Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 — I periodically check the Vibroplex website to see if — by chance — there was something new, and I was surprised to see a new key announced on the home page!
The Vibrocube is basically the Vibroplex Iambic key on a base that three times as thick (1 1/2 inches vs 1/2 inch). As owner Scott Robbins writes in the ad copy, the key was built after hearing hams say they wanted a key that will stay put on the operating desk. At six pounds, this key should do just that!
I’m not sure I like the idea of the nameplate on the front of the key; Seems like it would prone to damage and wear there more so than the typical mounting on top of the base.
The look of this key is very different, thanks to the black wrinkle paint applied to the base and also the upper parts. Vibroplex has never painted the mainframes of its keys before, so the Vibrocube is a first. Somehow I think the mainframe being chrome would look better. I know, everyone’s a critic!
Of course, if the wrinkle paint is as tough as Scott says, it probably makes sense to paint it that way for users who are going to give their key some hard use.
It’s exciting to see a new CW key coming from Vibroplex, for sure. The Vibrocube comes in the standard black wrinkle finish with an upgrade option of adding jeweled pivots. A chrome-based one is in the works. I imagine plating a block of steel that big requires some good prep work. My guess is that the painted base was the quickest way to get this key out. I’m still going to have to get accustomed to the painted mainframe and keying levers. Perhaps he needs to give it black finger pieces, change the red plastic “jewels” on top to black plastic, paint all the screws black, and make a “stealth” CW key.
While I’m sure the key stays put, I never recall having trouble with the Vibroplex Iambic moving around on the desk. Of course, maybe I use a lighter touch than some guys. One thing I never liked so much about the Iambic were the finger pieces. I grew up using a Bencher key, so smaller finger pieces always worried me.
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