Yes, but in delay mode, the number of delay seconds is not displayed. It simply says “delay” for 5 seconds (or whatever the delay is). Some players don’t like this, because they want to use 4.9 seconds of their 5-second delay on each move, for maximum efficiency in time management.
I don’t understand what you mean by “mix and match”. Yes, those CH-Pn modes are increment, although the P stands for “progressive”, which is the same concept.
Bill Smythe
I’ve never understood why chess clocks need all these “modes”. All they need is one mode, with settings for:
If “number of moves” is non-zero, the same questions could be asked again, for the second control. Ditto third, fourth, etc. A zero entry for “number of moves” would indicate a final control (“G/” or “SD/”). A separate button could be used for “repeating” – repeat the last-entered control indefinitely.
In an increment event, set delay to zero. In a delay event, set increment to zero. In a Rob Jones event, set both to zero. If you want both increment and delay, set both accordingly.
Then there could be a “save as” option (say, 1 through 99) so you could customize and save as many settings as you need.
Bill Smythe
Great idea! I would have responded sooner but I had to run down to the patent office. 
I have a magnificent full-size Chronos sitting in a shopping cart at an online chess supplier site, for $103.xx after a 10% off coupon.
I am trying awful hard to talk myself out of it…
You really should buy that clock. Have you seen some of the hideous prices on the Internet for any sort of Chronos? I really want to torment players with one of my sundry analog clocks and I have a touch Chronos. If someone offers me one of those insane prices, it is sold! IMHO you should buy that clock and flip it.
Not a bad plan for those who understand $$$. If I spend that much on a Chronos—and thus replace the gaping hole in my tournament chess armor—I plan to hang on to it for at least another 15 years. I would have already ordered it if I could be assured that level of reliability is likely.
Too much time spent on this dept.: Here are prices I found for all major brand digital chess clocks at the usual sites online: Amazon, eBay plus all the chess suppliers I know. You might be able to beat these by a buck or two but it would take major cyber-digging. Just FYI for those in the market.
All prices for New condition clocks, including shipping.
[i]Chronos II $103.49 (with easy-to-find 10%-off coupon code)
DGT 3000 $89.99
DGT 2010 $67.44
ZMF-II $51.98
Saitek Competition Pro $50.95
DGT NA $43.00
Excalibur Game Time II $42.10
Saitek blue Scholastic $39.64[/i]
Which would you choose?
The DGT NA and Excalibur Game Timer are at very good price points. Easy to set. Good displays. The Excalibur displays exactly what I want to see. The DGT NA is a little quieter, looks classier.
If I wanted to spend more money, then I would go with the DGT 3000. Excellent display. Connects to other DGT hardware. Easy to set. Cheaper than the uglier Chronos.
The blue Saitek clock can be tossed to the dogs to play with as a chew toy.
Putting the expectation of 15 years chess clock makes the suggestion difficult.
Any of the DGT models available 15 years ago are outdated today.
The Chronos clock is using electronic programming that is at least 4 or more years old. They also have had their own problems with quality. Don’t forget about the problems we have heard about overvthe last 6 months. Spending $103 on a clock that very well could have problems is certainly gambling.
Both Saitek and Excalibur clocks are no longer being made plus they have their own shortcomings for their price.
The DGT NA would currently be the best choice in that price range.
The DGT 3000 would currently be the best choice for the upper price range.
Just remember that there are 2 new clocks about to be released. Frank Cammarata is about to release his new GameTime clock in that lower price range. Shelby Lohrman and another fellow will be releasing a new clock in the upper price range. Both clocks will have new programming as well.
How will it differ from previous GameTimes?
Care to share any details?
Bill Smythe
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Well articulated, and I absolutely agree. Flexible and powerful, yet simple and elegant.
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I suppose that I would pick the 3000 if I absolutely had to get with the NWO. Considering what tournaments cost to play in these days, none of these prices are outrageous and the idea that the 3000 can be linked to a chessboard is really exciting! The DGT NA would be my second choice because of the simpler selection of time controls.
If it has all of the features Shelby talked about putting into it then it will be a very good clock. Since I don’t know if all of them were able to be incorporated, I’d rather not mention any and then have people disappointed.
Shelby has run the chess store for a LOT of major tournaments and knows what people are looking for, so I got the feeling he was aiming to provide something that covered all of their needs.
Allow “number of moves” to be set to -1. That would signify that the clock is NOT to make use of the number of moves for determining when the time control ends. It should just count down to zero and then move on to the next control.
I don’t think you need a separate button for repeating. It should be sufficient to make the last time control automatically repeat unless it has a “number of moves” of 0.
I hope one or both of these clocks will bring something new to chess clocks. There is a lot more you can do and still hit a $50 retail price point with today’s technology.
For instance, incorporate a low power radio that implements the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. This is similar to the radio systems commonly used in things like inexpensive home weather stations to link the outside sensor to the indoor display unit. Single chip implementations of the hardware for this are around $3 in quantities of 100.
This could be used to receive broadcast time control information from the tournament director to set the clock. It could also be used to receive pairing information and board assignments. These radios are two-way, so it would also be possible to have a “request TD” function to ask for a TD’s assistance, and to have the clock report time information back during the game so the TD can anticipate where disputes may be upcoming.
I am guessing Mr. Smith is a software engineer. As a TD and software engineer myself, I can confidently assert that instructions to “set the move counter to -1 to not use the number of moves” is going to confuse many users and cause confusion. Personally, I think it would be much clearer to have a separate user interface control for this.
Are these the only clocks available with those touch sensor buttons that don’t move?
I was visualizing a computer-like screen, capable of different font sizes in different areas, and capable of really nice-looking fonts like Arial Bold.
Part of this vision was an initial setting screen something like this:
1st control: Number of moves:____ Main time:____ Increment time:____ Delay time:____
– and if the user entered a non-zero number for “number of moves”, a second line would then appear, and then a third if necessary:
2nd control: Number of moves:____ Main time:____ Increment time:____ Delay time:____
3rd control: Number of moves:____ Main time:____ Increment time:____ Delay time:____
Entering 0 for “number of moves” could be a code meaning “this is the last (and sudden death) time control”.
I suppose entering 0 for all four fields could mean “the previous control shall repeat indefinitely, no sudden death”.
But another approach is also possible. Start with radio buttons:
Number of time controls:[list][*]1
2
3
4
[/*:m][/list:u]
followed by another set of radio buttons:
Final control is:[list][*]Sudden death
Repeating indefinitely
[/*:m][/list:u]
and then still another:
Move counter options:[list][*]Move counter not displayed
Move counter displayed
Move counter (displayed and) triggers next control
[/*:m][/list:u]
If the user originally opted for just one control, the third option would be grayed out.
Note that I omitted the fourth option, “Move counter (not displayed but) triggers next control”, because that would be atrocious.
Then, depending on how many time controls were specified, something like the following would now appear:
2nd control: Number of moves:____ Main time:____ Increment time:____ Delay time:____
3rd control: Number of moves:____ Main time:____ Increment time:____ Delay time:____
Bill Smythe
I went with using the number of moves to signify the nature of the time control because Mr. Smythe had already used zero/non-zero to signify time control types, so it seemed simplest to extend that as I was trying to focus on the abilities the clock should have, not necessarily on how the interface should work.
So, I wound up with an Excalibur Game Time II. To be precise, I made the mistake of letting the Boss know I was shopping for a chess clock; next thing I knew she had ordered a Game Time…
I might buy a DGT 3000 at the USATE in Parsippany if I take leave of my financial senses, but for now the Excalibur is my only digital clock. I’ve spent some time getting re-acquainted with it and for the most part it’s good value for the dollar. However, the noise when you press the plungers is bad. I recall that from previous use, but this time it seems even worse. (And there is nothing wrong with the clock; it came in a shrink-wrapped box from a reputable seller.)
Does anyone have any bright ideas on how to quiet the sound of the plungers on these clocks? I thought about a drop of WD-40 oil, but the user’s guide says not to use any solvents. At some point I will get a DGT 3000 or a Chronos, but I can live with this clock for now; we could co-exist much easier if it would learn to keep quiet while we are playing chess.
A circle of fairly thick felt around the hole in the base where the plunger is installed might help dampen the sound from depressing the plunger to where the head makes contact with the base. The felt should not be so thick, though, as to not allow the opponent’s clock to start.
This solution won’t help with any noise that is created from the internal mechanism, but it might make the overall operation of the clock a little quieter.