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Reviews For: N8BX - Weighted VFO Knob For Elecraft

Category: QRP Accessories

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Review Summary For : N8BX - Weighted VFO Knob For Elecraft
Reviews: 53MSRP: $89
Description:
The original K2 knob weighs in around 2 ounces. These premium USA made knobs weigh 6-1/2 ounces and they tune just wonderful. This knob is made of heavy alloy Steel and coated with a durable baked-on Black enamel or buffed bronze. The black goes great with the radio and feels nice in the hand. No sharp corners to irritate your hands.
Installation is easy and all hardware is Stainless Steel. Everything is CNC Machined from billet stock right here in the USA. The set screw that holds the knob in place is a flat tip style (no marring of your VFO shaft). Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed 30 days or you may return it for a full refund.
Knob Specs:

Weight 6.5 Ounces, accepts 6mm diameter shaft, #6-32 set screw (use 1/16" Hex Key wrench also available for $2.00 additional).
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.dtsohio.com/73cnc/elecraft.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00535
AJ6QL Rating: 2024-05-24
Good but the finger piece is too small Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
They look great and have a "Mercedes-Benz" feel to them. Nice and heavy. The only downside to me is that the Delrin spinner is way too small, at least for an average male index finger. For people who have hangnails a lot it can be painful. Often I turn the dial with the pinkie because then it won't hurt. I'll have to find a way to lessen the depth of the spinner which should take care of that.

The main VFO knob is slightly larger in diameter than the original which always helps. Also, there is no rubber sleeve on it so it won't get dirty so easily and in case it does, cleaning will be easy.

Due to their shiny metallic look these knobs add a bling factor to the K3, like mag wheels on a car :-)
K4TIN Rating: 2017-05-05
Worthwhile Purchase Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought and installed this week. The one supplied with the K2 weighs 2.2 ounces--but this one is 7+.
Truly adds to the pleasure of tuning; well we do love to twist knobs don't we? Makes an Elecraft even more elegant.
DL6URK Rating: 2017-03-30
fantastic metal knob Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The fit and finish of this product is excellent
W0CP Rating: 2015-02-21
Changes the experience Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A good tuning knob has a big effect on the operating experience, but they are expensive. So, in the interest of hitting price points, they are often sacrificed. It's great to have such a high quality afer market product with which to customize and improve the K3. This knob is very high quality and you will feel that quality every time you touch it.
W6MK Rating: 2015-01-23
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is actually a review of an alternative heavy knob for the K2. There is another such review a couple of reviews below this.

The alternative heavy knob looks almost identical except that the rotating finger dimple is chrome or brass. It's available on ebay and sold by AA9IV. Cost with shipping may be a bit lower than the N8BX/73cnc design.

The black finish on this knob is I think more matte (less glossy) than the N8BX. It weighs slightly more at 6.75 oz. It's made in Bulgaria which was the birthplace of AA9IV. It is very well machined of bronze rather than steel and nicely finished. It comes with an allen wrench.

It works just fine allowing one to spin smoothly across a band section.

W7BV Rating: 2015-01-17
Excellant but problem with KX3 SideKX Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Excellent quality and really improves smooth tuning. Several are in use here on my K1, K2, KX1, and K3. Unfortunately, not usable on KX3 if equipped with SideKX and its lexan cover. It is too high as pointed out in review by DK1EY so the cover can not be closed. I returned mine and at the same time suggested to N8BX that he modify future KX3 knobs so they would work with the popular SideKX and cover.
K6SDW Rating: 2015-01-14
AA9IV knob - excellent! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I stumbled on to this new Elecraft K2 knob on eBay, made an offer which he accepted.

KOSTADIN must be a master machinist, his knob looks production-quality and fits perfect on my K2

I never knew what an improvement a weighted-knob would make over the original knob, my AA9IV's knob makes turning my K2 feel like one of the "big boy" $3k rigs!! HI HI

It also shows how cheezie the Elecraft knob is.

Cheers All
K7JBQ Rating: 2015-01-13
K2 knob works great on FT-900 Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The title says it all. If you have one of those great old Yaesu rigs, and want a whole new tuning experience, get one!
DK1EY Rating: 2015-01-12
Absolutely Great! Quality is outstanding. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Perfect addition for my KX3. I bought the ELECRAFT KX3 BLACK Weighted Tuning Knob with Ball Bearing Finger Dimple.

Sadly it is not possible to use the SideKX of http://gemsproducts.com/ due to the height of the weighted tuning knob.

I will sell the SideKX and stay with the tuning knob.
NC4AK Rating: 2015-01-02
A Very Nice Addition to the K3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Like many others have said, these knobs are the real deal. They are constructed very well. They have a very nice feel to them. When I was researching these knobs, I had read where a couple other hams had installed the K2 weighted knob for VFO B and I decided to go this route as well. It is great to now have a larger knob for VFO B with a ball bearing dimple. If you are thinking about purchasing the K2 knob for your K3 and are curious how it fits, send me an email and I will reply with a picture. 73