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Reviews For: VizKey Right-Angle Bug

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : VizKey Right-Angle Bug
Reviews: 49MSRP: 232
Description:
A modern handcrafted version of the right-angle bug.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.vizkey.com/order.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00495
KB8TL Rating: 2020-08-18
Fun like a Vibroplex but quiet and tight Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just picked up my Vizkey right angle bug last week from Curt (we're in the same county), and I'm very much enjoying it. I sold off my Vibroplex original a while back and then missed having a "bug" available. I thought I'd try something different. So far, I'm enjoying the Vizkey and the very quietness of it, it is much quieter than the few Vibroplex bugs that I've owned. Top notch quality construction.
WB9JPH Rating: 2019-11-18
Outstanding! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The VizKey right angle bug has become my go to key.

I am back on CW after a 40 year lay-off. I also have a Vibroplex Original Deluxe, and I had, but sold, a Begali Intrepid.

I have a tough time sending with an electronic keyer because I need the mechanical feedback (40 years of playing a 120 bass accordion?). I made just about as many errors with the Intrepid as I do with an electronic keyer so I sold it.

The Vibroplex is a great key, fun and nostalgic to use, but I find it difficult to keep properly adjusted - it seems anything from a change in humidity to moving the key can throw it out of whack and require tweaking the settings.

The VizKey just shines. It is smooth and easy to send keyer quality code with it. The VizKey is as smooth as you can get without loosing the mechanical rhythmic feel of a key.

For me, the VizKey right angle bug is the perfect key.
K2FW Rating: 2019-08-04
A Well built, solid & Easy to use Bug! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had my Vizkey Right Angled Bug for nearly 3 months. I've never in all my years as a Ham (since 1967) used a Bug. I've always been a straight Key or mostly paddle/keyer guy. So buying a Bug was a big deal for me, & a little nervous never using one before. I joined the SKCC back in March, so wanted to use a Bug that had the ability to go a little slower. Well, this Bug exceeded my expectations for ease to use & build quality. After having this Key for nearly 3 months I frequently receive unsolicited "great Fist" reports from my fellow SKCC members. Plus, it's so quiet that you hardly can detect a sound from it while sending. And Curt, is a great down to earth guy to deal with. Curt supplies you with everything you need. A very nice cable & two weights. One large weight & one what Curt refers to as a half weight. The Bug can be slowed down to about 12 to 13 WPM. I highly recommend this Key to anyone looking for a "smooth" & easy to use Bug. And, it's great looking & impossible to move on your table too.
Steve K2FW
WA9LAE Rating: 2019-02-24
Unbelieveable! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm one of those guys who collect keys of all shapes and sizes. Way too many! I have my favorite bugs like the J-36, McElroy and Speed-X. When I received my right-angle VizKey I already had one of the first VizKey verticals SN 011 which is also a great performer with fantastic "feel". This right-angle tops them all! It is so easy to generate the dots and dashes even I have an excellent fist! Extremely quiet and the adjustments are solid. The one word which truly describes the action is "SMOOOOOOTH!"
The machining is tops. No slop anywhere. My dad was a machinist with Western Electric during the
War and I bet he would be smiling at the build quality and assembly. You will not be dissatisfied if you decide to purchase one.
W4JBB Rating: 2015-08-07
A "Sleeper" Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use "sleeper" in reference to the disguised hot-rods of the 50s - early 80s.

I do not have as much experience in CW or with bugs as a lot of your readers here, but I know what I like. I did have to pass a 13 WPM test for my General back in 1994 but only recently (2012) decided that I really like CW. I can only compare this bug to the 2013 Vibroplex Original that I also own.

The new owner of VIZKEY, Curt Nixon (KU8L) was very easy to deal with and was very communicative throughout the entire process from pre-order, order, finishing, and shipping. I had seen a swirl finish on some pictures of the right-angle bug and I am not a fan of the swirl finish. Curt said that he could make a brush finish and it turned out great. I also asked if he could make the bottom speed a bit slower. He added an extra weight that goes on the end of the pendulum and is easily removed without moving the damper. The speed range is about 14 - ?? WPM (faster than I'll ever copy).

About this particular bug. First, it is much smaller than the Vibroplex. This means a smaller footprint on the operating desk and it is a bit lighter too; however, it does *not* mean that it walks across the desk. The bug stays put.

Second, the bug is *very* quiet. It is quieter than my paddle.

Third, it only requires a light touch for operation. There is no wrist twisting with this bug. You can use just the touch of your thumb and finger to get the bug into motion and operating properly.

Fourth, the bug comes pre-adjusted for proper operation. However, if you like a different feel, the instructions are included for adjusting to your taste. My bug was ready right out of the box.

I am very pleased with the Vizkey Right-angle bug. I recommend it for anyone wanting a more nostalgic ham radio experience. It is comparable in price to the Vibroplex Original but with an all-brass construction.
ON6AB Rating: 2015-06-27
Needs adjustment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A review after +1 year.
There are a few things on this bug that are not quite right.
1- the rubber damper. This is not a damper at all.On the contrary, it bounces back the arm. The result is that your first few dots will be sent at a higher speed than the next ones.Also, the more power you apply, the faster the dot-speed. I built a real mini-damper for it " Hi-Mound style" with a small weight absorbing the arm energy. This solved the issue completely.
2- The contact spring is far too stiff. The result is that for decent dots, you need to make the swing excessively big resulting in slower maximum speed, reduced comfort and increased wrist-power. With a Dremel tool, I reduced the width of the blade spring to about half the size. Dots are now generated perfectly at small arm-swing. Also, much more correct and equally spaced dots are now generated in a single push. Ideally, the standard weigth can now be reduced 3 or 4mm at each side for a smoother speed-range.
3- There's too much flex in the paddle arm because of its length in combination with the thin brass stock material. I really bends during use. I shorted the arm to 24mm and made a wooden custom build paddle to fit all the way over the remaining 24mm brass stock. The feeling is now much more direct and precise.
Other than that, I love the right-angle concept and the quiet action.
KC4OU Rating: 2014-02-19
Wow Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first reaction on opening my extremely well-packed VizKey Right-Angle Bug was "wow". The appearance and craftsmanship of the VizKey make this is one beautiful key, and I'm saying that as the owner of a Begali Signature and Vibroplex 100th Anniversary Original.

But the best part is using this key. It is very smooth and requires only a light touch. Almost like a paddle. In fact i can go back and forth easily between a paddle and the VizKey, something I couldn't do with my Vibroplex bugs. It's hard to describe in words how smooth this key is. It makes it an absolute pleasure to use.

In addition to the smoothness, the VizKey is very quiet compared to the Vibroplexes. Further, the smaller size and right-angle orientation result is a smaller footprint on the desktop.

Finally, if you prefer slower CW, the VizKey can slow down to about 17 wpm in my estimate, so you don't need to switch to a paddle or straight key as often if you're working slower operators.

What more can I say? This is a wonderful key.
VK7CW Rating: 2013-12-08
Superb Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had never used a bug before and always wanted to get my hands on one. I had been looking around for a left handed bug when I stumbled across Tom's website. Could not be happier with the service provided by Tom. He constantly gave updates on shipping and even phoned me in Australia to help out with a problem I had. Turns out the problem was not with the bug but with my older equipment and I needed to place a capacitor across the terminals of the bug (apparently a common problem with bugs). This is a well priced quality handmade product, with exceptional service provided by Tom. If your thinking about getting your first bug I thoroughly recommend this product.
WA6MOW Rating: 2013-12-04
High quality and very cool. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I love ham gear and own over a dozen bugs. Most from the 1940's. Some real beauties. My favorite bug for looks and performance is this one. It is relatively small and has a retro look. It has a wonderful feel and newbys will really enjoy its speed range. No need to add weight or gadgets to slow it down. I have no idea how this bug can be sold for such a low price based on its quality, appearance and functionality. Whether your a bug guy or not, this one looks great just sitting on your desk. You won't be disappointed.
KK6AW Rating: 2013-09-04
Couldn't be happier Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the second Vizbug I have owned, The first was a Viz vertical and was every bit as smooth and nice as this Right angle bug. I took this out of the packing and didn't have to set anything. I have owned several Bugs and resold them. I still have a Vibroplex Anniversary model and a Lightning Bug but the Vizbug is the smoothest of all of them. I won't bore you with repeating all the Kudos of other reviewers, you won't be sorry you purchased this bug. One thing I really Like is that the wiring posts are drilled so that you can insert your tinned, or not, cable ends through the post and tighten down the binding screw, my prefered method, or wrap around the binding screw as most keys are made
Kelsey S KK6AW