Has anyone got a Fisher Space Pen

[discovery (Joel)]

Hello everyone,

I have found the ideal writing tool for those cold frosty nights.
I've used regular ball point pens when observing, which means cold temperatures coupled with dew usually renders mine useless.
So I ordered a Fisher Space pen through ebay, the same pen that astronauts carry on every mission since 1967, the pen can write in the zero g environment of space, under water, through dirt and grease, in temps fro -41c to 100 c,
the best thing is you can write at any angle with this pen which I think is very handy at the scope any way I'll post a small review when I get it

Cheers Joel

[Clarry (Clayton)]

I remember being told that NASA spent big money developing this pen for their space missions, the Russians took a pencil.
Not sure if it's true but it makes me laugh anyway.

[Outbackmanyep]

Yeah i have a Fisher Space Pen, it was a gift, although for my obs i use a pencil, just keep a sharpener handy!

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by Clarry

I remember being told that NASA spent big money developing this pen for their space missions, the Russians took a pencil.
Not sure if it's true but it makes me laugh anyway.

Well you might want to read this write up. The truth is out there...god I loved the X-Files

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/613/1

[wanglese]

OH Man, I had about 3 of them.
Like every other pen I have ever had, I put it down somewhere, or somebody else took it.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I collected them at one stage. I had seven or eight, but can only find four. LOL! None have ever run out.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Yep, I've got one

[DavidTrap (David)]

I was given one as a present. I always found the ink very "tacky" and they wouldn't write smoothly. I did use up one refil and thought a new one might be better - but alas, still tacky - so I gave up on them.

DT

[M54 (Molly)]

Originally Posted by Clarry

I remember being told that NASA spent big money developing this pen for their space missions, the Russians took a pencil.
Not sure if it's true but it makes me laugh anyway.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Clarry

I remember being told that NASA spent big money developing this pen for their space missions, the Russians took a pencil.
Not sure if it's true but it makes me laugh anyway.

Yep, this is true. Millions of dollars spent on the development. Cosmonauts simply used a pencil.

Reminds me of the quote: " A cow is simply a racehorse designed by a committee"

Cheers

Chris

[goober (Doug)]

I'm on my second, the "bullet" pen. First one fell out of my pocket as I was getting in the car, and ran over it. The standard nib is too thick, and the ink tends to run - get it replaced with a finer refill when you purchase.

[syousef]

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

Claim: NASA spent millions of dollars developing an "astronaut pen" which would work in outer space while the Soviets solved the same problem by simply using pencils.

Status: False

[space oddity]

I am a great fan of the space pens. I always have a bullet pen in my fob pocket or wallet. Yes, the medium points dribble, so I always use fine(my writing is so disgusting that medium point would be totally illegible.)
It was not NASA that spent millions on the space pen research, it was Paul Fisher(passed away a couple of years ago,aged 92), the founder who developed the pens. NASA merely bought a couple of thousand dollars worth off the shelf.Obviously, it was a massive PR coup for Fisher.
A little known fact is that when Apollo 11 was on the moon, there was a latch that closed itself and the nib of a space pen saved the day.
The Russians used pencils that were more like crayons-do not want the broken tip of a pencil "floating" around.
I have found a reliable dealer on Ebay to get my space pens-make great presents. The price I get them for is less than a bottle of Whiskey, but way more useful.Way too expensive in OZ.