New Clock Out?

Just received this email as many of us probably have and was looking over the 39.99 clock on sale for 29.99. Looks similar to the DGT/NA but with an expanded minutes/seconds.  I have seen the DGT/NA for 39.99 recently also but this one looks like a new edition and improved with the Wholesale Chess name on it. For 29.99 this may become the staple of tournaments if it meets all requirements.  I am shaking my head how can you go wrong. 

https://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-clocks/digital-chess-clocks/wholesale-chess-advanced-digital-game-timer-with-bonus-delay?utm_source=Wholesale+Chess+News&utm_campaign=42c5edc44b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c23f5720f8-42c5edc44b-89885273

 This clock is not new!!! This is a crappie Chinese chess clock that have been around for a long time. They are just putting the wholesalechess name to a clock that is junk. 

Really, I haven't seen anyone selling them before. Looks like the DGT/NA as I said only with a better display showing seconds.  Also isn't the SGT made in China too?  We are talking about a $29.99 clock. 

The two clocks that they just released have been around for a long time. They are just putting the Wholesalechess name in it.The quality of these clocks is dubious.

http://www.cnchess.com/en/dt22.html

https://www.amazon.com/Robolife-Professional-PQ9907-Digital-Chess/dp/B01KTFG2OS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499811477&sr=8-3&keywords=chess+clocks

Not going to argue but have no idea what makes you think the DT22 is junk.  Is everything from China junk? Your TV, monitor. smart phone, or even the inside of the Chronus. Where do you think the PCB inside the Chronus comes from? 

Yes this had a display similar to the DGT/NA which is also made in China. Maybe at the same warehouse? It's $29.99 and has all the functions including 2 custom sets that would cover about anything except maybe for FIDE rated tournaments.

The DT02 looks like the same quartz analog clock that the USCF sold for years and was the most popular before the age of digital.  They weren't junk, in fact they were very reliable. I have seen those that are 20 years old and still working accurate to the second. 

Not everything that comes from China is junk. However, there is a reason why these clocks have been around for a long time and the major distributors in the US don't carry them. The reason is that their quality is not good.

Mike, the clock you have the link to in Wholesale Chess looks very nice.

While I have not seen it in real life, the display and digits look large enough and with good contrast.

It looks to have the same kind of rocker arm as the DGT clocks and of course the body is plastic.

It does look as if it will handle both US Chess and FIDE timing.

Wholesale Chess is a good company and the products from them have always been good and reliable.  Yes, many things, especially the electronics, are now made in China.  So what?

For the cost this looks like a winner.

Thanks Ron, I noticed that chess company in China supplies all chess vendors with various equipment including, plastic chess sets, bags, score books and pads, demo boards, and other items, Like I said it looks very similar to the DGT/NA and wouldn't be surprised if it was the same company making it.  I even think because it always shows he seconds where the DGT/NA does not it has the advantage. I have noticed the DGT/NA is down to $39.95 these days.  

DGT North American clock - $39.95...

http://www.uscfsales.com/chess-clocks/dgt-projects-chess-clocks-2/dgt-north-american-digital-chess-clock.html

Note the buttons under the display of the DGT clock are not the same as those on the Wholesale Chess clock.  Neither is the rocker switch on the top.

Yes they look very different. All I am saying is this  company in China makes many many electronic clocks. Notice what used to be the best available the analog quartz available from the USCF and back then used to sell for $50.00?  They are the makers. In fact they make most of the plastic sets people use today at tournaments.  Demo board, carrying bags, and many chess clocks.  So far it has the most features and complies with UCF tournament regs, has delay as well as increment.  Also if it were junk WSC would not carry it. 

BTW the DGT 3000 has the same rocker arm at the WSC clock.    I am sure they are different manufacturers because the buttons are so much different.  But most not all (VTEK is an exception) are made in China and WSC doesn't sell junk.  If they did they would gladly take it back and refund a person's money.  They are one of the top chess companies to deal with. I am told even the insides of the Chronus are from China. 

*Chronos. Sorry, I can't stand seeing it spelled that way. Me love all my chess clocks

Sorry I spelled Chronos wrong.  I do enjoy all my chess clocks also including the DGT/NA which I have used in a tournament already.  Only thing that always bugged me abut it is it doesn't show seconds till below 20 minutes. 

I was playing around and found there is currently a 25% discount on new Chess clocks at Wholesale Chess.

So, I ordered this clock and the cost for it was $29.99 after the discount.  I run a scholastic chess club and can use it in the club if I don't like it for my own use.  I see this clock easily taking the place of a DGT NA with a better display.

Looks like a rebranded Leap PQ9912: http://www.leaptimer.com/product_info.asp?id=567

Shelby I respect your word on it. I will use it tonight at my chess club that I am going to in about an hour. If I like the display that will be all that matters as long as it will last without failing electronically. I have no idea if this clock has been tested and it has been a failure electronically. ll I know is WSC will back it up and like most electronics if fail free for the first year it is good to go. They did extensive testing on it I was told before they ordered them for sale. 

The DGT/NA obviously does not display seconds till it gets under 20 minutes because the display is a touch short. If it was just a little bit bigger it would be able to display seconds under 1 hour.  Remember this one is on sale for only $29.99 it's not like I am buying a $125 clock.  I still have your VTEK in my sights before I go to the US OPEN in Middleton, WI. next summer.  I believe you might be the vendor there along with Greg from CHESS4LESS.  You two make a good team of equipment, books and videos. 

I'm interested to see what you think of this clock, Mike.

The clock is basically a plastic body with an electronic board, LCD display and rocker arm buttons.  That is the same as the DGT NA from what I can see.  In fact I just looked at the base of a DGT NA and it also is made in China.

If Wholesale Chess can get a good quality control on the clocks, I see no reason why it cannot be just as good or even better than the DGT.

Shelby you would know this first hand, I am guessing in order to get their name on an order they had to order a minimum of clocks, my guess a minimum of 100 to 144 each model.  If it turns out to be sub-par and breaking down they will be refunding many people.  It's not just the product but the time involved in selling ,advertising and postage never mind the freight in on the shipment from China.  Just finished dinner off to chess club.  

A number of us, including Shelby, have talked about the need for an inexpensive digital clock with delay and increment that is tournament worthy.  There certainly is a place in the market for more than one model that is inexpensive.

People can buy pieces and board and a nice tournament bag for under $30.  Having a digital clock at the under $30 range sure seems right.

If Wholesale Chess got a good enough deal on their private branded clocks, then good for them.  As Mike points out, the reality is that if the clocks are less than adequate, Wholesale Chess will suffer.  And I don't see the company doing things that would put them at risk to lose their positive reputation.  They have handled chess clocks all along so they know good chess sets from not so good ones.  I bet they got their manufacturers to insure the clocks would be a good quality for the money.

Sure, the cheaper clock is not the same quality as the more expensive ones, but neither are the cheaper chess pieces and boards as good as the more expensive ones.  That's life.

I was 1/2 way to the chess club that Thursday night and remembered the clock was sitting on the chair at home.  Today I took it out fooling around with it and I already am used to it. Coming up even is 90/G 30 inc. and this is setting #3 on the clock so I do not even have to customize it although that is not a problem. I like the display much better than the DGT/NA which by the way is now $35.95 on Prime.  I wish it was a bit more colorful like the DGT/NA but can live with the dull deep grey.  I still like the fact it comes with seconds that show all the time and nt just when you go below 20 minutes. To me that is the downfall of the DGT/NA especially when you are using an increment  (bonus) time of 30 seconds.  Maybe not so much of a downfall as an inconvenience.  

WSC did this up very nicely and have their name all over the box, clock, and instructions with their address in case something goes wrong. They back it up not the manufacturer which I feel is a PLUS. Simple to operate and it does have 2 custom program slots to boot besides many pre-set. 

I am sure they will be promoting the clock more & more as we get to the Holiday season. $29.95 seems like a great price point for this lower level entry clock and WSC always has free shipping on orders of $50 or more which isn't hard to accomplish. 

I did not receive any price break or future price break from WSC and also not affiliated with them of course. 

Not comparing these with the higher priced clocks at all. The Chronos and VTEK of course have their market and are the best clocks.  It;s just this is great for scholastics if you do not have deep pockets and want a full display of H/M/S and an easy to operate clock that is fully functional.  There is a market for this. 

I will use it in the upcoming tournament at least while I am black and report back.  Of course if it broke or shorted out in the tournament that would be a game changer for this clocK.