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Reviews For: Imel M1 Magnetic Iambic Paddles

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Imel M1 Magnetic Iambic Paddles
Reviews: 3MSRP: 269.95
Description:
The Imel M1 Iambic Paddles are fine continuous wave (CW) instruments commissioned by the Bell-Imel Group, LLC. These paddles are machined and manufactured in a commercial machine shop using CNC machine tools calibrated to exacting tolerances.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.bellimelgroup.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
W6QR Rating: 2006-01-20
Great Key, Great Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The M1 paddle is one of the easiest to adjust to fine spacing that I have used. It is stiff and stays in adjustment as well; attributes my heavy fist appreciates. I also have paddles from N5QVF, Begali, March, Schurr, G5ZPY and others.

My key was an early production model and the arms were not as tight as I thought they should be. A note to Jeff Imel brought a check for return postage and I sent the M1 back for several upgrades. The attention to my problem and quality of service are noteworthy; this level of service is rare these days.
N2DE Rating: 2006-01-15
A Tank Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The M1 designation for this paddle must have been borrowed from the Abrams M1 battle tank! It is built with the precision of a high-tech weapon, with ruggedness as a primary objective. If you drop this in the mud on field day, you have the impression that you could just hose it off, and it would be like new again.

It is a large paddle, and that size keeps it firmly on your table even though it is made from light weight materials. The finger pieces use a carbon fiber material that is as stiff as metal but without the cold touch. They are spaced perfectly for my taste, but the upcoming M1A will even have provisions for space adjustment Jeff told me. A “ribbed” finish on the vertical surfaces makes it impervious to finger prints.

The arms are held in four precision bearings for excellent agility. The geometry and other factors in this paddle make it perform best with a small contact gap. The adjustments use lock nuts and are relatively coarse. So it takes a little patience to get them just right at tighter settings, but once you have found your optimum they stay securely put.

This paddle strikes a fairly unique balance between performance and ruggedness, and it will stay on my table for a long time.
NG6X Rating: 2006-01-05
Outstanding craftsmanship and performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Incredible workmanship, with the handling of a Ferrari. Easy and quick adjustments, feels friendly instantly, like you have used it forever. Can be adjusted to the lightest touch with very close spacing. The carbon fiber fingerpieces are as rigid as metal but warm like plastic. Its look is military, with surfaces that refuse to fingerprint, and zero care is needed. It is completely made of aircraft quality aluminum, but still is heavy enough to stay put. The lever assemblies are under a covering so it can easily be moved. Totally carefree. This paddle is a worker and is proudly being used as my main everyday paddle.