New General here, finally ready to dive into CW but I'm drowning in specs! Every paddle manufacturer lists different contact ratings, tension adjustments, magnetic vs spring returns. What really matters for a beginner paddle?

I'm looking at the CWMorse pocket paddle vs something heavier like the N3ZN. Budget is around $100-150. Will be using it with my IC-7300's built-in keyer.

Really don't want to buy twice - what should I prioritize as someone learning to send clean code?

I'm a big fan of CW Morse's $45 US 3D-Printed Pocket Paddle. I find it to be remarkably robust and I've never had one break. I also appreciate how easily adjustable it is in the field. For a beginner, adjustability is key - you'll be tweaking spacing and tension as your muscle memory develops. Don't overthink the exotic materials yet.

Weight makes a huge difference! I have the N3ZN ZN-QRP, which is built like a tank, but found it was too heavy for field use The IC-7300's keyer is excellent so focus on paddle feel. Start with something mid-range rather than going cheap and regretting it.

Contact materials matter less than you think at QRP/100W levels. I like a "tight" key, where there is very little key movement AND little or no noise. The cw morse is noisy and settings are a bit crude no fine threaded screw adjustments. Try before you buy if possible - paddle feel is very personal!