chess clocks

what makes a great chess clock. I'm trying to buy a new chess clock but don't now witch one to buy?

Digital, reliable, good large display, quiet buttons.

I have a Chronos but there are other good clocks out there that would satisfy you.

whys digital better than none digital

Digital is more precise and flexible when it comes to programming for different time controls, but if you're just playing with friends and family an analog clock would serve ok.

thanks now i can narrow my search to only digital clocks

I love my Chronos clock. Not the cheapest clock out there but it's built like a tank and (as mentioned previously) it's VERY flexible regarding programming. Here's the one I have...

http://www.kingcart.com/USCFSales/product_name=Chronos+Digital+Chess+Clock+II+with+Touch+Sensor+Pads/exact_match=exact

chess clocks are great. Digital chess clocks are now quite cheap as well. As previosuly said they are more accurate but analogue clocks are ok too. The one problem with analogue clocks is the winders can break and the clock hands can fall off!

the best are probably the BHB digital (http://slavchess.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=521).. they will hold for life.. but they are expensive..

I love chess clocks whether they be digital or analogue!

Chronos Clocks are also far from easy to program.  The one thing I can say about them is that I've never known anyone to buy a second one,  they last forever.

Chronos, all the way.  They are durable, they have excellent presets (I've rarely needed anything but the first four presets, which you can dial in yourself), and a wonderful reputation in the chess community. 

If you have the Chronos clock, but misplaced the manual (which has awesome instructions on the different settings), you can download one from the Chronos site.

The only issue with programming Chronos clocks is if the owner isn't doing it. Not much of a deal breaker imo.

As the Skwerly said above, we typically use just a few kinds of time controls anyway, so the presets pretty much manage any issues we can have.

If you can't afford or don't want to spend the money for the Chronos, then get the Saitek competition game pro. It has quite a few presets and is easy to program and is very durable. only drawback is that it doesn't count down in tenths of seconds at the end. that may be important to you if you play lots of blitz.  Also, if you check youtube, there are instructional videos for programming the Chronos, Saitek and DGT clocks as well. 

As a Chronos owner, I can tell you that all the talk about them being hard to program is nonsense. Once you figure out the method and which of the 70+ modes you use most frequently, you'll never have a problem.

But one more point on analog vs digital--if you are going to be playing in OTB tournaments, digital clocks are preferred because they can be set to add a time delay before each move. Indeed, in certain circumstances a US Chess Federation tournament director is encouraged to replace a player's analog clock with a delay-capable digital one.

I just ordered the Chronos II.  It is coming on Thursday.  I'm counting down the time!

tell me how good it works

You won't be disappointed, man!  These clocks can take a lickin', and I have had mine since 2003 and STILL have not changed the batteries.  I think I should get in there and do that, now that I think of it hehe. 

Chronos is the end all be all of clocks.

I have a DGT 960 that I like a lot. It seems pretty tough but I've heard of some expressive blitz players that might test its durability.  It also generates random or specified 960 positions.

I think the Garde digital clocks look pretty good -- e.g. http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-CL2018.htm

But I love the DGTs, only ones I ever use these days, so if I were to buy a clock for myself I'd get one of those.

It's always very interinsting to see that there are some chess diffences between America and Europe. Over there where the black squares are green everybody considers Chronos to be the top clock while here the dutch DGT 2010 and DGT XL are used in every top  tournament and only very few clubs have Chronos.

I don't know which is better but the DGT 2010 is really great.