[Boatanchors] Novice Transmitter Thoughts?

[Curt]

Most of the novice transmitters I've been looking at from the 50s and very 
early 60s seem pretty similar in design, differences being the tubes used 
and maybe quality of construction. Not sure how there could be much 
difference in performance, but from reviews in various places, some worked 
better than others.  Maybe the differences resulted from the builder, most 
were offered as kits.  One consistent thread seems to be the marginal 
transformers used in some of the Heathkit transmitters ( only the DX-35 and 
40? ).

When I was living those times, the only rig I cared about was the one on my 
desk, an Eico 723.  What I'm curious about is what the conventional wisdom 
is/was about the following rigs, and how performance generally compared with 
say an Eico 723:  Viking Adventurer, Globe Scout ( which of the models was 
"best"?), Knight T-60, Heathkit DX-20 ( nearly a clone of the 723?)

73, Curt KB5JO