I heard the CON-50 had been replaced by the CON-40, but was not aware they had discontinued the squeeze converter.

However, for me, the Pilot Prera is more comfortable than the Pilot Metropolitan and the Lamy Safari due to the smooth section and a better length for me than the TWSBI Eco. I have thought about dripping some five minute set time epoxy into the cap and letting it cure for a day. After reading many reviews and talking with many friends, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to like the Procyon. Unfortunately, I will be submitting pictures, but since all I have at this time is my cell phone, I won't be posting beauty pics (RIP Nikon D40). Yes" indicates that this pen can be converted into an eyedropper pen, which is filled by putting ink directly into the barrel.Pam: If I could wax poetry to the “perfect” Prera’s specs and hand feel, I would compose and sing songs about the nib. I am talking about only the nib and writing experience; the steel nib pens do not preserve inks very well and dryout will occur = ink will evaporate. This is a demonstrator style pen so you can see the inside of the pen but it comes in a few different colors where the ends of the pen are different.

There are even demonstrator versions that have a splash of color on the cap and the end of the pen body. I just wish they would sell the nibs individually – I like to swap out the italic nib on the Plumix now and then for a different line width. Not too expensive that I’d be very sad if I lost it, but still a fun pen that makes me enjoy writing.Holding the pen unposted was a bit uncomfortable but once the pen’s cap is posted, it’s a nice size pen to handle. The cap has a semi-translucent white liner and white printed design with the Prera logo above the cap band.

You can choose different colours for the top of the cap and bottom of the barrel and I went for blue. It feels very cheap, and I have trouble getting close to a full fill, but you can always syringe fill it I guess. The Prera is a demonstrator and has a clear plastic body with some colored accents on the ends (reminds me of the old iMac designs from ’99). I would fill the ink with the converter whenever it's possible, especially if the nib is gold with plating.Compare it to the Rotring Newton I reviewed recently and the level of finish — in terms of things like casting lines — is much better. The light blue is nice as well, but since I went to NC State University, I could not get 'Carolina Blue' pen. I also like the fact that the nibs are interchangeable with the Plumix and Metros, and other Pilot pens, I’m sure, but those are the only ones I have. I love mini fountain pens like the Kaweco Liliput; I own several of those, and have no problem writing with them (posted, of course) comfortably, and for quite a long period of time.