There are many chess clocks on the market today. Some of the most well known ones are:
– DGT
– Chronos
– Excalibur
– Saitek, etc.
Which one is the most reliable? Which one gives the best value? Which one do you prefer?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Chronos is fantastic,
DGT is perfect,
Excalibur is practical,
I do not own a Saitek so I wouldn’t know what to say,
But I have the other ones and I lov’em.
I helped out at a scholastic tournament last month, and we had problems with Excalibur – not starting, batteries falling out. I have a DGT XL which I like, and I just bought my daughter a DGT EasyTimer, so I suppose I like DGT the best. I also have one of those big black cheap, generic “chess timer”, and they are a piece of crap.
Hey Susan! I have to say the Chronos is the best. It was the first digital chess clock that appeared to have been designed by a chess player! I have an older model without the skin-sensitive buttons, and since I am an older model, I prefer it. I still have my old Jerger analog, but never use it anymore.
The ExcaliburII I got is a very good one, I bought it at a Mall in Omaha back in 2004!! and believe me, I never have changed its batteries since then and I use it quite a bit with my kids, they’re tough on it and never had a problem with it, its bat cover is a good one and I’ve droped it more than once, this is the first time I hear of someone having trouble with them. But I think they are of not excelent but of very good quality and I believe the day they make them to work with a computer like the DGT they would have no rival due to they’re simplicity. They’re are the easiest to deal with.
chronos, hands down
Seems like everyone is using digital clocks. What about the analogs? I have three clocks, a BHB analog, a Saitek digital and one of those China made digital timers. The analog is fine but my particular clock ticks loudly. I’ve always liked those Garde analog clocks. Anyone here still use analog clocks?
Chronos is the easy digital best, but the analog Jerger with the wide buttons is my favorite in a tournament. Easy to use, sturdy. You can pace from a distance, and (with good vision) see if your button is up. The nice “clunk” when the button drops. That’s the Chronos’ one flaw; you have to look at it to make sure it agrees you pushed the button. (more of a problem with the capacitance buttons than the momentary switch)
I have owned all of the clocks mentioned so far.
I presently own and use 3 Chronos models. It is the most reliable model out there, even though it is up there in cost.
The Excalibur is good too and is now at a good price. It is a bit flimsy in its build and the plastic body and plungers can get a bit loose.
The latest Saitek is, in my opinion, the best value for the money. The clock has nice LED lights in the buttons that are nice and useful to see who is on the move, even from afar.
My DGT XL, I use with my DGT Board when playing slow stuff on the internet. I do like how it interacts with the computer.
IF I had to buy and use only one clock, it would be the Chronos. Even though it is a bit expensive, it’s a work horse and very reliable. Once you save the 2 or 3 time elements you will use most frequently, it is also the easiest to use.
I have owned all the above. Chronos wins hands down
The Koopman is the best clock I have ever owned. It still works beautifully after 23+ years.
The Heuer Chess Champion with its 3/8″ metal case, wood ends, and large, red, metal plungers (some versions had plastic plungers) would get my vote as the best (in appearance as well as function) analog chess clock. It was in my opinion the (Super) Chronos of its day!
I prefer a chess sundial, myself. That way when there’s a cloud over my position, at least I have more time to think about it.
I had a Chronos, and it is indeed sturdy, reliable, and accurate. However I feel it is far too complicated to program. I don’t think a clock should require me to grab the owner’s manual to use it. As I make my living programming embedded systems software for aerospace, I don’t think it is a matter of me not being capable of running the clock. Rather it is a matter of something simple being made too arcane to simply operate.
I would love to see something with the durability of the Chronos, but with a more user-friendly interface. I don’t think it would be difficult, the only limit being the size of the market. We see cheap, full-function clocks, and quality, limited-function clocks (Chronos).
I sold my Chronos when I stopped playing tournaments. I now use a old mechanical clock because it looks so much nicer on the chess table in my den.
Chronos is the best chess clock…I owned one, but my sister cleaned out the house…why does FIDE still use that stupid burgandy clock?!
The Chronos has many advantages:
1. digital with many time setting options
2. Hefty – it has enough weight so as not to be easily dislodged during a rapid or blitz game
3. It is well built – the ones I have had a metal body and were sturdy
Major disadvantages:
1. Have to unscrew the clock to get at the battery.
2. Setting it is like setting one of the original digital watches – each button has multiple function and it is far from intuitive. With today’s computers, electronics and advances in user interfaces, one should expect more. If copying machines, microwave ovens and fax machines can be made so that most people can figure out how to use without resorting to a manual, then a chess clock is certainly within the realm of possibility.
The Chronos is a clear favorite for it’s sturdiness. It seems to be the most common clock at tournaments. It’s made in the US, but oddly the USCF doesn’t offer it.
I bought Saitek Game Timer IIIs for my kids. It is much more affordable, and it has a nice light in each button. But it isn’t nearly as sturdy as the chronos. I expect kids to eventually break it when they try to press both buttons at once in a time scramble. This can’t happen to a chronos. Also, I’ve had them run down the batteries on the Saitek when in a chess bag (presumably the button was pushed). I now remove the batteries at the end of each tournament, so it won’t run out between tournaments. The chronos runs for years on its battery. I’ve only changed it once in over 10 years.
BTW, to the commenter who said you have to look at the chronos to be sure you pushed the button: the appropriate red LED lights when you push it. So you can also tell who’s move it is from a distance.
One thing I can say: DGT is the worst digital chess clock I have ever found. Why does a chess player have to turn it off to reprogram it? Or to start a new game? Mine is broken and I have no way to fix it. A very fragile product. Far more expensive by what it offers.
My chronos clock is broken. I wa sable to use it for a year or so, now it’s been colecting dust for several years. When I talked to the seller, he told me to send it to California, but I didn’t do it. The most fragile part, the contact between the card board and lcd is broekn, and I don;t kow how to fix it. Any advice on how to fix it?
I’ve played opponents with the chronos clocks and they are pretty good. However i got an Excalibur a year ago and I’m lovin it. It’s easy to set unlike the chronos for some people.