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| Reviews Summary for Begali Simplex Mono |
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Reviews: 43
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $165.00
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Description: Single lever key with a novel segmented lever, gold or palladium plated base.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.i2rtf.com
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PA1GO
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 24, 2011 04:44
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Very Good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I still like the design of this paddle (Palladium). Works great too. Really good weight. Very good service. Standard fingerpieces a little bit boring but you can get more exiting ones from Begali.
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K1YT
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 18, 2010 16:09
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This is a great paddle! Kind of a Ferrari on my desk.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought this paddle as a result of seeing the workmanship by Begali on an iambic paddle. I have been using a Schurr iambic for many years and wanted to try a non-iambic paddle since I don't actually use iambic (sorry to keep using the word iambic so many times...). The mono is an extremely nice key and I must admit I had to get used to the force difference between it and the Schurr. Also, in the end I found the suggested adjustment from Begali much better than my trying to wing it...
I like the weight...it does not move on my table at all. I don't have another key I can say that about. Once it was broken in, it became very smooth..in spite of the workmanship, it needed a little wear to be super smooth.
I don't like the plastic cover it came with, but it does work. I knock it off the paddle often...never did with the Schurr. My shack gets dust so it needs the cover. Small complaint.
You cannot beat the service or communication with the company. Bruna, the daughter of the owner, is someone to love in terms of communication and help. Wish I knew more companies with service like that.
So, I would definitely buy this key again and it has replaced the Schurr as my primary key. I actually never thought that would happen. It is very attractive (like a Ferrari) and functions flawlessly. It is, by the way, I think the only key of this design.
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KA4PBQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 28, 2010 23:08
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real mono lisa key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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really nice key, no slide on the ride, never
have to adjust or reset, smooth as silk in
operation, outstanding craftmanship, always
looks and works so superbly. well done begali
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W8NLZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2010 14:47
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Definitely a European Beauty
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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While I don't have 30 years experience pounding brass, I can still say I am pleased as punch with my Begali Simplex Mono. Feels natural in my fist and is a thing of beauty on my desk. The few extra bucks it cost will come back to you many times in both visual and operational pleasure. A note, I drag mine into the field with regularity and find it very rugged .... never needs readjustment.
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K0RS
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 30, 2010 01:54
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Looks Good...
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I guess along with K6LQ, I have to be the party pooper here. The Simplex Mono sure looks the business alright. In fact mine is exactly as the picture here shows, palladium base with anodized red aluminum fingerpieces, it could be a Ferrari on my desk. It also has optional gold contacts. Unfortunately, the performance is more Fiat than Ferrari. Like K6LQ I like close contact spacing, on the order of .2 mm, and a light return spring to boot. Begali sends along a .3 mm feeler gauge wtih which to adjust the points, and with good reason. Set them any closer than .3 mm and you'll find yourself inserting unwanted dits and dahs. K6LQ gives a rather technical explanation for why he feels this is the case, and I'll take his word for it. What I know is that I have to set my contact spacing larger than I am comfortable with in order to keep my sending clean. Interesting that my ancient, pedestrian Vibroplex Vibrokeyer actually handles close contact spacings better. Not only that but the Vibro falls to hand more comfortably. The height above the desk and the feel of the fingerpieces are ergonomically correct for my hand. I guess a hundred years of experience is worth somethng! I wouldn't be disuaded from trying another Begali model however. The HST, while an ugly bugger, looks interesting.
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N6IB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2009 07:36
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Superb paddle
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I operate CW only and been doing so on and off since 1957 using a variety of paddles and straight keys. However, until very recently I've never used a high end key. I hooked up my brand new Begali Simplex Mono just a few days ago and I can not say enough about what a great paddle this is. It is both a joy to use and beautiful to look at. It really shines at speeds of 30wpm and up. And as noted many times before the service is excellent.
Note that the current U.S. price is now about $250 but regardless of the increased cost it is worth every penny.
Ron, W6UDX (ex-N6IB)
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PA0KVA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2009 05:56
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A very good key
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The Begali Simplex Mono is a nice piece of craftsmanship.
I ordered the key with palladium finish, which in my opinion looks great.
It comes a few days after I ordered it, very well packaged.
I always knew the status of my order, thanks to Piero’s daughter Bruna.
The key feels pretty when adjusted the right way.
It took me some time to find the right adjustment for the contact spacing and the backlash.
The only minor drawback is the dust cap; it is made of very thin material.
I also own an Iambic key, of another brand, but I never felt comfortable with it.
With the monokey my mistakes are less en it feels better.
Koen, PA0KVA
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N0CU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 11, 2009 19:35
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Beautiful and well built
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased a new SIMPLEX MONO from the Piero Begali website. Even though purchasing via the website is a simple and straight forward process, I still managed to make an error on my order. Bruna (Piero’s daughter) could not have been more helpful in getting it right for me. She will do whatever it takes to insure customer satisfaction and is a pleasure to work with. My key arrived in only 3 weeks even though it was shipped during the week of Christmas. The key is truly a work of art and exceeds all of my expectations. Since I am transitioning from a 40 year old straight key, I can’t give a comparison to any other similar products. I am, however, totally satisfied with the way it performs. I agree with comments about the dust cover- it needs to be made from a thicker plastic.
Bill N0CU
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K6GAK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 1, 2008 11:13
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When only the best will do
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My Simplex Mono arrived six days after my online order and I am delighted with it. It's like having a work of art on my operating desk, but most importantly, it performs like no key that I have ever used before. Throughout the course of a year, I order many things online, both from eBay and commercial vendors. The customer service that I received from Ulrich (US representative) and Bruna is easily the best I have ever experienced. It was truly a pleasure doing business with these fine people.
One suggtestion -- the plastic dust cover included with the paddle, while adequate, is rather light duty. A more substantial version which could be ordered separately, such as the one sold by Vibroplex for about $30 US, would be a welcome addition to the Bengali line.
Thank you Piero and Bruna for providing this wonderful product!
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VE7CTF
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2008 15:37
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TOP QUALITY KEY
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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If you are looking for a high quality key, then I can guarantee that you will be happy with this one.
I had a slight problem (not their fault), and Peiro and Bruna were very professional about it.
Bruna immediately e-mailed me back and even offered to replace the key with a new one if I wasn't happy with the one I had. With their assistance I was able to solve the problem. No
one else is going to give you that kind of service and back-up their product like they do.
I could go and and on about the workmanship and
quality of this key, but I would only be repeating what has already been said in this forum.
I can only say that I love this key!
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