Hi, I am considering getting Mephisto Master Chess (click here) to play more "over the board" instead of "on the screen". I'm not interested in using a full size tournament board (3.75" king). My rating is about 1300-1400 so I have plenty of room to improve.

Does anyone have any experience with this or similar standalone "sensor" table top chess computers?

I have one... Is a great piece of equipment, but at the end I got boring of using it. Now I play turn based chess and go to a chess club once a week to play OTB games.

Why would you get bored of using it?  Do you just prefer playing humans?  One of the things I really like about chess is that you can play OTB by yourself with one of these computers.  I have a basic excalibur board and like it a lot, although I'd enjoy it a lot more if it had larger pieces.

 I wish online sites listed actual physical specifications for their devices like the Mephisto boards.

The sizes are listed on the link above. How do you find the push to move operation, is it a pain or is it fairly pleasant?

LOL, lack of reading comprehension FTW!

 

I have absolutely no issue with the push-to-move and it does not spoil the enjoyment of the game in any way for me.

Good to hear. I found the PDF manual for the game and have read it... it seems pretty reasonable. And the board size is 8"x8" although I'd prefer 11"x11"

Sounds like I have a plan!  Is there anyone else with an opinion on the board?

Finally ordered the Chess Explorer Pro... it seems more modern in its user interface logic, its cheaper, looks nicer, has a coach mode, it has a bigger board (8.25" vs 7.75") and its not that much weaker....

Explorer Pro Manual PDF   /   Master Chess Manual PDF 

From... http://www.elhchess.demon.co.uk/ehss.htm

1. 2352 Tasc R30-1995 (w)
2. 2314 Mephisto LONDON 68030 (w)
3. 2277 Mephisto LONDON PRO 68020 (ps)
4. 2261 Mephisto RISC2 (w)
5. 2222 Mephisto MAGELLAN(w) - ATLANTA (ps)
6. 2218 Kasparov SPARC (w)
7. 2216 Mephisto MONTREUX (ps)
8. 2200 Kasparov RISC 2500 (ps)
9. 2185 Novag STAR DIAMOND (ps) - STAR SAPPHIRE (pt)
10. 2132 Novag DIAMOND2 (ps) - SAPPHIRE2 (pc)
11. 2103 Mephisto MASTER (ps) - SENATOR (w)
12. 2032 Novag CITRINE (w)
13. 2018 EXPLORER PRO (ps) & Kasparov Chess CHALLENGER (ps)
14. 1972 Novag OBSIDIAN (ps)

• w=wood, auto-sensory
• ps=press-sensory
• l=portable plug-in
• t=portable touch screen
• c=portable calculator

Looks like a good purchase.  Good luck and be sure to post your review!

I have posted my review here... Chess Explorer Pro

I have updated my review with my experiences from the last few weeks (click here)

Hello Gordon. The Mephisto Master Chess Computer is an excellant table-top chess computer. The 3 most important considerations when purchasing a chess computer is first, the size of its' opening library. The larger its' opening library, the greater the diversity of opening variations you can have it play against your favorite openings. Second, the ease with which the computer allows you to play the black pieces from the bottom of the board is important Julio Kaplan did a superb job of making it easy to play the black pieces from the bottom of the board on the chess computers that he programmed for Saitek. Third, it is best to purchase a chess computer that after you finish a game against the computer, allows you to replay the entire game from the beginning.It is also a good idea to purchase a chess computer that you can defeat every once in a while so that you don't get discouraged if your chess computer wins all the time.The great thing about playing against chess computers is that you quickly learn the strengths and weaknesses of your openings.