SilverBack Chess Clock - Finally ready for Public Sale!

Shelby, will they all have to be sent back once again for another fix? Mike

I also just noticed that if you go to the "USCF Settings" folder in the global list, one of the options is "US Open 6 day" and the clock is set for 40/100,SD/30;inc10. However, the problem is that there is no 6-day option at the US Open anymore and in recent years when there used to be a 6-day option at the US Open, the time control was 40/100,SD/30;inc30, not 40/100,SD/30;inc10.

The US Open currently has 3 schedules:

7-day at 40/100,SD/30;inc30

5-day at G/90;d5

4-day at G/60;d5

Thanks for doing this testing.

I'm going to have to ask to borrow the clock from the guys at Irvine (if they even ALLOW me) and test all of the "create new" settings and modes. No idea how long this will take.

Does this take AA batteries? If so I'll bring some eneloops.

I was going to go on Thursday or Friday to say hi to a couple of friends. Should I keep my clock at home till he gets ready for the next update?

Unfortunately, I just came across another issue. I set the clock for 40/120,SD/30 with a 30 second increment only on the sudden death time period (increment starting from move 41). This was the time control used in the last World Championship match. Unfortunately the clock doesn’t give the increment time once you get to the sudden death time control. The issue arises regardless of if you set it via “create new” or “customize”.

The clock takes 3 AA batteries, which are included. It’s annoying that you have to have a screwdriver to get to the battery compartment.

I guess I will put it on the shelf. till they come up with a fix. Too bad it can not be done from my computer with a software download.

Micah,

I have set the clock for the 40/80 SD/30 D/30 on 5 different clocks. Yes, the I47 thing shows up on the screen, but I have yet to find a clock that does not do the delay after it hit the time control. Can you send me a video of your clock with this glitch? Cannot seem to re-create it on my end.

As for the CCA pre-set, that is being fixed on the next update. As is where it adds the I47 for no reason on the display screen.

Shelby

And Micah, I hope you understand that with EVERY clock...there are going to be small problems. That is why I look at the forums and see the concerns that people have with the new items.

The CCA pre-set is a time saver. The clock will still function just fine till that time saver is updated the next time I order from the factory.

Same thing with the I47 think that pops up on the front left screen on the dual controls.

As for the USCF 6 day thing, the clock was programmed before they changed the schedule. I am doing my best here, but every time someone changes their controls there is no magic way for me to update the pre-sets. That needs to be done at the factory. I will have them change the USCF settings to the new options for the next batch.

Here is the thing, I do not remember ANY clock being perfect when it first hit the market. I can only do my best to make it the best I can and listen to people like you to find the updates needed.

As for the batteries and the screwdriver being needed...you have to find a happy medium for everyone. This is a metal clock. I do not know of any way to be able to store the batteries and give the customer access to them without having screws for the battery case. If this was a plastic clock...I could put one of the battery doors with the squeeze thing that has a chance to fail (see the ZMF_tap and touch). The Chronos needed to use a screwdriver and you had to take the whole top off to get to the battery case. The ZMF-Pro has one of those battery doors but STILL put a screw down there to keep it closed.

Keep the comments coming. If they are reasonable...I will get them fixed.

If you are unhappy with your clock as it stands, send it back and I will give you a full refund.

Heck, if I see you at the US Open...I can do it there for you.

Shelby

Looking at the comment, you state that it "does not always" give the delay at the next control. Any chance you might be able to tell me how many times you set the clock to get this bug to pop up? I need to be able to re-create the problem to see how we need to fix it.

Shelby

Shelby, I sent you a video reproducing the bug on Facebook messenger (couldn't figure out how to get the video on here).

There is one other thing I’ve come across, which isn’t a big isssue in the grand scheme of things because the clock still functions fine but I thought I would mention anyway. The manual says “While in US Chess mode, it will add the next phase time as soon as move requirement is met while in a multi-phase game.” However, it doesn’t do this if you set it via “customize”. It waits until the time in the current time period runs out for the player before it adds the next phase time to the display.

I just want to let everyone know that once these few bugs and other issues I’ve brought up are fixed, the SilverBack will be one of the best clocks on the market, if not the best.

is this coming back? the product page is gone, not just sold out, but gone

What do you mean by gone? There's no direct link to the clock?

there is no product page for the clock. old links don't work. the only sales pages I see are on ebay.

@Micahsmith

How did your talk with Shelby go? Were you guys able to reproduce the bugs in the current production? Is that why the clock got pulled? I need to ask so that I don't spend $150 next weekend, I already had to pay $158 for the tournament and then I have to pay for the American Open also, I can't afford the luxury of another $150 expense :

I noticed the clock was no longer listed at the Chess4Less website either.

However, I am sure Shelby is working on a solution to the entire situation.

Not the worst thing if I have to send the clock in again.

I believe the issues I've brought up in this thread are in the process of being fixed but I don't know what the current status is.

Also, as I've mentioned a number of times in the past, the clock doesn't give the increment for move one in the US Chess or Custom modes but it should (see the TD Tip in the US Chess rulebook after rule 16b2 which explains the players do get the increment for move one under US Chess rules (us-chess-rule-book-online-11-28-24.pdf). I'm assuming it would be an easy programming change to have the clock give the increment for move one in the US Chess and Custom modes since the clock gives the increment for move one in the FIDE mode.

One cool feature of this clock, even though it's not needed for tournaments, is that when you set it via "Customize", you can set it to have both increment and delay!

Hi Shelby, how is it going? Any updates on the clock?