Uniball SRX 600 Jetstream Ballpoint Parker Style, why no blue?

[Mangrove Jack]

This is a fantastic refill and writes so well that I have started using all my old ballpoint pens with it that take the Parker G2 refill.

Its been around for some years now and I wonder why it still comes only in black and not in blue also.

It would be great to have this in blue.

[Clairefontaine]

I think it just comes down to marketing : Mitsubishi wants to gatekeep its inks, and also entice customers into its own ecosystem.

 

In such a perspective, the SXR-600 acts as a bait ; luring satisfied customers who now want blue or red colours into buying additional pens from Mitsubishi.

 

Sure, they could just buy Jetstream refills in e.g. Euro or D1 format to fit them into a body of their choice - but not everyone would think of doing this, or would want to bother with that.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Clairefontaine

[Mangrove Jack]

Clairefontaine, thanks. That makes sense and would be the logical thing to do by Mitsubishi from a business perspective.

 

Welcome to this group of pen enthusiasts.

 

[Azkim Rikschum]

However you can use any jetstream standard refill (not the parker shaped) with a Lamy Roller using a couple small o'rings as spacers.

In this thread you will find how, there is a photo with instructions: Link

[Mangrove Jack]

Azkim, thanks. Good info there.

[tonydent84]

On 7/11/2021 at 11:32 AM, Clairefontaine said:

I think it just comes down to marketing : Mitsubishi wants to gatekeep its inks, and also entice customers into its own ecosystem.

 

In such a perspective, the SXR-600 acts as a bait ; luring satisfied customers who now want blue or red colours into buying additional pens from Mitsubishi.

 

Sure, they could just buy Jetstream refills in e.g. Euro or D1 format to fit them into a body of their choice - but not everyone would think of doing this, or would want to bother with that.

They could start a line of luxury pens to compete with Montblanc, Parker, Cross and others.

Their Jetstream refills give them leverage in an already-saturated market.

Alternatively, they can take on Monteverde and start releasing Jetstream refills for all models of pens. Imagine writing with a Montblanc that was fitted with a Jetstream refill?

I'm just surprised that luxury pen companies are kind of letting this opportunity for high end inks/refills to get taken up by all the companies making disposable pens. You can buy a $800 Montblanc ballpoint or rollerball, and it can't do as well as a Bic Atlantis or Pilot V-Ball, respectively.