Here is some info on the various clocks out there. https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/chess-clocks-2018
Ron (aka Eyechess) is a very knowledgeable person whose opinion I trust when buying chess stuff (along with some others on this sub-forum).
I have the DGT NA and it is ok. But it is inexpensive so I am not too worried about it not lasting for many years. My next clock will likely be a Chronos.
I totally love the Chronos I bought years and years ago but they're expensive. Go for the DGT NA. I have one of those, too, and it will do all you need it to do. My biggest complaint is you have to lift up the clock and turn it off and on between games (the button is on the bottom) but that's just a minor annoyance. They're well built and work well. I have one and like using it.
If you are just going to buy the one clock and use it as you say, then I would buy a Chronos GX. And I would buy it right away at the major sales prices you see on either The House of Staunton or Wholesale Chess.
For instance, The House of Staunton has 20% off which brings the Chronos GX to a price of $88.
Best chess digital chess clocks are made by DGT and they are the only type approved by Fide and used in tournaments. From my extensive experience of using various chess clocks in tournaments DGT is by far the best.
The above is not necessarily true at all.
In fact I have owned and used 5 models of the DGT clocks for tournament use, 2000, 2010 , North American, XL and the 3000.
While they were all good, none were the best on the market at the time.
Yes, from a limited European and FIDE viewpoint the DGT clocks are one of the few certified throughout. That does not make them the best though. As noted before, to get a clock certified by FIDE the company needs to give FIDE a lot of money.
And yes, a person living in England that has limited experience with all the clocks available certainly might think that the DGT clocks are the best.
However, there have been a lot of clocks on the market that easily were just as good or better than any DGT clock. For instance Saitek had 2 digital models that were as good or better than the DGT clocks in their time.
Also the Excalibur clocks were provably better than the DGT clocks that were their contemporaries.
Of course the Chronos clocks blew the DGT clocks out of the water throughout the years as well.
And the ZMF clocks also give DGT a run for the money.
The V-Tek clocks are a technical improvement to the Chronos II clocks so therefore ace out any DGT entry.
And yes, Chessopera, I have owned all the above named clocks.
if all you are going to do is play casual games, why do you need a clock at all?
I totally love the Chronos I bought years and years ago but they're expensive. Go for the DGT NA. I have one of those, too, and it will do all you need it to do. My biggest complaint is you have to lift up the clock and turn it off and on between games (the button is on the bottom) but that's just a minor annoyance. They're well built and work well. I have one and like using it.
There's a very good reason why the reset button is recessed on the bottom of the clock. It's a safety precaution. Under no circumstance do you want the clock to be reset by accident during a professional match.
Best chess digital chess clocks are made by DGT and they are the only type approved by Fide and used in tournaments. From my extensive experience of using various chess clocks in tournaments DGT is by far the best.
This isn't true at all. I played FIDE rated tournaments using Chronos clocks many times. Please dont spread false information.
Yes, from a limited European and FIDE viewpoint the DGT clocks are one of the few certified throughout. That does not make them the best though. As noted before, to get a clock certified by FIDE the company needs to give FIDE a lot of money.
What a load of hogwash. The reason why DGT got the contract with FIDE is their revolutionary design. DGT actually put thought in their design. DGT's rocker design has become the industry standard for a good reason. It's far superior over buttons, especially in fast time controls. The DGT has more options than a Chronos too, and is easier to program. Not to mention, the DGT can be connected to an e-board. All this has led to DGT landing a contract with FIDE. It's the best and most advanced clock on the market. Many companies are now copying their design. Going even as far as putting the time controls on the bottom of the clock like DGT does. All these knock offs are of inferior quality though.
So what does the Chronos bring to the table besides 80's tech? Oh wait, metal housing. Metal housing does nothing for reliability. Drop both the DGT and Chronos. Let me tell you that the heavier metal clock will break sooner. Both internally as well as a cracked display.
Here's a question for you. Why do you hate DGT so much? You seem to be bad mouthing them every chance you get. If you like your Chronos, then that's fine. But don't say DGT are bad clocks when they are being used at every major Chess event without failure.
Calm the heck down.
I have not said the DGT clocks are bad. I am being objective in the use of these clocks. I own and use the DGT 3000 clock.
The problem with the DGT 3000 is that it’s display is not as good as the V-Tek 300 or any Chronos. The DGT display has less contrast compared to the others I just mentioned. And it’s display is too busy compared to these others as well as the ZMF clocks. Do you own all these clocks so you can give a true comparison? I do.
I also never mentioned the rocker arms or plastic bodies being a problem compared to the V-Tek or Chronos or ZMF pro. You just did.
The rocker arms work well but so do the buttons on the V-Tek and Chronos models. There are those on here saying the touch sensors are the best, not me though.
And it is a fact that the company does have to pay a lot of money to have their clock be FIDE certified. I know this as a fact as a friend of mine has been working to have a clock so approved and he was informed of the cost he had to pay FIDE.
The DGT clocks are good. Yes they are a bit overpriced for what you get but so is the V-Tek. So what?
But the DGT clocks are not the best by a long shot as you and the troll, Chessopera, say.
For instance Saitek had 2 digital models that were as good or better than the DGT clocks in their time.
Also the Excalibur clocks were provably better than the DGT clocks that were their contemporaries.
Ok, now you've lost all credibillity. You're just trolling now. Saitek and Excalibur can't touch DGT. You do realize that DGT have been making chess clocks for over 35 years right?
And your Chronos is about as advanced as a DGT chess clock from the 80's. They failed to innovate and that's why they went out of bussiness. And I'm talking about real useful innovation, not gimmicky touch sensors that do absolutely nothing to improve chess competitions. They were basically still making the same clock as DGT did in the 80's.
Until last year, my only experience with chess clocks was with the old analog types. Upon returning to competition, and realizing that a digital clock was de rigueur these days, I bought a DGT North American. It cost about US $35 and has performed very well. Learning to program it took a bit of effort, but if I can figure it out, anyone can.
All I can say about other clocks is that when my opponents' clocks of other makes have been used in my games, I haven't noticed any big difference.
For instance Saitek had 2 digital models that were as good or better than the DGT clocks in their time.
Also the Excalibur clocks were provably better than the DGT clocks that were their contemporaries.
Ok, now you've lost all credibillity. You're just trolling now. Saitek and Excalibur can't touch DGT. You do realize that DGT have been making chess clocks for over 35 years right?
And your Chronos is about as advanced as a DGT chess clock from the 80's. They failed to innovate and that's why they went out of bussiness. And I'm talking about real useful innovation, not gimmicky touch sensors that do absolutely nothing to improve chess competitions. They were basically still making the same clock as DGT did in the 80's.
Once again you need to calm down.
You are wrong, getting tiresome because of that very wrongness, and BORING...
@chessopera you are 100% wrong on Chronos chess clock. You're either trolling or work for DGT. I owned a Chronos for over 10 years. Still works like new even though Ive abused the heck out of it. On the other hand, all plastic clocks ( DGT 2000 and DGT NA) ive ever owned broke down after a while.
@Laskernephew Of course type of clock doesn't mater when playing a slow tournament games. But, if you're like me, I play 50-100 blitz/bullet games almost every day with rough players most of the time. So the strength and reliability of the clock is most important to me. Of all clocks I've tested over the years, nothing even comes close to the Chronos.
You're wrong again. Kasparov-Anand world championship match was played using Chronos and many many more high caliber tournaments in the 90s. You have to remember Chronos isnt a big company, it's a guy who literally make them (not anymore) in his garage. He has refused to sell the patent for big companies that's why you dont see then adopted by FIDE et..
What's a good choice for a simple and rugged chess clock for a patzer who is all likelihood will remain a patzer? Someone who just likes to play after church in the basement with some fellow parishioners? Thanks!