Chronos Chess Clocks are Back!!!

The significant statement above being, "...if I owned a Chronos II..."

The fact is that the buttons on the Chronos II are solid and stable.  I have one that I have played Blitz with for 13+ years now with the buttons operating as well with the same action as when they were new and also compared to my newer Chronos clocks.

Of course everyone should feel free to modify products they own to make those products more palatable for the owner

Every statement I make is significant relative to my post, else I wouldn't make it in the first place.

The fact is that the buttons on the Chronos II are solid and stable.  I have one that I have played Blitz with for 13+ years now with the buttons operating as well with the same action as when they were new and also compared to my newer Chronos clocks.

Not as solid and stable as they could be. The stock buttons sit above the top of the clock with no shroud, which makes them succeptible to damage from side impacts due to leverage (arcade buttons have no such succeptibility; they sit low and are mostly shrouded). Can you imagine installing those keyboard buttons on a Defender, Galaga, Donkey Kong, etc., in a big city arcade in the early 1980s, or in a Street Fighter II or Mortal Kombat in the early 1990s? They'd be lucky to last a week.

I have a Super Punch-Out machine (Nintendo, 1984 - http://i.imgur.com/czUKSy8.jpg), which has 3 buttons (the big blue one [Omron ZAP-2A] being an extra heavy-duty design), and a 5-way joystick, for a total of 8 microswitches, and all of them are still the original Omron brand microswitches that Nintendo installed in 1984, and they all work perfectly. This machine spent nearly 20 years on location in various commercial arcades before I acquired it in 2005 (it's had a very easy life since then).

Of course everyone should feel free to modify products they own to make those products more palatable for the owner

It is what they should have used in the first place. I know of no momentary switch/button design which can take as much of a beating as an arcade button, and which is so easy and inexpensive to replace (either the whole assembly or, because it is modular, just the microswitch).

The new design clock from ACE sounds interesting. However if one needs a clock now I can't see what is wrong with getting a chronos for under $100 with the 15% discount and free shipping as the new clock may be a while in production.  When you have tooling etc. even packaging issues involved in selling the end product experience seems to show that the intention is good in nature that these will be available soon but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't ready till 2016 (the production models). Usuaally even a single sided PCB board costs bucks for tooling so I am guessing the first run might be 500 units to spread out the start up costs. 

Of course you're right Mike.  I just went to Wholesale Chess and saw they still have Chronos clocks available.  Seeing that the new "pig in a poke" clock is still an unknown regarding price, quality and time of availability Getting a Chronos now at the lesser price is a good idea.

I already have a few Chronos clocks, three, so I'm in no hurry to get one.  That's why I can wait for this new one.  And someone in this thread mentioned not being in a hurry to get one, that's why I talked about waiting.

When available, the Chronos is still the best clock out there, in my opinion.

A quick Update: Wholesale chess still has Chronos clocks available but the are down ONLY to the push button version:

They have 5 WHITE clocks and 6 BLUE clocks. If you have put off buying a clock and REALLY want a clock...

Hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

All 6 options (blue, white, black) x (button, touch) are available at The Chess Store for $114.95 (a nickel less than Wholesale Chess).

I am selling a new Chronos II (black, push botton) for $99.99 + shipping. That is quite a bit less than you can generally find them for online.

I put it on Ebay for your safety and mine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chronos-Digital-Chess-Clock-II-Push-Button-Black-/201261132307?

So far both Wholesale Chess and The Chess Store are carrying the Chronos II chess clocks. If you are looking for the BLUE Push Button model you can -- at the current time -- only find it at The Chess Store.

It would seem that the pipeline is now full at least in terms of finding the Chronos II clocks both in Push Button and Touch Sensor models. It will be interesting to see if Chronos will now go after ZMF and start producing the Chronos GX again in both Touch Sensor and Push Button models. Indeed the Touch Sensor model would compete head-to-head with the ZMFII which is a Touch Sensor model, and reclaim the Push Button market which ZMF does not offer. Given that the ZMFII is a knock off of the Chronos GX Touch Sensor, I suspect IF Chronos *does* re-enter the GX market it may or may not hurt ZMF:

May -- since Chronos *is* a desired brand, and many people who would be looking to buy a ZMFII would turm around and buy the Chronos GX if re-introduced.

May NOT -- The ZMFII is offered at 1/2 the price of a Chronos GX, and has been the only Chronos GX-like model available for some time now, allowing the ZMFII to draw a following, plus the ZMFII has some features, such as the LED display, the Chronos GX does not offer.

My guess is that the market is big enough to accomodate both clocks. The ZMFII would be an entry level GX-like Touch Sensor clock attractive to young children, with enough functions to satisfy the majority of scholastic demands. The Full fledged Chronos GX with its vaster programing functions plus coming in a Push Button model would be aimed at the olkder market where the clock is likely to be constantly used, rather than used for only a few years then no longer needed as the child "out grows" their "chess phase" in pursuit of other activities. 

Hey just a heads up for anyone wanting a Chronos GX Clock. Wholesale Chess and House of Staunton has both the button and touch sensor available in black.

http://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess_clocks/chronos_chess_clocks

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/catalog/product/view/id/14181/s/chronos-gx-digital-game-clock-button/

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/catalog/product/view/id/14182/s/chronos-gx-digital-game-clock-touch/

What turned around at Chronos?

I've heard no rumors, but it sure had the smell of some terrible fight or someone dying at the top level.

I'm still annoyed that I bought a GX clock from one of the last batches before production stopped and my clock died in three weeks with miniscule use.

I can see why they're so highly regarded.

Ipcress,

From what I heard they moved their manufacturing facility and during the process a lot of things happened. From the many post I've read it seems like there is only 1-2 people running the shop. Maybe there was an illness, family death, building fire, etc? I really don't know.

As for your dead chess clock, try mailing it back to them directly. I had the same issue as you and decided to mail it to them out of warranty. They repaired the clock and everything has been fine for the last year. There was a note included with my repaired clock and they seemed very sincere with their apology. They have built fine chess clocks for the last 20 years and there was a small hiccup in the last production which they are reaching out to fix.

I will be buying another Chronos GX clock this week and post if there are any new features in the next few days. With the 15% discount at Wholesale Chess it would be a good idea to buy now.

there was a small hiccup in the last production which they are reaching out to fix.

Glad to hear of your experience. I'll give it a try. I suppose I've nothing to lose.

I figured my bad clock was a symptom of whatever turmoil was going on with the company at the time.

But back then the company kept issuing cheerful web messages that they were just about to get back to business which went for more than a year. Meanwhile some customers reported they were not responding to emails or phone calls.

I have read a lot of people mentioning they have called Sam from Chronosdealer and Samtimer, but I honestly don't believe he is the person behind the scenes. It seems like ChronosDealer and Samtimer are vendors just as Wholesale Chess, Chess House, House of Staunton, etc.

Definitely send your clock back directly to them and have it fixed. I have owned several Chronos clocks and I really do love them. I have one from over 20 years ago that is still working like I bought it yesterday! It only has 4 time presets!

ChessFan: What address did you use for Chronos when you sent yours back?

I ordered mine from USCF. The instructions include this address for repairs:

DCI
PO BOX 390741
Mountain View, CA 94039

I like the design and feel of the clock. The interface is maybe the worst I've ever encountered in an electronic product.

Yes that is the address I sent it to. It took a little under two weeks for a turnaround.

I really happen to like the interfaces of the Chronos clocks. What I love is that you have 12 user presets which are easily accessible. Each mode provided is programmable and can be saved to any of the user presets.   Maybe you will have a change of heart after using it for awhile.

For some reason the HOS link I posted above doesn't seem to work anymore. Here is a new link to the GX clocks on their webpage.

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/chess-clocks-1/chronos-chess-clocks.html

ChessFan: Thanks for getting back to me.

I've no objection to the features Chronos offers, but I object to the manner in which  the user must contort to achieve them. Take a look at the way the Zmart works to understand.

The Chronos interface is close to voodoo. I"ve been programming consumer software professionally since 1985.

Icpress,

I have used the Zmart Chess Clocks in the past and I personally don't like their interface. It's not that it's hard to set the time settings I want, it just takes many more steps to achieve them in comparison.

If we take a look at the Chronos GX, everything is already laid out for you from the four Blitz modes, eight Tournament modes (with and without move-counters) and two GO modes. If I want to play a game with a certain time control, I can easily select the mode that corresponds and do the adjustments I need and save. With the Zmart I have to cycle through all the options before I can even begin a game.

ChessFan: You're a great guy, but I think you're crazy. De gustibus etc.

As Larry Tesler, one of the Gods of software interface design and one of the fathers of the original Macintosh once said, "Don't mode me in."

I was so frustrated with the Chronos interface that I started my own guide to the damn thing. It's not complete but deals with the really tricky bits.

=======================================
* Setting the Chronos GX Chess Clock

** Preface

This information can be gleaned from the official manual, but the instructions drop down into the weeds of low-level detail so quickly that it is easy to be confused. You don't know where to start or where things are.

Let's give you a basic idea of the clock first. Essentially you can are doing only one of three things with the clock at any time:

1) Starting clock / Selecting current mode
2) Playing a game based on current mode
3) Editing current mode

The interface is minimal. Everything happens by pressing one or more of the three buttons on the top of the clock, usually only one button at a time.

The interface is streamlined so steps 1) and 2) can take place in as little as two button presses. Most of the complexity is in step 3), editing the current setting.

By mode, I mean the various features of the clock in force when playing a game -- the time control, delay, increment, whether the clock beeps when a player presses a button, etc.

***

So, where do the modes come from? Good question. If you get this straight, the rest is just mechanics.

There are three kinds of modes to keep in mind:

1) Factory presets: 12 for chess, 2 for go (Asian board game)
2) User presets: 12 -- initially set to match the chess factory presets
3) Current mode: 1 -- temporary, only lasts for the current clock session

You can access the factory presets, but you can't change them. So don't worry that you might ruin your clock when editing settings.

When you first get the clock, the user presets are copies of the factory presets in the same order as the factory presets. But they don't have to be the same and they won't be as soon as you start creating your custom settings and saving them.

The current mode is exactly that: the collection of settings in force on the clock at the moment. The current mode is based on a user preset or a factory preset, but keep in mind that it is a copy of the preset, not the preset itself.

Important: When you edit the current mode, you only affect the current mode -- not the preset it was based on.

It's easiest to think of the user presets as twelve slots numbered 1 through 12, each containing a mode. The slots come prefilled, as noted, with the twelve factory chess modes, but whenever you edit the current mode, you can save it at the end of editing with the "COPY TO N" command, where N is the number of a slot.

This is the only way to save your mode for later reuse. If you leave N as 0, it will not be saved to a user preset. It will exist only as the current mode until you change it or turn the clock off. You can assign modes to any slot. Your only concerns are that you must be careful not to overwrite a mode you want to keep.

=== Unfinished===
** Turn On / Set Time Control

** Edit Time Control

** Play Game

** Exit

icpress,

I may be a little crazy, haha. I can see why the Chronos clocks may be frustrating at first, but it will get easier to navigate with time. Have your clock repaired and give it a few weeks and report back.

Here is my quick guide for the Chronos GX. It kind of mirrors some of the points you’ve mentioned and hopefully could be of some help.

How to turn on clock

1. Pressing red button will bring you to user presets 1-4*

2. Holding down L play switch and pressing red button will bring you to user presets 5-8*

3. Holding down R play switch and pressing red button will bring you to user presets 9- 12* (initial display will be Totl-000.  Selecting any user presets from 9-12 will automatically have the move times saved for that game.)

4. Holding down R & L play switch and pressing red button will bring you to the 14 factory presets (initial display F1-F2)*

*To cycle through the different user presets you need to short press the red button. On user preset settings 1-4 the starting times will be displayed instead of the identifiers (F1, F2, TC-2, TC-3, etc.) For user presets 5-12 the factory-preset identifiers will be displayed initially. For example, if I select factory preset F1 and copy it to user preset 5, when I turn the clock on using step two, the left LCD will display F1.

Turning Off Clock

Hold down the red button and press either play switch five times. This can be done at any time the clock is on

Factory Presets and Programmable Options

F1-F4:  These are all the blitz presets* 

TC-2-TC-U: These are tournament modes with a move counter. The number besides TC is the number of time-controls there are for that factory preset. For example, TC-2 means there are two time-controls*

TN-1-TN-U: These are tournament presets without move counters.  When the time has expired for one time control, the next will begin immediately thereafter.  The number next to TN is how many time controls there are. For example, TN-3 means there are three time controls*

GO-C and GO-J: Go presets for Canadian and Japanese byo-yomi

Programmable Options - All the factory presets listed above have the option to change the dl-delay, in-increment, fd-final delay, beep – 1= On 0 = Off, led - 1= On 0 = Off, beep at end - 0 = No beeps 1 = 5 beeps 2= 120 beeps, halt at end – 0= no halt at end of match 1= halt at end of match. You can also change the dl, in and fd for each time-control. Bp at tc- 1= clock beeps at new time control 0 = clock does not beep at new time control ß bp at tc is only applicable to factory presets TC-2-TC-U and TN-1-TN-U.

* Any of the factory presets can be set for one time use but once the clock has been turned off or you've short pressed the red button (twice for blitz presets F1-F4 and four times for all the tournament presets) to exit the current preset you were in, any of the adjustments you’ve made are now gone. To prevent this from happening you need to cycle through to the very end  in “settings mode” where it says copy to 0. From here you can select any user presets between 1-12

How to approach saving times

Lets say we want a game of 90 minutes for the first 30 moves, followed by 15 minutes. Turn the clock on using step four (R Switch + L Switch + Red Button). Find the factory preset that closely matches the time settings for this game. Since we know there are two time controls with a move counter involved, I would short press the red button twice to bring me to factory presets TC-2 and TC-3.

While the LCD’s show factory presets TC-2 and TC-3, select TC-2 using the left player switch. Once this factory preset has been selected, you can now go in and change the factory preset settings so that it matches the game times.

In order to do this, hold/long press the red button down until the clock beeps and the first digit flashes. When the digits are flashing, this shows that you have entered what is called “settings mode,” where any thing from the times to the programmable options can be adjusted. Cycle through all the options provided in TC-2 and make the changes you need by pressing either play switch while the digits are flashing.

Again, in order for any changes you have made to be saved the COPY to X needs to be set to anything non-zero. X corresponds to the user preset it will be saved to.  Be careful as you could overwrite presets.

Short Cuts/Hints

If all you want to do is change the led, beep, beep at end, beep at tc, halt and end or display options you can hold/long press the red button twice in the settings mode. This will let you skip through the times to get to these options much faster.

What I would play close attention to and try to remember are the 14 factory presets. Know that factory presets F1-F4 are primarily used for blitz; TC-2- TC-U factory presets are for tournament games where there is a move counter involved; TN-1-TN-U factory presets have the move counter disabled and when the time for one time control expires, the next will immediately begin.

Once you are familiar with each factory preset, select the one that closely resembles the type of game you are playing and the required times. Make the adjustments to the times and programmable options and copy to any of the 1-12 presets if you want to save it.

The way I view the 14 factory presets is similar to how I view a coloring book. You have many blank drawings (14 factory presets) in a coloring book, which can be manipulated to your liking. You can change the colors (dl, in, fd, beep, etc.) and even add to drawings (time changes, move-counters) with a ink pen. After any of the blank drawings has evolved into what you think is a masterpiece, you can either take it to your local printing shop (1-12 user presets) to have it laminated and saved forever. If you aren’t happy with the drawing in a few weeks you could return to the printing shop to have the drawing delaminated, make any more adjustments you think are necessary, then laminate once more. Haha, I’m a little tired but this for some reason makes sense to me right now. Maybe it may sound like gibberish in the next few hours when I have fully rested, maybe not.

There are many more options and ways to do things that I haven’t mentioned. But I think that’s the beauty of the Chronos clocks. You can pretty much adjust anything you want or need. If I wanted 12 different blitz presets – with programmable options set differently- saved I have that option to do so. If I want 6 tn-1 presets with different delays and increments, I can have them saved to any of the user presets for quick retrieval. The possibilities are endless.

WOW, I can’t believe I actually just wrote all that! Well I hope you have a great Fourth of July weekend icpress. Lets enjoy a cold brew and celebrate life.