Opinions on Novag Obsidian?
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I could recommend for you if you weren't living in Sweden. I personally use Hewlett Packard Computers, as they are quite cheap, durable, as well as the fact they have wonderful specs. I personally would buy that if the cost of importing it was worth it.
Oh, sorry if I wasn't specific enough. When I was referring to a "dedicated chess computer" I meant the kind of equipment that Saitek or Novag offers. Like this (the Obsidian):
/D
Jan 3, 2008
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#4
The Obsidian seems like a nice machine indeed. Have you considered the Excalibur Grandmaster?
(http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-CMD2005.htm)
I have seen the Grandmaster. It's just that Novag seems to be better quality. Excalibur has the look of toys in my opinion. The Obsidian comes with wooden pieces which really raises the impression.
Thanks for the tip anyway.
Jan 4, 2008
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#6
Good point. The wood pieces on the Obsidian definitely trump the vinyl board on the Grandmaster. 
However you do have to look at Excalibur's higher quality stuff. Who else makes a chess board that moves the physical peices on its own
Jan 4, 2008
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#8
True! But on the down side, have you seen the YouTube videos of that thing? It's not exactly graceful, but the worst part is all the whirring and grinding.
I'm digging up an old post here. Did you every purchase the Obsidian and how do you like it?
Did you every purchase the Obsidian and how do you like it?
No I haven't. Still thinking about it though. We'll see.
If I do, I will surely share my impressions here.
Nov 30, 2008
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#11
I'm looking for a dedicated chess computer now myself, and I'm killing myself trying to decide between the Obsidian and the Mephisto Master from Saitek. It's an epic battle of stronger (Mephisto Master) vs. just all-around nicer (Obsidian). (The Obsidian is also a bit less expensive.) One (non-vendor) source rates the Obsidian at about 1970 Elo and the Master at 2100. Apart from that, there are a few minor feature differences that don't amount to much.
If you've got first-hand experience with either or both of these, I'd love to hear what you think.
Obsidian extremely strong at a great price , fantastic processing power and speed with risc chip in I have this and also the original chess academy mephisito talking god knows why they discontinued it and brought the new talking chess out the original far better n stronger but I guess it was loosening them sales on other machines love them both citrine next for me
Jan 9, 2013
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#13
Hi, I have the Novag Obsidian (recent purchase). I am very unhappy with the LCD; it can only be read by looking directly above it. At my normal sitting position the LCD is at an angle and the entire display looks like it is on. It pretty much renders the display useless during a game. Is this just a bad unit or is it a normal "feature"?
Jan 11, 2013
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#14
Coyote, I have the Obsidian and while I like playing it and it is pretty nice, the LCD blows. You need to be directly over it to read it legibly. Sitting down at a desk and playing it your eyes are at such a severe angle to the LCD that you can't read jack. It really needs to have a contrast control which would fix things or angle the LCD for legibility.
Not sure why Novag screwed this up. This is my first Novag. I've had several Saiteks and they've never had this problem. For some reason Saitek have the LCD thing nailed down.
The other gripe about the Obsidian is that the control panel overlay seems to be coming unglued and bubbling up. I may go for the Mephisto Master Chess next but the Saitek/Mephisto chess pieces suck, the Obsidian's wooden pieces are a whole lot nicer.
Jan 11, 2013
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#15
Marsalone, Thank you for the information! Let me know if you decide to go with the Mephisto - I have a friend that had one and had to send his back twice to get a fully functional LCD. I have also read a comment here and there online about the Mephisto LCD going bad. I sent the Obsidian back and asked for another one; maybe that will fix it. I guess the LCDs are made as cheaply as possible for both manufacturers. I think the market for chess computers is dwindling. I really like using them because it gives you that OTB experience for tournaments. You might want to try using some pieces from another small set. I like the ones I can get from the yellow mountain imports travel set; they are gold and silver colored (It is available from Amazon for about $5.99). Of course choice of a particular set of pieces are made to an individuals taste. The travel set peices are still plasitc but I like their proportions much better. The pieces are magnetic and they fit an 8 inch board exactly.
Jan 11, 2013
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#16
The Obsidian is one of the best chess computers still out there. It's at least IM strength, probably GM, looks nice, and is well made. I say this as someone who owned several chess computers over the years. The only thing is...you can get software for your PC, IPhone, or whatever, that is stronger, cheaper, and more flexible, so you would only do this if you just happen to want to.
Get a chess program for your computer. I suggest Houdini.
-Fianchetto (1900 USCF)
With regard to the LCD problem, don't the co-ordinate squares light up to tell you what move the computer wants to make? I don't see why you need to look at the LCD if thats the case.
Jan 12, 2013
0
#19
Yeah Vease, you don't really need to look at the LCD all that much during a game. I was going to add a contrast adjustment circuit (a couple of diodes and a pot, simple) to remedy the LCD - viewing angle issue but it really isn't worth the time to me since for normal games you don't really look at the LCD during the game. The rank and file LEDs tell you where to move the pieces.
Looking overhead at the LCD for adjusting levels and time controls or position setup isn't a big deal for me, but it is nice sometimes to be able to see the game clock or watch the Obsidian's analysis while playing.
Fianchetto of course has the most practical suggestion but for me playing against standalone chess computers is more fun somehow. I know that it is irrational but that's how it is for me. The nice thing about the chess computer is portability and a 3D board. I can play on my coffee table. I am behind a computer all day at work and try to minimize my computer time at home sitting at a desk.
One thing I do plan on doing is using my iPod Touch to play chess with at home mirroring the moves on a real board. It is portable and is basically what you had to do with the old calculator style chess computers from Novag but this time with a nice board to see on the screen instead of just coordinates.
Even though I dig chess computers, an iPad with a real board may be the future. I would like to pick up a Mephisto Master though.
novag obsidian =average to strong north american club player...it is not at all that strong...around 1900 real ELO..Mephisto master is very strong it is expert level though not really a human master..but not too far from it specially in tactics..in building up position strategy it slightly falls behind though i got the mephisto milano pro=master chess..same software..and its delightful risky play style but i get equal or even beat it occasionally and of course lose as well...true i think much more than the machine!
Hi. I'm considering buying a dedicated chess computer. Has anyone any experiences with the Novag Obsidian? I find it the most attractive option right now. Why should/shouldn't I buy it? Any better options? Something around 125€, like the Obsidian, is what I plan to spend.