Do you want it for tournament- or casual use? For tourneys in the states you probably want an electronic one with presets and easy programmability (?). For casual, it's up to taste. I personally prefer a mechanical one for friendly games, so that's what I've got.
Let us know so we can recommend a brand.
Well I feel like kind of an expert because like an idiot I have purchased 3 nice digital chess clocks. :D
It depends on a lot of things and other more experience OTB players will chime in here. I'm not that experienced.
I feel like the best clock to play with in Tournaments when you are starting out is the GameTime II. Its the official check clock of the USCF (you can get it on their site). Its kind of cheap and has a TON of presets. I find it easy to use. Its not as nice as some of the more expensive ones, but it has more presets and I think its easier to learn how to use.
Once you've played for a bit and want to splurge, there are other clocks that are really cool.
So for easy to use and cheap I think the GameTime II is the one to get.
DGT clocks are nice, inexpensive, easy to use, large buttons, quiet when pressed, light yet durable, numbers on clock easy to see.
i've had my chronos for almost ten years and it has never even stuttered. it takes abuse well and it is infinitely programmable. i personally wouldn't mess with the $40 ones, because by the time you buy two of em you could have had the really nice chronos. :)
http://digitalgametechnology.com/site/index.php/Clocks/dgt-xl-red-beige.html
This is what I use.
All the DGT ones are pretty good.
I think the ipad / iphone app is good if you want to play friends a game and dont want to lug a clock around. Its probably great for Starbucks blitz chess games.
One last thing on this and I'm out :) ... chess clocks are confusing. It kind of bugs me that people don't acknowledge this. So for a guy who is going to his first ever tournament and doesn't understand the time controls, get a clock that is simple to use. GameTime II. For other people, splurge if you have the cash and get something awesome.
I forgot to pack my DGT when I went to a tournament last year and ended up buying one of these in a pinch - and I love it! I got the "scholastic blue" - I probably would have gone for the Pro if it had been there, but at this point, the Blue is too good to warrant replacing it...
http://www.chess.com/equipment/chess+clocks?keyword=Saitek+Competition&sortby=alphabetical&type_id=4
What kind of clock do you guys recommend?
Basically, I want something cheap and easy to use... but at the same time I'd shell out a bit more for a clock if the cheapos are really garbage.
Any advice?