Chess Clock suggestion Please

I am planning to buy an Analog Chess Clock. 

I am not sure which one to go for. There is one with seconds needle which make tick sound and there is one with small star kind second needle which do not make tick sound. 

Questions:-

Which ones life would be good in quality? 

Which brand is good to buy?

Which one would be cheap and best to by @ USA?

Where to buy?

Please share your experience or thoughts or suggesstions

Thank you!

Most people don't buy analog clocks anymore, since most official time controls include increment (or delay).

I'm with Martin on the digital clocks, but if you must have an analog, then it becomes the usual questions of what will you be using it for, and whether you will pay more for an attractive clock.

The cheap plastic BHB clocks were kinda ugly, but they were rugged and worked fine for me and my friends.

oh ok. Thank you for the information. 

I think I am changing my mind then. What is the best digital clock to buy?

I saw one brand "Chronos". not sure if they still manufacture but reviews are good.

Questions:

1. If Chronos: Touch vs button:- which one is more durable and better?

2. If not Chronos, what are the other brands that gives good quality product?

Thank you!

I upgraded to a digital clock and chose the Chronos. I had some trouble with the clock but they fixed it free. So I'm happy with the proviso that its interface is a bear to learn to program.

I've got the sensor buttons and I like 'em because they're quiet, but the majority opinion seems to favor the touch buttons for the tactile feedback.

However, the Chronos is expensive. I like the display and that it's sturdily built, but if you want a standard tournament clock at a good price, I'd check into the DGTs.

Thank you! I never saw touch type. not sure how it would feel but played with my friend with digital clock. I too like button type sensor.

do we need to see the clock after touching every time?:)

Which is the latest version and where can I get it for good deal? 

I use chess.com clock app for android. It's a perfect digital clock, it's got all possible and customizeable time controls, players  just take turns tapping on the screen, zero money spent. https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=5068259210636929122

Hmmm... Thats also a cool idea. Thank You.

I have a Chronos with the buttons and it is built like a tank.  Will withstand lots of abuse.  Takes a while to get comfortable with programming it but it is my favourite clock.  I also have a DGT NA and I like it a lot.  It's sturdy and much cheaper than the Chronos.  Only thing I really don't like about it is the fact you have to pick it up and turn it off and on again to reset the clock.  It's a minor annoyance but still an annoyance. I've seen a lot of people play with the touch control Chronos and it seems to work quite well.  I just like the push buttons better.

As for the phone apps, the idea of slapping my iphone repeatedly in the heat of battle just doesn't appeal to me.  

:) Thank you Moriarty_697 I will surely consider your openion.

i would say DGT clock

It also depends on how you will use the clock.  In other words, what type of time controls will you be using makes a difference on what the best clock is.

If you are going to play only 1 or 2 games a week and casually, then using an app on a phone would be alright.

If you are going to play a lot of faster time control chess then I would suggest a clock with a button and not the sensor. 

If you are going to play only very slow time controls where there is no concern about getting into any time problems, then the sensor would be fine.

I own and use both button and sensor clocks.

I would say for an all around clock the button model would edge out the sensor.

Then comes the question of how much money you want to spend.  At the under $50 (US) the DGT North American would be the button clock of choice, at this time.  The sensor clock in this price range would be the ZMF-II.

The next price range is the $100 (US) and up range.  In that range either the DGT 3000 or the Chronos, either Chronos II or Chronos GX, would be the button models of choice.  The Chronos clocks also come with sensors.  The Chronos II is the longer or larger clock, while the Chronos GX is smaller and has a smaller footprint.  The price difference between the 2 isn't that much, so if you want a Chronos either size is fine.

If you want the latest clock on the market with the best qualities of all the above, then you will need to spend more, $149 (US).  That clock is the V-Tek 300 which now comes in buttons but will also be available in sensors. 

I have owned or currently own all the above clocks I mentioned.  In all honesty, the V-Tek has all the best characteristics.  Some of the other models have some better characteristics but not others.  The V-Tek has it all, but you will pay extra for that.

My suggestion would be:

1. In the $50 range, I would get the DGT NA and if you are not going to use US Delay you can get the DGT 2010 for a bit more, but then the DGT 3000 is only a few dollars more than that.

2. In the $100 range the Chronos clock, either Chronos II or Chronos GX, would be the choice.  It has the most of the better qualities compared to the others mentioned just now.

3. If you can, get the V-Tek 300 for $149.  It has all the best qualities of the others in one clock.  I understand it also will be FIDE approved, down the line, so if you want to play in FIDE events and use it, that should be fine.

Eyechess is so great!

Agreed.  There are a handful of people on this forum I've learned a lot from and Eyechess is definitely one of them.

Eyechess thanks a lot for your patience. you really made me to think clear on what I need. 

Appreciate all your suggessitons folks. I have not played any games in US delay mode but I like to play that. 

I think I am narrowing down to DGT 3000 / Chronos for 2 reasons

1. I like to play in all modes of clock as chess is my passion and unfortunately not my profession.

2. I am not finding anything around 50$ that has all time mode options and decent in quality. [not sure if "saitek competition pro game clock iii" has but few say it has and I don't find the stock around]

Thank you!

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

I would say if you are in the U.S. then the Chronos clocks are available on either www.wholesalechess.com or www.thehouseofstaunton.com

There always is a 10% off coupon on the internet for The House of Staunton, so the prices end up being similar.

If you can find a sale, then that's the way to go.

If you want a DGT 3000, I just found an exceptional price at www.chesscentral.com  They are selling it for $80 right now.

If you are not in the U.S. I believe the DGT 3000 would be more easily available.

Good Luck.

who ever used Chronos. I have 3 questions for you

1. Imagine if a player makes an illegal move. We would be increase the Chronos clock by 2 min on the fly [I mean in middle of the game]?

2. on the fly [I mean in middle of the game] we would be able to check the move count and turn on/off beep?

3. I have read the reviews like 4 philips screws need to be removed to change the battries. Is the screws fits back correctly after years of use? [Sicnce body is made of metal, during summer is it expanding slightly n during winter vice versa?] 

One thing I have noticed in youtube is when we pause we need to press the center button, when we need to resume the play we can not use the same button. Orbitor or players should remember whos turn is next and press the opposite side. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I would like to know these because its costly.

Thanks in advance. 

1. Yes you can change the time on the fly.

2. I believe you can.  I have never had to do this so I am not totally sure but this should not be a problem.

3. Yes, the screws fit.  I have one Chronos that is 14 years old and I just changed the batteries a few months ago.

Since it is aluminum if there is any expansion or contraction it is not noticeable at all.

Thank you Martin_Stahl, ipcress12, DRE007, Moriarty_697 for your valuble suggesstion.

Special thanks to Eyechess for answering all my questions with patience.

I was able to make a decision because of you all. This forums is going to help many like me to take a decision.

I have ordered Chronos @ Wholesale Chess as they gave 15% discount!

I am also going to downloand an app to see how it is.

Thought I am going to invest 1 time, so went with Chronos.

I am not a blitz player and also never saw/played with touch sensor, so I have went for touch type in black color. Actually I wish to get a feedback from clock after I hit but trying something different as I never saw it before.

Thank you folks. Hope to see you one day with Chronos:)