I wanted a chronos, but after reading about their customer support and warranty fulfillment on a couple of threads, and the fact that they are not producing any replacement stock, I decided it was best to not wait on them and buy a different clock.
It's not as cool as a chronos, but it was mucho cheaper and does everything I need.
I think there were a few threads here that talked about the troubles at dci or whoever makes the clock.
I'm desperately looking for info too. It seems all the dealers are out of stock. I'm especially interested in GX and FX blitz models, they are nowhere to be found.
What is going on?
-Izmet (bestchessmenever.com)
http://www.amazon.com/Chronos-GX-Touch-Chess-Clock/dp/B0015V3ZZ0
There was another blog about Chronos fairly recently and it sounds like they've gone out of business, clocks sent in for repairs were reported to be returned unrepaired - or not returned at all. They're a great clock but unless you can verify they are still "alive and well" I wouldn't buy one unless you're able to fix it yourself or know of someone else who can (and will) if necessary.
How can this be? these seem to be one of the most common if not the most common clock in play at clubs and tournaments. And the coolest. By far.
I heard that the guy that makes them has part supply issues this year but when he gets the parts he will build more. You can usually find these clocks for sale at major chess opens like the national open.
The fact that they're still for sale doesn't prove anything one way or the other. Is there an actual documented source for the current status of Chronos? I'd consider buying one - IF they remain in business. I made the mistake of buying a much cheaper clock and it's a real drag to program whereas the Chronos with just 2 unlabeled buttons is very intuitive - as in someone without a clue can figure it out by just hitting the buttons randomly until they "get it."
What's so "cool" about this clock?
...with just 2 unlabeled buttons is very intuitive - as in someone without a clue can figure it out by just hitting the buttons randomly until they "get it."
Learning to set these is one the only negatives about Chronos clocks, they are fairly complicated and not as intuitive as one might think (turning the clock off for example, seems to me more complicated then it needs to be). Imagine someone without a clue could spend sometime working to figure things out. But once you get it down it becomes a none issue and, with videos like this one its really easy to learn.
Not everyone is out of stock apparently. I bought one new over the weekend from an eBay seller who had something like 6 available.
Whaleeyeman wrote:
I dont know but they seem to be "out of stock" at all the major internet retailers like ebay, amazon.com.
EDIT: After scanning the thread, I guess everyone already knew that. I apologise for the redundancy, I've been up for almost 72 hours now.
Hey do anyone have a chronos that i could buy? Please I need one.
Hey do anyone have a chronos that i could buy? Please I need one.
A few general questions:
1) Are you an Adult or Scholastic Player?? Or are you an Adult buying for a Scholastic Player?? Chronos Clocks are EXPENSIVE... IF you can find one.
2) Are you looking for the Chronos II or the GX??
3) Do you prefer a Push Button or Touch Sensor??
If you are looking for a Chronos II -- either Push Button or Touch Sensor -- Good Luck to you. While the clock is still being made they tend to have a Priority 2. Most Chronos Clocks -- IF you can find one -- are likely going to be the Chronos GX, and in the GX line the most likely one you will find is the Touch Sensor. Why?!?? Most Scholastic Players like the GX Touch Sensor.
Good News/Bad News: There is a Chronos GX Touch Sensor knockoff called the ZMFII. It looks almost exactly like the the Chronos GX Touch Sensor, but has a heavy duty plastic case, and uses LED rather than LCD displays, and has the most commonly used functions. It also costs about half the price of a genuine Chronos GX Touch sensors. Most are priced in the $50-$60 range. They have had very good reviews. Cases come in Black, Blue, Green, and Red, with the LED's in Blue, Green, and Red.
If you are looking for a Genuine Chronos, then the best advice is to put your name on a wait list. Contact Wholesale Chess as they usually are the first to get any new shipments in. The other thing you can do is simply check their website EVERY DAY -- if they get them in they won't last long. Expect to pay somewhere between $95 - $110, most other places the price will be between $135 - $200.
For furthur information consult the following thread:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/chronos-chess-clock2
Best of Luck
I heard that the guy that makes them has part supply issues this year but when he gets the parts he will build more. You can usually find these clocks for sale at major chess opens like the national open.
Agreed, last year, I got a chronos at the Chicago Open
i love my chronos clock. i was wondering if they ran out of business. thanks for the update
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For whatever reason last week I was looking to find information on the Chronos II Push button model. Companies that *use* to carry Chronos were OUT OF STOCK, others such as the USCF / House of Stauanton had only one left. Other companies that use to carry 2-3 different colors were now down to only BLACK. While I already have a Chronos II Push Button Model (Blue), I know from experience that anything that has a LCD screen can go on the fritz for any of a number of reasons. Wholesale Chess had a sale going on and they still had some Chronos II push button modeles (BLACK only) left, and for $98 and change -- which included FREE shipping -- I was able pick up a spare clock. I had NO intention of buying a second Chronos, but it seems finding any model of the Chronos seems to be getting harder and harder to find, and the price is starting to creep up into the stratosphere. For $98 and change I felt I could not go wrong. Some companies report thwe various Chronos models are on Back Order, others post no information at all. Post to the Chronos Dealer go unanswered. Has Chronos (DCI) gone out of Business?? If NOT when do they plan to start shipping again?!? Is the Chronos II Push Button model still going to be made?!? As I said I had no plans to buy a second clock, but whith the uncertainty if I could find a replacement in the future if I needed one, plus the fact I was able to buy it at at a very reasonable price prompted to buy one NOW which ultimately will serve as my backup clock. If anyone knows what is going on with DCI / Chronos please post a response so that consumers can planb their purchases accordenly. All this uncertainty SUCKS!!!