Aluminium Alloy CNC Protect Cover Case + Heatsink Kits for ELECRAFT KX3 Transceiver + Bag

For the record, I just received my parts from SideKX. I've had them on order for quite a while but there were delivery delays. Instead of cancelling I decided to purchase the Windcamp setup and do a comparison. I've had the Windcamp in place from just before Field Day until now (July 31, 2016).Quick answer... Wincamp is the better setup overall.Long answer...People on the Elecraft list seem to favor the SideKX setup. Cited are the quality of the products and the support of U.S. manufacturing. I am generally in agreement with supporting U.S. manufacturers even at an additional cost with the expectation of superior craftsmanship, fit and finish.The side plates from Windcamp have recesses machined into the metal for ACC1/KEY/PHONES and MIC. The Windcamp side plates seem to be very slightly thicker than the SideKX. Also, on the Windcamp, corners and edges are beveled for a very professional look and smooth feel. The SideKX panels are all sharp and clean cuts that look a little less finished than the Windcamp. Silk screening on both products is clear but I have to give the advantage to the SideKX for crispness and thickness of the lines. In addition, the SideKX adds a small diagram below the power socket to show the KX3 uses a positive center post. The "handles" on the SideKX are cut so that the plastic cover snaps in place and stays there. This is a nice touch but does make it a little difficult to remove the cover (good and bad). Both the Windcamp and the SideKX panels have bare spots for good grounding I think. In the case of the SideKX, the outside of the left/right panels where the knurled screw goes are bare on the outside. Maybe this is necessary but the silver shows through making it look like it is not installed just right. On the WIndcamp panels the conductive areas are on the inside only. This may cause an issue if you plan to attach a ground wire using the knurled screws.I like Windcamp's side panels better than the SideKX The recessed holes and the beveled edges with no bare metal showing through provides a much better look and feel.The plastic covers are next. The SideKX cover snaps into place on the SideKX handles as mentioned above. The cover will not fall off but it will take a little effort to remove it when you want to operate. I'm a little concerned with the longevity of the SideKX cover with such a tight fit. I find that grabbing the top right and pulling with some force lets the cover come off fairly easily but with a disconcerting snap sound. In contrast, the Windcamp cover friction fits on the top and bottom of the radio. It will come off fairly easily if allowed to jostle around in a loose bag but, as I'll explain later, that probably won't be an issue. I would be a little concerned that over time the friction fit may wear on the paint at the top and bottom of the KX3. It is difficult for me to tell if the SideKX might not do the same thing. The SideKX cover is fully molded while the Windcamp appears to be glued together pieces. Each side plastic plate and the top and bottom friction plates appear to be glued to the main wraparound plastic. This is going to fall apart with a lot of use. The SideKX appears to be a one piece mold that is thicker than the Windcamp. The SideKX cover should last if putting on and taking off doesn't break it. The Windcamp uses clear plastic while the SideKX is smoked. Not sure that makes any difference but the smoked look is kind of nice.The Windcamp came with a nice sack. While the Windcamp cover does not stay on the radio as well as the SideKX it won't go anywhere while in this sack or in any snug fitting bag. The Windcamp sack feels like a thick canvas and uses single stitching which will eventually fray and come loose. Until then, it protects the plastic and the whole radio from scrapes and scratches when stored. The Windcamp sack also provides the advantage of a safe and secure place to put the plastic cover while operating.As purchased, the cost of the SideKX and Windcamp are about the same. In the case of SideKX, the lower price of the parts is offset by the shipping cost if you are a Prime member. The Windcamp sack is a nice extra touch. It doesn't look like you can buy the Windcamp cover separately if it cracks. This is unfortunate.If I were to recommend one or the other to a friend it would probably be the Windcamp setup. The cheaper plastic cover of the Windcamp is offset by the added sack and the ease with which the cover can be removed from the radio. The Windcamp side plate fit and finish seems to is a cut above the abrupt edges of the Side KX plates.

I'd say this is a clear example of you get what you pay for.1) The side panels are nicely machined and finished, the edges are smooth and beveled and the silk screening is crisp. They are probably the best part of this package and make it a 3 star product instead of a 1 or 2 star product. We'll see how they hold up.2) The cover is functional and that's about it. It's not particularly nice, but it does cover the buttons and it seems solid. It uses a squeeze fit to hold everything together which will keep it in place when in a case. A solid 2-3 star piece of plastic.3) The heatsink. The piece itself is well made, but the holes aren't perfectly aligned. It works well, the radio keeps nice and cool using digital modes.It's all very functional for the price, but it's not the end all precision. Considering that you get the side plates, cover and heatsink for the cost of other side plates and cover there is value in this purchase. If you have the money, I'd recommend going with the premium products, but for my pennies it was worth it.

For the money and the time for it to arrive, I think the product is of good quality. Everything went on as advertised and the carrying bag is of strong fabric. Could have helped with the grounding. a little bit of bare metal near the rear know would have worked great, especially if doing some mobile (as in walking or hiking and needing to drag a ground or counterpoise.) operations.Overall....its a very good product.

Product is well made but it came with no screws to use for the heath sink? Factory ones were to short!

Perfect fit for my unit.

Here is an email of the owner of the SIDE KX (Scott AK6Q)The Chinese (Windcamp) are nothing more than a week copy of my design work. I have the records to show where I sold them a set of KX3 ends and cover and then about 4 months later their Windcamp crap began. I contacted them as I had a provisional patent then. I found out that they are just outside of my patent for the reason their cover does NOT integrate and lock into the end panels. I was given a set of the WindCRAP for a KX3 from a very unhappy customer in Dayton the next year, seeing my products.Here are the differences: they use a mild aluminum not heat treated, their silk-screening is not 2 part epoxy that is UV stabilized. Their cover is a 3 part Acrylic plastic that is thermally bonded on the edge seam not injection molded Poly Carbonate like mine. The Acrylic is very brittle and quickly cracks or shatters when dropped or bent at all. Poly Carbonate on the other hand is very durable (same stuff in bullet proof windows and airplane cockpit windows.)So just what do you get for the dollar or so you will spend extra with me: you get heat treated aluminum ends that do not bend easily like if your radio fell on the floor. The powder coating is an exact match to Elecraft, the silk screening is an exact match with NO advertising for me or windCRAP. The cover is Poly Carbonate and very durable, this allows the cover to lock in place between the metal ears of the endplates and stay put for putting in your pack for travel, protecting your thousand dollar investment in a radio. AND the most important thing is you will be supporting an American designer and small business that brought these parts to life in the first place.Sorry for the rant, but they really are a thorn in my foot. I have been told the best form of flattery is copying, but it is a hard pill to swallow. 73 Scott AK6Q