The V5 Hi-Tecpoint from Pilot

Today we are going to look at the Pilot V5 Hi-Tecpoint. I bought this pen while in Kuwait, so I do not know too much about the availability in America. Cultpens has the pen if you are fine with paying for shipping from the UK. Jetpens does not sell the version I am reviewing, but the one in the link is very similar, as well as refillable. This pen is very old, released in about 1983, but still insanely popular. If you are considering a liquid ink pen, the V5 is the way to go. Also refill hack at the bottom of the review just follow the link.

Design

The pen's design is overall very simple, but also has some nice features.

My Pilot V5 Hi-Tecpoints.

The pen has a plastic body, but does not feel weak in your hand. The pen also has a very simple metal clip on it, and gets the job done. The pens measure a little above 13.5 cm capped and are 15 cm posted. The diameter of the pen barrel is almost one cm.

The pen has a visible ink supply which I find very helpful as I do not have to remove the barrel.

Visible ink supply

Ink

The ink flows very nicely, and can be seen from the ink window. The pen comes in seven different colors: black, blue, green, red, light blue, purple, or pink ink. I currently only own the first four colors, but am looking to add a light blue, as well as maybe a purple. The ink also dries very quickly, so lefties do not have to worry about smudging their papers.

What the colors look like.

"Hi-Tecpoint"


This pen is called a 0.5, but I would say with use it seems like a 0.3 (perhaps a 0.4).

If you are looking for an actual 0.5 than you can buy the V7. The V7 is the same pen just a little thicker nib. Also available at Cultpens.

Pen tips

Green alone

This pen is just slightly scratchy when used on normal paper, but on my Rhodia pad it flies. Anytime you have a pen with a needle-point like this you have to worry about the sturdiness. I found the pen quite strong and took my writing very well. However I lent the black pen to a friend and the point quickly bent for her. I was able to fix the pen with force the other way, and some help from my pliers. The pen writes fine now, but for writers that tend to use a lot of force, be wary!

Pros

1. Nice simple design
2. Good amount of ink choices
3. Very precise
4. Visible ink supply
5. Good ink flow

Cons (surprised I have any)

1. Hard to refill
2. Nib is not very sturdy
3. Slightly scratchy on printer paper

GREAT HACK

This pen is not meant to be refillable (unless of course if you get the version mentioned before from jetpens). I have found a way to hack this pen though. All you have to do is follow the steps on Parka Blogs.

Thanks for reading. I hope you liked my review. Comment with your opinions on this pen. If you tried the hack, tell me how it worked for you.



******UPDATE*******
I just bought this pen in the refillable version I mentioned in the post, and it works great!