Chess.com VTek 300 Review

A review has just been posted by a Staff of Chess.com

Here is the link:

https://www.chess.com/blog/shaun/do-you-need-a-new-chess-clock

I agree with pretty much all of the review. 

Someone mentioned in the email chain I received about the review that the high price has been a deal breaker for a lot of people.  And this person owns a prominent Chess, online retail business.

I responded that from what I have experienced with people that I have talked with, I feel that a retail price of $135 or even $130 would sell a lot more clocks than have been sold.  I guess the sales of these clocks has not been very stellar.

In working with my Chronos GX(s) I have found that this model is a lot easier to set than all the previous Chronos models, including the Chronos II.  And it has the increment availability that the other Chronos models fell short.  The programming of this clock along with its other attributes gives a chess player all he needs in a clock.  It is a smaller footprint clock, about the same size as the DGT 3000 and Zmart clocks.  And if that doesn't bother you, it is really the best clock for the money at this time, in my opinion.

Shelby has commented at the end of the above linked blog post that the updating of the firmware and programming makes the VTek a clock to last a lot longer than all others.

Well, my only counter to this is that the Chronos programming along with the other companies and their clocks, have lasted fine without updates or upgrades to the firmware and so on. 

One of the problems with the VTek that Shelby has told me is going to be changed is that it does not currently allow different time controls set for either side, no time handicap possibilities.  Well, the Chronos does allow this.  And making the VTek be able to do this is really a fix, not an update or upgrade, in my opinion.  Don't get me wrong, having it fixed is a good thing. But once the programming is finalized to be best, there really is no need for further changes.  And in his statement, he did say the upgrades and shipping would need to be paid for by the person that bought the clock, not optimal in my opinion.

So, my latest opinion of this clock is that it is a good clock, but not a perfect one.  Yes, I agree the price is too high, and for $50 less, the Chronos GX is a much better value.

So, I think they need to tweak the programming to make it best and then bring the price down to reality.  Yes, I do own 2 VTek clocks, a beta version and another production model.  And I also own 4 Chronos clocks, 2 Chronos II models and 2 GX models.  I also used to own a DGT 3000 but sold it to buy my first GX clock about 9 months ago.

What is wrong with the Mephisto Competition Pro game clock by Saitek or the old Excaliber Game Time clock that at one time was "The official digital chess clock of the USCF"?  In the good old days you bought a BHB or Jerger mechanical clock and it virtually lasted a lifetime and now we have different digital clocks sprouting like mushrooms.  I'm not sure why they are any better except some are housed in a metal case.

It seems to me the chess business and the billiards or pool business are a lot alike in their ability to hustle you into things you don't need, usually the latest magic bullet, so to speak, that will allow you to play better; that includes some -- I emphasize some -- chess books written by Grandmasters at the lower end of the competitive food chain out to make a living.

My two cents worth.

My opinion:

In the club we use 30 bucks chess clocks. They are poor quality, but they resist, and I can buy 5 of them instead of a Vtek.

They are hard to program, but just the first time. You are not going to kill a zombie with them and you usually carry them in a bag, so they are not needed to be bulletproof.

IMHO, there are not so many controls you will play even in competition. We usually play 5', 10', 25', 25'+30, 60', 60'+30 or 90'+30.

All these controls and many more even with time control are covered in most chess clocks.

For me DGT 3000 is in the limit of expensive clocks, I think anything above that will be a "ferrari" and only pruchased by a minotiry of people.

Of course you are right.  The only problem with those 2 clocks is their relative cheap plastic build.

I owned and used a Saitek Competition Pro or III.  One of the green LEDs in the buttons quit working.  I gave that clock to a friend in our club that still has and uses one so he could use the extra as a backup.  Unfortunately that clock is no longer made.

We still have the Excalibur II and use them in our chess clubs.  I just bought Chronos the way you would buy Jerger instead of BHB.

Right now the DGT North American is the best, inexpensive clock to get.  And the Chronos has been the best upper priced clock to buy.

They just came out with this new VTek to improve on the Chronos.  And the discussion has ensued as to whether it is better enough to warrant the extra cost.

What has happened to the VTek 300? I do not hear much of it, or see it in the market besides the Chronos, DGTs, ZMFs and the current generic rebranded chess clock.

I have never encountered this with the two VTEK 300's I own. 

Any plans for the VTEK to get a firmware upgrade soon?