I've been loving this retractable fountain pen, the A1 Moon Man[0], I got recently. Uses the exact same schematics as the Pilot VP, but it was only $20!
Of course, technically you can get a retractable ballpoint pen for a few cents but I digress.
I've hardly touched a fountain pen since my primary school days, but I recall that regardless of brand of pen or ink, everyone found that if you left a pen with its lid off the nib would dry out in an annoying way.
Does modern ink (or nib technology?) prevent that being an issue, or does your retractable pen have some clever way to close the nib opening when it's retracted unlike a typical retractable biro/other pens?
I have one too. I bought it to see if I could get used to the clip placement before buying a Pilot Capless (or Vanishing Point depending on where you live.) I was surprised by the smoothness of the EF nib.
I still haven´t bought a Pilot Capless, but I now know the clip doesn´t bother me, and I bring the Moonman to the gym to track my workouts.
Of course, technically you can get a retractable ballpoint pen for a few cents but I digress.
[0]:https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803411090834.html