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| Reviews Summary for Logikey K-5 |
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Reviews: 17
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $149.95
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Description: This new keyer improves on the world famous Logikey K-3 keyer. Unmatched feature list, with the best operator interface available. See web site for full and complete details.
Makes sending perfect CW smooth and effortless!
New additional features include: Greater protection against voltage spikes, lightning etc.; All stainless hardware; Internal volume control; Updated enclosure design; 3-AAA cells will run keyer for months, or accepts 9-12 volts DC.
Much superior to your rig's "Free" built-in keyer -- you deserve far better and here it is!
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More info: http://www.idiompress.com
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K7JBQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 14, 2009 10:43
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easy to set up, big improvement over internal keyer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been using the internal keyer in the Yaesu FT-890 for some time, but it gets a little quirky due to RF in the shack (condo setup, stealth antennas a bit too close to the rig).
The K-5 seems unaffected...not extra characters etc. And the speed control is much easier to use than the internal keyer's.
Also, can now switch back and forth between paddles, bug and keyboard without having to switch the rig from keyer to straight key, which is much more convenient.
Setting up the memories is a snap.
All in all, great product.
73,
Bill
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K7UA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2008 14:48
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Nice piece of gear
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had a K5 for over a year. I wanted the memory functions and easy speed control without messing with menus on my rigs. This keyer fills the role nicely. I don't know what more anyone could want. I would definitely buy from Idiom Press again. In fact, I have. I now own this K5 and two CMOS4 keyers. I like the K5's larger size for fixed station use. The CMOS4 is almost identical, but smaller. Better for portable or if you just want to save a little cash. Thumbs up.
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K3ROJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 2, 2007 17:11
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Great for Portable CW
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I now have two Logikey units, a older K-3 and now the K-5. The K-3 remains at my regular operating position since it outperforms the built-in key in my 756PRO. I bought the K-5 mostly to take with me on vacation in upper Ontario each year when flown into a lake for a week of fishing with the XYL and pooch (Sudbury Aviation). The K-5 with it's internal battery pack is ideal for use with my Elecraft KX-1 QRP transceiver in the field. I sometimes sit in my den just practicing with my Bencher Iambic key to increase my sending speed. Am now planning on getting the Logikey kit for $58 to be used as a 10 meter beacon with an old converted CB radio.
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KC0YVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 18, 2007 09:49
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This is the keyer you'll want
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Time owned: months
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Not to rehash the other reviews here but this is a VERY versatile keyer that is easy to learn and operate. Bob has obviously built this with the CW operator in mind and has thought of just about every function, operation and user controled commands that you would ever need, and then some.
In any event, as a newbie I'm confident and comfortable that this is the unit that will be attached to any rig that I'm operating, at home or afield.
Tom
KCØYVW
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WA6L
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 8, 2007 13:10
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Best Keyer I Have Ever Owned
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I recently vowed to myself that I would no longer give a '5' rating on eHam, unless it was a truly exceptional product. I think that as a group we tend to inflate these ratings.
So here I am, writing about the Logikey K-5, and I cannot do anything other than to give it a '5' -- I have owned many keyers over the years, and I have never found one that does as much, and does it as well, as the K5.
The feature set is incredible. I have been using this keyer for six months, and I am still finding surprising capabilities. And the keying itself is ALWAYS perfectly accurate and extremely smooth. I am not a great CW operator, but this keyer makes me sound a lot better than I am!
The K5's memory functions are unique, and once you have used them for a while you find that they are extremely flexible. You have the ability to call one memory from another, and to loop memories. For example, I have my call programmed into memory #6, and I include that memory number in my CQ, my contest reports, etc.
Another great feature is the ability to change spacing between code elements within a memory location. As an example, you could put a short gap (half a dit) between the letters of your call sign, or between characters in a contest exchange. This makes it easier to read without changing the code speed.
The list goes on. It handles contest serial numbers beautifully, and it is extremely easy to decrement (or increment) on the fly. You can program memories with a pause in them -- to insert a signal report for example - which then start up again when you are finished sending. I cannot think of a single function, whether you are a serious contester or an occasional rag-chewer, that you would find missing.
I also have to include a word about the manual. Yes, it covers all the necessary button-pushing and paddle-swinging. But it also has a clear, easy, and somewhat humorous tutorial. Sit down with the keyer and the tutorial and you will have mastered 80% of the keyer within an hour.
Finally, I will also mention that this keyer works extremely well with a portable station. I like to operate remote QRP, and the K5 makes it so much easier. I can program all my info in the memories before I leave the house, and I don't need a computer or a power supply to send great code. The keyer has an external 12V connector, but I just put the AAA batteries in it and they seem to last forever.
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K0FTC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 4, 2007 13:37
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Great keyer/service
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I agree with all the high remarks on this keyer, and I doubt if I could ever use all of its functions or utilities. I am using it today in the NA contest - wow - what fun. Smooth as silk, speed adjustment is quick, with a single large knob on the front. One thing that is important is the customer service that backs the product up. I had a minor self-inflicted malfunction with the manual, and when I wrote, I received an immediate friendly response, and they solved the problem at no expense to me. They didn't have to do that but did. I also have an Idiom Press SCAF-1 filter (I reviewed earlier under the call KC0VRI and still feel the same way now as I did then), and have owned it for a while now - and it also is a quality product. I bought this keyer based on my experience with that filter and will buy their products in the future based on my experience now with both the keyer and the filter. I think you can trust the quality that goes into this and their other products.
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KE4KY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2007 21:29
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GREAT PRODUCT!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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HAVE USED THE K5 FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW...ONCE IN A CONTEST. THE BEST KEYER I HAVE EVER USED.
THE MENU IS EASY ENOUGH TO FOLLOW FOR SETTING YOUR PREFERENCES.
EACH MEMORY SLOT IS EASY TO PROGRAM, AND CHANGE WHEN THE TIME COMES.
COMPARED TO THE MFJ....THE MFJ DOES NOT EVEN COME CLOSE!!
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K6ANP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2007 17:33
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5/5
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is the best keyer I've ever owned. No lock up smooth control and very intuitive to use. Well made excellent workmanship. I had a K3 and thought it was great...this is even better. Don't waste your time with other keyers this is truly the best of the lot!
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SM5HUA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2007 05:27
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Excellent!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Been using the LogiKey K-5 now for some weeks and is as pleased with the old K-2 I had for +10 years. So easy to use and adjust to your personal preferences. Defently THE best keyer I ever have had...
73's de Peter / SM5HUA
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AC0DS
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 23, 2007 18:13
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As good as it gets
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've owned the K-5 for 4 months now but just getting around to writing a review. Wanted to complete reading the manual/tutorial first but was having too much fun with the keyer to read. Finally finished the reading, so here's the review!
Its Great! Probably one of the most well thought-out pieces of ham gear available. If you're at all a CW fan you need one today.
Probably won't remember everything I like about it, but here are some of them. The ergonomics are wonderful. I have it located on the left side of my keyboard with the paddle on the right side. Fast and easy for my left hand to change speed with the large smooth knob and to hit the buttons on top for sending stored messages, contest exchanges and calling up one of the many functions accessable with various combinations of the buttons. Right hand is dedicated to the paddle. Both hands on the keyboard when needed. Works great.
One of the neatest features is the programmable range on the speed knob. You can set it so that it covers your "Sweet Spot" in terms of speed. I have mine set to cover from 10 to 30 wpm, but it is easily changed to any range you want.
The programming flexibility is awesome. Embedded functions, embedded character strings, contest number generation, speed changes during an exchange, extra high speed bursts, loops, beacons, etc. etc. etc. Everything I could have thought of and then lots more. You can store 3 banks of 6 messages each so that you can have one bank for your normal operating and two others for your favorite contest exchanges and other things. Good built-in monitor if needed. Can be set to hand key operation and tune mode among others. It will emulate all of the popular keyer actions. Dozens of other functions and possibilities that I won't bore you with here.
I ordered it on-line from Idiom Press. The order and shipping experience was smooth, fast and pleasant. The manual is great. A device with all of this complexity could be confusing to learn to use, but Idiom has found a very good solution. The first part of the 24 page manual is basically a list of all the functions with the programmed default values so that you can quickly learn how to use the features and capabilities you want first. Then, later, I read the tutorial. This section is several pages of "lessons" that walk you through how you might use some of the features. I learned a lot of useful things there that I had never even thought about before. The manual gets very high marks.
I've used it in a few contests, and it was a joy. Haven't used the serial number generation feature yet, but will be doing so soon in the WPX CW contest next month. And the November Sweepstakes - Watch OUT!!
I'm guessing that many hams use a contest program via their keyboard to do most of this, but I really enjoy having the physical box and pushing the buttons ;>)
Very nice high quality construction, and looks good too. Excellent feel on the buttons and knob. All powered from 3 AAA cells (or external 12V). I put in a set of lithiums when I first got the keyer and they are still going strong - should last a year or more.
OK, enough slobbering over this thing. If you enjoy CW you will love this keyer - and never need to buy another one.
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