Vector XL

[jchch1950]

Today in the pen section of a local stationary store they had a new Parker pen called Vector XL. It is larger than the old Vector with a metal body and a semitransparent section. The come in new colours and have a different nib than the old Vectors that had been on sale for many years. The price was under 20 USD and I think they will be promote as student  instruments in Europe.It is not available in stainless steel  but it can be a daily carrier if it write ok. 

[inkstainedruth]

I think I've seen a couple of these in listings on eBay and was wondering about them.  Couldn't tell from the listings what the size was, compared to the originals (I'm rather fond of Vectors -- they're inexpensive little workhorse pens that come in a bunch of different colors and designs, although too skinny to write the Great American Novel with one, even with my small "girly" hands).  

Also wasn't sure where the XL pens were being made -- a lot of Vector production was outsourced to the Indian company Luxor, but then a couple of years ago Parker re-released them as French production in a small range of colors (I have one of the re-issued French-made ones in purple; most of mine are English-made, I think from the old Newhaven factory in the UK, and I've picked up a couple of US production models that were NOS, still in the original blister packs).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[jchch1950]

There is no indication on the box or on the pen where they were made. They seems to be almost the same pen as the Waterman Allure,if that is the case probably they are made in France.

[AGF]

Can you see the ink through the translucid section?

[jchch1950]

16 hours ago, AGF said:

Can you see the ink through the translucid section?

Yes. I have only used the Vector LX with the cartridge that came with it.

[AmandaW]

They're listed on ebay in a range of colours, including stainless steel, with gift box and free shipping from China.

[AGF]

1 hour ago, jchch1950 said:

Yes. I have only used the Vector LX with the cartridge that came with it.

I hope it could be seen also with a converter.

[Alexandar]

It seems that Vectors XL sold by Chinese sellers on eBay are fake. They have black non translucent section and gold plated nibs, while on Parker website Vectors XL are with translucent section and stainless steel nib. I think that Parker Vector XL is in fact rebranded Waterman Graduate Alure that uses Parker cartridges. I don't have Parker Vector XL, but I have Waterman Graduate Alure and it's made in China.

[inkstainedruth]

On 3/3/2022 at 9:55 PM, Alexandar said:

It seems that Vectors XL sold by Chinese sellers on eBay are fake. They have black non translucent section and gold plated nibs, while on Parker website Vectors XL are with translucent section and stainless steel nib. I think that Parker Vector XL is in fact rebranded Waterman Graduate Alure that uses Parker cartridges. I don't have Parker Vector XL, but I have Waterman Graduate Alure and it's made in China.

Yikes!  Thanks for the heads up....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Licue]

The fake(?) ones from China with black section and gold nib and clip don't interest me, even if they were real.

 

The Vector XL with the transparent section and silver accents on the other hand look very nice imo. I wouldn't mind having one of each color, especially the blue-ish/turquoise and green ones 🥰 

 

I don't understand the choice of name tho 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

With a name like that I'd expect an oversized Vector, but they don't look like that at all (thankfully! The Vector is not a particularly pretty pen and its small size is one of its (few) advantages imo).

 

[Alexandar]

9 hours ago, Licue said:

The fake(?) ones from China with black section and gold nib and clip don't interest me, even if they were real.

 

The Vector XL with the transparent section and silver accents on the other hand look very nice imo. I wouldn't mind having one of each color, especially the blue-ish/turquoise and green ones 🥰 

 

I don't understand the choice of name tho 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

With a name like that I'd expect an oversized Vector, but they don't look like that at all (thankfully! The Vector is not a particularly pretty pen and its small size is one of its (few) advantages imo).

 

Agreed. BTW, There was an older model of Parker Vector XL at the beginning of the millennium and it looked more like bigger version of Vector. Another thing. It seems that the original Vector isn't in production any more? It isn't on Parker website. Of course versions made by Luxor from India are still available on eBay and they are good. In fact better than french made Vectors.

[inkstainedruth]

18 hours ago, Alexandar said:

Of course versions made by Luxor from India are still available on eBay and they are good. In fact better than french made Vectors.

I had been wondering about the Luxor-made Parker Vectors.  There's a couple of finishes/designs I've seen on eBay that are really interesting, that apparently were ONLY made for the Indian (and possibly Pakistani) market.  But I don't know enough about the sellers to be willing to risk ordering because the prices are also not that good (and the shipping charges often doubles the cost).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Alexandar]

11 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

I had been wondering about the Luxor-made Parker Vectors.  There's a couple of finishes/designs I've seen on eBay that are really interesting, that apparently were ONLY made for the Indian (and possibly Pakistani) market.  But I don't know enough about the sellers to be willing to risk ordering because the prices are also not that good (and the shipping charges often doubles the cost).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

11 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

I had been wondering about the Luxor-made Parker Vectors.  There's a couple of finishes/designs I've seen on eBay that are really interesting, that apparently were ONLY made for the Indian (and possibly Pakistani) market.  But I don't know enough about the sellers to be willing to risk ordering because the prices are also not that good (and the shipping charges often doubles the cost).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Luxor made Parker pens are supposed to be for sale in India and Nepal only, but Indian sellers are selling them worldwide. I'm from Macedonia and I have purchased many Parker pens made by Luxor. They are inexpensive and well made and usually shipping is free. Currently I'm contemplating buying gold plated Parker Frontier made by Luxor and there is mate black Parker Vector for 9.75 GBP with free shipping:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-Vector-Matte-Black-GT-Gold-Trim-Fountain-Ink-Pen-Fine-Nib-New-/125145125897?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0