Anybody here still enjoy those older dedicated chess computers? - Chess Forums - Page 3

Filphil

Aug 9, 2022

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#41

Novag Opal. I really love the design and small travel aspect of it with strong magnets. I wish it was stronger. I think its only 1400 elo

Filphil

Aug 9, 2022

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#42

Mephisto Manhattan

Filphil

Aug 9, 2022

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#43

2 Tiger Trekker. Very cute and tiny, but very weak with no opening book. I had a third that got battery damaged.

I put duct tape on the inside panel, which can easily and permanently alleviate pieces falling out of place with most flip, slide and pop top units of all kind. Ya heard it here lol 👏 slow clap; thanks

Filphil

Aug 9, 2022

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#44

Radio Shack Deluxe 1850. For its age 86' it plays decent at about 1500

chessmaster_diamond

Aug 10, 2022

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#45

None of these would fetch much in a sale, we're talking 15 to 25 bucks here.

Filphil

Aug 10, 2022

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#46

chessmaster_diamond wrote:

None of these would fetch much in a sale, we're talking 15 to 25 bucks here.

You havent let me finish my no particular ordder "revelation" ( no i dont have one of those lol)

Filphil

Aug 10, 2022

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#47

Just for that, i post my smallest and "cheapest" unit next!

Excalibur LCD Keychain Chess

To be honest, this thing is surprisingly decent at probably 1400?No, schachcomputer.info has it at 1198 which is still very impressive. Considering its around the size of my left nutt lol

Filphil

Aug 10, 2022

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#48

chessmaster_diamond wrote:

None of these would fetch much in a sale, we're talking 15 to 25 bucks here.

Im not trying to sell anything necessarily. Just showing others who hopefully think its cool; chess computers that ive thought were cool enough to purchase........Now if someone wants to come up with some kind of agreement, id be happy to oblige. I think i speak i speak for most people here saying that there are some machines that i would never wan to part with...........i also definitely speak for everyone here when i say that we all have machines that we wish we had!

IpswichMatt

Aug 10, 2022

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#49

Filphil wrote:

Considering its around the size of my left nutt lol

That really is impressive!

Thanks for posting these pics. I've got too many dedicated chess computers, slowly selling the excess on eBay.

NM Kowarenai

Aug 10, 2022

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#50

i never buy or use any engines but i like seeing videos go about old games like nakamura vs rybka back in a match on ICC or kasparov beating fritz with 3d glasses, those were cool

Filphil

Aug 10, 2022

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#51

redbann wrote:

Nice collection @Filphil

Filphil

Aug 10, 2022

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#52

Saitek Chess Explorer. Great all around set. One of my favorites

IpswichMatt

Aug 11, 2022

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#53

I've got one of those. I've not used it yet? Why is it one of your favourites? I see it's quite strong at about 1900 Elo.

chessmaster_diamond

Aug 11, 2022

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#54

I've got the black "Pro" version of that one which is slightly stronger (Chess Explorer = Saitek GK 2000, Pro = GK 2100), about 50-70 points. Personally I find the design rather ugly.

The power of the magnets in the tiny pieces is close to NIL, but the display is easy to read and for a pretty strong dedicated chess computer it comes cheap.

LilSprankles

Aug 11, 2022

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#55

This is a pic of a fun one I have. (I wish it were easier to snap pics from my phone and post directly thru the app)

https://tluif.home.xs4all.nl/chescom/SaitCalc.JPG

IpswichMatt

Aug 11, 2022

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#56

LilSprankles wrote:

This is a pic of a fun one I have. (I wish it were easier to snap pics from my phone and post directly thru the app)

https://tluif.home.xs4all.nl/chescom/SaitCalc.JPG

Filphil

Aug 11, 2022

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#57

Yes i have a pro as well. I use the other explorer more since i can take it anywhere and beat it up without having to worry. The removable sides are convenient during play for these, but unwieldy for storing and transport. I like these very much. I think they are great value and surprisingly sort of widely available. Personally think they look sharp . The silver pieces with both units only make sense on the silver machine. Im thinking of switching the pieces on the pro. I agree the magnets leave much to be desired, but on any magnetic pressure sensor board you can simply use pieces with stronger magnets. Ive actually glued large chunks of scrap magnets on cool vintage but light plastic pieces for custom magnetic travel boards.

Filphil

Aug 11, 2022

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#58

Im well aware that some of my machines are clones or at least closely related. Thats part of what is nice about having spares and backup options. I can take a unit around and use it freely without being worried that i will break them.

Filphil

Aug 12, 2022

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#59

Millenium Chess Genius Pro. So this is by far my strongest machine. The variety of play is outstanding. It is actually stronger than advertised at over 2300. It shows how far dedicated units have come . it is so light and not very big. Seems hollow because it is. This is by no means my favorite. The the pressure sensitivity it downright terrible. Maybe the worst of any unit i have. You have to press so hard (with a corner of a piece.) There is only the bottom screen to which makes registering moves even more inconvenient. Also, what is up with so many machines having chrome for white? I will say that if you need a machine that is very strong, yet a bit more economical, then this may be your best bet.........One more complaint lol; the storage area underneath for the pieces is too small to even hold the pieces. If i had known that, it may have been a deal breaker. Is there some particular procedure for how to put the pieces in??? I will be googling this.

TracySMiller

Aug 14, 2022

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#60

For those interested, I invite you to check out a series of matches I'm currently conducting amongst a wide variety of chess AI's, including quite a few dedicated units: https://hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11756