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Reviews For: CWMORSE PADDLE (3 D Printer Key)

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : CWMORSE PADDLE (3 D Printer Key)
Reviews: 10MSRP: 37.50
Description:
Light Weight Dual Paddle at Vey Low Price
Product is in production
More Info: http://cwmorse.us/?product-page=1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00104.3
K6KWH Rating: 2022-07-31
The low cost doesn't make up for the issues Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I really wanted to love my CW MORSE dual paddle keys, but they keep misbehaving. The 3D print was a great idea to lower costs, but something is flawed.

The most annoying issue is that if you press just a tad too much on a paddle, it behaves as if you pressed the opposite one as well.

The problem seems to be related to the vertical pin between the paddles, against which the paddles are pushing to establish contact. Unfortunately this pin seems to move or bend and go touch the paddle contact on the other side.

Also in long QSO sometimes your hand moves up or down a little bit, and unfortunately it moves the paddle up a bit and gets stuck sending.

Here is a demonstration video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ovdda44aymk3c8w/morsecode.us.keyer.demo.mp4?dl=0

And a photo explanation:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nh1scvp0wafo4yq/cw.morse.double.paddle.key.design.flaw.jpg?dl=0

The only way to avoid issues is to set the paddles as far as possible from the center contact, so you have a very long press to establish contact. But most CW hams like the opposite setting: with not much pressure needed.
KD1JT Rating: 2021-07-29
Only “OK” Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I operate 100% CW and use many different keys and bugs. I bought this for portable operation to spare my more expensive keys the wear and tear. I also have two of the original Palm Paddles.

It’s only OK. First time out it worked fine at 25wpm, but after a couple dozen Qs it began missing intermittently on the dash paddle. Cleaned the contacts with a crisp dollar bill, and it seemed ok again, for a while. The weighted base is good, the feel of the paddles is mushy … too flexible. From the start it had a vertical slop that I don’t like, and it’s not adjustable.

I suppose it fills a niche, but I can’t recommend it to a serious CW operator.
WB7DND Rating: 2021-02-08
Dual lever great, single lever not so much Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a review of the dual lever model and the single lever model, both used with weighted base.

Customer service is excellent. Questions are promptly and thoroughly answered. Units arrive well packaged. In my first order, the 3.5 mm cable was left out. They ended up sending me three replacements.

With the weighted base, these stay pretty stable on the operating table but are still light enough to carry in a backpack for short hikes.

While what feels right in a key varies from person to person, for me the dual lever has a firm, tactile response. Not equal to a Vibroplex or a Kent but very good for a portable key and a lot less expensive than a Vibroplex or a Kent. To me, the single lever is too flexible, resulting in a mushy feel.

Overall, good products from an excellent family-owned business.
K2WPM Rating: 2021-02-02
Happy with my first paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Being on a limited budget, I was happy to find CW Morse. I got single paddle key (gray) and am thrilled with it. I think it was $75 with shipping (which was fast). Nice heavy paddle, doesn't move around the desk. Didn't come with cable (has 3.5 mm socket), but that was easy. Has allen wrench to adjust the touch on each side. Coming from a straight key, it took me less than an hour to get used to this single paddle. Highly recommend.
K7HG Rating: 2021-01-04
Nice Item Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was concerned this might not be sturdy enough to perform well. It does indeed perform well. It is well designed and sturdy. The adjustments are simple but adequate. The steel base is heavy enough. It probably doesn't compare well against $150 paddles, but it does the job well enough.
K7FD Rating: 2020-12-25
All the paddle you need Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received my paddle promptly and well-packaged. Very nice fit & finish. Solid feel with a smooth touch. Excellent at home or on the road. Great value.

John K7FD
KK2CW Rating: 2020-08-29
Outstanding Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a really, really nice key for the dollar. I am a casual CW op, licensed for 42 years, with prior experience on E.F Johnson and Vibroplex bugs, J-38 and Bencher straight keys, and a Bencher ST-2 single lever paddle.

I purchased the CW Morse single lever paddle for use with my “laptop” desk and FTDX3000 / FT-818. The paddle arrived securely packed in perfect condition. The finish is excellent for a 3D printed design, the 1/2” steel base is hefty, and the rubber feet keep the paddle perfectly still (for me) on any flat surface. As a bonus, a hex tool is included for adjustments, which slips nicely into a pre-drilled hole at the front of the paddle.

This is a light touch paddle with no adjustment for tension and a thin, solid, single fingertip fin. Contact spacing adjustments are smooth and stable. You will need a stereo 3.5 mm cable (sold by CW Morse) and possibly a 1/4” stereo adapter, depending on the key input for your rig.

My “go to” settings on the Bencher are a minimal contact spacing and a medium/firm tension. With the CW Morse paddle, I find a wider spacing is best (for me). The single fin design and light touch leads to more of a “tap and release” motion with my fingertips vs. “knuckling” it with the Bencher. I’m enjoying this change.

Communication with the company is excellent from order through delivery and beyond. For a $59 paddle that is just as comfortable in a SOTA/POTA go-bag as on a desktop, I am very pleased.
KB4BJM Rating: 2019-05-25
Really surprised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received my paddle keyer and it's great. I think it is a 3-D printer manufacture. It's light and has an easy feel when keying. Well made and has a small foot print about it. The unit would be a great addition for a portable environment. Will update after a few more miles are on it.
NY7Q Rating: 2019-05-21
great feel. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have several colors and use the keys daily. I am so impressed with them.Do need a base for the paddle key.
K3EY Rating: 2019-05-20
IMPRESSED Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
At such a low cost I figured I would buy this paddle as a novelty when in fact this little paddle works just as good as my Schurr Profi I have owned for many years. I like a very close extremely light touch/feel which this paddle accomplishes and then some. I can effortlessly send at 35 WPM without missing a beat. This paddle is very light weight and needs a base. I used double face tape to eliminate drilling screws and nuts on 3 X 3 X .500 flat stock brass which holds it completely still, and looks good. Very clever idea and just as functional as high priced paddles with a below bargain price tag. Good Idea Good Job!!