DGT 3000 vs Chronos sturdiness

I've been getting back to over the board chess this year after a thirteen year layoff.  There has been online chess (not here) in the interval, but it's good to get back to chess on a real board against an opponent I can see.  I started going to a local club, and played in tournaments in June and July, sending in my entry for another in September.

Among other things, I treated myself to a bit of extra chess equipment, a DGT 3000 and a Chronos GX touch to go with my old Chronos Blitz button type.  I now have enough boards, sets, and clocks to furnish a small club, but that's another story.

One thing I wonder about is the relative durability of the DGT and Chronos.  This is something I've often read about, and sometimes heard from other players.  The DGT, even the top of the line 3000, certainly does not appear as sturdy as the Chronos, and I could see how the rocker switch would be a problem if your opponent did not take his hand off his side in time.  The Chronos appears to be built like a tank.  But is there any actual data comparing how they hold up under use, or is it all anecdotes?

I have an older "long" Chronos by the way, that developed display issues back around the turn of the century.  That's when I got the Blitz clock.  I eventually sent the faulty one back for repair, but it's developed the same problem again.  This time I did an improvised repair myself, but I don't know how long it will last.  Has anyone had display issues with the DGT?

For now, I think the Chronos Blitz is my favorite, but I used the DGT in my last tournament, and didn't have any issues.  I assume that at this point, at least one of my clocks will last as long as I do, and if all the digital ones break, I could see if my old Jerger is still around.

While the DGT clocks are all currently a lightweight plastic I have not seen or heard of any issues coming from this type of build.  The clocks do seem to last a long time.

The rocker arm is designed such that if one player keeps his side pressed down, by hand, the opponent will have a tough time depressing his side, like a seesaw.  I have not heard of any problems with this and no clock breaking in this area either.

The Chronos clocks are built like tanks.  And the buttons are independent of each other and also pretty much indestructible.  The Chronos clocks feel sturdier with the button response feeling a bit more satisfying when depressed.

I also had a Chronos that had display problems at the turn of the century and sent it in where they fixed it.  I donated that clock to our club a few years later and it still works.  The problem was in the ribbon from the circuit board to the display.  I have not seen any problems like this with the newer ones.

About the display issue on the old Chronos (which I must have bought in the Nineties), having paid to have it fixed once, I didn't feel like paying again, especially when I have other clocks.  But I pressed the ribbon cable down hard on the circuit board and the display recovered.  And then, to hold it in place, I took a piece of electrical tape and put it across the top, so that it's sticking to the board and will hopefully hold the connection down tightly, at least for a while.  Only one side was fading, but as long as I had it open, I did it on the other side too.  We'll see how it is in a few months, or a year.

I've had the Blitz version for perhaps fifteen years, and it never had a problem.  And the GX is new.

I owned an older DGT2000, and after just less than a few months of very minimal careful and soft caring use had the problem of the 7 segment display with 1 segment suddenly not displaying anymore. Then, I next owned a DGT2010, and after just less than a year of less than 10 times careful used in actual play (it was just inside the cabinet because i was busy at work),  the front buttons suddenly stop responding. I think it's the circuit push botton issue or its contact in the PCB thereof. Now, I am afraid to buy the DGT3000 even though I like the tactile feel of the lever its sound of the DGT clocks. I once played using a chronos GX, and it feels weird there is no tactile feeling nor sound, i just won't get into the groove or feel during a play. But I also see that the chronos is very durable and could last a long time and i think, perhaps longer games (15 minutes each side) does not need the tactile feel of blitz using the DGT. So here I am, convincing myself to play longer timed games, just to pacify myself and convinced myself to buy a chronos. Stil pondering....

dgt could never be compared to chronos..  if ur a broke chess player and money is a big problem then buy the cheaper clock.. dgt..  Chronos is the clock of choice.

I suspect that DGT timers, such as the DGT 2010, are every bit as durable as the various Chronos models.  Plastic is lighter than aluminum so the DGT might seem more fragile than the heavier Chronos, but I'm not convinced that perception and reality are in agreement here. 

Don't misunderstand, I think the Chronos is the better timer.  I'm just not convinced it's more durable.

Of course, I could be wrong.

dgt ,1100

I bought a DGT3000, its display gives me these images: is it normal?

Fast forward 2021 March, I found time to have repaired my damaged DGT2010 which I described in my post above last 2017 Sept (as daixtr my old handle). Attached below picture during its surgery for repair when it was opened. All five push button switches (those with four legs) were replaced because they were no longer working with a multi-meter tester. I thought those switches were durable, and that the faulty part was a cold solder somewhere in the motherboard. After replacing with new push button switches, the button touch has improve feel, it feels much smoother compared to before where it was clicky. I am referring to push buttons  for power on/off, '+/-', pause, play etc at the front. After seeing this failing pushbuttons replaced, I'm kind of thinking such problems would never happen in Chronos. But then, there is still the LCD or 7-segment issue which is probably the weakest link of all. Today, I would like to buy a Chronos (button) as my second clock but I'm in Philippines and there are no sellers for this brand. On the other hand, gazillion sellers for DGT brands, Leap etc.

I'm impressed that you were able to repair the clock!