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Subject: Re: Excalibur products: old wine in new bottles?

Author: Terry McCracken

Date: 02:57:50 04/30/01

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On April 29, 2001 at 15:59:49, Fernando Villegas wrote:

>Hi:
>The article by C.Krantack about Excalibur LCD unit and another one - that I do
>not care about- has submerged me in even more confusion. Our host steven
>Schwartz say, in his ICD site, that LCD Exc. is "perhaps 1200 Elo playing 40 in
>two hours". Another trademan told me that this unit is around 2000 Elo at his
>best level. Now Krantack talks of "between 1600 and 1900".
>
>Well, my confusion only can deepen. But I have even another question: do we
>have, in Ecalibur products, something new or just old Fidelity programs with new
>names and even lighter plastic boxes and they are made by now in China? After
>all the owner of Excalibur is the son or the deceased Mr Samole, who owned
>Fidelity.  And when you go to Excalibur site you does not find even a word about
>the programmer of his units. For me, if such is the truth, it is a mistaken
>and/or a dishonest behaviour. Mistaken, because to some people it would be a
>good thing to have the opportunity to get again some old Spracklen-programmed
>stuff. And for the people that does not know and care nothing about this field,
>it would be the same to see that X machine was programmed by Dan and Kate
>Spracklen or by Mr Villegas. And dishonest if by doing that you try to avoid the
>feeling of the knowleadgeable customer that he is purchasing an obsolete 80's
>vintage product.
>
>If I knew for certain that the strongest Excalibur machine is a new christened
>version of, say, Fidelity MACH iii, I would purchase at once as much in those
>days I had not the money to do so. Who knows? Who have the answer? steven?
>George LAGRATH? Mr Krantack?  Who?
>
>Fernando

Hi Fernando, I wouldn't even bother with Excalibur Electronics.
Instead, if you're interested in "Old Vintage" Fidelity products you
should find people here who have collected Fidelity Chess Challengers
and see if any are willing to sell.
I know some have posted awhile back that they have certain models including
Fidelity Electronics, Mach III Master, in good condition also.
*I also have a Designer Mach III Master 2265 model 6113 from 1989 which was made
before the Mephisto/Hegner&Glasser, buy out in Sept. 1989.
(Fidelity International 13900 N.W. 58 Ct.,Miami Florida 33014-3115
Serial No. 90750123 Model 6113 Patent No.4.235.442) This is still clear and
inscribed on the bottom of the unit, like new and the machine works like new
and is still in new condition! (Mint) well almost mint. I use to play games on
it but not for a long time except to watch it get killed by the likes of
Fritz!:) I always favoured the machine so this is why I kept it in perfect
condition, there are no visible signs of wear and tear. But the box is
tattered:) "Cheap Box" with an attractive design. The certificate by the USCF is
in good condition and so is the manual.
*That's the upside! The downside is I'd hate to sell it!  It's not out of the
question. I'm just very reluctant to sell. I only have one, if I had more that
would be different.
But there are people/collecters who may?

Here's a link that might help you, if this collecter keeps more than one of each
model, who knows they might sell?

http://www.brettschachcomputer.de/

I hope you have luck in finding something you like!:)

Regards,
 Terry



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