Review
The W3ZVT SOX Key
Description
Operation
For it's small size, this key has an amazingly good feel to it. I haven't used a straight key very much since my Novice days. The best quality straight key that I have ever used was a Nye Viking with a Navy knob so I don't have a great frame of reference. My natural inclination is to put my thumb and index finger on the knob (probably a Navy knob habit), but that isn't the way that this key feels best to me. What I have found feels best is to but my thumb on the left side of the base, my index finger on the knob and my middle finger on the right side of the base. Despite it's light weight, the key shows no tendency to slide. This is probably due to the base extending past the knob. I don't this will become by primary key by any means, but it should be great for camping, hiking or other portable operations.
Operation Rating: 5.0
Quality
For it's intended use, the quality of this key is probably good enough that it will last many years. However, the workmanship is not all that I had hoped for in a $80.00 key of this size. The axle is exposed on both side of the key which I don't have a problem with as long as the fit is good and the axel a flush with the trunnions. They are not. Two of the holes are obviously off center. The trunnions are not parallel with the sides of the base which causes the "lever" to not be parallel to the base (as viewed from above). This is caused by the holes in the trunnions being crooked so there is no easy fix. The machining on the bottom of one of the trunnions is poor so that there is a gap between the trunnion and the base. Lines scribed on the base to line up the trunnion holes and the contact holes are clearly visible. The axle is made of brass which should be adequate for occasionaly use, but I would have rather seen something like stainless of drill bit stock. There is no bearing or bushing of any kind in the "lever" which does not appear to be neccessary for the key to work well today, but it it were to be used on any everyday basis, I think it would get loose at some point. There are three long scatches on the base. The overall "finish" on the key looks like it would have benefited from 5-10 more minutes of sanding and polishing. Finally, the key comes with a cord, which is nice, but it has a molded 1/8" phone plug on a Radio Shack cord. I would much rather have a shielded metal plug that could be unscrewed and fixed in the field if need be.
Quality Rating: 2.0
Vibe
What do I mean by Vibe? Well it's hard to descibe, but I'll try. Vibe to me in this case is the feeling I get from using the key. If I were reviewing a computer let's say, vibe would be unimportant to me because computers are just tools. However, vibe is very important to me when it comes to Morse code keys because I look at a key differently than I do a tool. Morse code keys are tools and works of art all at once. Good art is supposed to invoke feelings, or cause us to have a sensation of some sort. For me, the sensations I like to have when operating CW is a connection with the past and a feeling of operating a quality key that will allow my children to one day have their own connection to the past using this very same key. I want them to be CW men and when they operate CW I want them too to feel the connection with the ship-board Navy operators during WWII or the radio operator at some remote outpost somewhere. Ok - enough of the artsy-fartsy, mushy-felly stuff.
Several factures determine how much I enjoy using and owning a key. First, whether the key is a miniture key like this one, or the main operating key in my home shack, I like to know that quality materials were used and that a skilled craftsman built the key as he he were going to pass it down to his grand kids. Second, I like for the key to feel good when I use it. Lastly, if the key looks cool in some way, that certainly helps in the vibe department.
So how does the SOX Key stack up in this area? Well, the poor workmanship is a minus. The good feel is a plus and it looks very cool to me. I'm not fond of unplated brass keys. Keys are meant by design to be touched and brass - especially unlacquered brass - looks bad in no time flat from handling. Chrome or gold plating would give it more vibe for sure. At the very least, the key would look good longer if it had a satin finsh on the unplated brass. The design of the SOX Key is loaded with vibe, but I'm afraid the quality and workmanship issues cause this particular implementation of the design to come up short.
Vibe Rating: 2.0
Value
At a price of $30.00-$40.00, this key would be a great value as a key to take along on portable operations. At that price, I could overlook the quality issues and view it as a practical peice of equipment well suited for camping trips. However, at it's $80.00 price, I expect more. If simply having a small key for portable operations is worth $80.00 to someone else, then he would perceive it as being a good value. I don't. For $80.00, it needs to be more than it is.
Value Rating: 1.5
Overview
If I have judged the SOX Key too harsly, it should be considered that I reviewed it as I would any small, simple key that sells for $80.00. For me, a key for portable ops can be ugly but durable and work well and I'm happy to pay $35.00 for it. If it sells for $80.00, I want more than a utilitarian tool.
Overall Rating: 2.6