Rotring 600 "Ballpoint Pen" versus "Gel Pen" Refill Type

[nyc-roller-ball]

Hi all -

 

I am getting back into pens after a hiatus and could use some help.

 

The new Rotring Gel pen shows a Parker G2 style (Gel) refill in one of the product pictures on the product page. 

https://www.rotring.com/pens-pencils/gel-pens/rotring-600-gel/SAP_2195930.html

 

The Rotring Ballpoint pen also uses a Parker G2 style refill.

https://www.rotring.com/pens-pencils/ballpoint-pens/rotring-600-ballpoint-pen/SAP_2114261.html

 

 

What am I missing here?

 

Why call the old/current one "Ballpoint" and the new one "Gel" if they both take a Parker G2 refill?

 

I can't see any differences in the actual pen from the product pictures so why have 2 identical pens that take the same refills but call them by different names?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Chthulhu]

Parker does the same thing with Jotter ballpoints and gel pens. The only difference there is the refill it ships with, and I suspect it's the same with the Rotring.

[mr T.]

On 5/31/2025 at 10:48 PM, nyc-roller-ball said:

Why call the old/current one "Ballpoint" and the new one "Gel" if they both take a Parker G2 refill?

 

I can't see any differences in the actual pen from the product pictures so why have 2 identical pens that take the same refills but call them by different names?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

The pens are identical but the refills that come with them could be different. The 'gel'-version is probably fitted with a Parker G2 style refill with ink that is water based. The ´ballpoint'-version could come with a refill that has oil based ink.