As the largest pen manufacturer in Japan, the Pilot Company has been making pens since 1915 (its liquid ink technology having been utilised since 1985), and has made a rather large subsidiary in the UK, with a diverse range of lines aimed at various individuals with specific writing needs. I am a student of humanities and creative writing, as well as a healthcare assistant for a regional agency. Due to the nature of my studies and job, I always make sure that I am carrying a pen on me, and the Pilot Hi-TechPoint has now become my staple writing accessory. I have used other pens on the market, but they don't seem to compete with the sturdiness and ink-flow that the Pilot has to offer. The Pilot company manufactures a lot of pens for specific individuals, but these Hi-TechPoint V5 pens seem to be the variety that fits my daily needs; flowing easily across the page and incorporating a pure black liquid gel ink that is always clearly visible upon putting pen to paper. The MicroBall RollerTip has a 0.77mm diameter that provides a 0.5 mm writing line. In essence, this means, that the rollerball tip is not too small for everyday use, but provides a thin enough line for note-taking and for daily log entries, such as in my personal line of care work. The pen itself looks like the standard variety gel pen that has a hook on the lid, perfect for sitting in your trouser pocket whilst on the go, or for clipping into your portfolio for class. Down the side of the main body there is a window that indicates the ink level, being a handy feature for knowing when to change pens so you won't get caught short. There is also a regulator in each pen which makes sure that there is always a consistent flow of ink until the levels have emptied. This ensures that there is very little blobbing or leakage on the page with a natural flow of ink, making it perfect for when a large chunk of information needs to be written down in rather a small space and length of time. That being said, you do need to make sure that the cap has been placed back tightly, and that you don't press too hard onto paper when writing, as I have noticed that staining does sometimes occur when I have simply clipped the pen into my jeans pocket with the nib rubbing against fabric. The Pilot pen requires a smooth glide by the user, which does take some getting used to after using standard rollerball gel pens, as well as the more common biros. Overall, I would highly recommend the Pilot Hi-TechPoint V5 Rollerball pen for both students and professional workers alike, as I have received nothing but compliments from my colleagues and friends who have observed my handwriting upon completing daily logs. They do take some getting used to in terms of gliding pressure, but are by far the more superior writing pen to choose from in my opinion. N.B. The information and photos attached to this review are for the 12-box black coloured rollerball pens offered by the Pilot company. However, they can also be purchased as a triple and six pack, as well as individually in a variety of vibrant colours. They do come in a standard labelled box; however, this depends on the seller, and will sometimes either be packaged loosely or in a cellophane envelope.
