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| Reviews Summary for Begali Camelback |
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Reviews: 26
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $96.00 plus $9.50 s/h
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Description: A classically inspired modern straight key on a heavy cast iron base, with gold plated components and precision bearings.
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More info: http://www.i2rtf.com
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F5PQO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 20, 2008 15:21
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Nice design !
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This straight key is very well designed and manufactured.
Pleasant to use, smooth and precise.
No need to screw it on the table, due to the heavy base !
Nice support from the company : quick answers to e-mail questions, and shipment on the agreed date.
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ARRLBOOSTER
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 28, 2008 18:42
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Super Key!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have used the Bengali Cameltoe for about a year. This key is so smooth and I find I use it more than my Iambic! Well Done.
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KK0I
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 28, 2008 17:35
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A True Work of Art
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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First, I wish to thank Piero and Bruna for attending the 2007 Dayton Hamvention. I was very interested to check out their products. As a result, I ordered a Begali Camelback for my birthday present.
The key is truly an engineering masterpiece!
I have used the key for about six months now and I really do enjoy it. I have adopted the European style of sending cw with my arm off the desk and it does feel very comfortable to use.
This is one key I will enjoy the rest of my ham radio career. My hat is off to you Piero! La ringrazio molto!
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W2RDD
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2007 04:42
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Great Straight
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been using the Camelback several weeks now. It is definitely the best straight key I have ever operated. Smooth as silk. Looks great. And, a heavy-weight so it won't dance all over the operating table when in use. Highly recommended...as well as the Begali family.
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DG3YCC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2007 08:44
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Best key I own
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have a so called flameproof key, a Junkers and a Bencher straight key but this camelback beats them by far (It's all about feeling as with every other key). The weight of nearly two kilogramms holds the key where you place it. Since I'm a navy knob man Pierro manufatured a navy knob for me (for free!) so I can change knobs if I wish. Finish is excellent as with all Begali keys (I also have a Begali paddle). The bearings are not adjustable but I think they will just last forever. Contact with Pierro and his daughter was delightful as ever. This key I will never give away. Cannot guarantee that for my other keys...
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KD0AQY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 21, 2007 09:46
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Outstanding Value
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I received this work of art today and right away was amazed at the quality and construction of this key. Right out of the box, it was set up perfectly for me. I am new to CW (about 16 WPM) but after an hour of keying, I know my speed had increased. The shipping and packaging is first rate. It took me 10 minutes to extract it from its cradle. Enclosed with the key is a polishing cloth, an adjustment shim, some QSO cards, and a card listing the day it was made; June 12, 2007 and its serial number. I thank Piero and Bruna for their commitment to providing the Ham world an excellent product at a VERY reasonable price. 73's to them both!!!
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KC9ERB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 13, 2007 11:33
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Wow!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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You can't imagine how beautiful this key is without one setting in front of you. It is amazingly and flawlessly beautiful. Smooth and easy to adjust, too. I haven't seen its dimensions published anywhere, so here goes for the curious:
base length: 5 3/4"
width: 2 5/8"
thickness: 1"
The lever is 4 3/4" long and the knob is about
2 1/4" high at its top surface. And it's heavy. Don't drop this baby on your foot or you'll learn some new dahs and dits real fast. The quality is impeccable; at this price ($107) I don't see how they have any serious competitors.
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KV1M
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2007 14:59
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Superb craftsmanship
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've only had this for about 2 months now but wow!
I am very new to CW, not an old hand at all, but after researching what was available I decided on the Begali Camelback.
Sure, I could have gone with an iambic or maybe added some more weight to my Vibroplex Lightening Bug to slow it down to novice speeds but I figured I should learn my chops on a real key before moving on to the latest and greatest. And I am definitely not disappointed with my choice.
The ordering process was smooth and the communication was great. When the key arrived it was packed like the precision instrument that it is. It came with a monogrammed Begali polishing cloth, a serial number card and an adjustment shim that I assume is for setting the contact spacing (that's what I'm using it for anyway, I've been playing guitar for 35 years and like "tight" action when I have to move my fingers).
Close inspection showed a beautiful gold finish on the armature and no signs of damage or casting flaws on the base. There is no excessive play in the armature and the motion is smooth and linear even with wide contact spacing. The base on this key is very heavy, it only moves when I want it to. My key had "International Marconi Day" engravings on the top, a nice touch but the Begali trademark would have also been nice. Unlike other reviews I've read mine also had the serial number stamped on the side of the base.
So how does it play? Very nicely. I have owned J-38's in the past and they felt like toys compared to this work of engineering. I set the contact spacing 2 months ago and they haven't moved even though I use it every day for practice.
My elmer doesn't like it, he complained it didn't have a knob on it and the spacing was too close.
Just the way I like it. I don't slam my fingers on my fretboard (unless I am tapping) so why would I want to do that with my key? 35 years of CTS free guitar playing has shown me the way, and that is less is more (movement that is).
I love this key, I would marry it if it were my type. Try one, you might feel the same way.
You definitely won't feel burned, that's for sure.
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W3BG
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2007 10:49
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Exceeded My Expections
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This key exceeded my expections. I own three Begali paddles and have been most pleased with the performance and beauty of these. For many months now,I have been eyeing the Camelback for general straight key use and particularily for use on SKNs. This key is fantastic - a very heavy base with well balanced and smooth keying performance. A pleasure to use. Also, as with other Begali products, it is a great looking key.
Jim, W3BG
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N9ZI
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2007 12:56
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Precision Key
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Wow - I looked at the pictures & still was surprised at the size & weight of this beautiful key!
It has been years since I have used a straight key, but with all the talk about the fun of "straight key nights" thought would buy one.
This is perfect, it is a piece of art, it is just
beautifully made & deserves a place in any ham shack of a cw operator.
By the way, my favorite paddle is the Begali Simplex Mono that I purchased last year at the Dayton Hamfest.
After 53+ years of cw I am very pleased, you have really added fine keys & paddles to be used by the cw lover.
One more thing, it really is great to deal with good people who put in the extra time & effort to get an exceptional product to you at a fair & modest price!
Thank you,
N9ZI - Terry
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