Rotring 600

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Clark

November 02, 2000

Product Requirements:
Device:
Any touch screen device

The Rotring 600 Trio-Pen, available from Stylus Central, could almost be described as a substitute weapon – it actually resembles a self-defense tool that I was given as a gift years ago. It has the heft, and the shape of an eyeball poker! J

This Rotring is actually a very functional multi-pen, with an industrial look to it. The top of the barrel, and the bottom where you grasp it, are smooth and round. The middle of the barrel is a long hexagonal shaft. Around the top edge is the distinctive red band that all Rotrings have, and right next to that band is the unique twist-action way to depress whichever tip you happen to be using.

This multi-pen comes in either a matte black or matte silver finish. For this review, I will be showing pictures of the silver pen. You will notice that like the other high-end Rotrings, the 600 Trio comes with a great gift case.

As the name implies, there are three tips included in the 600 Trio: a blue ballpoint (which you can replace with black, should you prefer), a 0.7 mechanical pencil, and a yellow pointy-tip stylus. The red ink cartridge that was replaced by the stylus is also included in the package.

One excellent feature of this multi-pen is the fact that because it has a 0.7 mechanical pencil, it is therefore an excellent gift for college students who may have tests involving the use of #2 pencils and Scantron sheets.

I am pleased to say that the mechanical pencil works perfectly every time.

This Rotring comes with a wide pocket clip; however, this clip looks like it could be removed, should you prefer.

As with most other multi-pens, you simply rotate the shaft of the pen until the icon for the tip you want to use is facing up. Then you press the top cylindrical cap, which also hides the eraser, to eject your choice.

The only thing that I would improve on this system, would be to find a way that you could get the eraser cap off easier when the pencil was extended. There is such a small end sticking out, that you are forced to retract the tip before you can remove the cap. A small gripe, I know, but there it is…

When you pick the 600 Trio up for the first time, you will most likely be either impressed or dismayed by the sheer weight of the pen. It is chrome-covered brass, so it definitely has some heft to it. It seems a little bit top-heavy, but once in use, I actually found it to be well balanced and comfortable for extended writing.

All in all, this is a pen that you will either really like or not, due to it’s strong styling and weight. Personally, I really like it.

 

Price: $69

Pros:
Appealing industrial design

Cons:
Expensive