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Reviews For: SIDE KX

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : SIDE KX
Reviews: 59MSRP: 64
Description:
Replacement End Panels for the Elecraft KX-3 and a snap on Lexan cover.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.gemsproducts.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00594.9
W1USN Rating: 2013-07-18
Great product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well designed, well engineered, works! Well worth the money and really does a great job of protecting the KX-3.
N1KDO Rating: 2013-07-18
well worth the money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Side KX end plates and lexan cover are well worth the money. The KX3 is a wonderful radio, and it is meant for the field, a rugged environment, but the front panel has no protection as shipped.

The Side KX end panels protect the front panel from dings and damage from minor accidents, and the lexan cover allows the radio to be transported in something other than a protective case -- you could just put it in your pack or luggage and not need to worry about damaging the front panel.

I also use a small plastic cap over the antenna connector to protect that against dings.

If you have a KX3 and you are planning to take it to the field, the Side KX is a must have, IMHO. I am glad I bought it.
N8WL Rating: 2013-07-18
Brilliant idea! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Side KX is a brilliant idea and very well executed. The side panels were very easy to change out and the top cover fits...well, like it was made for it! I couldn't be happier. The peace of mind that this protection provides is worth every penny. I bought the KX3 to go portable after all, and that entails some risk in transport. Now I'm not afraid to do that, because I know the front panel is so well protected.

Steve N8WL
AG6QR Rating: 2013-07-18
Almost perfect Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had these side plates and lexan cover on my KX3 for about a month. They do what they're supposed to do, do it well, and look very good while doing it. They're very solidly made, match the radio well, and look almost like they came from the Elecraft factory.

The lexan cover has just the right compromise between stiffness and flexibility. It's easy to insert/remove, but stays in place well.

Minor complaints: The silk screening of the labels for the jacks on the left of the radio is very good, but not quite as crisp as the silk screening on my original side plates from Elecraft. Also, mine have a circular paint-free area for the thumbscrews that isn't quite lined up with the thumbscrews, making a little cosmetic imperfection, but no big problem.

I was initially afraid that the side plates would partially block access to the buttons near the edges of the radio, and there is a little of that, but after having them awhile, I find I don't notice any difficulty.

K7FOS Rating: 2013-07-18
Pretty good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered my Side KX with cover on the 2nd day they were available. They are certainly nice for individuals who need the added protection.

PROS:
* Great protection to screens and knobs
* Clean integration into KX3
* Easy to install

CONS:
* The side "handles" make it tougher to hit the buttons nearest to the sides.
* The handles make it tougher to hold the KX3 with one hand while operating with the other.
* The cover rubs against the buttons a bit when when removing it. I fear that with constant use it may degrade the buttons a bit.

I ended up removing my Side KX, but I plan on keeping them and will likely re-install them if I need the extra protection (such as during travel).
KC9VFG Rating: 2013-07-18
really rounds out the package Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use my KX3 in a semi-portable setup (meaning, it gets picked up and moved around every time I use it). The sideplates are nicely designed as handles for that purpose, but more importantly, they protect the radio knobs from most accidents. The lexan cover fits very snugly but is still easy to remove or replace. I am impressed with how well the whole package is designed.

One note, the sideplates make some of the functions near the edges of the KX3 face slightly harder to access. This is obviously inherent in the way the plates are raised and cannot be avoided. But it isn't severe. You simply learn to reach over them.

Overall, the SideKX plates and cover are what the KX3 should have had in the beginning and integrate (in design, function and looks) so well that after a while you'll forget the radio originally didn't have them.

Installation took less than 5 minutes from start to finish.
KX4O Rating: 2013-07-18
Elegant Simplicity Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Sometimes I wish the plastic cover could be a bit more stiff and feel less delicate. Time will tell if this really is an issue. For now this is merely an observation... not a drawback.

For the moment it nicely protects the front face of the KX3. I consider the plastic cover a sacrificial component. If it does give its life for the KX3, I'll just buy another.

It's all too easy to understate the hours of experience and design effort infused into the evolution of these two simple add on components for the KX3. Good show.
KB0NE Rating: 2013-07-18
Saved my baconxxxxxxx knobs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In a roll-over accident at field day (the radio, not my vehicle) the side plates and cover saved my knobs and faceplate from getting broken or scratched.

Stuff like this happens!

Nothing was harmed and I think this combination of add-on features is worth the cost. If I had broken a knob shaft or 2, the cost of repair would probably been more that the cost of the plates and cover.

I highly recommend this accessory to anyone who wants to keep their KX3 in good shape.
K0FTC Rating: 2013-07-17
Great accessories for KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
These side plates and the Lexan cover are really well made and fit perfectly on the KX3. The side plates and cover provide excellent protection to the knobs and face plate on the KX3. Once the side plates and Lexan cover are in place, I don't hesitate to put the KX3 in my go pack as it is, where I used to have it in a plastic box that took up more room - I feel comfortable the KX3 is protected well with these accessories.