A Bookish Review Of The Midori Traveler’S Notebook

[delano]

Good, solid review. I wish I had read it before I bought mine it was so well done -- but the end result would have been the same. I love my Midori TN.

[sannidh]

Good, solid review. I wish I had read it before I bought mine it was so well done -- but the end result would have been the same. I love my Midori TN.

 

Congrats delano on your MTN!

Thank you, I do agree with the end result.

[jimhughes]

 

soniknitr You've tried the MD Notebook you reference and link to in a Passport size Midori Notebook? And it fits well? I'm thinking of ordering the MD Notebook from jet or my maido, stateside. Measurements in your link look closer to Passport than Traveller in size, but I have both. I'm plagued by ordering inserts that don't fit the covers although they look close, hence my question of have you mated them and checked out the fit. Have an awesome week, Jim

 

[sannidh]

soniknitr You've tried the MD Notebook you reference and link to in a Passport size Midori Notebook? And it fits well? I'm thinking of ordering the MD Notebook from jet or my maido, stateside. Measurements in your link look closer to Passport than Traveller in size, but I have both. I'm plagued by ordering inserts that don't fit the covers although they look close, hence my question of have you mated them and checked out the fit. Have an awesome week, Jim

 

Jim - I shall be able to update you on the fit of MD A5 notebook (MD Notebook <A5> H210 x W148 x D10mm / 176pages) with the regular-sized MTN, this week . It's in transit, as we speak.

 

I guess are considering the <S-sized> notebook for a passport sized MTN. Please also check rakuten (linked). They might offer better discounts.

Have a nice weekend!

 

Best,

Sonik

[fireant]

I'm going to hit Maido next week where I hope to be able to 'research' all the different notebooks

[sannidh]

I'm going to hit Maido next week where I hope to be able to 'research' all the different notebooks

All the best . We need those stores here

[jimhughes]

Sonik Thanks for the update. Look forward to seeing how things work out for you. Enjoy the new Passport Midori. They are a joy and pleasure to work with and use. Thanks for the Raukten link. Bit difficult for us stateside folks to sort out. The few times I've used them I've been very pleased with cost, shipment and the items I bought. Have a great Sunday, jim

[bogiesan]

While in San Francisco recently on business I stopped by the Maido Stationery shop downtown, one of the few USA retail outlets for Midori gear. The proprietor was a great Midori fan but I was already an easy sale. Unfortunately for me--but great for the store--accessories and refills for the regular size I wanted were all out of stock. She could only sell me the base unit, some bands, and a kraft envelope. The passport model is not nearly as popular so most of that entire line was available. but it is too small for my needs.

I knew what the answer was going to be but I inquired after the PanAm blue unit. She indicated the store was only allocated five sets in the first run. They were all reserved for regualr patrons and there was a long waiting list.

 

I enjoy doing business with the kids at Goulet so I'll place an order for Midori-ish goodies and doodads in a few weeks.

[sannidh]

soniknitr You've tried the MD Notebook you reference and link to in a Passport size Midori Notebook? And it fits well? I'm thinking of ordering the MD Notebook from jet or my maido, stateside. Measurements in your link look closer to Passport than Traveller in size, but I have both. I'm plagued by ordering inserts that don't fit the covers although they look close, hence my question of have you mated them and checked out the fit. Have an awesome week, Jim

 

Jim - I did this test today. MD notebooks did not fit a traveler as we would have liked them to.

- There is a dimensional mismatch with either the height or the width, which will make the notebook bulge out or slide inside. Had not paid much attention to the dimensions, earlier!

- And, MTN might seem bulky with a MD notebook.

 

 

Dimensions (copied from Midori website)

• MTN Regular - H218 x W130
• MTN Passport - H134 x W105
• MD Notebook <S> - H148 x W105
• MD Notebook <M> - H175 x W105
• MD Notebook <A5> - H210 x W148

 

 

As the pics below show a mismatch between the Widths of the A5 sized MD notebook and a MTN (regular) here.

 

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/IMG_3333_zpsuwvyhfrb.jpg

 

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/IMG_3334_zpsio5ntkje.jpg

Edited May 1, 2015 by soniknitr

[sannidh]

I did add a blue Midori PAN AM pen holder refill, which can keep a pen or a pencil with diameter less than 1.2 cm. Though it’s meant to go with MTN’s blue special edition, I ordered it specifically for my regular brown MTN. Kind of like the contrast.

 

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/MD%20Notebook/md%20003_zpsol0bxhcx.jpg

Edited May 2, 2015 by soniknitr

[fireant]

All the best . We need those stores here

 

 

The sheer variety of notebooks was amazing at Maido. Although they didn't have the variety, I also loved the Itoya Top Drawer in San Francisco. They had a nice variety of Midori products available to look at and I really liked that they didn't mind if you really examined the articles/items.

Edited May 6, 2015 by fireant

[jimhughes]

soniknitr:

 

Too bad I'd really hoped they would fit the Traveller. I was afraid they'd be too big for the Passport.

Looks like the only choice is to send one of the A6 sized ND's i like to JPLeathercraft or Zenokleather on etsy.com. Both have done special order Leather Covers for me for non standard notebooks. Pricing ewas great and the workmanship was heirloom quality. Thanks for comparing them for me. Have a great week, Jim.

[3l3phant]

... (Use it at work for "stand-ups" and team meetings? ...

 

I'm looking to replace my generic zipper portfolio with something more interesting but equally functional in business meetings for taking notes, jotting down reminders, etc. I love the Midori concept but not sure it's right for what I need. Any thoughts?

[sannidh]

 

 

The sheer variety of notebooks was amazing at Maido. Although they didn't have the variety, I also loved the Itoya Top Drawer in San Francisco. They had a nice variety of Midori products available to look at and I really liked that they didn't mind if you really examined the articles/items.

 

We are in need of Maidos here in India. Just curious, how have they priced these midori items in their stores?

[sannidh]

 

I'm looking to replace my generic zipper portfolio with something more interesting but equally functional in business meetings for taking notes, jotting down reminders, etc. I love the Midori concept but not sure it's right for what I need. Any thoughts?

 

Wonder if you comfortable with the A5 size, as you might need to carry prints/A4 size things usually inside the office diary.

That's one limitation for me.

[pavoni]

 

I'm looking to replace my generic zipper portfolio with something more interesting but equally functional in business meetings for taking notes, jotting down reminders, etc. I love the Midori concept but not sure it's right for what I need. Any thoughts?

 

I am happily running both systems. My A5 Montblanc Agenda for work (which I have had for years) and my new standard-sized Midori for myself (home and holidays).

 

I was seduced by the thought of the Midori system and it didn't take me long before I purchased one......well, a few actually .

 

Having never used one before, to make the Midori work at all, I found I really had to want to use it, and so made every excuse to use it. In no time at all, I found that I was so excited by my new Midori system that my trusty (for work) MB Agenda was suddenly quite boring to use and boring to look at, and so I considered using the Midori for work as well as my personal life. However, the Midori system isn't natural for work, at least for mine. I guess the clue is in the title, after all the Midori is called a "Traveller's Notebook"!

 

I was therefore faced with a dilemma. It clearly isn't efficient to run two systems and two different systems at that! Could I ditch my work Agenda (which costs 10x more than the Midori) and make my new Midori work for me in all aspects of my life (work and home)?

 

Curiously, it was whilst exploring the interesting ways in which other people used their Midori, that I realised, despite many years of using my Agenda, that I wasn't getting the best out of it and so, quite by accident, by looking for the best way to use my Midori, I ended up reinventing the way I use my Agenda; and now I really enjoy using it.

 

My answer to the OP is, it really depends on your role at work and how your job actually works! For me, the Midori isn't really designed for my typical, traditional office-type role. It is after all, a Traveller's Notebook and this is really how I intend to use it.

 

As for running two systems........ I suppose my Midori is more complimentary than alternative to my MB Agenda. However, by using both, I am getting the best out of both, and enjoying being far more organised

 

Pavoni.

[3l3phant]

I can't believe I missed your excellent reply I work in what I guess is a traditional('esque) environment - a lot of running between meetings and a lot of note taking at the meetings. I have to write quickly (so adapting to a fountain pen). An A5 standard notepad in the portfolio has worked well all these years, but I really want to try something new. I'm not sure the Midori will do it ... I suppose I'll just have find excuses to travel more

[sannidh]

I can't believe I missed your excellent reply I work in what I guess is a traditional('esque) environment - a lot of running between meetings and a lot of note taking at the meetings. I have to write quickly (so adapting to a fountain pen). An A5 standard notepad in the portfolio has worked well all these years, but I really want to try something new. I'm not sure the Midori will do it ... I suppose I'll just have find excuses to travel more

Think you might have missed this superb review from pavoni. All said, no one can stop you from using a say blue MTN in those meetings . I use some rather bulky company branded ones, as a MTN seems to get too much attention + usually I need to stack some prints inside.

Have a feeling that MTN is a compact & comfortable piece for carrying around.

 

You might like to give MTN a try and please do not forget to share your experience with us

 

Best,

Sonik

Edited May 30, 2015 by soniknitr