I have a K3 but I've been tempted to get the KX3 as well.

I sure would have loved to have it last year when I did a bunch of traveling.


For those that have the K3 and thee KX3 do they operate similar?

I don't have a K3, but have a KX3.  Just from looking at the controls on the face of the K3, I'm sure I could figure it out shortly.

I have a KX3.  If I can figure it out, you will have no problem.

I have a KX3, also, Mr. Harry.  With all your other Elecraft gear, the learning curve should be easy.  Think how nice it would look beside the other "K" stuff!  Talk about  cool-style points!  

Yeah, do it!

It's quite tempting

I have a KX3 and use the K line we have at our club station.

I have a KX3 and used a K3 a lot. You'll have no trouble learning how to use a KX3 if you already own a K3.
I think they both work relatively well although K3 is a much better choice for contesting. My biggest complaint about my KX3 is how it handles weak signals. It's just too noisy for my liking, even with DSP noise reduction turned on.
I have not done a side by side test on both K3 and KX3 but have done tests comparing my KX3 to the FT-817 and my base rig (FTDX3000d). I like the KX3 receiver better than the FT-817 although FT-817 seems to do a better job on CW, with an optional 300Hz filter. Obviously the FT3000 has a much better receiver but it's a base radio and costs twice as much.
IMHO, a KX3 is a very good portable radio with a lot of great features. Get an external speaker for it. The little speaker on the radio sucks. You'll need an amplified speaker. I had a thread started about KX3 speakers couple of weeks ago. A $37 Bluetooth speaker from Costco works very well with the radio. I bought another one for my base rig. The speakers are made by EcoXgear (model: GDI-EGPB100)  and they sound fantastic with ham radios.

Well it's on the way

Now we are talking!

Drink up! It tastes good!

And it's good for you!

+ a bunch!  

I would have loved to have this last year when I did a bunch of traveling for work.

How are you getting it? Kit? Assembled?
Which options?

Kit, just the Antenna tuner and Mic for now.

Very nice! It's a fun and quick assembly for sure!

It's alive

I need to go through it more tomorrow and figure it out