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| Reviews Summary for Begali Graciella Vertical Paddle |
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Reviews: 40
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $490 + $12 s/h
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Description: A dual-lever paddle with a vertical architecture to minimize moving masses. Gold and palladium plated components, sealed precision bearings, repelling magnets, gold contacts, micro-threaded adjustments of height, paddle spacing, contact gap, and return force.
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More info: http://www.i2rtf.com
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KB3RMX
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2007 11:36
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You can't get any better!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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What can I say that's not been said before in this forum. This paddle is the best on the face of the Earth. Very, Very nice, smooth action, completely adjustable to your ergonomics. This is the Cadillac of Paddles. A joy to own and use. I got the Gold wide base on mine and let me tell you, it looks like Fort Knox just landed in my shack. I do recommned that you get the mother of pearl pads applied. I didn't and it looks like I'll be ordering them soon. They seem to set the paddle off. Paddle is worth every penny I paid for it. Very good craftsmanship! Keep up the good work Pietro & Bruna. Thanks
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W4DDR
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 20, 2007 09:10
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Best in the World
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This has to be about the best paddle in the world. If there is another even better, it must be a Begali model I have not tried.
It is both elegantly functional and beautiful to behold. The weight is perfect to keep it in place on your desk no matter how enthusiastic an operator you are.
Ordering was quick and easy, shipping was fast, and the paddle was well-packed.
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NV7E
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 13, 2007 03:14
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It just gets better
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently received the Begali Graciella. It is the gold plated, wide base version. There were a few surprises for me opening the box for the first time after reading about it on the internet. For one thing, it seems bigger and heavier than I first imagined. In comparison to the Sculpture, the Graciella is actually a little larger and taller. Even so, it does not occupy a large footprint on the operating surface.
The base of the Graciella is all brilliant, shiny gold, not black as shown on the Begali web site. The only piece not in gold on the whole paddle is the one marked “graciella” directly over the finger pieces. That one is a shiny black. The Graciella is at least as impressive as the Signature, which is stunning in the gold version I got. I like the Graciella much better this way.
I was wondering how the key is adjusted up and down. You turn a wheel on the bottom to raise or lower the whole top housing including the finger pieces. I never saw a paddle before that can be moved up and down that way to match the height of your hand. On all the others only the gap between the contacts and the spring tension are adjustable. The wheel is visible in the web site photos, although I didn’t really notice it before.
My Graciella came with red finger pieces installed without the mother-of-pearl caps. The finger pieces with the caps came are included in a separate plastic bag. I was wondering how the finger pieces are changed. There is a groove in the side of the housing for a long screw driver to access the top finger piece screw. I had to use small pliers to remove and replace the second screw.
The mother-of-pearl caps are engraved “Begali Piero I2RTF” with the sea horse logo in the middle. This refinement is very classy.
The Graciella’s keying is fantastic. This is a magnetic paddle. I think the vertical design may decrease drag slightly over a horizontal design. The finger pieces are short but longer than on the Sculpture, which has very short finger pieces. I am now converted to the view that short finger pieces are better on high-end paddles like Begali’s. The contacts can be adjusted to the slightest touch and do not need the leverage of longer finger pieces.
With the paddle there is a signed card from Piero to the effect that the Graciella is dedicated to his wife, Grazia. What a thoughtful gesture. The card has a picture of her as well as one of Piero in his earlier ham days.
In summary, when you order the Graciella you think you are ordering the best paddle available, when the Graciella actually arrives it just gets better.
ZS6SIG
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KA0W
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2007 09:19
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Excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Excellent paddle as the other reviewers already have posted. Nice to have the many adjustments possible. I have two of these, one wide base and the other a narrow base. Nothing negative to report. Both have been keeping original settings for over a year. Nice solid "clicking" while sending. Well worth the expense. Cheaper than buying new fishing gear.
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W7AQK
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 9, 2006 20:36
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A Superb Instrument
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I acquired my Graciella a little over a year ago. I already owned a Begali Signature (another great paddle to be sure), but the design and feel of the Graciella were just too tempting. Not only is this paddle a thing of beauty to behold, it is built like a swiss watch. I loved everything about this paddle, except one thing--the base is shaped so as to be a little restrictive for your fingers. That's not a problem if you have a very light touch, but I tend to have a little more motion when I send. Well, Piero Begali solved that issue for me perfectly. He now has an optional base that is wider so as to not be confining. I highly recommend this base for anyone, just in case you find you are a bit like me. It's still the same beautiful finish, and just as attractive in my view. As for the way the paddle operates, well, you just won't believe how smooth it is. And you can adjust it so precisely that I doubt anyone would fail to find a setting just right for them. You can even adjust the height of the finger pieces (that's part of the beauty of the vertical design)--something that very few other paddles allow you to do. The paddle is not light! But that's good! You won't need anything to hold it in place no matter how firmly you attack a paddle. It stays put! Clearly this is a masterpiece, and you are in for a real treat the first time you get to use one. They just don't come any better, at any price.
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KD4YQY
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 17, 2006 10:45
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Excellen and beautiful
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This paddle has got be the best that is out there, the quality is superb and the feel you get with this paddle can't be compared to any other.
It is adjustable in every way possible so it can be made comfortable for anyone. I have the wide base and I recommmend this for anyone so they have a bit more room for their hand. The finish is beautiful, mine is gold with palladium base and black finger pieces. The mother of pearl on the finger pieced not only look good but are very comfortable on your fingers.
I doubt there is a better key out there...well worth the money.
Piero and Bruna were great to deal with as I called them along with emailing them to get some information before buying. They were extremely nice and answered all of my questions.
Thanks Piero and Bruna!!
This paddle is highly recommended!!
Oscar
KD4YQY
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KT5D
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 2, 2006 21:01
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Excellent instrument
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The Begali Graciella at present is the paddle in use daily after sharing time with a March R3a. The R3a is a fine paddle with a unique feel different from the Graciella and therefore will see more use later on since I swap keys from time to time to enjoy their uniqueness. The R3a and the Graciella are comfortable keys, faithfully sending what my fingers call for and nothing more, nothing less. The Graciella seems a little more responsive with a little crisper feel with the stiffer arms than the R3a. The ability to raise the key mechanism is definitely a plus. Another plus is the ability to adjust the spacing between the paddles. Being an old bug user I like the gap wide and never really could get used to the narrow gap of most paddles. The gold contacts should require little in the way of maintenance. These features and the fact that the key is beautiful should provide ample justification for it's expense. I doubt there is another key that can outperform it although the March R3a comes close.
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W2UP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 22, 2006 14:21
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Excellent
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought a Graciella about a year ago. Shortly thereafter I sold my Brown Bros BTL-A. I would have sold my gold-plated Bencher (the Brown Bros is a better paddle) but it has sentimental value - I won it as First Place prize in the (last ever held) CW Receiving Contest at Dayton 1990 and it is engraved to that effect.
Getting back to the Graciella, I can echo the many comments already posted. It is a superb paddle. Recently it developed a little problem in that the dot paddle became a bit sticky, sending an extra dit or two. This was only evident at high speeds (> 45 WPM.) I corresponded with Piero and brought it to Dayton with me, as he was attending. He looked at it and one of the options offered was replacing it with the new, wide base version of the Graciella. I took him up on the offer. Although I don't have fat fingers or a particularly wide swing when sending, I prefer the extra "leg room." I would recommend the wide base for anyone considering buying the Graciella.
In summary, great piece of equipment from a true gentleman. Thanks, Piero!
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W5GW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 23, 2006 07:06
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Best Paddles I've Ever Used
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I like my Bencher - it has given me great service for almost 25 years, and once adjusted has always stayed in adjustment. However...
When I got my Begali Graciella (BG) as a Christmas gift in 2005 from my son, K5ANM, I was literally blown away! The BG is very easy to adjust, unlike the Bencher which required an allen key. The BG has a velvet like smooth touch and is very responsive, and it has a very heavy base (about 3.5 pounds) that simply never 'walks'. I like the height adjustment on the BG as well.
As far as craftsmanship and looks, it is simply a creation of mechanical beauty combined with flawless functionality that only an engineer like me can appreciate.
While I would still recommend the Bencher as the best overall key from a cost standpoint, if you can afford one, get the Begali Graciella. It is superior to the Bencher in feel, ergonomics, ease of adjustment, and it looks fantastic in front of my radio.
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W5GW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2006 19:23
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Amazing Paddles
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The paddle settings can be very, very precisely adjusted. The key has a buttery smooth feel that is a marvel. After using my trusty Bencher for over 30 years, I just retired it to my collection of antique keys, vibroplexes, etc. in favor of the Graciella. Without a doubt, the best set of paddles I've ever used in 50 years as a ham.
73,
Gary
W5GW
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