Chess Clocks - 2018

I just began directing a Monday evening, 3 round, US Chess rated tournament.  We are using a time control of G/30, i/30, so increment capable clocks are necessary.

I actually had more than anticipated show up for the first round and I ended up not playing while lending 2 of my clocks to players to use.

The clocks used included V-Tek 300, Excalibur GameTime II, Chronos II, Wholesale Chess Deluxe, and a DGT NA.  One guy had a blue Saitek and realized that it did not have increment capabilities.

Now, I am the local "expert" when it comes to Chess equipment and people actually come to me asking what they should get and where they should buy something.  This guy that had the blue Saitek is just coming back to playing Chess after school.  He is an electrical engineer now, so he can afford a better clock.  I decided to do my homework before this next Monday so I could give him his best options and prices.

In all honesty, the current Chess clock options and companies are really limited.  And not all retailers carry every brand as they once did.

Most every place carries the ZMart clocks, but I really don't see people buying or using them when they can get other clocks.  Perhaps it is the LED displays of the ZMF-II clocks and the jumbo sized display of their Pro clock that puts people off.  Nonetheless they are certainly not the most bought clocks.

The Chronos clocks are popular and we see a number of people owning and using these clocks.  The problem is that currently only the Chronos GX is available anywhere.  Wholesale Chess (www.wholesalechess.com) and The House of Staunton/US Chess Sales (www.houseofstaunton.com) carry these clocks.  If you don't mind the smaller display and clock size, Wholesale Chess has a 20% off sale giving this clock as a good value (about $84).  And at that, the GX is about the same size as the lesser expensive ZMF-II and DGT NA clocks.

The V-Tek 300 is an expensive clock that is only offered by a couple of places.  The Rochester Chess Center (www.chessset.com) and The Chess House (www.chesshouse.com) have these clocks for sale.  This clock has all the best features and is really the easiest to set and use, but the price is quite high.

The DGT company really is everywhere in this market and has 2 clocks that realistically are good.  All the places mentioned in the above paragraphs carry and sell the DGT clocks.  The DGT NA is in the lesser priced category but also and is very popular.  The DGT 3000 is their premier clock that you see used in all the elite events, hooked up to the DGT board.  This clock is about the same price as the Chronos GX and perhaps just a bit lower in price.

Of course there are other models than what I listed above, but they are not as desirable for tournament play and when I look around, there are not many at all being used in tournaments.

So, what am I going to suggest to this young engineer to buy?  Well, I never only give one option so I will show give him three:

1. DGT 3000 - This clock is very popular and does have all the timing options currently available.  The only downsides to this clock are that the body is plastic (not for everyone's taste) and the display is a bit cluttered and the contrast of the display is a bit light.

2. Chronos GX - This clock has all the positive characteristics of the Chronos II and V-Tek with a nice, crisp display and a metal body.  All timing options are also available.  The only downside is that it is not as big of a display as the Chronos II and V-Tek.

3.  V-Tek 300 - This is the luxury or high end clock on the market, objectively speaking.  It has a nice metal body, high contrast display and great buttons as the Chronos clocks.  It also has the larger display like the Chronos II.  It is separated from all the others in that setting and using the clock is the easiest by far.  The downside of this clock is that it really is expensive and highly priced.  Seeing that the Chronos II and DGT 3000 clocks can be had, on sale for $84 and $80 respectively, the $149 price tag of the V-Tek is astronomical in comparison.  In my opinion they should really lower the price on this whether they offer sales, which they do not, or lower the retail price.

So, the best will cost just under twice the cost of the next 2 choices.  But if you want the best you can buy it.  I own 3 of these clocks and use them happily.

The DGT 3000 is a great option if the display is alright for you.  I own 2 of these clocks and use them as well.

The Chronos GX is also a great option and is really comparable to the DGT 3000 in its category.  I own 3 of these clocks as well.

I have a Zmart II with the white LED display. I use it for blitz and i enjoy it as there is only the need to glance at it to see the time. This may put some people off but i think it is a really decent option. I got mine at Rochester chess online and it arrived within the week i purchased it. it is also a little cheaper than other retailers if i remember correctly. i think i paid 57 before shipping. I recommend it.

Oh, I also own a ZMF-II clock and use it for fun and relatively fast play.  It's fine but I just don't see people playing in tournaments using these clocks that much.

And I have bought a number of things from the Rochester Chess Center.  They are very good and I usually can get some kind of sale or discount price from them.

You are certainly up on the latest equipment. Your posts are always very helpful and we respect and appreciate you for it!

DGT NA is a nice clock, but it is bigger than the Chronos GX.  It barely fits (stretches the sides) into the carry-all bag sold by USCF sales and wholesale chess, while the Chronos GX fits perfectly.

Well, the body on the DGT clocks is a bit wider and deeper than the Chronos GX.  However the display is not bigger and perhaps even be smaller than the Chronos GX display. 

The size of the display is what matters.  All I know is that I owned and then gave away my DGT NA clocks because the display was too small compared to other models, Chronos GX included.

I also do not care for the plastic that these DGT clocks have as their bodies.  The ZMF-II clock, for instance has a plastic that just feels better to me.

I also have the DGT 3000 clock, 2 of them, which has a bigger and better display than the DGT NA.

So, I have a place for the ZMF-II clock with its LED display and touch sensors.  I have a place for the DGT 3000.  And I have a place for my Chronos GX clock(s).  The DGT NA is just too limited in display quality and clock function compared to the others, for me.

@Eyechess - Ron, which Chronos GX do you recommend - the touch switch or the push button?

Touch - https://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-clocks/digital-chess-clocks/chronos-gx-digital-chess-clock-touch-switch-black

Black button - https://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-clocks/digital-chess-clocks/chronos-gx-digital-chess-clock-button-black

I get on well with the DGT Easy Plus, and it's even cheaper.

Rascal, I prefer the button model.  I mostly get the black but did buy a red one for use with my Noj Dubrovnik II Red stained set.  I always get a different color button than the clock body.  Sam Timer sells different color buttons.  I usually put red buttons on the black clock.  I recently got Green buttons for a GX that lives with my Mario Sanchez Green leather board and a HoS B H Wood Golden Rosewood set.

Man, I cannot edit my above post with my iPad.

The stupid auto suggest put in Rascal and I did not catch it.

It needs to read, Rsava.

Thanks, Ron. 

And you can call me Rascal. 

Nice synopsis on clocks Eyechess, thank you.  I have played a decent amount with a chronos II push button clock, owned by coworker. Would you know why they are no longer produced? I have seen the GX online but not the II unless I want to by second hand or pay $300 USD. 

@Eyechess - Ron, thank you for this informative thread.  I'm getting ready to order a V-Tek 300 and have a couple of follow-up questions before I pull the trigger.

1.  What clock bag do you recommend for the V-Tek 300?

2. I intend to order a black clock, so I'd like to put contrasting red buttons on it like you noted.  Is there a specific button from Sam Timer that works best?

Thanks again for all your assistance.

I have found the clock bag that The Chess House sells works best for my V-Tek clocks.

Sam Timer has his web site and sells the clock buttons there. 

Here is the link for that page:  http://www.samtimer.com/st-buttons.html

Of course the Sam Timer is a Chronos clock and the buttons are identical on these clocks to the V-Tek buttons.

Red is my favorite color and I like that combination best.

I did buy some green buttons for a Chronos GX that lives with a green squared leather board and a set from HoS.  The green buttons match the green color on the board nicely.

So, I think any color button you get will look nice.

Thank you kind sir.

I had the DGT NA and i just got the DGT 3000 it's a well improved upgrade. The only downside is i wish the cash was metal. But other then that it's great. A lot easier to program and many nicer features 

I agree with the above.

I just want to add that the V-Tek 300, while expensive, is certainly the upgrade to the Chronos II.  For standard tournament play, I find I am using my V-Tek 300 instead of the Chronos GX simply because the body is larger and a bit easier to "find" and use.

However, if a person only wants one clock to own and use, the Chronos GX is the best value for the dollar spent of all the Chess Clocks currently available.

Found a site today for VTEK looks like a direct link to the manufacturer. You can even get a look at t he manual available to download. Only 11 pages and looks fairly simple compared to others.  Just thought I add it, I am sure others know about it.  I still like the look of the Garde Turnier Digital clock that was made in Germany. Old clock look with wooden case but was high tech,Too bad they no longer make it. Ut seemed like every time they were available they would sell like hotcakes.  I guess they make the bulk of their money in watches and that clock must have been a distraction for them as far as answering questions etc.

https://www.visual-tek.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3P7J1YnW2wIVkIJpCh3V1AwUEAMYAyAAEgIdivD_BwE