While visiting the Morse Express web site I went to browse the Palm Key page and found they ceased production in September. Marshall still has some products in stock but there will be no more when it's gone. If you've been putting off the purchase of a Palm Key product you'd better get with it and order soon.
There are no actual keys left, just parts and accessories. People were scrambling and scouring for the keys as soon as the shutdown was announced.
There are a few small printed keys that are certainly "good enough." If there were that much demand and money in it, for that level of Pico product, someone else would be picking-up the slack. I'm not seeing it. Probably because the inexpensive keys are good enough. No, they're not "watch-like quality," but they work just fine.
No, they're not "watch-like quality," but they work just fine. To some people it's the status - they gotta have Bose headphones and Heil microphones. They drive Mecedes instead of VWs. They wear Patagonia instead of Walmart. Its good old consumerism!
I 3D printed a set, and replaced the spring with strong magnets. It's a decent key for practice. The only real issue is I printed it in PLA plastic, and I live in the desert. I'd have a puddle in my car if I forgot it in there.
I think there might be a demand for a real Palm-style key. I was lucky enough to nab a used one for new price a few months ago ($110) and the other day I saw one on eBay go for $450! As far as SOTA-like keys I have only tried one other, the QRP Guys kit, and the Palm wins hands down. They are really sweet.
