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Reviews For: Vizkey Camel Back Straight Key

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Vizkey Camel Back Straight Key
Reviews: 43MSRP: 148
Description:
The Vizkey "Camel Back" is a modern interpretation of a vintage design. This key is constructed of solid brass and incorporates a reliable leaf spring.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.vizkey.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00435
KE1U Rating: 2022-03-19
Wonderful Straight Key Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been a ham for 55 years, but never got my code speed much above 20 wpm, so I really like straight keys. The Vizkey Camel Back really is a pleasure to use. Very solid and great feel - very comfortable key. It also looks great on my desk. Really love this key!
N7TAT Rating: 2021-03-22
Wow, Just Wow! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wanted to add a brass key to my very small collection. My main key is a great copy of the well respected Junker key and it is a gem. So my standards are pretty high.

A used Vizkey Camel Back came up for sale so I jumped on it. And I love it!

Adjustments are smooth and hold well. The key looks really good. There is enough weight to keep it very steady on the desk, though if you really are a heavy slapper it may tip on you.

The action is incredible. It is so smooth in motion with a very nice crips stop at the end as the contacts come together. The key makes a subdued clicking noise and I find it delightful to listen to.

My only wish for this key would be to have the knob be rounded on top (like a Speed-X) or to have an option for a mushroom knob like a Navy Flameproof.

Even with the flat knob, it has quickly become my favorite key.
W9SA Rating: 2020-06-29
Great Key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received this key this morning and wow I'm impressed. I haven't used it for a contact yet but will later today and I'm looking forward to it. I've been using a Bencher straight key for a long time (since just after they came out) and this may well replace that as my main straight key. Beautiful craftsmanship and just right ergonomics. Well done Vizkey, well done.
6-29-2020 Update: I've now made many contacts with this wonderful key. It is definitely a "5" and is my new main key.
K6DS Rating: 2018-04-30
Great job Curt! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got my Camel Back a couple of weeks ago now. What a beautiful key. The beauty is only surpassed by the operation. Once set to my liking, it is so smooth and easy to use, I love it! Only warning... be ready to wait for it. Curt is very responsive and makes the keys to order, so I actually waited a month for mine, but sure worth the wait.

Had a meeting with current and "wanna-be" hams. Showed them the Camel Back and they loved it too. Hopefully Curt will get a couple of orders from them also.

Want a beautiful and smooth operating straight key? If so, check out the Camel Back.
WB6IZG Rating: 2017-12-31
Looks nice but can't adjust to my liking Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased a new Camel Back straight key from Vizkey. So far I have been disappointed. First of all the base came with a nick in the top of the brass that detracts from its looks but not from its functionality. Second of all I have been unable to adjust this key to my likes. It does not have a spring for its pivot but a bended piece of metal instead and this seems to limit the up force of the key after pressed down. When I adjust the key so it does bounce back properly to my likes it requires so much downforce that it has become useless to me. So for me it is a great showpiece but it sits on my floor and I have gone back to my cheap EBAY 3D printed straight key which works great.
If I can ever get this adjusted properly I will revise my rating.
K1IU Rating: 2017-12-21
Beautiful blend of form and function Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Like many who are mechanically-minded, I've always had a deep appreciation for high quality tools and instruments. I received the Vizkey Camelback Straight Key recently and after only a little use I can confidently rank it among my finest possessions in terms of design and craftsmanship. It's rock solid, fully adjustable, and a thing of beauty. All of this at a very fair price.
WB5YEY Rating: 2017-06-01
Oustanding product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a first-class, quality product... with first-class customer support. Heavy, solid, small size. Adjustments are excellent, feel is superb, and it is a lifetime product.
KC9UNL Rating: 2017-02-22
Great Key! A Gem! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
What a great key! I have owned several different straight keys but this is the BEST. The workmanship is superb and the performance is even better. The key makes sending CW a new experience. Always thought that the NYE Viking Master key was the best - - but this key has it topped. Great product and great service
KD9BWS Rating: 2017-01-14
Don't hesitate! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received the camelback back key as a Christmas present and let me say that the hype about the quality and beauty of these keys is not overblown! You can tell that these keys are hand made, not because of the lack of quality, but because they are hand machined. No cookie cutter CNC milled product here! It's retro in style and if asked, one would be proud to say "yeah, it's mine, and I know how to use it."

Functionally it performs as one would expect from a high end key. No wiggle or squishiness on the down stroke and it has enough heft to not bounce around unless you are hammering it. The leaf spring doesn't creak or groan and does its job admirably.

I don't believe one would have buyers remorse from a purchase such as this.

Jerry Bentley
WA4FOM Rating: 2017-01-07
Straight Key Shopping Stops Here. Buy It Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It's heavy and refuses to tip or slide even under the meatiest of fists.

The adjustments stay in place once set.

It's beautiful to look at.

The swirl-milling minimizes the need to wipe it down to get rid of errant smudge marks and fingerprints.

The use of a flat spring instead of the conventional coil spring is innovative.

It costs a lot less than really crappy keys that cost a LOT more.

The Navy-style knob is so very easy to curl ones fingers around.

I love it, therefore you will also. :)

73,

Bob WA4FOM