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Overview
Rocketbook makes a family of reusable “smart” notebooks (Core — formerly Everlast — plus Fusion, Wave, Flip, Mini and planner variants) that pair a wipeable page surface with an app that scans and routes your notes to cloud services. The Core/Everlast is essentially the flagship reusable polyester-coated notebook, while other models add templates or different formats for planners and students.
What’s good (the pros)
• Reusability and eco-angle — writing with Pilot FriXion pens + wiping with the included microfiber makes the pages reusable and reduces paper waste; many users like the sustainable idea behind a notebook that can be reused for months or years. • Fast digitization — the Rocketbook app reliably detects pages and uploads to Google Drive, Evernote, OneNote, email, Dropbox and custom destinations. Users and reviewers consistently praise how quick and accurate the app is for archiving. • Feel and portability — the coated pages write smoothly with the recommended pens, and the notebooks come in useful sizes and bindings (spiral Executive, letter, flip/top-bound, planners), making them versatile for meetings, classes, and travel.
What’s meh (the cons)
• Erasure isn’t perfect for everyone — while the wipe/erase system works, reviewers and long-term users report ghosting or faint remnants after repeated use or if ink wasn’t fully dry. Some users find they need to be selective about which pages they reuse for long-term notes. • Pen dependency — to guarantee erasability you must use heat-erasable Pilot FriXion pens (or equivalents). Regular ink pens will not work and can stain or be permanent. That limits ink selection and color options unless you accept non-erasable pages. • Surface wear and cover durability — several users note the cover and binding can scuff or warp over heavy daily use, especially with the Wave and some early models; the notebook is robust but not indestructible.
Performance notes (real world)
• Scanning & OCR: fast and dependable for black-ink notes; OCR works but, as with any phone OCR, is best for reasonably neat handwriting. Cloud routing and page naming (symbols/shortcuts) are genuinely useful and save time. • Reuse longevity: many buyers report months to years of useful life if you care for the pages (microfiber cleaning, not storing under heavy pressure). However, heavy daily erasing can leave faint ghosting over time; for archival work you’ll want to scan and offload notes rather than rely on erased pages for later re-use.
Which model to pick (short guide)
• Core/Everlast: best single-purpose reusable notebook for general notes. • Fusion: choose if you want built-in planner templates (calendars, to-do layouts) in addition to note pages. • Wave & Flip: niche options — Wave has microwave-erase gimmick (older model quirks), Flip is top-bound for sketching/flip usage. (User preference and workflow decide.)
Value and alternatives
Rocketbook sits at a premium compared with regular notebooks because you pay for the cloud integration and reusable surface. If your priority is paperless capture + repeatable pages, it’s competitive; if you only occasionally scan notes, a cheap paper notebook + scanning app might be cheaper. Also note the market now has several competitors (ElfinBook, other erasable notebooks) that mimic the core concept.
Final verdict (TL;DR)
Rocketbook is a smart, well-executed product for people who truly want a hybrid analog/digital workflow: you get satisfying pen-on-paper writing, fast cloud capture, and an eco-friendly reuse story. It’s not perfect — erasability limits (ghosting), pen dependence, and some durability niggles mean it’s best for users who will regularly scan and archive notes rather than expect a perfect “erase forever” experience. If you value digitization and reduction of paper clutter, Rocketbook is worth considering; if you’re a heavy daily user who needs pristine erasability or broad pen/ink choices, test one first (or consider alternatives).