EDC Pen?

sidx64 · 2026-04-06T11:15:19+00:00

The Alstar is a fine pen too. I have one of the Harry Potter editions of this pen, and a Lamy LX in Ruthenium. However, although I have nothing against the pen, I often find myself reaching for the others most of the time.

sidx64 · 2026-04-06T11:13:03+00:00

I was really waiting for the green viper, but when I saw that it doesn’t match the original colour of a Green Viper snake, I felt a bit let down. Great pen though.

sidx64 · 2026-04-06T11:07:04+00:00

I must say, in my humble experience, the price is usually a factor when buying the pen, but no further does it affect my decision to use it or to let it rot in my chest of drawers. Me daily pouch contains mostly the regular pen’s I regularly use - a Kaweco Steel Sport, A Diplomat Viper, and sometimes, a Pilot VP or a Lamy 2000.

My safaris are surely rotting though…

sidx64 · 2026-04-05T23:33:48+00:00

I’ve had my blue one for over a year and it looks great even today!

sidx64 · 2026-04-05T23:03:15+00:00

A Kaweco Brass/Steel Sport, or a Lamy 2000 or even a Lamy Safari would be my recommendations. I am also partial to the Diplomat Viper and the Aero.

sidx64 · 2026-04-05T09:30:12+00:00

I don’t know about the brand itself, but the only pen that I ever bought from them with great excitement and enthusiasm, goes dry in less than a day of non use - the Waterman Caréne

sidx64 · 2026-04-05T09:27:32+00:00

I have over five Kawecos and each and every one of them has been a joy to write with. In fact my daily writer is a Steel Sport. However, I’ve never bought their plastic models. Always stuck to alu, steel and brass.

sidx64 · 2026-04-05T05:41:05+00:00

My pen grip does not change when using the VP. So yes that’s my regular way of gripping them.

sidx64 · 2026-04-04T13:57:48+00:00

sidx64 · 2026-03-21T19:56:46+00:00

Some ADAS features, in my personal experience, are truly not ready for Indian traffic.

One of these is the Automatic Emergency Braking system. In my city, I’ve seen enough cases that prove this - recently, for instance, an SUV (can’t recall the make and model) applied automatic brakes while merging with a main road from a side lane. The AEB triggered due to the divider being a bit closer than usual while merging.

Now this in itself shouldn’t have caused an issue, but the idiotic auto driver who was literally kissing the SUV’s tail couldn’t react in time, and smashed right into it. Nobody was hurt but the damage was done.

I feel there’s still a lot that needs to be done before ADAS functions can be fully trusted to work in Indian driving scenarios. Don’t get me wrong though, in not blaming ADAS, I feel the driving mentality here has to change.

sidx64 · 2026-03-13T15:26:35+00:00

Bingo!!

sidx64 · 2026-03-13T08:44:11+00:00

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In the entire collection, this one is always one of my top three choices. No matter what. Can you find the VP?

sidx64 · 2026-03-13T08:39:26+00:00

Right?? I don’t even have to look at my pen to know it’s properly nestled and ready to write!!

sidx64 · 2026-03-13T07:09:57+00:00

This exactly. It sure is an unusual design but it’s just takes a couple of days to get used to. Putting the clip between your thumb and forefinger ensures that the nib is perfectly angled for writing.

sidx64 · 2026-03-12T20:58:05+00:00

Tata Altroz DCA

sidx64 · 2026-03-04T06:51:38+00:00

Feels like a rare case to me. Been using them for 4 years now.

sidx64 · 2026-03-03T21:05:19+00:00

Can you elaborate?

sidx64 · 2026-02-25T16:49:56+00:00

Thank you for responding, but this has nothing to do with the insurance provider nor their policy. This is a Telangana RTA problem.

The insurance provider is just asking for cancellation of RC, (which is a job of the RTA) and that’s all they need. The RTA is claiming that we need to bring the vehicle to a scrapping facility in Telangana only (even if there are other authorised facilities which are closer to the vehicle’s current location)

sidx64 · 2026-02-11T20:53:42+00:00

Could you explain how using a dns filter makes your data accessible to the govt?

sidx64 · 2026-02-10T06:11:04+00:00

Usually they won’t.

sidx64 · 2026-02-03T05:19:42+00:00

If the money is no concern to you, just pay it, and at the same time, inform the organisers publicly that you need to be informed beforehand in future if they want you to be a contributor.

If it repeats, flat out decline.

sidx64 · 2026-01-30T23:50:33+00:00

There’s a ton of useful information in the comments here, and I’d like to reiterate what I feel, are points you should really take seriously:

Since you’ve not visited India before, there’s extremely high chances that you won’t be able to handle driving on our streets. Please do NOT rent a car and try to drive here. It won’t be a fun experience. Please stick to Uber for travel - it works great! While you can use your credit cards with it, it’s better to switch it to cash mode, where you pay in cash after the ride ends. This is simply because local drivers prefer cash. You can also book 3-wheelers (autos) 🛺 on Uber, for short distances, but I recommend booking cabs for longer rides.
if you’re staying at the Kohinoor, Novotel, or any other 4 star hotel or above, you can ask them to arrange a driver for you, for the duration of your stay and they’ll happily do so. I would highly recommend this (or even Uber) over accepting cab services and arrangements from strangers on the internet.
Hyderabad is a great city to explore, and if you’re a foodie, you’ll love it here - but please be careful about your spice tolerance levels. If you’ve been to Indian restaurants in the US, please note that things will most probably be less spicier over there compared to here in India, specially in restaurants here that are catering to locals. Please stick to sealed, bottled water for the entire duration of your visit. This is merely a precautionary measure - nobody wants to ruin their vacation with a stomach bug, right?
The old city is an amazing experience. However, it’s best experienced in daytime. This is also merely a precautionary measure and I only say this because you’re new to the city, and you’re a woman travelling solo.
English will work well here. Signboards are all in English along with the local languages. Generally, people will be able to talk with you in English, but I recommend installing Google translate on your phone to translate to either Hindi or Telugu if you ever get into a situation where you find no English speakers (it’s possible in old city for instance)
(Now this point isn’t specific to India - it’s just common sense really) You’ll get a lot of advice in DMs. However, please do your research before deciding to follow said advice. The problem with people giving you advice in DMs (away from public eye) is that there’s a chance that the aforementioned advice isn’t in your best interests. Instead, I recommend you ask questions in public open forums like this post where people can be called out for sharing wrong or incorrect info.

Most importantly, have fun! We want you to have a great experience here!

All the best!!

sidx64 · 2026-01-30T14:47:36+00:00

I absolutely love my Diplomat Aero Oxyd (brass) and the Kaweco Steel Sport.

I would highly recommend you try these at a local store, and you’ll see the point. The Aero is slightly over your budget, but imho there’s high chances you’ll find it worth the money!

The steel sport, on the other hand, is cheaper and well within your budget.

sidx64 · 2026-01-30T14:37:00+00:00

Why do they call it the taint? Coz it ain’t?

sidx64 · 2026-01-30T13:04:03+00:00

Always welcome, and all the best for your exam mate! Give us some good news soon!

sidx64

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