Which chess clocks to use and avoid?

Which clocks are recommended, and which ones should be avoided?

I previously bought a DGT which really didn't impress me, anything else better?

I love my Chronos clock.

Yes, I did here good reviews about Chronos.

chronos is my love great build. great program and great reset option... but if ur a broke chess player then u can buy other cheaper chess clock.

There is no perfect Chess clock in existence.

And some features are more desirable for some people and less for others.

With that, here are the clocks by price range that I think are the best:

1. For the lower price range Wholesale Chess has their advanced clock that has a similar body build to the DGT North American but a noticeably better display.  Both clocks use a rocker arm for the "buttons".  The ZMF-II is alright and has different colored LED displays available that are different than the LCD displays on all other clocks, and it has a sensory touch mechanism for the "buttons".

2. The next price range has the DGT 3000 as the apparent best of price class.  It has the same plastic body and rocker arm as all the other DGT clocks.  The display does show everything like seconds and all.  The main drawback is the display seems lighter in contrast than the others to the point of seeming dim.  But it still works.  This is the clock you see hooked up to the DGT boards in all the top, elite Chess events.  The ZMF Pro is alright with its aluminum body.  The display is huge and like the other ZMF model it has sensory touch "buttons".

3. At just a bit more money is the Chronos GX.  It has an aluminum body and the classic Chronos buttons (yes there also is a sensory touch available) with it very nice feel and sensory feedback.  The display is crisp and has good contrast.  This is a smaller clock than the original size of the Chronos II, but isn't really any smaller than the DGT 3000.  The only drawback to this clock is it is not as easy to set, but it certainly is not a major problem.

4. The next price up is the Chronos II.  It has the same aluminum body, very good LCD display contrast, and excellent buttons as the Chronos GX.  The only difference is that this clock is longer while still being lower in height and thus sleeker.  The display is also larger horizontally.  Like the GX the drawback is it is more difficult to set for someone that is not accustomed to the clock.  But once learned it is very easy to use with different time settings.

5. At the current top of the price range is the V-Tek 300.  Just like the Chronos clocks its body is aluminum and it has the same buttons that are excellent.  The display is the same type of LCD except it has a second line of print giving more information when setting the clock.  This clock is very easy to set and its LED signal lights are different colors which make a very minor improvement over the Chronos clocks.  The drawback to this clock is that it is a much bulkier and less sleek clock compared to the Chronos II and others.

I own all the above mentioned clocks.  If you told me that I could only own one my favorite is the Chronos II.

Ok thanks! Will look into the Chronos.

Chronos is considered the best, but costs too much

So, what clock would you buy yourself?

What clock would you suggest for the OP as the best?

I hope that you understand that, "too much" is a matter of perspective and opinion?

 

of course, yeah

The DGT NA is a good clock.  And it is in the lower or lowest price range.  Lately, Wholesale Chess has come up with their Advanced clock that is also in this price range.  The Wholesale Chess Advanced clock has a better display than the DGT NA, otherwise it seems the same.

Of course the DGT NA has been around for quite awhile so seeing newer clocks coming out to compete with it is normal.

Why the DGT/NA doesn't show seconds above 20 minutes is beyond me. This bugs me when I use it.  They couldn't make the display 2 mms wider?  Also they should have made the read out darker. Just guessing the DGT/NA will undergo a facelift or lose a big share to new clocks coming out.

Otherwise I too was happy with the DGT/NA but happier with the new clock from WSC.

And if ur super cheap use n old phone install a chess clock app..

The other person will likely have one or somebody will lend one to you or the tournament will have extra clocks.

I'm happy with my Chronos GX clocks (buttons version). they are good clocks in that I never need to think about them. When I was putting together another tournament bag, I decided to go with the DGT NA simply because it was cheaper. I ended up replacing it with another Chronos GX because I can never get used to how to start the clock for a chess game (either I remember it or I just can't figure it out). Plus it has a large base that makes fitting into my chess bag's clock area a bit difficult (I must align it carefully or the zippers won't close). A chess clock IMHO should be like my plastic chess sets, something simple that just works without delaying my game.

Nice, like that the GX also has the move indicator lights on top.  Do they show delay/increment?  None of the reviews or the description on wholesalechess.com mention this.

The GX shows delay in the lower right hand corner of each display, the increment is added after you press the clock.

Arasibo is correct; it is also in a much smaller font than the time.  (I can't remember if it can be configured to NOT display it... I vaguely remember that it can.)

 

I use a Leap PQ9907S

It is super simple and it only costed $8 dollars online.

Good to know, GX seems a great way to go if you can swing it.