New idea for the Chronos

Running Chess Tournaments
1

I just got a brilliant idea for the next version of Chronos clocks.

In this post and in this picture, Micah Smith tells us that the short (“blitz”) version of the Chronos has a bit of extra room at the right of its 4-digit display that accommodates two miniature digits, one above the other. These two digits can display the delay seconds in some modes, or the move count in others.

What could be done if the same idea were incorporated into the standard (“long”) version of the Chronos?

The long Chronos has a 6-digit display (hh:mm:ss) on each side. Yes, there are a couple of modes, at least on my old model circa 1996, which can be set for just under 100 hours – 99:59:59 to be exact.

If the rightmost full-size digit were to be removed, there would be room for four miniature digits, two on top and two on the bottom. These could be used for the delay and the move count respectively:

XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX::::05
XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX::::
XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX:::XXX::::39

Sorry, the above depiction is the best I can do on this forum. Each group of
:::::::::::XXX
:::::::::::XXX
:::::::::::XXX
represents one large digit. If you look closely you can also see the colons between some of the digits.

In this way the clock could display a full 5 digits (h:mm:ss) for the main time plus a 1- or 2-digit delay plus a 2-digit move count, all at the same time and throughout the entire game, using the same size display already in use on the longer Chronos clocks.

To reduce confusion between the delay and the move count, I would suggest using two digits at all times for the move count (e.g. 07 instead of 7) and a single digit for the delay. If the delay is 10 seconds or more, the delay should switch from two digits (e.g. 10) to one digit (e.g. 9, rather than 09) when the delay drops below 10 seconds.

What do you think of that idea, Christopher Chronos? (Or do the latest models already do this? Somebody please let me know.)

Bill Smythe

2

Do they even come out with new versions of the longer Chronos model these days with new features? Hasn’t the longer Chronos been the same for a while now?

3

There have been at least three since my 1996 model, but I don’t know how old the newest one is.

If no present Chronos model can display 5-digit main time, 2-digit delay, and 2-digit move count all at the same time, then I would think this would be a worthwhile improvement – especially since the technology is already there in other Chronos models (large enough display on the longer models, miniature digits on the shorter models).

Bill Smythe

4

Is there any information out there that explains what the differences are between the different versions of the Chronos?

How can we get in touch with the manufacturer of the Chronos? Another suggestion for the Chronos is to have increment time controls automatically add the increment for move one (as the clock already does in Bronstein mode) to comply with FIDE and US Chess rules.

5

If you are referring to different vintages rather than different current models, I very much doubt it. Lots of luck finding older models to examine. :neutral_face:

An acquaintance of mine has (or had) a version even older than my 1996 model. It had delay, but only up to 9 seconds and only with a single control of up to 99:59. No increment. No user-save capability. Only a dozen or so modes at all. If you had to set it for G/60 d/5, you’d have to choose the G/90 d/5 preset and change the 90 to 60, every round, i.e. every time the clock was turned on.

My 1996 model added user-save capability, increment, move-counter options, and many more delay modes. A large step up. No increment with multiple controls, though.

The first switchless version, the one that came out right after my 1996 model, was inferior. It dropped some features, such as move-counter modes with delay. This model was discontinued after a year or so.

The next version added back the features that had been dropped. It was very similar to today’s (longer) models, I believe.

Lots of luck with that one, too. Maybe you’ll have to get ahold of a specimen of each older version? Ha ha. I’d be glad to sell you mine for $500. Actually, I wouldn’t. I like it too much.

Of course. Let’s hope Christopher Chronos reads these forums.

Bill Smythe