Otto Dot Diary Weekly Planner Review (Pros, Cons and Pen Test)
If you saw my review of the Otto dot grid notebook, the Otto Dot Diary is similar to that, but with pre-dated pages in my favorite weekly layout!
Quick facts
- Size: A5
- Hardcover
- Sewn binding
- Dates at a glance page
- 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday)
- No monthly calendar
- Neutral inside pages
Let’s take a closer look!
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The Cover
Typical hardcover. The photo makes it look black but it’s actually navy blue.
Approx 0.5″ thick
This planner is another take on bullet journaling but you can obviously just use like a normal weekly planner if you prefer.
The planner starts with some overview pages
Not sure why they include a page number reference when none of the pages are pre-numbered.
This is an Australian planner so has Aussie holidays (and New Zealand)
Monthly Calendar
This planner doesn’t come with a monthly calendar. There are weekly spreads only.
Weekly Planning
I’m quite against having mini monthly calendars on the weekly spread but since there is no monthly calendar I understand why they included it on the weekly spread.
Instead of lined notes pages it’s dot grid! I used to always use lined paper but now I’m finding I prefer dot grid more.
Extras pages
There is both graph / grid paper and lined notes pages at the back of the notebook.
Tabs
There are no tabs but there is a built in ribbon bookmark.
There is one pocket folder on the back cover of the notebook, along with a pen holder.
Pen Testing
The paper in this planner is only 70 GSM (hence why it’s such a cheap planner). I’ve found anything less than 120 GSM tends to have pen ghosting (and usually bleed through for marker pens).
So predictably, every pen on this paper’s planner had ghosting:
Pros of the Planner
- Portable size
- Lightweight
- Cheap (I found it on clearance for only $6 AUD. I think the normal price was $20.
Cons of the Planner
- Paper is very thin – prone to ghosting and bleed through
- Needs more notes pages, especially since there is no monthly calendar or monthly planning pages
- No tabs
- Cover is plain and boring
Would I use this planner?
Yes. I love this style of weekly layout. I’ve been switching to dot grid instead of lined more and more lately so this planner is a great mix of weekly planner + bullet journal.
I found the planner on clearance (6 weeks had ‘expired’ in the planner at the time of purchase) for only $6 – it was so cheap I bought 2 copies!
More planner reviews:
- Agendio Review (custom, personalised weekly planner)
- Siwengde Bullet Journal Notebook Review
- Plum Paper Bullet Journal Custom Notebook
Planning Tips:
- Arcing my Plum Paper Planner – everything you need to know if you’d like to try it yourself!
- How to choose the right planner pens: what to look for when buying planner pens
- 10 Functional Ways to Use Washi Tape in your Planner
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