4zzDA&ved=0CGkQ8wIwAw

 

 

http://www.iguanasell.com/p-694-aurora-ipsilon-de-luxe-fountain-pen-blue-resin-b12bm.aspx

 

EDIT: And yes I realize I'm picky but I personally think that the pen in the first link has an all around nicer blue than the second one...

Edited June 26, 2012 by Trayus

[Kaha]

I can't stand this line of pens. Wait for an 88 or an Optima. And no, the nib is not the same.

Yes, the nib is the same.

Aurora has two sizes of gold nibs. The one on the Ipsilon is the small one and it is the same as f x the small body 88 and the small body Talentum.