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You can
write your own review of the Bencher RJ-2 Chrome Hand Key.
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AC4FS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 30, 2006 10:22
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Very Good Key!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just finished my first QSO with my new RJ-2. I ordered it last Friday (11/24/2006) and it arrived on Monday (11/27/2006). Marshall Emm over at Morse Express got it to me in record time, and cheaper than I found it elsewhere!
I have been practicing and adjusting the key since Monday, and today was my first chance to actually use it on the air. I'm quite impressed with it. Apparently Bencher fixed the heavy spring issue so many earlier reviews mentioned. The action was silky smooth (although I hear a squeaking noise while using the key, I think it might be the spring) and my arm was not tired at all after my 32 minute QSO.
It is also a very nice looking key. I like the all chrome look (I keep wiping my finger prints off of it! :-), and the size (compared to my gigantic Kent SK-1) is perfect for my desk.
Will this be the last key I buy? Hardly. I'm currently working on trying to convince my wife to buy me a GHD GT-501M for Christmas next year. Until then, I will put this Bencher RJ-2 in rotation with my other straight keys. Keep up the fine work Bencher!
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KE4MOB
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 27, 2005 13:06
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Better than the RJ-1
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This key is very pretty and has a lot of "eye appeal". The chrome will almost knock your socks off!! My key was purchased used, but is in excellent condition as far as I can tell.
Unfortunately, I wish Bencher had paid a little more the the mechanical details. The key displays a little vertical slop in the mechanism. It is to the point where when the key is properly adjusted for a close gap, you can place your thumb on the back end of the lever and hold it down and still send code while tapping on the knob. Apparently, the pivot journals are bored out a tiny bit oversize. This contributes to the "clacky" sound this key makes as the pivots slightly move up and down in the sockets. This behavior also occurs in my RJ-1. Luckily, it doesn't have the lateral slop problem that the RJ-1 has.
I think Bencher was forced to use the stiff springs to give the feeling of some sort of control over the wobbles. I don't like the allen head adjustments, and wish the base was a little longer.
This key would have been good as a prototype, but on a production key I would have liked to see the pivot ends coned and the stanchions bored and tapped, and the pivots held in place with set screws like on the J-38 and Vibroplexes...or maybe even ball bearings like on the Ameco K-4.
Like I said, this key is beautiful to look at...it's entirely usable, but unfortunately, it's 300% better looking than my Speed-X, but performs 10% worse. It will sit in my collection right next to the RJ-1...I just can't get comfortable with it or its sibling.
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KG9HV
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 26, 2004 06:29
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solid hand key
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I had a RJ-1 about 9 years ago and didn't like it
because it was too stiff. When I heard that they
fixed that with a new spring, I thought I'd get
another Bencher straight key. I like this key and
it is very solid. I like the adjustments and the
craftsmanship. I would put this key up against a
GHD costing twice as much.
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K2JN
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 17, 2004 15:41
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RJ-1 is nice too...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own the RJ-1 solid black base (S/N 004679). Action is a bit on the stiff side but I grew to like it. It’s got a solid feel and really nice construction. I especially like the fact that there is a clamp holder on the bottom of the base to store the adjustment wrench.
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KB1KFO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 25, 2003 19:57
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Great key... Now
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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When I first bought this key, I liked it, but like others, I found it too stiff. I tried different adjustments, but wasn’t satisfied. I tried the suggestion to change the angle, which helped, but I found it to be uncomfortable in that position. Just before cutting the spring, I decided to tighten the spring all the way and push down on it to see what would happen. When I backed the spring all the way up to where I had it originally, there was not enough tension to even hold the contacts open! Now, after I have made all my adjustments and set the angle to one that suits me, I really like this key! I would have to say that it is now just about perfect.
I just received a new softer spring from Bencher, no charge! After installing the new spring, this is without a doubt my favorite key. Thanks Bencher!
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KK4DW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 25, 2003 16:40
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The Spring Problem has been fixed
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I am so pleased to report that Bencher (Finally) has received their new lighter springs and having installed mine, I was able to adjust it beautifully. I can say without hesitation now that this RJ-2 should perform as well as any straight (hand pump) key does that I own.
If one adjusts the gap closely, and the spring tension lightly, there is no chance it will tip or wobble unless you have a picnic ham for a fist and think you are Nikita Khrushev banging his shoes on the table at the U.N. while sending.
I contacted Bencher a while back about the spring problem and finally they sent me two (2). I cannot assure everyone that theirs will be free (gratis) as mine was , but even if they later decide to charge, it will be worth it to get the replacement and finally to be able to fully enjoy this wonderful key the way it should perform.
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N1YE
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 11, 2003 08:34
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Looks Great! Operates less great.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this key after many years of collecting ham gear and had reached the point of not "needing" anything, so I was looking for a premium key. I selected this one because it "matched" the beloved paddles on my desk. I found the action to be way too stiff, heavy, and clumsy. I have come back to it many times trying different adjustments as descibed by other hams, but never seemed to "love" it as my old, ugly, well-used J-38.
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K5RIX
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2002 15:01
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RJ-1; A Serious Key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Mine is the standard black-finish version, S/N 003969. At first I thought the action too stiff. But after experimenting with the various adjustments I have come to really like this key.
I can only speak for myself. The weight of the base is ample, and the key doesn't slide around in use. Rubber feet of varying height and tack by others can be substituted to accommodate different wrist/hand geometry, technique, and operating surface. I use the stock parts.
The mechanism is superbly balanced, with enough mass around the fulcrum to effectively eliminate bouncing. The solid feel allows me to use fairly close contact spacing. Also, I can easily sense contact closure, which allows me to use this key without a side tone when required. For me, the nicest thing about the key's "stiffness" is that the key pushes back just about as hard as I push on it; after having got used to the stiffness I found I was able to operate this key for much longer time periods without fatigue. By comparison, my wrist gets tired rather quickly when it's doing most of the work, as is the case with keys which use very light springs or magnets.
The adjustments are all there, and they interact very well. The hex-drive set screws are great! Also great is the hex wrench keeper under the base which insures the wrench will always be there.
Everybody is different. I really like the RJ-1 because it "fits" me. Mine is not for sale.
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W3ULS
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 31, 2002 16:08
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Solid & Smooth
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As has been noted, the key comes from Bencher with an overly robust stainless spring. When I sent code, the front end of the base tended to rise up slightly each time I pressed down on the key. A solution I tried initially was to use a pre-drilled machine screw hole in the key's base to lock it down to my table with a suitable machine screw. However, this resulted in multiple holes in the table as I moved rigs around. Now I have cannibalized a spring from an Ameco K-4 key and this makes the feel of the key much more to my taste. With this adjustment, it is a solid and smooth piece of work. One of these days, a Bencher paddle I own probably will push the RJ-2 out of the way, but for now the RJ-2 is my choice.
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KB0VCC
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 31, 2002 14:39
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Solid Feel!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Keys are a matter of preference, and I find the RJ-2 exactly what I prefer. I bought mine BEFORE I was licensed, as incentive. Since then, I've purchased others for various purposes (including the super-cheap Ameco AM-K4 for backpacking and a Nye-Viking KY320 "Ranger Key" for /M when the road is too rough for my Schurr paddles), but the RJ-2 is my main-station straight-key (paired with my Bencher BY-2 paddles). I appreciate the strong push-back of the spring and the positive feel of the beam on the contacts and stop. There is nothing "mushy" about it. I clip along at a solid 30wpm+ on this key and the stiff resistance lets the key keep up. Listen for me on SKN and hear for yourself!
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