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Reviews For: VibroCube

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : VibroCube
Reviews: 13MSRP: See website
Description:
The VIBROCUBE registers just under 6 pounds on the scale. The base is USA-forged cold rolled steel, upper components are zinc, steel and brass. The finger pieces are hard red acrylic. Instead of magnetic tensioning, we use the tried and true spring loaded method which provides a greater range of possible tension settings than magnets allow. The base measures 1.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D, the overall height of the key with rubber feet installed is 4.25". The large oversize acrylic finger pieces are 2.125" at their tallest point.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.vibroplex.com/vibrocube.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15134.2
K1KTF Rating: 2023-03-21
Vibrocube is like driving a ‘72 Eldorado Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Been a CW operator for close to 50 years and used an array of keys/paddles to include a Begali Signature.

With that said, the Vibrocube is wonderful for its overstated design, heaviness, ease of adjustments and (best part) “can’t miss ‘em” paddles.

Once you get using the paddles, they immediately feel so relaxed with a sense of a swaying motion where you can lay back and enjoy your QSO.

There are a lot of great paddle bugs out there including Begali, but you have a sense of sitting up straight and paying attention. With the “Cube”, it’s feels like you’re gliding in the conversation.

Finally it’ll look awesome in your shack!

73 - Steve (K1KTF)
K9EX Rating: 2020-05-26
An Underrated Battleship! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was intrigued by the weight/heavy duty design of these paddles so I caved in and made the purchase. Glad I did. I have been a CW op for many a moon and owned most of the iambic paddles out there starting with the earliest models (still love Brown Bros!).

Almost everything else on the market is a lightweight compared to these. Kudos to Vibroplex for finally designing a set of paddles that absolutely will not move on your station desk under use.

The machining and finish is good, not great and there are many adjustments required to dial in the paddles to your keying preferences/style. Mine arrived well out of wack - if you experience same take your time and be sure to adjust everything - it will pay big dividends under use.

The large paddles are very comfortable. The extremely slight flex (over stated by other reviews) is probably by design as it makes sending more comfortable and provides some tactical feedback to your touch, making high speed sending smooth as butter. I really like it.

(A side note - many rig keyers are less than satisfactory for use with paddles (e.g., the keyer in my Yaesu FT-991A). Switching to my aging yet trusty external Pico keyer proved to be an excellent match to these paddles and a big improvement over the internal Yaesu keyer.)

In sum, this is an underrated battleship - extremely overbuilt and cleverly designed - they just might become your favorite paddles. Ugly? A little. Well designed and comfortable to use? Very! Highly recommended.

KT8DX Rating: 2019-10-10
Goofy but great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ok - this is one of the goofier keys I've every used. First impression - YUCK.

After a few minutes though, some strengths start shining through. Its precise. Perhaps a little better than my Vibroplex Iambic. The black crinkle finish looks "high end". Its heavy and squat - like many hams I know. It doesn't move on the desk. At all. And finally, I can send 30 wpm with it with ease. Even with the fingerpiece flex.

I like it!

K3EY Rating: 2018-01-04
Love It Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned too many Keys/Paddle/Bugs, especially paddles. Have tried every home-brew paddle out there and only own a N3ZN, even sold the several WBLV22's because I made a huge profit. My favorite paddles of all time-- Schurr and now this VibroCube.
I can see how these paddles are either liked or despised. They do have some flex by the nature of the design. I like flex and why I like Shurr. If you adjust them right the flex is very minimal. I use barely any spring tension with a very close contact setting. I like the way the finger pieces come down close to the table. They came to me with the TS590SG Anniversary special. I see guys selling them, but you won't see mine for sale. I found an extra nice unexpected bonus in them when they came free with the radio. Yes they are heavy, just the way I like it. Good Job Vibroplex!
WB0KWJ Rating: 2016-06-21
Big Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a big key, and heavy. Basically, it's a novelty item, but not a bad key despite that. There are lots of other ways of keeping paddles in place that do not involve putting six pounds of iron on the table.

In use, the action is quite light--although it's not as light as the action of a Bencher-style paddle. If you are looking for an old-style, heavy-action paddle, the Vibrocube might not be your choice. However, if you have a heavy hand, the key will very definitely stay put. The downsides are two: (1) The finger pieces are almost ludicrously large. They probably could be effectively reduced in size by about 50%. (2) The finger pieces are too thin, and flex even with fairly light pressure.
W1KSZ Rating: 2013-12-27
Great Key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am a "HamFisted" CW Operator. One reason I "benched" the Bencher was that it tended to "fly apart" when the going got hot and heavy.

I switched to the Vibroplex Iambic Paddle, but it was still not heavy enough and I didn't want to nail it to the bench.

Then I stumbled (literally) across the VibroCube. Now, this is a key ... fits me like a glove and doesn't budge when I get really going.

Good job Vibroplex.
KN1W Rating: 2013-09-12
Great new design Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I like the "BOZO Key" I guess the red paddles look like a clown's red nose.
The heavy base is great for FD work. I bought the key last Xmas and had lots of fun with it.
KC5CQD Rating: 2013-07-19
Great key for big hands Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This key is (thankfully) a lot bigger than I envisioned when I ordered it. It's a massive hunk of iron sitting on your bench, that's for sure. What I like most is the fact that I'm a big fella....6 foot, 270lbs and a regular weight lifter....and so I can slap the average key all over the desk with just a thumb and forefinger. This thing stays put and since the paddles are so large, it's easy to change hand position whenever you become fatigued and not miss a beat. The only real downside that I can see is that this paddle would be lousy for portable operation. Way too big and heavy for that.
K8RBW Rating: 2013-05-11
Could be better Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I positively love CW and really looked forward to receiving this key. I really tried to like it and it has a fair amount of potential. The primary problem is in the finger pieces. They are long and simply have too much flex in them when operating. What is needed is metal or aluminum finger pieces that are rigid. I contacted Scott and he graciously acknowledged the problem. He said they were aware of the issue and trying to address introducing aluminum finger pieces, but the cost of doing it is prohibitive at the present time. Don't give up on this key. It has potential. A rating of "2" means "needs help." If they can address the finger piece issue, it can be a unique and very interesting paddle. For now, however, it is retired from my operating position.
W5LZ Rating: 2012-10-30
Unhappy Camper Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought a 'Cube' in January, have been satisfied until just recently. Seems that the parts I thought were made of stainless steel aren't. Just plain iron (as was explained by Vibroplex when asked). Unfortunately that means that they can rust, and they did. I'm not too concerned about looks, but that rusting also involves the pivot bearings of the paddle levers. Not smooth anymore, sort of 'sticky'.
Oh well, live and learn, right? Hope they get their act together. Anyone wanna buy a slightly rusty key?
- Paul

(Glad I didn't toss the Bencher.)