Parker Latitude Review in Slate Blue

[thoddomas]

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As per the request of fellow Twitterer and pen fan, @MrBill, I am writing about the Parker Latitude line of fountain pens. The cigar shape and iconic arrow clip closely resembles a Parker Sonnet, with one key distinction being the concentric rings around the cap of the pen. The rings provide a sense of modernity and cutting edge style to contrast the classical Duofold and Sonnet collections.

 

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As some readers may know, I'm a huge fan of blue, so I picked the Slate Blue to try out. The weight is a bit lighter than your typical Sonnet, probably due to the use of stainless steel for the barrel as opposed to brass that is found in other pens. The chrome-plated trims complement the light blue of the lacquer well. The rings on the cap are a nice subtle accent to the overall design. Upon opening up the pen, I notice that the converter is not your typical twist converter, but a slide mechanism, which are also common to the Parker Facets. It certainly seems like the tank in the converter can hold as much as an international-size ink cartridge, which isn't much to crow about. My first complaint came when I was filling the pen with Noodler's Blue/Black ink.

 

I realized that the "sucker hole" or ink intake on this pen is all the way up by the front grip section. I wasn't getting any ink in until I came to the conclusion that the pen's design is going to force me to get messy. I submerge the tip further until ink covered the very end of the front grip area. With getting the air out of the converter and blowing bubbles in the ink, you are talking one messy pen.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CJ_bjz_bVMY/SilpHFz30SI/AAAAAAAAAEk/I_YZ9wBoQGI/s320/parker_latitude_open.jpg

 

I put the whole inking experience behind me and hoped that the writing experience was going to be more pleasant. It wasn't. I nicknamed the pen, "Skippy." After writing for 10 minutes, I was missing strokes, letters, and, on occasion, entire words. Convinced the pen did not like the taste of Noodler's, I stuck a Parker Quink blue cartridge and tried again. The flow did improve somewhat, but not by much. You can check the results below on Levenger paper:

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CJ_bjz_bVMY/Sil37ckAq_I/AAAAAAAAAEs/xtoId1-WZsY/s320/Pen-Test-Pelikan-Parker-Taccia-back-before.jpg

 

Some of my notes can seem like Leonardo DaVinci's backward, cryptic handwriting. I assure you it is not my fault. Some words are missing letters because the Parker fell asleep behind the wheel. Overall, even with switching to the native Parker ink, the pen worked, but underperformed.

 

Summary:

 

• Writing Quality : Medium Stainless Steel nib is skippy and scratchy. Subpar, even for stainless steel and for the price point. (grade D )
• Aesthetic Quality : Very similar to a cross between a Parker Sonnet and a Waterman Hempishere. Nothing particularly outstanding. The concentric rings are nice and subtle, but they really don't "WOW" me. (grade B- )
• Utility : Bottled ink filling is messier due to the design of the feed. Pen clips and caps good, is fairly light in hand. (grade B )
• Price : At $95 retail for the fountain pen, I would rather put my money into a higher-quality Parker Sonnet. (grade C- )

Final Grade : C-There are many pens that are at this price point that perform 10 times better than the Latitude. Parker is said to be releasing a new series by fall. Hopefully, it will be replacing any need for the Latitude. Sorry, Mr. Bill.

[MinhP]

Thank for your honest review. My pen has just been delivered. It was not that bad. And I think the writer of the note should improve their handwriting. ;-P

[andy1m]

very nice colour, I like blue too. With this price you should able to get something much better. Happy hunting...

[thoddomas]

Thank for your honest review. My pen has just been delivered. It was not that bad. And I think the writer of the note should improve their handwriting. ;-P

 

Hey! My handwriting is usually pretty good. You should see my reviews on Noodler's Habanero and the Taccia Nightlife. My handwriting was horrid here because the pen kept skipping all the time. I'm glad that you sound like you are having a better time with it than I was. Did you flush it after taking it out of the box?

[tonydent84]

OMG, I had the same exact problem with this pen. I originally bought it a month or two ago at Staples for like $50 in chrome. The pen skipped no matter which ink I put in it. I brought it back to Staples and got a refund. Then, a few weeks later, they were selling another Latitude on clearance for just $11.00. So I figured I'd buy it and try a new one out -- maybe that one shouldn't have any problems. I saw a difference between the new one and the old one that I returned, but it still skipped (and sometimes wouldn't start).

 

I sent it back to Parker like 5 weeks ago, and they just sent a replacement back to me the other day -- and again the pen skips! I think the Latitudes are the worst fountain pens on the market -- going for such a high price and not even working. I have a much better time with my Vector that only costs $9. I did notice though that my Latitude does work good with my Private Reserve American blue. But I'm more of a black ink kind of writer, so I guess I'll be using that pen only once in a blue moon.

[thoddomas]

I did notice though that my Latitude does work good with my Private Reserve American blue. But I'm more of a black ink kind of writer, so I guess I'll be using that pen only once in a blue moon.

 

I originally thought it was an ink issue as well. Usually, its a safer bet to go with the ink that is manufactured by the same maker of the pen, so that's why I switched over to using the Parker blue cartridge that came with the pen. It was very disappointing to see that the change made hardly any difference. Hopefully, Parker will be phasing out this line soon.

[alanspence]

I did notice though that my Latitude does work good with my Private Reserve American blue. But I'm more of a black ink kind of writer, so I guess I'll be using that pen only once in a blue moon.

 

I originally thought it was an ink issue as well. Usually, its a safer bet to go with the ink that is manufactured by the same maker of the pen, so that's why I switched over to using the Parker blue cartridge that came with the pen. It was very disappointing to see that the change made hardly any difference. Hopefully, Parker will be phasing out this line soon.

 

My Latitude also skips to the extent that I have had to stop using it in meetings - too many skips to be able to take notes. I also switched inks and it made no difference. I have also bent the nib about and tried to space the various gaps in various ways - all to no available. It's the worst pen I've ever had and I have many from cheap to very expensive. A pity because I like the design and feel of the pen and it has sentimental value because it was a gift. Avoid!

[thoddomas]

My Latitude also skips to the extent that I have had to stop using it in meetings - too many skips to be able to take notes. I also switched inks and it made no difference. I have also bent the nib about and tried to space the various gaps in various ways - all to no available. It's the worst pen I've ever had and I have many from cheap to very expensive. A pity because I like the design and feel of the pen and it has sentimental value because it was a gift. Avoid!

 

Sorry to hear you agree with me. I was hoping that maybe I might have had a rare instance. Welcome to FPN! And thanks for following us on twitter!

[josh1990]

My pen in black did all mentioned; skipping, not starting, etc. But to top it off the nib was scratchy, After paying so much for a Parker I had hoped for better.

I think I`ll have it sent off oneday to be re-ground and fix the flow problems.

[cl0123]

Thank you for the honest review. A local stationeries supply store offered it at 25% discount earlier last month. I did not buy one because they were out of fine nibs. Anyway, I appreciate honest reviews since they always help others making better-informed decisions.

 

With Aloha,

 

Clarence

[Kabe]

I liked this pen, but no more

[mel o]

I also have a parker latitude a it is my favorite pen but how come yours skips and mine don't? :hmm1:

[MSA]

I have one in stainless steel and it does not skip at all. Writes a smooth medium line. I guess I was just lucky....

[Mike 59]

I bought a Frontier which performed just as described above, poor starter, skipping etc.

So gave it several flushes through with dish washing up liquid, a few drops in a beaker of water, drawing the water up into and out of the pen with a Parker cartridge converter, (replacing the ink cartridge).

( If no CC available, pour the water into the top of nib section, many times over, and leave the nib unit in the solution overnight.)

Did this "flushing" several ( 5 or 6) times, then used just plain water, then stood the pen up on a paper towel for a couple of hours. After that it's fine, in fact it's transformed. Ink of choice is Shaeffer Skrip.

Edited December 29, 2011 by Mike 59

[Toolattack]

Interesting review. I guess the 'skipping' problem can be nib, action, or ink related.

[ThirdeYe]

I had the same issue with an older Parker Vector that I bought NOS. I've tried a number of different inks in it, and it skips with every one I put in it.

[mikkolopez]

i had the same problem with a cheaper Pilot and did the wash, soak and flush routine, worked fine after that. must be some crud stuck up in the pens ink tubes or nibs. The wifey is now using the Pilot.

[Needhelp]

Hey i had the exact same issue with the black and gold version in a medium nib but first i tought it was babys bottom so fixed that but it was still skipping so then i took a closer look at the nib and found that the nib is splayed and i closed the tines and it no more skips and writes very well except feels a bit draggy because of the process of fixing babys bottom

[FLZapped]

Interesting review. I guess the 'skipping' problem can be nib, action, or ink related.

I have one that I use at work. I was using Parker Quink, but had all kinds of trouble. Switched to Borealis Black and it writes like a charm.