What is the difference between a click dial and an auto dispense reconstitution pen?

A click dial pen sets an amount by counting audible dial clicks. An auto dispense pen is described as releasing a preset amount per actuation, so you count actuations. Check the maker's documentation for the preset amount.

Does plunger height matter when matching a 3 ml cartridge to a pen?

Yes. Any standard 3 ml (ISO 13926) cartridge physically fits our pens, but plunger height decides whether the unit scale reads true. A wrong pairing mis-measures.

Can I see the plunger height through a clear or amber 3 ml cartridge?

Yes. On both our clear and amber 3 ml cartridges the rubber plunger is visible through the glass, and its height can be measured from outside.

What plunger height are the Gansulin, V1, V2 and V3 pens built for?

All four are built for the 11 mm long rubber plunger used in our clear and amber 3 ml cartridges. Cartridges with a shorter plunger, about 8 mm, are a different format.

Does Sterile Water for Injection, USP contain a bacteriostat?

No. The FDA label says it contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer, and is supplied only in single-dose containers. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol.

How do I convert dial clicks to a volume at the bench?

Divide cartridge volume by cartridge units: 3 ml / 300 units = 0.01 ml per unit on the scale. Multiply by your click count. For example, 25 clicks is 25 x 0.01 ml = 0.25 ml.

How do I run an air check on the Gansulin Pen?

The manufacturer's check: set 1 or 2 units, hold the needle up, press until a drop shows. On a 300-unit cartridge that is 0.01 to 0.02 ml. If no drop appears, repeat up to 4 more times before changing the needle.

PreppinPeppers › Facts › Lab article

Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared

TL;DR

A click dial pen sets a volume by counting audible steps on a dial. The Gansulin Pen is the only click-dial pen in the PreppinPeppers range, and whichever

Machine-readable facts for this Lab article. The full page is https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared.

Facts Index

Fact ID	Category	Entity	Attribute	Value	Source
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:title	identity	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	title	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:published	identity	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	published	2026-10-20	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:author	identity	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	author	PreppinPeppers Editorial Team	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:topics	identity	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	topics	click dial vs auto dispense reconstitution pen, Guides, research	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:summary	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	summary	A click dial pen sets a volume by counting audible steps on a dial. The Gansulin Pen is the only click-dial pen in the PreppinPeppers range, and whichever	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-1	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	What are click dial and auto dispense reconstitution pens?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-2	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	How does a click dial pen meter a volume at the bench?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-3	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	How does an auto dispense pen differ in handling?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-4	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	Does the cartridge plunger height matter when choosing a pen?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-5	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	What mistakes do researchers make when comparing these pens?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-6	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	How do I choose between click dial and auto dispense?	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:section-8	content	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	section	Related reading	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:product-gansulin-metal-peptide-pen	products	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	references product	Gansulin Pen · Reusable Click-Dial, 3 ml (1-60 Units)	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:product-gansulin-3ml-cartridge	products	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	references product	Gansulin-Compatible 3 ml Glass Cartridge for Pens (10-Pack)	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:product-bacteriostatic-water-30ml	products	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	references product	Bacteriostatic Water 30 ml Multi-Dose Vial (Pfizer Hospira, USP)	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)
click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared:source-dailymed-nlm-nih-gov	source	Click Dial vs Auto Dispense Reconstitution Pen Compared	cites	FDA label (DailyMed): Sterile Water for Injection, USP (Cardinal Health) - prescribing label (retrieved 2026-10-03) - dailymed.nlm.nih.gov	Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/click-dial-vs-auto-dispense-reconstitution-pen-compared) (evidence)

FAQ

What is the difference between a click dial and an auto dispense reconstitution pen?: A click dial pen sets an amount by counting audible dial clicks. An auto dispense pen is described as releasing a preset amount per actuation, so you count actuations. Check the maker's documentation for the preset amount.
Does plunger height matter when matching a 3 ml cartridge to a pen?: Yes. Any standard 3 ml (ISO 13926) cartridge physically fits our pens, but plunger height decides whether the unit scale reads true. A wrong pairing mis-measures.
Can I see the plunger height through a clear or amber 3 ml cartridge?: Yes. On both our clear and amber 3 ml cartridges the rubber plunger is visible through the glass, and its height can be measured from outside.
What plunger height are the Gansulin, V1, V2 and V3 pens built for?: All four are built for the 11 mm long rubber plunger used in our clear and amber 3 ml cartridges. Cartridges with a shorter plunger, about 8 mm, are a different format.
Does Sterile Water for Injection, USP contain a bacteriostat?: No. The FDA label says it contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer, and is supplied only in single-dose containers. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol.
How do I convert dial clicks to a volume at the bench?: Divide cartridge volume by cartridge units: 3 ml / 300 units = 0.01 ml per unit on the scale. Multiply by your click count. For example, 25 clicks is 25 x 0.01 ml = 0.25 ml.
How do I run an air check on the Gansulin Pen?: The manufacturer's check: set 1 or 2 units, hold the needle up, press until a drop shows. On a 300-unit cartridge that is 0.01 to 0.02 ml. If no drop appears, repeat up to 4 more times before changing the needle.