What's the difference between these pens?

[O'Hare]

I've read a lot of good things about the Cross Solo, and I'm thinking about getting one. It sounds like the Solo is almost the same as the Pilot 78G, the Prera, and the Lucina. I already have a Pilot 78G though. Are there differences between these pens or are they all similar enough to not notice?

[Maja]

I've read a lot of good things about the Cross Solo, and I'm thinking about getting one. It sounds like the Solo is almost the same as the Pilot 78G, the Prera, and the Lucina. I already have a Pilot 78G though. Are there differences between these pens or are they all similar enough to not notice?

Well, I'm no expert on the models, but I do have a Cross Solo and a Pilot Prera here in front of me so I can do a cursory comparison ....

 

The Cross Solo is 5 & 7/16" long capped and 5 & 13/16" long posted (from end of cap to tip of nib) whereas the Pilot Prera is 4 & 11/16" long capped and 5 & 1/4" (or 5 & 4/16" ) posted. I don't have an electronic scale but both pens are light, the Prera perhaps being even a tad heavier than the Solo...but certainly neither are anywhere near being called "heavy" or even "medium-weight" pens. Their maximum barrel diameters seem to be the same (I measured both at 7/16"). Both pens seem quite sturdy, but I have to give the Prera better marks in the looks department due to it's metal trim (vs. the plastic trim on my Solo). I believe the Solo nibs were made by Namiki and the pens are now discontinued so I got mine on eBay. If the Prera were available in a slightly bigger version, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat

 

Hope this helps.

[O'Hare]

Thank you Maja! I've read the Solo nibs were made by Pilot too. What about the using them? Are the nibs very different between the Prera and the Solo?

[garyc]

Thank you Maja! I've read the Solo nibs were made by Pilot too. What about the using them? Are the nibs very different between the Prera and the Solo?

Here are a couple of pictures (l-r Prera, 78G, Solo, Pluminix)

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2226165358_5d9f7878b9_o.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2226165426_34c5788d7f_o.jpg

 

I also have the Lucina (not here at work though) and can confirm the Solo and Lucina nibs are the same. You can even interchange the sections. IMO the Solo/Lucina are a level above the Prera nib, but I like the style of the Prera more (though it is a tad short). As you can see the Pilot Pluminix nib most closely resembles the 78G, the feed style gives it away. The Pluminix is a little school pen in funky clear colours and its a super stub nib (not as broad as the 78G broad) and would be very useable were it not for its tiny size. It cost me about $8, so I would say ithe 78G/Pluminix are the cheaper quality of this group, but they still qrite amazingly well.

 

On balance I would choose the Solo from the 78G/Prera/Solo , particularly if you can find it for around $30 or so. The Lucina cost me closer to $60 IIRC, its quite spiffy in bright yellow. But there isn't a whole lot of difference in the writing experience between them all if truth be told.

 

By weight (capped/body only) the 78G is significantly lighter. It feels a little flimsy to me in the hand and I am not quite so keen on it for that reason, but the nib is still lovely and smooth.

 

Solo: 18/13g

78G: 11/7g

Prera: 18/10g

 

The Solo may have a gram or so more ink in it than the other two. Also note the body of the Prera is smaller/lighter than the Solo.

[O'Hare]

Wow - It's great to have the pictures and comparisons in one place. Thank you!